Sarasota is a city on Florida’s Middle Gulf Coast that was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. It is a thriving and vibrant city attracting second-home buyers, young professionals, families, retirees and snowbirds.
Sarasota is the gateway to miles of beaches and coastline including Siesta Key, St. Armands Key, Longboat Key, Lido Key, Casey Key, Anna Maria Island and Bradenton Beach, each having its own beauty and recreational options. There are an abundance of things to do and see from sights and landmarks, outdoor activities, water sports, museums, zoos and aquariums, shopping, dining, arts and entertainment, parks and trails, golf courses and much more. To learn more, please visit www.visitsarasota.org. The Sarasota/Bradenton airport is approximately 4 miles north and Tampa International Airport is approximately 44 miles north.
Sarasota is also Florida’s “cultural capital” and is home to the Ringling Center for the Culture Arts, The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota Opera House, Sarasota Ballet of Florida, Florida West Coast Symphony, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Mote Marine Laboratory, and host to a variety of music festivals, theater, art, dance and galleries.
New to Sarasota are the Nathan Benderson Park and the University Town Center Mall. Situated just west of I75, Nathan Benderson Park is a unique 600-acre community park providing public access to a 400-acre lake. Athletes from world over train on the park’s world-class permanent FISA Class 2,000 meter sprint rowing and training course, and the park will be the host of the 2017 World Rowing Championships. Families and visitors can enjoy the water on kayaks, rowboat or stand-up paddle board, enjoy an afternoon picnic, or walk, run or bike the trails encircling the beautiful lake. The park is located immediately adjacent to University Town Center, Southwest Florida’s newest shopping, dining and entertainment destination serving Sarasota and surrounding areas. University Town Center Mall offers upscale and diverse shopping as well as full-service restaurants and is enjoyed by permanent and seasonal residents, vacationers, and visitors from points north and south.
Another of Sarasota’s greatest assets is its education system from top-ranked public schools in the state to nationally recognized institutions of higher learning including Argosy University, Florida State University/Regional Medical School Campus, Florida State University Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training, Ringling College of Art and Design, Keiser University, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine/Bradenton Campus, New College of Florida, University of South Florida-Sarasota/Manatee. Fifty-five public schools in Sarasota County serve all educational needs from pre-kindergarten to adult enrichment.
Sarasota has so much to offer which is why it has been named one of the best cities to live and work in the U.S. Other accolades include: Siesta Key - #1 Beach in America, Top 10 Small Cities for Art Lovers, Top 10 Cities to Live, Best Spring Break Training Facility – Ed Smith Stadium, and the Sports-Friendliest Vacation Destination.
Sarasota welcomes you!