Tampa International Airport 1 hr 16
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium (12 min)
Aquarium with a stingray touch tank & shark tank plus manatees in the nearby mammal center. Siesta Key Beach (35 min)
Fine white quartz sand that stays cool plus a playground, tennis courts & year-round lifeguards. Coquina Beach (7 min)
Long public swimming beach featuring picnic tables, cabanas & play areas, plus a casual cafe. DeSoto National Memorial Park (26 min)
Nod to the famed explorer's landing site with living-history camp, exhibits, shore & nature trails. Saint Armands Key (15 min)
Connected to the mainland by a causeway, this Sarasota Bay island offers a large roundabout & park. Manatee Public Beach (17 min)
Park featuring a beach, a playground, picnic tables, grills, bike racks, restrooms, showers & more. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens Downtown Sarasota campus (20 min)
Showcase for thousands of tropical plants, plus a conservatory & garden museum, in a historic space. Sarasota Bay (14 min)
Named an estuary of national significance, this subtropical, coastal lagoon is popular for kayaking. The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature (31 min)
A planetarium, aquarium & history museum under 1 roof with dioramas & films. Lido Key (17 min)
This barrier island connected to the mainland via a causeway features beaches, a park & nightlife. Ca' d'Zan (29 min)
Once home to the Ringlings, this circa-1924 mansion draws inspiration from the palazzos of Venice. Tibbals Learning Center at The Ringling (27 min)
Ringling Circus archives, with historical documents, costume drawings & art (by appointment). The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (26 min)
State art museum founded by the circus magnate with 31 galleries in a pink Renaissance-style palace. Sarasota Jungle Gardens (25 min)
Historic attraction featuring more than 150 animals & shows in a tropical setting. Lido Key Beach (17 min)
Sandy beach featuring a concession stand, gift shop & picnic tables, plus a swimming pool. | 
