Updated November 5, 2026
A circus museum and mansion, bayfront gardens, the farmers market and a downtown dinner. Swap anything out using our full Sarasota & Anna Maria Island guide.
Saturday
- Morning: Spend the morning at The Ringling: art museum, circus museum and Ca' d'Zan.
- Lunch: Cafe on St. Armands.
- Afternoon: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - Downtown Sarasota Campus.
- Dinner: Libby's Neighborhood Brasserie.
Sunday
- Morning: Sharks, manatees and sea turtles at the Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA).
- Afternoon: Lido Beach.
- Evening: Dinner at Mattison's City Grille.
Before you go
- Siesta Beach parking fills early on weekends. Arrive before 10 a.m. or use a rideshare.
- Some piers and attractions are still being rebuilt after the 2024 hurricanes. Confirm hours on the official site before you drive out.
- Venice, about 30 minutes south of Sarasota, is known for shark-tooth hunting at Caspersen and Venice beaches.
Other weekend plans
A weekend in St. Pete Beach and ClearwaterA weekend in TampaA weekend in Sarasota and Anna Maria IslandAn Orlando weekend from Tampa BayA romantic St. Pete weekendClearwater Beach with kidsGulf beach bar hopSt. Pete nights outTarpon Springs & DunedinBeach weekend on a budgetLGBTQ+ weekend in St. PeteTampa with kidsYbor City nightsTampa food lover's weekendRainy-day TampaSiesta Key beach weekendSlow weekend on Anna Maria IslandWild SarasotaeFoil & water adventure weekendOrlando for grown-upsLGBTQ+ weekend in OrlandoOrlando's wild sideRockets & racing: a Space Coast dayOrlando live music weekendSwim with manatees in Crystal RiverFlorida springs road tripOne perfect day: Tampa to the beach