Sarasota's Hidden Gems: Where Locals Love to Explore

Sarasota is not just a tourist hotspot; it's a place where locals can enjoy a variety of experiences, from outdoor adventures to cultural events. With cooler weather setting in, it's the perfect time to explore some of the best spots in the area before the tourist season kicks into high gear. One of the top spots is Bayfront Park, located in downtown Sarasota. This park offers a beautiful bayfront location, a playground, a splash pad, and multiple restaurants and bars. Marina Jack, situated within the park, features several dining options, including an upscale restaurant, a lounge, and a patio bar with live music. The park also offers sightseeing cruises, making it a great place to spend a day. Another must-visit spot is The Bay Park, which opened its first 15 acres in 2022 and will eventually expand to 53 acres. This park features walking trails, a kayak launch, and a café. It also hosts a variety of events, including Sunday concerts, outdoor movie screenings, and yoga classes. Nearby, the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, affectionately known as the Purple Cow, has been a top live entertainment venue for over half a century. The 2025-26 season features a diverse lineup of acts, from comedians to bands that have been together for decades. City Island is another great spot to visit. While it's no longer home to Mote Marine's popular aquarium, it's still a great place to see wildlife at the Save Our Seabirds center. The island is also home to several beloved restaurants, including New Pass Grill & Bait Shop, known for its burgers, and The Old Salty Dog, famous for its unique hot dogs. The island also hosts free weekly water ski shows on Sundays. For those looking for a beach experience, Lido Beach is a great alternative to the more crowded Siesta Beach. Lido Beach offers beautiful white sands and spectacular Gulf sunsets. The recently renovated pavilion was cited by Time magazine when it named Sarasota one of the World's Greatest Places in 2021. The Lido Island Grill offers a full menu of food and drinks, including cocktails. Nearby, Ted Sperling Park is a hidden gem popular with kayakers and paddleboarders. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is a longtime mainstay of downtown Sarasota. The 15-acre garden acquired the 30-acre Historic Spanish Point in Osprey in 2020 and continues to expand its downtown campus. The garden features a "living museum" of tropical plants and recently debuted its annual orchid show. The downtown campus is also home to The Green Orchid, a solar-powered restaurant operated by Sarasota fine-dining staple Michael's on East. Another popular attraction is The Ringling, a complex named after circus entrepreneur John Ringling and his wife Mable Ringling. The complex comprises art and circus museums, the Ringlings' winter mansion Ca' d'Zan, the Historic Asolo Theater, and the surrounding gardens. On Mondays, The Ringling offers free admission to its art museum and bayfront gardens. The museum’s restaurant, The Ringling Grillroom, overlooks a lovely lagoon and is a great place to enjoy a meal. The Sarasota Opera House is a historic venue that has hosted a variety of events, including a 1956 Elvis Presley concert and the premiere of the 1952 Sarasota-set and shot Best Picture Oscar winner "The Greatest Show on Earth. " The opera house primarily showcases its namesake art form along with ballet and other fine arts. The fall production opens on October 31, with five performances through November 15. Siesta Key Beach is another must-visit spot. Twice named the best beach in the U. S. by Stephen "Dr. Beach" Leatherman, Siesta Key Beach and its quartz-crystal sands are easily one of the Sarasota area's biggest tourist attractions. The beach comes alive on Sunday evenings with its long-running drum circle, a weekly tradition of rhythm, dance, and sunset views. The beach is in close proximity to Siesta Key Village, which features a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars. St. Armands Circle is a legendary shopping and dining destination in Sarasota. While it has been a challenging year for the circle, with longtime restaurants and stores still closed after last year’s hurricanes, one iconic business recently made a major comeback. The Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store has reintroduced itself in a new setting, reuniting the company’s restaurant and retail concepts under a single roof for the first time in more than a decade. University Town Center (UTC) offers a ton of places to shop or dine and drink, both within The Mall at UTC and at numerous shopping plazas surrounding the mall. Besides all the retail and restaurants, it also offers entertainment including Tiger Woods' mini-golf concept PopStroke, a variety of events primarily held at the outdoor space The Green at UTC, and the new Mote Science Education Aquarium (or Mote SEA), which opened on October 8 and can be found at Nathan Benderson Park, overlooking UTC.