Read more
Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, Sarasota is known for its powdery white sand beaches and clear blue water. Nature lovers flock to the area to see dolphins, manatees, and a plethora of seabirds. But there is so much more than the beach in this west coast parcel of the Sunshine State. Because of Sarasota's rich history connected to the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus, it's often called Circus City. One visit to The Ringling and you'll understand why. Sarasota is also known as Florida's Culture Coast for its plethora of arts, theaters, and museums. With so much to do, think of 100 Things to Do in Sarasota Before You Die as your guide to exploring the area, checking off all those bucket list items as you go. Discover the best places to dine, whether you're in shorts and a T-shirt or dressed to the nines at one of our many fine dining spots. Fresh seafood is abundant, and one bite of a Grouper sandwich at the Sandbar while watching the sunset on Anna Maria Island and you'll be hooked, too. Explore the Amish Experience or take a City Sightseeing Tour by trolley with narrated Discover Sarasota Tours. Baseball fans will want to check out a Major League Baseball Spring Training game for the Baltimore Orioles or Atlanta Braves at Ed Smith Stadium or the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park in neighboring Bradenton. Families won't want to miss the Bishop Museum, also in Bradenton, with its digital full-dome Planetarium. And yes, visit our stunning beaches, from Anna Maria Island to the beaches of Venice, the Shark Tooth Capital of the World. Let Kelly Stilwell, local journalist, show you around. Whether you're a local or wish you were, there's a lot to explore. Let's get started!
About the author
Kelly Stilwell is a travel and food writer who has visited 40 countries in the last 15 years. She is the author of the popular blog, Food, Fun & Faraway Places, which has a social media following of over 350,000. She is also a contributor to USA Today 10Best, MSN, and Bradenton Magazine, as well as a guest travel pro on Suncoast View, the local morning show. Kelly is a member of the Society for American Travel Writers. Find her at @kastilwell on Instagram. Join us in sharing your adventures from this book by following and tagging @100ThingsSarasota using #100ThingsSarasota.
