About Sarasota FL
Sarasota is a city in Florida, which is situated on the Southwest coastlands of the state. It is currently the principal city in the Sarasota Metropolitan region and serves as the seat of the Sarasota County. Sarasota is widely acclaimed for being a leading cultural hub in Florida, and also boasts of some of the finest beaches and resorts to be found in country. In particular, there are the Keys islands that are international famous for the superior quality of their sandy beaches. Archaeological findings have revealed Sarasota was a seasonal abode for native Amerindian peoples going back to over 10,000.
The first European arrived here in the 18th century. Sarasota had a Spanish name ‘Zara Zote,’ but this was later on changed to its current name. The settlers who made this region their home were lured by the excellent climate and the exquisiteness of the Sarasota Bay. William Whitaker was the very 1st documented European permanent settler of Sarasota. After living along the Manatee River, he built a home on ‘Yellow Bluff.’ He afterwards got married to Mary Jane Wyatt, who was part of a pioneer family, which settled in the Village of Manatee.
Another notable pioneer of this city was Lewis Colson, who was a freed slave, and became a fisherman, landowner and reverend. Bertha Palmer was Sarasota’s biggest landowner, developer and rancher at the turn of the 20th century. While Charles Ringling also invested in land here, developed properties and even founded a bank. He then started engaging in civic affairs of the city, and furnished fellow entrepreneurs, who wished to establish businesses in Sarasota, with invaluable advice. Ringling even promoted the creation of Sarasota County and donated the land where the first government buildings and courthouse were constructed.
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Top attractions
Sarasota, like it was earlier noted, is a key cultural center of the state of Florida. To this end, it teems with a wide variety of attractions of this sort. This includes having its very own professional performing arts companies such as the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Ballet and Sarasota Opera. The Sarasota Orchestra in particular, was established by Ruth Butler in 1949, and holds a 3-week music festival in the city that is globally acclaimed.
In the context of performing arts venues, there are the Van Wezel Performing Arts Halls, Asolo Repertory Theatre, Florida Studio Theatre to name but a few. Since 1998, Sarasota has hosted the Sarasota Film Festival on an annual basis, which is one of the state’s biggest film festivals. This city has hosted the Ringling International Arts Festival yearly and it premiered in 2009. Sarasota was home to the very 1st international street painting festival in US, which was dubbed the ‘Sarasota Chalk Festival.’
The Ringling
This is a fine arts museum that is situated on Bay Shore Road, and was founded in 1927 with works of arts that were donated by John and Mable Ringling. At the moment, the Ringling is composed of as much as 21 different galleries that showcase a range of artworks. This includes American art, Asian art, contemporary art, European paintings and even ancient artifacts originating from Cyprus. The entire collection of the Ringling consists of more than 10,000 items, which include decorative arts, sculptures, drawings, prints, paintings and photos. This Sarasota museum houses fascinating works of art by numerous famous artists including Bernini, Duchamp, Gainborough, Bouden, Velaquez to mention just a few. It is as well noteworthy to state that the Ringling possesses a collection of Rubens paintings that is globally renowned.
Marie Selby Botanic Gardens
The Marie Selby Botanic Gardens are situated on South Palm Avenue, and borders the Sarasota Bay. They sprawl over a 7 acre piece of land that was previously the residence of William and Marie Selby. This top Sarasota attraction concentrates its efforts on the collection and exhibition of epiphytes such as bromeliads and orchids, which are exhibited in their natural habitats. The Marie Selby Botanic Gardens have the most varied specimens of bromeliads in the planet. At the moment, there are over 20,000 plants representing 6,000 species in these Sarasota botanic gardens. While it is also home to over 20 different habitats including bamboo, mangroves, live oaks and succulents.
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
Established in 1955, the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is located on City Island, and is involved in marine as well as estuary research. Its aquarium in particular is open to the general public and houses more than 100 marine species, including many of the local marine life. Some of the most prominent of these are jellyfish, sting rays, turtles, manatee and seahorse. One of the highlights of paying a visit to the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is participating in the narrated shark feedings, which draw many locals and visitors alike.
Siesta Keys Village
Located in relatively close proximity to the Sarasota downtown, the Siesta keys is a diminutive island that lies on the Gulf of Mexico, and offers one of the finest beaches in the US. The Siesta Keys Village is a very colorful and vibrant area in this Sarasota island, which boasts of a variety of attractions. This includes trendy restaurants, pubs, shops, spas and ice parlors. As such, the Siesta Keys Village is all about parties and its festive ambience makes it an ideal spot for bar-hopping.
Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary
The Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary is a tranquil asylum for a range of big cats together with other wildlife species. It was established in 1987, and became a non-profit organization in 2005. This leading Sarasota animal sanctuary concentrates its efforts primarily on the rescue and care of exotic big cats along with other wildlife. The latter include bears and birds. The Big Cat Habitat & Gulf Coast Sanctuary comes complete with 3 big indoor and outdoor habitats that feature swimming pools and plants.
Ed Smith Stadium
This is the spring training field for the Major League Baseball team, the Baltimore Orieles. The Ed Smith Stadium was constructed in 1989, and has being used as a spring training ground by a number of MLB sides including the Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds.
Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy
Here is yet another trendy Sarasota hot spot, which was established by artist Marietta Lee. This lady has being collecting a motley of fun and eclectic works of art from a variety of media ever since 2006. The artworks in the galleries, halls, entrance hall, garden and even bathrooms of this Sarasota museum, according to Marietta Lee, are meant to lift the spirits of guests. They are also designed to spark their innate creativity.
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
The Van Wezel Performing Arts Halls is a prominent architectural landmark in the City of Sarasota. It was built with grants from Lewis and Eugenia Van Wezel, and has since its premier being an integral part of the city’s cultural life. This performing arts venue has a seating capacity of 1,736. Its grand foyer spans across 6,000 square feet, and can comfortably accommodate as much as 350 people. There is the terrace and bay front lawn too, which when combined can accommodate 1,500 people.
Central Sarasota Farmers Market
Opened on every Saturday of the year, the Central Sarasota Farmers Market offers the very best provision from the city’s farmers and bakers. It is also a good place to browse through the wares of artisans and listen to some soothing live music performed by local musicians. This market is exactly where you can get the best fruits, vegetables and other items sourced from the city.