Sarasota at a glance
Sarasota sits on the mainland, on the other side of the bay from Siesta Key. Two bridges link them: Siesta Drive in the north and Stickney Point Road in the south. Downtown, the bayfront and the museums are a different kind of day from the beach, so many visitors split a trip between the two. If you want to be on the water instead, see our guide to Siesta Key boat tours.
Downtown, Bayfront Park and the gardens are separate places. There is no single entry fee, opening time or reservation rule for all of them, so check each stop on its own.
Bayfront Park
Bayfront Park is at 5 Bayfront Drive in Sarasota. Do not confuse it with the park of the same name on Longboat Key. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. and has paths, picnic areas and a playground. Dogs on a leash are welcome outside the children's fountain area.
Because it stays open late, it is an easy stop for an evening walk after a day at Selby or the Ringling.
Our pick: downtown Sarasota by e-bike
Our take: a guide, an e-bike and a helmet make this a relaxed way to see the historic centre.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Sarasota tours and day trips
Boat trips, city tours and day trips around Sarasota and Siesta Key, with live prices and availability.
Selby Gardens
Two campuses, two sets of prices in 2026.
| Campus | Where | Adults | Ages 5 to 17 | Ages 4 and under |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selby Downtown | 1534 Mound Street, Sarasota | $28 | $12 | Free |
| Historic Spanish Point | Osprey | $20 | $12 | Free |
Downtown is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. On Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve it closes at 3 p.m., and it is closed on Christmas Day. The Museum of Botany and the Arts closes at 4:30 p.m. Members enter free, and a member's guest pays $12. Historic Spanish Point in Osprey is a separate campus, so do not assume a ticket for one covers the other. For most visitors, the downtown campus is the easier half-day.
Plan around the hours
Selby closes at 5 p.m. and Bayfront Park stays open until 11 p.m. That makes the gardens a morning or early afternoon stop and the park a good way to end the day.
The Ringling
The Ringling is a large site on the mainland at 5401 Bay Shore Road. It combines an art museum, a circus museum, the Ca' d'Zan mansion and the Bayfront Gardens. Ca' d'Zan is not part of the standard museum ticket. It is not the traveling Ringling Bros. circus and not Ringling College.
Prices, hours and the Ca' d'Zan options are on our page about the Ringling Museum.
Parking in downtown Sarasota
The city's rules as of 2026.
Street spaces
Paid street spaces are enforced Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The city had planned longer hours for the summer and suspended them in August 2026. Signs on the street show the rule for each space.
Garages
Garage fees apply Monday to Thursday from 7 a.m. to midnight and Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. The first hour is free after you register.
Plan ahead
A free space is never guaranteed. If you are staying on Siesta Key, check the getting there page for bridges and local transport. Since April 2026 the free Siesta Key trolley stays on the island, so do not count on it for downtown.
Three ways to plan a Sarasota day
Built around the opening hours above.
A gardens day
Start at Selby Downtown when it opens at 10 a.m. and leave before it closes at 5 p.m. The Museum of Botany and the Arts closes at 4:30 p.m., so see it first. End with a walk in Bayfront Park, which is open until 11 p.m.
A museum day
The Ringling is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. On Thursdays an evening session runs from 5 to 8 p.m. for the art museum and gardens only, so the circus museum and Ca' d'Zan are not part of it.
A half day before the beach
If your main plan is the sand, pair one stop here with a visit to Siesta Key Beach. The main lot there is free and open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
More places near Sarasota
Pick the next stop.
Sarasota: frequently asked questions
What are the main things to do in Sarasota?
Bayfront Park, Selby Gardens and the Ringling are the main stops covered here. They are separate places with their own hours and prices, so choose by the time of day you have.
How much is Selby Gardens?
In 2026, downtown adult entry is $28, ages 5 to 17 pay $12 and ages 4 and under are free. Historic Spanish Point in Osprey costs $20 for adults.
When is Bayfront Park open?
The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Parking nearby follows the downtown rules above.
Is downtown Sarasota on Siesta Key?
No. Sarasota is on the mainland, and Siesta Key is an island reached over the Siesta Drive and Stickney Point Road bridges.
Is this the official Sarasota tourism website?
No. This is an independent guide. It is not run by Visit Sarasota County, the City of Sarasota or any attraction.