12 things to do in Sarasota, Florida

7. Watch a sunset at Lido Beach

While Siesta Key claims the title for softest sand in Sarasota, Lido Beach wins the award for best sunset destination. You really cannot visit Florida without watching at least one vibrant sunset via a beautiful beach. While the sand isn’t quite as smooth at Lido, there are a lot of interesting shells to collect here. Another bonus is that this beach is located within walking distance of St. Armands Circle.

If your visit falls on a Sunday (February-May), you will want to time your visit in the afternoon (around 2pm) to enjoy a free performance by the Sarasota Ski-A-Rees water ski team.

8. Enjoy a specialty cup of coffee at Buddy Brew

Buddy Brew is a fantastic specialty coffee roaster which opened its’ first Tampa cafe in 2010. Since then, multiple cafes have opened along the Gulf Coast. They serve some of the best coffee and specialty drinks in the state. In Sarasota, Buddy Brew is definitely the place to go to savor a perfectly made latte, espresso, or drip coffee. Their sweet treats are also delicious. If your visit falls during the autumn season, you need to try their version of the Pumpkin Spice Latte made famous by Starbucks.

The Sarasota cafe is located in the heart of downtown. There is a nice little patio which you can enjoy during the milder months. A small selection of pastries, quiche, and sandwiches are available. Overall, this is a great place to enjoy a light breakfast before hitting any area attractions.

9. Spend time with adorable kittens at The Cat Depot

Any cat lover will definitely want to make room for a visit to Sarasota’s Cat Depot. This adoption center houses dozens of rescue cats. What sets this place apart from ordinary rescues is that the setup is quite unique as the cats are allowed to roam freely in various themed rooms. To date, this is still one of the better rescues I have had the pleasure of visiting. I almost adopted a Siamese kitten here but it was gone by the time I came back for my second visit!

Even if you are not currently looking to adopt, the depot is open to all cat lovers. There are many different airy decorated rooms filled with plenty of cat trees, scratchers, and toys for the cats to enjoy. Each cat also has access (via a patio) to enjoy the sunny Florida climate. To date, more than 17,000 cats have been adopted. Donations and volunteers are always appreciated!

10. Take a walk around Rothenbach Park

One of Sarasota’s nicest parks lies far away from the beach tourist crowds. If you are seeking a quiet place to get in a good workout, head over to Rothenbach Park. Here you will find more than 5 miles of paved trails. A great place to enjoy a leisurely bike ride or walk. Keep your eyes peeled – alligators, along with many species of birds, can be spotted along the way.

Unfortunately, the trails are not that shady, so plan on arriving earlier in the day before the intense afternoon sun hits.

11. Relax at Oscar Scherer State Park

Oscar Scherer is a beautiful place to spend a few hours in nature. One of the best amenities here is a lengthy bike trail. A 10 mile section of the Legacy bike trail runs right through the park. If you prefer to be on your feet, there are 15 miles of diverse hiking trails. More opportunities for fun-in-the-sun include canoe and kayak rentals, picnicking areas, a 3 acre freshwater lake for fishing, and swimming and snorkeling in Lake Osprey.

Bird lovers will definitely be pleased with this park. Request a bird species list when entering the park. Be on the lookout for Bald Eagles and Florida Scrub Jays on the trails. You may also encounter gopher tortoises and alligators, especially during the cooler season. Overall, Oscar is a great place to enjoy Florida’s natural side.

12. Enjoy a laid-back morning at Turtle Beach

Turtle Beach was named as so for its’ large population of sea turtles which nest on the shore. Being located on the southern end of Siesta, this one is often overpassed by tourists. Compared to Siesta, Turtle barely sees any traffic, thereby making it the perfect choice for anyone seeking a quiet beach walk, a serene place to read, or simply a beautiful destination to collect shells.

On the downside, the sand here is not as smooth and the beach is quite narrow. However, it really is nice to experience a Florida beach without the big rowdy crowds. Bonus – if you visit early in the morning, you may just get lucky enough to see a dolphin.