Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Sarasota is known for
Sarasota is known for the arts and its circus heritage. The Ringling museum, Selby Gardens, Asolo Rep and Sarasota Opera sit close to downtown. Siesta Key's white quartz sand and the shops of St. Armands Circle draw visitors and new residents all year.
John and Mable Ringling bought a winter home on 20 waterfront acres in 1911, when Sarasota was a small fishing village. The Ringlings built a bridge to the keys in 1926, and their Museum of Art opened in 1930 before John left the estate to the people of Florida in 1936. Newtown, the city's historic African American neighborhood, formed in 1914. Sarasota mixes a walkable bayfront downtown with beach islands, historic neighborhoods and the Amish village of Pinecraft. Days run between Saturday market mornings, bay sunsets and a busy calendar of theater, opera and festivals.
Where to live
Historic neighborhood of single-family homes and apartment buildings next to downtown. It has 45 homes and structures with city or national historic designation, a kayak launch, and a short walk to downtown. (source)
Art and design district with restaurants, artist studios, galleries, showrooms and boutiques. It is both a creative business hub and a growing residential community. (source)
Island district John and Mable Ringling planned as an upscale residential and shopping area. The Circle holds more than 130 stores and restaurants, with Lido Key and its beach just to the south. (source)
Barrier island on the Gulf known for its 99 percent white quartz sand, shopping and dining villages, and a wide mix of places to stay. Beaches include Siesta Beach, Crescent Beach and Turtle Beach. (source)
Historic African American neighborhood near downtown, formed in 1914. Residents here helped build early Sarasota, and the community keeps that history alive with oral histories and historic markers. (source)
Amish community along Bahia Vista Street, home to Yoder's Amish Village, Der Dutchman and Carlisle Gifts. Amish-style cooking, pies and gift shops define the area. (source)
Local favorites
Local bay fish every day with Southern classics, craft beer and wine in a Burns Court cottage. (source)
Pinecraft landmark known for homemade pies baked daily, plus a deli market with take-home meals. (source)
The Wallin family has sold Sarasota seafood since 1918, and the market sells fish caught the day you buy it. (source)
Ceviche is the signature, from a kitchen built on Peruvian and Latin American flavors. (source)
Downtown favorite for lunch, dinner and happy hour, repeatedly voted Sarasota's best seafood restaurant. (source)
Modern oyster bar with a nod to classic supper clubs. (source)
The oldest operating restaurant in Sarasota, run by the family behind Florida's oldest restaurant, with patio seating on the Circle. (source)
Bay-view tables, a sommelier-led wine list and dishes like crab cakes on fried green tomatoes. (source)
After hours
Tiki bar on the North Tamiami Trail pouring mai tais since 1954. (source)
Circus-themed brewery and restaurant on Fruitville Commons Blvd with house beers, burgers and pizza. (source)
Bayfront marina complex downtown with a dining room, a patio bar, the Deep Six Lounge piano bar and sunset cruises on the Marina Jack II. (source)
Waterfront seafood restaurant and cocktail bar at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. (source)
Open-air tiki hut next to a Lido Beach public access point, serving beachside bites and cocktails. (source)
Shopping
More than 130 shops and restaurants within walking distance on a Ringling-planned island circle. (source)
Open every Saturday from 7am to 1pm at Lemon Ave and Main Street downtown. (source)
Shared artist studios downtown, open to the public for studio nights October through May where you can buy art and jewelry. (source)
Gift shop in Pinecraft at 3713 Bahia Vista St, next to Der Dutchman. (source)
Outdoors
One of Florida's oldest and largest parks, covering 58 square miles, with a canopy walkway, Upper Myakka Lake and the Myakka River, the state's first wild and scenic river. (source)
Siesta Key's main beach with shallow water, year-round lifeguards, playground, courts and concessions. (source)
Wetland and birding area off Palmer Boulevard, just east of I-75. (source)
Lake park with walking trails, rowing, kayak and dragon boat paddling, and home to the new Mote SEA aquarium. (source)
1,400-acre park with 15 miles of trails, Florida scrub-jays and Lake Osprey, the only freshwater swimming lake in Sarasota County. (source)
National Park Service site marking Hernando de Soto's 1539 landing, with ranger programs and kayak tours. (source)
250-acre island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, reached by boat, with nesting sea turtles, gopher tortoises and large bird colonies. (source)
Things to do
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Ca' d'Zan mansion, the Circus Museum, bayfront gardens and the Historic Asolo Theater on one estate. (source)
Bayfront gardens focused on air plants and orchids, with a downtown campus and the Historic Spanish Point campus in Osprey. (source)
Mote Marine Laboratory's new public aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park. (source)
Family-owned gardens and animal attraction on Bay Shore Road, open to the public since 1939. (source)
Professional repertory theater and home of the FSU/Asolo Conservatory, running a full season each year. (source)
On the calendar
Independent film festival held every April since 1999. The next festival runs April 9 to 18, 2027. (source)
International sand sculpting festival on Siesta Beach, held since 2010. The 2026 event runs November 13 to 16. (source)
Holiday light show at Selby's gardens, running December 5, 2026 through January 2, 2027. (source)
Four operas staged in repertory, with the 2027 festival running March 3 to 14. (source)
Schools
Alta Vista Elementary School, Ashton Elementary School, Bay Haven School of Basics Plus, Brentwood Elementary School, Emma E. Booker Elementary School, Florine J. Abel Elementary School, Fruitville Elementary School, Gocio Elementary School, Gulf Gate Elementary School, Lakeview Elementary School, Phillippi Shores Elementary School, Southside Elementary School, Tatum Ridge Elementary School, Tuttle Elementary School, Wilkinson Elementary School
Booker Middle School, Brookside Middle School, McIntosh Middle School, Sarasota Middle School
Booker High School, Riverview High School, Sarasota High School, Suncoast Polytechnical High School
Cardinal Mooney Catholic High School, The Out-of-Door Academy, Sarasota Christian School, St. Martha Catholic School, Incarnation Catholic School, Community Day School
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
I-75, US 41 (Tamiami Trail), US 301, Fruitville Road, University Parkway and State Road 789 on the keys
Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), about 15 minutes from downtown; Tampa International Airport, about 1 hour
Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army Retired.
Researched and verified 2026-09-28. Businesses change; call ahead.