Sarasota’s motto is "Where Urban Amenities Meet Small-Town Living," and during your trip to our beautiful city and its surrounding areas, there are tons of amenities to keep you entertained, aside from the award-winning, white sand beaches and gorgeous luxury home listings. Visitors arriving at our culturally-rich city should know about these local gems.
Explore Sarasota at these 'Hidden gems'
Celery Fields
Celery Fields is more than 300 acres of open marshlands, deep ponds, shallow pools, and canals edged by oaks, willows, and pines. It is located on the Great Florida Birding Trail, allowing it be home to a large number of diverse bird species.
An additional 100 acres of wetlands was recently restored, adding more than 20,000 aquatic plants and trees and two boardwalks. This restoration will also add walking and biking trails, fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing for the entire community.
Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Another escape to the beautiful world of nature can be found by taking a trip to the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Encompassing 14 acres of stunning botanical features, the Gardens include a plant collection numbering more than 20,000 accessioned plants, eight greenhouses, Bromeliad, Gesneriad, and Orchid Research Centers, and the Selby Gardens' Herbarium and Molecular Laboratory. The goal of the Gardens is to further the understanding and appreciation of plant life and provide enjoyment to all who visit.
Sarasota Polo Club
Welcome to the game of kings: The tagline says it all. The Sarasota Polo Club at Lakewood Ranch is the perfect spot to enjoy a picnic lunch and take in the beauty of the area while watching an exhilarating polo match. The club has been open since 1991, bringing the “fastest game on four feet” to the area, as well as pony and Clydesdale wagon rides, tailgating, half-time entertainment, and divot stomping.
The Founders Club's Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Golf Course
Robert Trent Jones, Jr. has designed a dramatic and rewarding course, taking cues from the natural landscape to create a playable design amid unsurpassed scenery.
At The Founders Golf and Social Club, golfers are allowed to walk the course with the company of a caddie, and membership is limited to just 275 to ensure members enjoy year-round golf with no tee time required. Training facilities include two putting greens, a short game area, and state-of-the-art Trackman radar technology which is offered through the Florida Golf Performance Center.
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Music, dance, theater, and comedy shows come to life at the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall. This season, the Hall is welcoming comedians Bill Maher and Wanda Sykes and musicians Peter Frampton, Martina McBride, and many others to their bayfront location.
Providing entertainment for more than 42 years, the Van Wezel also focuses on teaching “in, through, and about the arts” with a focus on deepening student learning, enhancing teacher training through professional development workshops, and using its resources to expand public awareness and access to the arts through community programs.
Lido Key and Lido Beach
Often overshadowed by Siesta Key Beach just one island away, Lido Key is home to just as many unique shops, gorgeous beaches, and diverse nightlife to explore.
Lido Beach may not boast the powdery white sand of Siesta, but it does have ample parking, lighter crowds, and some fantastic shelling for those who wake up early enough.
The beach is also a stone's throw from one of Sarasota's premier shopping destinations: St. Armands Circle. St. Armands is home to dozens and dozens of restaurants, shops, art installations, and more.
There are plenty of opportunities to have the time of your life while visiting Sarasota. Want to stay? The Founders Club homes have everything you want and need for luxury living in Sarasota. Download our brochure to learn more or contact us today to explore your options at The Founders Club.
