Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Sarasota?
Should you spend 1 or 2 weeks in Sarasota?
Most people spend two to five days in Sarasota during their visit. The relaxing city offers amazing highlights such as the famous sights and museums, the beaches, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene.
Sarasota is located south of Tampa in Florida. It has many great beaches, the Mote Marine Lab, and a museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus. While it's often overlooked by visitors to Florida, this makes a fun vacation destination for people of all ages.
Do you have one or two weeks to visit Sarasota? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one week enough time in Sarasota?
With one week at your disposal, you'll have more than enough time to take in all that Sarasota has to offer, giving you the flexibility to unwind in your hotel or use Sarasota as a base for day trips to nearby destinations. You can relax while enjoying the famous sights and museums, the beaches, and the cuisine at your own pace, as this medium sized city offers a variety of fun activities for families. We have some suggestions of things to do below, too.
How to spend a week in Sarasota
Don't miss the John and Mable Ringling Museum during your trip to Sarasota, as it's one of this destination's most well-known attractions. You should make sure to set aside enough time to see it.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Downtown Walking Food Tour in Sarasota ($110)
- Sarasota Street Food Tour ($85)
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Sarasota, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.
The beautiful beaches await you in Sarasota, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour ($59)
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure ($59)
- Lido Key Pedal Kayak Tour in Sarasota ($75)
Shopping in Sarasota is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.
After you've explored most of Sarasota, take a day trip to one of the many beautiful destinations nearby.
With so much time here, you should absolutely take another day trip to one of the many nearby destinations around Sarasota. Plenty of amazing options are available.
Another fun day at the beach awaits, so spend more time relaxing and swimming. After all, a beach vacation usually calls for plenty of time to have fun on the sand and in the waves.
Is 2 weeks enough time in Sarasota?
Two weeks is more than sufficient for an in-depth trip to Sarasota, giving you the freedom to set your own pace. The famous sights and museums, the beaches, the cuisine, and the nightlife scene on your own schedule. Then, unwind at your hotel or use Sarasota as a hub for some nice day trips in the surrounding areas.
Sarasota, Florida
How to spend 2 weeks in Sarasota
With 2 weeks in Sarasota, you'll have plenty of time to enjoy everything the city has to offer at your own relaxed pace. You'll want to spend plenty of time relaxing on the beach. You can also relax at your hotel, or casually explore this city looking for hidden gems. Also, consider taking some day trips to nearby destinations where you can explore more of the region.
A few trip suggestions:
- Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure ($59)
- Parasailing Adventure above the Gulf of Mexico ($95)
- Parasailing Adventure in Anna Maria Island ($119)
- TreeUmph Adventure Course ($67)
- 90-Minute Parasailing Adventure Above Anna Maria Island, FL ($75)
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Sarasota, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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