Sarasota may be the closest thing the Suncoast has to a truly sophisticated, metropolitan area. Indeed, for its size, small as cities go, Sarasota packs in more exciting things to do than you might suspect. The variety is also impressive.
First stop: Visitors Center
Unless you have a definite destination in mind, an excellent first stop is the Sarasota Visitor Information Center at 655 North Tamiami Trail. Here, you can pick up an armload of brochures that will tell you more, plenty more. The folks there are very good at giving you specific directions to the attractions of your choice.
The Visitor Information Center is on the same side of the street as The Sarasota County History Center, Art Center Sarasota and the municipal auditorium, where various trade shows appear. All of these are worth a visit. The hours for any of these is 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. None charge admission, with the possible exception of the auditorium -- and that depends upon the current attraction. Check out
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or call 1-800-522-9799.
Jungle Gardens
Sarasota Jungle Gardens is just the right sized tropical venue to please most families -- not too big but all-inclusive of amazing tropical birds and 5,000 different hot-weather plants. It's compact, and mostly shaded. And it's not so big that kids get over-tired. There are bird and reptile shows, and trails through the jungle, plus a restaurant and refreshment stand. Admission is $9, adults; $8, seniors; $5, ages 3-12. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. all year.
Mote Marine
Mote Marine is something else again. The displays and the scope of the marine research they do is awesome. And much of it is open to visitors. The main building is filled with aquariums, large and small, plus a restaurant.
There are many species of tropical fish, plus a 135,000-gallon shark tank and a huge manatee tank. In another section are dozens of smaller tanks where fish are raised and where marine experiments go forth. This is a place where you can come early and stay late and still not see everything. The staff is both knowledgeable and helpful.
Admission is $15 for age 13 and up, $10 for younger, with under four free. The hours are 10 to 5, 365 days a year.
Next door to Mote Marine is one of Florida's largest bird care and rehabilitation centers. Begun in 1981 by Dale Shields, the Pelican Man's Sanctuary tends to injured and orphaned birds -- bringing them back to health when they can, caring for them for life when they can't. Here you see how mankind's carelessness can injure birds with monofilament fishing lines and plastic beer can holders, among others. The work done here is an inspiration, with most "patients" being returned to the wild.
Admission is $6, with seniors (over 65) and children 6-17 at $4. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed only on Christmas and Thanksgiving.
Players Theatre
And what about Sarasota's theater? Not much is happening this time of year. Along with most of the other strictly cultural venues, the stages are mostly dark. One group that is somewhat active is the Players Theatre at Ninth Street and U.S. 41. The Players recently held a play-writing contest from which they chose seven winners. These seven will be given readings by the theater's actors between July 10 and July 15. General admission is $6 a play. Call 941-365-2494 for specifics.
Possibly of more interest is The Players' China connection. The Sarasota group has created a "sister city" arrangement with a similar-sized city in China. Talent exchanges take place several times a year. At 8 p.m. Aug. 3, 4, 5 and 6, the Shaolin Kung Fu Spectacular will feature 25 martial arts masters directly from China. VIP tickets are $38, regular admission is $28 and children are $18, with matinee performances added on Aug. 5 and 6, Saturday and Sunday. All seats are reserved.
Crowley Museum
The Crowley Museum & Nature Center is almost-untouched by civilization. It consists of 190 acres of varied Florida habitat, from dry pineland to marshlands and swamp that has a boardwalk over it and an observation tower that gives a fine view of the Myakka River.
Homesteaded in the 1880s by the Crowley family, the property remains much as it was early on. There is a museum of objects and tools, a two-story Cracker house, a blacksmith shop and sugar cane mill. There are soft drink machines, but no restaurant -- bring a picnic. There are picnic tables. Admission is $5. This is old-time Florida that has been cleared just enough to make it easy to explore.
To get there, take U.S. 41 or I-75 to exit 210, Fruitville Road. Turn east until Fruitville Road dead-ends into Verna Road. Turn right, go 2.4 miles. (Verna Road morphs into Myakka Road.) The Crowley Museum & Nature Center will be on your left, with a big sign and an American flag. Call 941-322-1000.
Ringling Museum
The John & Mable Ringling Estate is a warehouse of treasures with several separate and distinct destination points on the grounds. There is the museum which has a rare collection of art in the baroque style -- a large assemblage of paintings by Peter Paul Rubens and artists who worked from 1500 to 1700. There also is John and Mable's winter home, Ca d'Zan (House of John), recently restored to its original glory. And the Circus Museum, fitting to the memory of the head of Ringling Bros. Circus. And the new, recently built modern Asolo Theatre, as well as the original and historic Asolo Theatre.
The historic theater was built in Asolo, Italy, in 1798. It was disassembled and reassembled in Sarasota in the 1950s. The Ringling Estate is another of those Sarasota offerings that takes more than a single day to visit. An omnibus ticket covers all venues you can cover in one day; admission is $15. Wear extra-comfortable shoes.
Van Wezel
In Sarasota there stands a large performing arts hall. It is highly visible and recognizable. It is the purple (all over) Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. Coming July 18 and 19, for two evening performances and one matinee on the 19th: "Disney Live! Mickey's Magic Show." Minnie and all the Gang will be on hand. All things considered, the tickets are reasonable at $36, $26 or $18. According to the schedule at www.disneylive.com, this show will not be presented anywhere on the near Suncoast this year. You can order tickets toll free at 800-826-9203, or online at vanwezel.org.
South Florida Museum
If you'd care to drive just a few miles farther up I-75, make a visit to the South Florida Museum in Bradenton. The museum covers Florida from the Pleistocene to the present with dioramas and exhibits featuring fossils, artifacts and biological specimens. This is the state's official museum of South Florida.
The Bishop Planetarium is a state-of-the-science, all-digital full dome theater from which to view sound and light shows. Completely rebuilt following a fire in 2001, it is something not to be missed. The Parker Manatee is home to Snooty, the area's best-known manatee and his friends. Snooty is 58 years young.
You can buy tickets one of two ways: An omnibus ticket that includes everything, adults at $15, seniors at $12, and children 4-12 at $8.95. Or you can purchase a ticket that covers the museum and aquarium only -- $10, $8 and $6.
Jan Findley covers community events and the arts for the Sun. You can e-mail her at
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By JAN FINDLEY
Sun Correspondent |