Ever since circus magnate John Ringling established the Sarasota art museum that bears his name in 1930, Sarasota has been a destination for artists and arts lovers alike. The Ringling remains a must-visit today, of course, but there’s also no shortage of theaters, music festivals, dance performances, comedy shows and movie houses. The arts are an essential part of Sarasota’s identity and a major draw for tourists and residents alike.

Where to Stay

The Art Ovation Hotel. For starters, it has the word “art” in its name, but the hotel’s connection to our creative community goes way deeper than that. It hosts gallery shows, music, comedy performances and much more, and its central downtown location puts you in the perfect spot to explore the city’s theatrical offerings.

Day One

No arts aficionado should leave Sarasota without spending some serious time at The Ringling, which opens at 10 a.m. daily. Wander the art museum’s corridors and take in Renaissance masterpieces from the permanent collection, but also be sure to catch more contemporary images, like those in Working Conditions, a collection of photographs that explores ideas of labor and work and is on display through March 3.

Grab lunch at The Ringling Grillroom before continuing to explore the campus, which includes the Ca’ d’Zan, John Ringling’s famous Venetian-style palazzo, and its circus galleries. Do not miss the sprawling miniature circus model created by Howard Tibbals, which depicts a typical day in the life of a circus with 42,000 handcrafted pieces spread over 3,800 square feet.

Recharge by taking a dip in the rooftop pool back at the hotel (tropical cocktail optional) and then plot your next move. If you’re into theater, there’s an embarrassment of riches to choose from. Florida Studio Theatre is right across the street, and always offers a rich mix of dramas and comedies, as well as cabaret shows, jukebox musicals and improv. Also within walking distance is the Sarasota Opera, whose season this year includes both popular and rare operas from composers Georges Bizet (Carmen), Gaetano Donizetti (Lucia di Lammermoor), Giuseppe Verdi (Luisa Miller) and Joseph Haydn (L’infedeltà delusa, or Deceit Outwitted).

The opera house also hosts occasional performances by the Sarasota Ballet, which mixes world premieres with established programs. When not at the opera house, the ballet performs at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts, which you’ll need to drive to. The center is home to Asolo Rep, another of the city’s top theater troupes, whose calendar is also chock full of options. We’re particularly excited about this season’s Intimate Apparel, the story of a Black seamstress in 1905 New York who is torn between marriage to a stranger and her feelings for a Jewish shop owner. Pick anything, really. You can’t go wrong.

If you’re not yet exhausted, top off your night with a trip to Bradenton’s Oscura, which hosts lively rock and pop acts on most weekends. If country is more your speed, be sure to boogie down at Joyland, a country music nightclub that stays open until 1 a.m.

Day Two

After a whirlwind first day, let yourself sleep in, but don’t dawdle too long. Get your day started by heading over to the Sarasota Art Museum, which showcases contemporary art and is overseen by Ringling College of Art and Design. (There’s that Ringling name again.) The artwork on display changes regularly, but expect to be dazzled by a mix of traditional forms, like photography and painting, plus site-specific installations and three-dimensional works that often incorporate unusual elements like rubber and steel. Picking up the Pieces by Judy Pfaff, for example, is on display from November to March and includes organic items from Pfaff’s garden, plus foam, plastic, neon and more.

While you’re there, you might as well grab lunch at Bistro, the museum’s in-house restaurant, which is beloved for its excellent soups (the tomato bisque is spectacular) and its satisfying salads and sandwiches. Brunch is served on the weekends, as well. The museum also has a fun gift shop, with creative tchotchkes for the folks back home.

You might be tempted to spend the rest of the day lounging by the pool, and we wouldn’t blame you for doing that, but there’s still so much to see. Grab a caffeinated beverage of your choice and browse the stacks at Bookstore1Sarasota, which stocks classics and bestsellers, plus tomes by local writers. New paperback in hand, start making plans for the evening. First off, check to see if Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe has a show on its calendar. If it does, go. The troupe’s season this year includes a musical about love in the Caribbean (Once on This Island), a tribute to the music of Marvin Gaye (Prince of Soul) and the world premiere of a play about a Black woman who murdered a white doctor in Live Oak, Florida, in 1952 (Ruby).

Still not satiated? Peruse the calendars of Sarasota Orchestra, Urbanite Theatre, The Sarasota Players, Sarasota Contemporary Dance and any of the other dozens of local arts organizations to see what’s playing. Then cap off your whirlwind weekend with some laughs at McCurdy’s Comedy Theatre, which hosts touring standup comics each week, plus edgier fare like drag and burlesque performances.

Insider's Tip

Curious what the talented students at Ringling College of Art and Design are up to? The college periodically hosts gallery shows that feature student artwork, as well as special evenings during which its studios are open to visitors for demonstrations by  faculty and staff.