Welcome to Paradise!

Great Things to Do in Sarasota

Make sure you venture out of your Sarasota hotel to see Myakka State Park. Myakka is home to thousands of alligators! First, check out these amazing animals on an airboat tour, then you can hike or rent a bike to see the 57 square miles of wetlands, prairies, and woodlands.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is 14 acres of an open-air and under-glass museum of thousands of brilliantly colored and exotic plants. The trees are filled with everything from fruits to orchids to bromeliads.

Sarasota Jungle Gardens is the area’s only zoological gardens that are fun for the whole family. Located on 10 acres of lush tropical vegetation, the winding jungle trails and entertaining, educational bird and reptile shows bring the jungle to life.

Sharks, dolphins, and squid, oh my! While staying in a Sarasota best western hotel you must visit Mote Marine Laboratory. It is amazing to see and learn how science and research can save species of fish and wildlife. At Mote, you can see manatees, sharks, penguins, tons of fish, sea horses, sea turtles and a lot more.

Arts and Culture

Of course, you will visit the white-powdery, sand, beach but don’t forget about the amazing arts and cultural experiences offered by Sarasota. Hotels in other places do not offer as many entertainment options, so venture out to any of the theaters and concert halls that host a continuous flow of shows that include musicals, comedies, concerts, lectures, the Sarasota Ballet company, operas, and dramatic plays, just to name a few. Make sure you check the calendars of The Van Wezel, Sarasota Opera House, and Asolo Theatre.

If your little ones would like to get their hands on something that doubles as a great learning experience, check out G. WIZ, The Science Museum. Next, head over to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art and view the Circus Museum as well as the Ca’ D’Zan, which was the Ringling’s winter mansion and be sure to check out their numerous art galleries that feature exhibits that travel the world.

Get out of your Sarasota hotel and enjoy something a little “funkier”. The Golden Apple hosts its illustrious Drag Queen Bingo Bonanza (which sells out every week). The Burns Court Cinema is nestled in a historic district of Sarasota and is known for continually being the best place to find first-run, hand-picked foreign, independent and art films.

Sarasota Film Festival

This festival, held annually, emphasizes the best in cinema alongside exciting programs and special events. Each year, more than 180 films are screened, including feature-lengths, documentaries, shorts and family-friendly picks.

Sarasota Polo Club

Over a hundred acres of magnificently-manicured grounds, located in nearby Lakewood Ranch. Beyond the matches, you'll find pony and Clydesdale wagon rides, tailgating, divot stomping and lots of beautiful Sarasota fresh air.