Sarasota has an outsized arts scene for its size, with world class museums, galleries and exhibits worth building a day around.
Downtown Sarasota
Long-running community art center offering rotating exhibitions, classes and events.
East Sarasota
A nonprofit zoological sanctuary with more than 300 animals, educational presentations and reserved encounters.
Sarasota
The Venetian Gothic mansion of John and Mable Ringling, located on The Ringling campus.
Sarasota
Museum devoted to circus history, including artifacts, railcars, costumes and the Howard Bros. miniature circus.
Bradenton
A museum in historic Cortez preserving Florida Gulf Coast fishing, boatbuilding and maritime traditions.
Bradenton
Historic antebellum plantation mansion and museum in Ellenton, preserved as a Florida State Park with guided house tours.
941-723-4536 · floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/judah-p-benjamin-confederate-memorial-gamble-plantation-historic-state-park
Bradenton
Open-air historical park preserving Manatee County's 1840-1918 heritage through 15 historic buildings, exhibits and points of interest.
Osprey / Nokomis
A 30-acre waterfront campus combining native nature, archaeological history, pioneer heritage and gardens.
Sarasota
A playful museum celebrating colorful, imaginative and uplifting art in a distinctive setting.
University Town Center
A 146,000-square-foot marine science aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park with immersive galleries and STEM learning labs.
East Sarasota
A reservation-based educational elephant experience focused on close observation and conservation learning.
Sarasota
Seven on-campus galleries at Ringling College with rotating student, faculty, alumni and visiting-artist exhibitions and events.
941-359-7563 · ringling.edu/about/community-programs/galleries-exhibitions
Downtown Sarasota
Sarasota's contemporary art museum in the restored historic Sarasota High School complex.
Sarasota
A historic tropical wildlife park known for free-roaming flamingos, animal presentations and close-up encounters.
Longboat Key
A wild-bird rescue and rehabilitation center with an educational outdoor visiting area on City Island.
Bradenton
A regional science and natural-history museum featuring a planetarium, Florida history and a manatee rehabilitation habitat.
Sarasota
Florida's state art museum and a 66-acre cultural campus with art, circus history, gardens, theater and the Ringling mansion.
Venice
Community art center with rotating exhibitions, public gallery access, classes and programs in Venice.
Hours, prices, and details change. Call ahead to confirm before you go. Know a place we should add? Use the form below.
If there's a spot in Museums, arts and exhibits we should add to this list, tell us about it below. We read every suggestion.