Planning a few days in Sarasota? We’ve got you covered with the perfect three-day itinerary!
There’s A LOT to squeeze in here, from beautiful beaches and mangrove tunnels to quirky museums, botanical gardens, and some amazing food. Sarasota gives you a bit of everything, so you can spend one minute kayaking through nature and the next wandering around an art museum or sipping cold drinks by the water.
You can see and do a lot in three days without feeling like you’re constantly on the go! We’ve put together an itinerary that makes the most of your time while leaving room to enjoy the experience. Let’s get into it!
Don’t miss out!
Our Top Choice
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our FAVORITE thing we did in Sarasota was this guided mangrove kayaking tour! We paddled through hidden jungle-like tunnels around Lido Key, explored the beautiful waters of Sarasota Bay, and kept an eye out for dolphins and manatees. It’s such a fun way to discover Sarasota’s wild side!
Itinerary Overview
🛶 Day 1: Mangrove Kayaking, Beach Time & Sunset Ride
Start with a kayak trip through Sarasota’s mangrove tunnels, then spend a lazy afternoon at the beach before dinner on Siesta Key and a sunset e-bike ride.
🎨 Day 2: The Ringling, Downtown Exploring & Food Tour
Dive into Sarasota’s history at The Ringling, explore downtown, and eat your way around the city on a food tour before an evening stroll along the waterfront.
⛵ Day 3: Catamaran Adventure, Botanical Gardens & St. Armands Circle
Explore Sarasota’s waterways on a two-seater catamaran, wander through the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, then spend your final evening eating and enjoying the atmosphere at St. Armands Circle.
Day 1
Breakfast – Blue Dolphin Cafe
Start your first morning with breakfast at Blue Dolphin Cafe, a casual little diner with plenty of breakfast options to choose from. It opens at 7 am, but aim to get here at around 8 am so you’ve got time to sit down, eat properly, and have a coffee before the morning tour. No need to rush, as the kayak tour meeting point is only about a five-minute drive away.
This cafe does eggs really well if you like to start your day with protein, but personally, we loved the Texas-style French toast. It’s very indulgent, but hey, you’re on vacation!
Morning – Kayak through mangrove tunnels
Now it’s time to get out on the water! This guided kayak tour takes you through the mangrove tunnels around Lido Key, and we think it’s one of the best ways to see Sarasota’s wilder and more natural side.
The tour runs from 9 to 11 am and kicks off with a quick paddling lesson, so don’t worry if you’re not a kayaking pro. Nobody expects you to glide like an Olympic canoeist! Once you’ve got the hang of it, you’ll head out onto Sarasota Bay before making your way into the mangroves, where the water is calm and everything feels peaceful.
Keep your eyes peeled as you paddle, because you might spot manatees, dolphins, stingrays, and plenty of birdlife along the way. You never know what’ll pop up next, which is so exciting!
The best bit, though, is definitely getting right inside the mangrove tunnels! You’ll glide beneath the tangled canopy and wriggle through narrow waterways that a normal boat could never access. It’s a hidden corner of Florida that most visitors never get to see.
This tour has 1,300+ glowing reviews, and it’s easy to see why. It’s adventurous but not too intense, making it the perfect way to get your nature fix this morning before heading to the beach for a lazy afternoon.
Afternoon – Hit the Beach
After kayaking this morning, the rest of the afternoon is yours to slow things down and enjoy the beach! If you want to visit Sarasota’s most famous stretch of sand, head to Siesta Beach. You’ll be back on Siesta Key later this evening, but if you want a lazy beach afternoon, now is the time to do it. Otherwise, Lido Beach is the easiest option since you’ll already be on Lido Key after the kayak tour.
Whichever beach you choose, just spend a few hours swimming and sunbathing. That sounds pretty perfect to us! Grab lunch somewhere nearby whenever you get hungry and enjoy a relaxed afternoon ahead – you’ve earned it after this morning’s kayak adventure!
Dinner – Siesta Key Village
Tonight’s sunset bike tour meets on Siesta Key, so we recommend heading over to Siesta Key Village for dinner. There are loads of places to eat around here, but The Cottage is our top pick.
It’s casual but still has a really fun atmosphere, and the menu has a mix of Japanese-inspired and American dishes, so there’s plenty to choose from.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you might want to eat before or after the bike tour, as sunset times change throughout the year. Either way, Siesta Key Village is a great place to spend the evening, so you can easily grab dinner whenever it fits around the tour.
Evening – Bike around Siesta Key at sunset
Siesta Key is famous for its sunsets, but instead of just watching from the beach, why not experience one on this sunset e-bike tour? We had SO much fun doing this, and it’s such a unique way to end your first day in Sarasota.
The tour lasts two hours, with start times ranging from 5:30 to 7 pm depending on when the sun sets. So if you’re visiting when sunset is earlier, you can easily squeeze this adventure in before dinner! The meeting point is only about a six-minute drive from The Cottage, and after a quick introduction to the bikes, you’ll head straight onto the sand. Yes, you actually get to ride along the beach!
The e-bikes are really fun to use, and with five levels of pedal assistance, you can put in as much or as little effort as you like. So no worries if you’re not a big cyclist, because the bike can do most of the work for you!
You’ll ride along Siesta Beach with views over the Gulf of Mexico, then stop to watch the sunset. This was definitely the highlight for us! There’s plenty of time to take photos before continuing through Siesta Key Village and making your way back.
We loved that this tour combined something active with one of Sarasota’s must-see sights. It was a really fun and scenic way to experience Siesta Key, especially on your first day here.
Related Read: Want to spend more time exploring this beautiful barrier island? Check out our 3-day Siesta Key itinerary for more beachside adventures, great places to eat, and fun things to do!
Day 2
Breakfast – Sunnyside Cafe
Start day two with breakfast at Sunnyside Cafe. It’s open by 9 am every day except Monday, so we suggest getting there right around then, so you have plenty of time to eat without rushing before heading to The Ringling. Their open-faced omelets are really good, and the tofu scramble is a really great vegan option.
The museum is only about a three-minute drive away, so the morning is nice and easy logistically. Grab breakfast and a coffee, then make your way over for opening time at 10 am!
Morning – Check out The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Did you know that Sarasota has a fascinating circus history? The famous Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus once had its winter headquarters here, and this morning, you’ll dive right into that story at The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art!
Circus magnate John Ringling and his wife, Mable, founded the museum, and today it’s the official State Art Museum of Florida. And it’s HUGE! You can explore 31 galleries, with everything from European masterpieces to more contemporary works.
But there’s way more here than just art. The museum sits on a sprawling waterfront estate, where you’ll also find Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringlings’ former home. This incredible Venetian Gothic-style mansion was built in the 1920s and overlooks Sarasota Bay, and honestly, it’s worth visiting for the architecture alone!
You can also check out the Circus Museum, where you’ll find historic costumes, memorabilia, and loads more about Sarasota’s circus past. The museum opens at 10 am, so head over right after breakfast and aim to arrive for opening time. We’d give yourself around 3 to 4 hours here because there’s A LOT to see, and it would actually be very easy to stay even longer!
Early afternoon – Explore downtown Sarasota
Depending on how long you spend at The Ringling, you should have a bit of time to explore before this afternoon’s food tour.
One option is to wander through the Rosemary District, one of Sarasota’s trendier neighborhoods. You’ll find loads of cute coffee shops and local businesses here, plus plenty of street art to spot as you walk. Just don’t go too hard on lunch because you’ve got a food tour coming up! If you’re hungry, grab a coffee or a small snack to tide you over.
You could also head to The Bay Park for a walk by the water. It’s a nice spot to slow things down for a bit before an afternoon of eating!
Late Afternoon – Taste your way around Sarasota
We LOVE food tours, so naturally this downtown Sarasota food tour had to make its way onto our itinerary! It starts at 3:30 pm and lasts for around 3 to 4 hours, so don’t worry about dinner tonight. There’s plenty of food included!
You’ll visit several restaurants around downtown Sarasota, and the exact stops change to keep things fresh. Depending on the day, you could be tucking into barbecue brisket and ribs, Italian dishes, tacos, or even gelato for dessert. The surprise is part of the fun, so we won’t spoil it too much.
And you get to see quite a bit of downtown along the way too. As you walk between restaurants, your guide will tell you about Sarasota’s history, point out local landmarks, and give you tons of recommendations for other places to eat and drink.
That’s one of the reasons we love doing food tours when we travel. You get a full meal, learn a lot about the city, AND leave with a list of places you want to try afterward. What’s not to love?
The tour meets in downtown Sarasota, just a few minutes’ walk from Bayfront Park, and should finish sometime between 6:30 and 7:30 pm.
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Evening – Stroll along Bayfront Park
Your food tour should wrap up sometime between 6:30 and 7:30 pm, so the rest of the evening is yours to enjoy. We headed over to Bayfront Park for a relaxed walk by the water, which was a really nice way to round off our day – and walk off some of that food!
There’s a loop trail here that’s perfect for an evening stroll, and you’ll also pass the famous Unconditional Surrender statue, which is definitely worth a quick photo stop. And if you’re not quite ready to call it a night, stop by O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill for a drink. A cocktail by the water is always a good way to wrap up the evening, after all.
Day 3
Breakfast – Toasted Mango Cafe
Start your final day with breakfast at Toasted Mango Cafe, which is only about a 3-minute drive or 15-minute walk from this morning’s tour meeting point.
It opens at 7:30 am, but we’d aim to get here around 8:15 or 8:30 am. Toasted Mango is a popular spot, and there can be a bit of a wait, so it’s worth giving yourself some extra time rather than cutting things too fine before the tour.
As for what to order, we say stay true to the cafe’s name and go for one of their mango dishes! The mango waffles are the perfect treat to start the day with – they were so delicious. And your tour doesn’t start until 10 am anyway, so take your time and tuck in ahead of another morning out on the water!
Morning – Explore the waterways on a two-seater catamaran
Driving your own little catamaran around Sarasota Bay? Yes please! This sightseeing tour looks like so much fun, and we think it’s a brilliant way to spend your final morning in Sarasota.
The experience runs from 10 am to 1 pm, and you’ll explore Sarasota Bay, Bird Key, and Lido Key in a two-seater CraigCat. These little boats are basically mini catamarans that you get to drive yourself, with you and your passenger sitting side by side.
And don’t worry if you’ve never driven a boat before! Your guides will show you how everything works before you set off, and then you’ll follow them through Sarasota’s waterways. You’ll cruise past impressive waterfront homes and explore scenic canals. There’s a chance to pick up a bit of speed once you reach the open bay, and keep an eye out for dolphins along the way, too.
What we really like about this tour is that you get the fun of driving your own boat without having to stress about navigating somewhere unfamiliar. Your guide leads the way, so you can just enjoy the ride and take in the scenery – and what a way to do it!
Lunch – Mediterraneo
After this morning’s tour, head to Mediterraneo for lunch, just a 5-8 minute drive from your sightseeing tour. This is a great spot if you want something fresh and filling without going completely overboard before the botanical gardens!
Plenty of salads and sandwiches are available, along with pizzas, so there’s something for everyone. Just keep in mind that lunch service finishes at 2:30 pm, so head over fairly soon after the tour wraps up.
Afternoon – Wander through the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
After lunch, it’s only about a 3-minute drive to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which is one of the prettiest places to spend an afternoon in Sarasota. The downtown campus is home to around 20,000 plants, including loads of orchids and bromeliads, among other tropical species.
And Selby Gardens is especially famous for its collection of epiphytes, which are plants that grow on other plants rather than in the ground. Pretty cool, right?
There’s plenty to wander through here, from the Tropical Conservatory and Banyan Grove to the waterfront mangrove walkway overlooking Sarasota Bay. It’s also a living museum, so you’ll find exhibitions that mix art and nature throughout the gardens too!
We’d allow around 2 to 3 hours to explore without rushing. The gardens are open until 5 pm, so you’ve got plenty of time to slow down and enjoy it before heading out for your final evening in Sarasota.
Evening – Explore St. Armands Circle
For your final evening in Sarasota, head to St. Armands Circle. This is one of the city’s main shopping and entertainment areas, so there’s plenty going on, and it’s a fun place to spend a few hours.
Start with a drink at Daiquiri Deck St. Armands Circle, then have a wander around the central park area and browse some of the shops. There are loads of boutiques and local stores around here, so it’s very easy to lose track of time!
There’s often live music around St. Armands too. If you fancy sticking around after dinner, check out somewhere like Cha Cha Coconuts and see what’s happening that evening. You can grab a drink, do a little shopping, listen to some music, and generally just enjoy the atmosphere! It’s such a fun place to spend your last night in Sarasota, so take your time and enjoy yourself!
Dinner – Columbia Restaurant
For dinner, you don’t even need to leave St. Armands Circle! Head to Columbia Restaurant, a Sarasota institution that’s been serving up delicious Spanish and Cuban cuisine since 1959! In fact, it’s the oldest continuously operating restaurant in Sarasota, so you’re getting a little taste of history here, too.
We loved the lively atmosphere, especially the sunny indoor-outdoor porch, which is perfect for people-watching while soaking up the Circle’s buzz. The menu has something for everyone, from their famous 1905 Salad and Cuban sandwiches to paella, fresh seafood, and hearty meat dishes. The filet mignon was absolutely delicious, and we highly recommend ordering a refreshing Andalusian Fresa Gimlet or mojito to go with it! It’s a pretty perfect way to toast your final evening in Sarasota!
Related Read: Looking for even more ways to explore Sarasota? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Sarasota for more fun activities, must-see attractions, and unforgettable experiences!
Where to Stay in Sarasota, Florida
Now that you know all the best things to do in Sarasota, you just need somewhere to stay! We recommend staying in downtown Sarasota, especially on your first visit. You’ll be close to fantastic restaurants, art galleries, and the waterfront, with beautiful beaches like Lido Beach just a short drive away.
However, some excellent hotels are a little farther out, too, especially if you’re renting a car. Below, we’ve picked three of our favorites for a range of budgets!
The Westin Sarasota – $$$
If you’re looking to treat yourself, The Westin Sarasota is our top luxury pick. This gorgeous hotel sits in downtown Sarasota overlooking Sarasota Bay, so you’re in a fantastic spot to explore the city. The hotel even offers a complimentary beach shuttle, which we think is an awesome bonus!
The rooms are modern and spacious, with seriously comfortable beds, and some offer beautiful water views. There’s also an on-site spa where you can indulge in a massage after a busy day of exploring.
But the real highlight has to be the rooftop pool and bar! Located on the 19th floor, The Roof Bar and Eats has incredible panoramic views across Sarasota Bay and the city. Rooms start from around $400 USD per night. Read the amazing reviews and book your stay at The Westin Sarasota here!
Carlisle Inn Sarasota – $$
For a comfortable stay without the luxury price tag, Carlisle Inn Sarasota is a fantastic choice. It’s located in the Pinecraft neighborhood, a short drive from downtown Sarasota, so it’s great if you’re renting a car.
One thing that makes this hotel interesting is its Amish and Mennonite heritage, which you’ll notice in the handcrafted furniture and welcoming atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and well-maintained, and the hotel also offers a lovely outdoor swimming pool, a hot tub, and a fitness center. Plus, a complimentary hot breakfast is included each morning, which is always a nice way to start the day!
If you’re hungry later, the nearby Der Dutchman Restaurant serves delicious Amish-style comfort food, including homemade pies, which we strongly encourage you to try! Rooms start at around $200 USD per night. Book your stay at Carlisle Inn Sarasota here!
Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota – $
If you’d rather save your money for dolphin cruises and beach days, Homewood Suites by Hilton Sarasota is our budget pick. It’s about two miles from downtown Sarasota, so you’ll still be close to the main attractions, though a car will make getting around much easier.
We really like this hotel because you get a suite rather than a standard hotel room. Each one comes with a fully equipped kitchen, plus separate living and sleeping areas, which is especially handy for families and longer stays. And being able to prepare some of your own meals can save you a considerable chunk of change in this city.
You’ll also get a complimentary hot breakfast each morning, free parking, and access to an outdoor swimming pool and fitness center. Not bad, since prices start at just $135 USD per night. Find the best deals for Homewood Suites Sarasota here!
Didn’t find what you’re looking for? Check out more great accommodations for Sarasota here!
Related Read: Thinking about staying closer to the beach? Check out our guide on where to stay on Siesta Key for our favorite hotels and the best areas to base yourself for a beach getaway!
Book your Airport Taxi in advance
Start your trip stress-free by booking your airport taxi before you arrive. You’ll skip the long lines, avoid overpriced fares and scams, and won’t have to worry about explaining your hotel address to a driver. Simply prebook your airport pickup online here, and your driver will be ready to take you directly to your hotel!
Renting a Car in the USA
The United States is a vast country with diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to scenic national parks. While public transportation exists in major cities, renting a car is often the best way to explore the country’s wide-open spaces and hidden gems.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find the right vehicle for your needs, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in the USA
What You Need to Rent a Car in the USA
Ready to hit the road and discover the freedom of exploring the USA on your own terms?
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Thanks for reading!
Sarasota certainly knows how to keep us entertained! From kayaking through mangrove tunnels to cruising the bay in your own mini catamaran, this trip is anything but boring. And with gorgeous beaches, fascinating museums, incredible food, and sunset bike rides thrown into the mix, what’s not to love? We had such a blast exploring this sunny little corner of Florida, and we hope this itinerary helps you fall in love with it too!
Got a few more adventures on your mind? We’ve got plenty more USA travel guides to keep that travel bug happy! We’ve explored some amazing places and love sharing our favorite experiences. Or here are a few more destinations to get excited about:
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The Services We Recommend
From hotels to guided tours, we only recommend services we know and trust. Here are our recommended partners so you can explore with confidence.
