Circus Sarasota 8251 Fifteenth Street East, Unit B, Sarasota, FL 34276, 941-355-9335, Experience family entertainment at its best while attending this one ring, five star, European style big top international circus that presents world renowned circus superstars with affordable prices to all performances. Don't miss the family expirence, February 4 thru February 27 2005. 

Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-4441, You'll see a 135,000 gallon shark habitat, sea turtles, jellyfish, two touch pools, two unique manatees, and a Mysterious Mollusks exhibit that features a 25 foot preserved giant squid specimen while at this beautiful aquarium. 

Stardust Event Center 2571 12th Street, Sarasota, FL 34237, 941-544-9682, Stardust Event Center features roller inline skating sessions, school field trips and "Ultimate" birthday parties! Special events held include: quinceaneras, wedding receptions, charity galas, sweet 16's, proms, homecomings, sporting events, concerts, dances and more. They are the Outstanding Business Partner of the Year winner by Sarasota County Schools and the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce's Small Business of the Year Nominee. 

Seminole Indian Casino 506 South First Street, Sarasota, FL 34142, Located in Immokalee, 941-658-1313, Experience the excitement of high stakes bingo, live action poker, and high paying video gaming machines at this 47,000 square foot Native American casino that features 525 slot machines, 12 table games, a full service cocktail lounge, and live entertainment nightly. 

Historic Spanish Point 337 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34229, Located in Osprey, 941-966-5214, Overlooking the beautiful Little Sarasota Bay, this 30 acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is dedicated to preserving and interpreting 5,000 years of history. Visitors can go inside a prehistoric shell mound and enjoy formal gardens, nature trails, and a visitor's center while exploring this unique site. 

Art Center Sarasota 707 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-365-2032, Founded in 1926, this center is the hub of the Gulf Coast regions contemporary art scene. In addition to enjoying fine works of art, you may also join a broad spectrum of workshops, classes, exhibitions, and childrens programs. 

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, The 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243, 941-351-1660, Experience the legacy of John Ringling at this 66 acre estate of one of the greatest business tycoons of his day. The museum is recognized as the state art museum of Florida and includes 21 galleries of internationally recognized European and American art. The estate also includes the Circus Museum, the Rose Garden, the Original Asolo theater, and the beautifully restored 32 room Ringling mansion, all overlooking Sarasota Bay.  

Museum of Asian Art 640 South Washington Boulevard, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-954-7117, The first museum in the southeastern United States that is exclusively devoted to Asian art, this beautiful and serene museum invites you to experience the arts and cultures of Asia. A wonderful collection of art from Cambodia, China, Thailand, Nepal, and Burma is featured. 

Ringling School of Art and Design 2700 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34234, 941-351-5100, 800-255-7695, Visit and tour this beautiful south Florida campus that is known worldwide for it's advanced creative studies and professional educational values. Numerous art galleries are on site and are open daily for viewing while tours are available all year with reservations. more... 

Crowley Museum & Nature Center 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota, FL 34240, 941-322-1000, Overlooking the Myakka River, this 190 acre wildlife sanctuary contains numerous features including native flora and fauna, a beautifully restored 1892 cracker house, a museum and pioneer cabin, a blacksmith shop, a sugarcane mill, nature trails, an observation tower, and a boardwalk traversing Maple Branch Swamp. Self-guided trail booklet available to all guests. Educational programs for the community schedlued weekly.  

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-366-5731, One of the top ten botanical gardens in America, this tropical oasis on Sarasota Bay is nestled on eight and a half acres and features the most spectacular display of rare orchids and bromeliads in the world. A cafe and gift shop are also on site. 

Pelican Man Bird Sanctuary 1708 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-388-4444, The largest wildlife and rehabilitation center in Florida, this open air center is home to over 55 different species of Florida birds and is open to visitors daily. 

Sarasota Jungle Gardens 3701 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34234, 941-355-5305, Go explore the area's only zoological gardens. With over 70 exotic and native animals, plus a variety of tropical plants, you'll find lots to do at the zoo. Stroll along the jungle trails, hold a parrot on your arm, come nose to snout with an alligator, see amazing birds ride bicycles, or let a flamingo eat out of your hand. Kids of all ages will enjoy their five daily educational presentations including Reptile Encounter, Birds of Prey and the Birds of the Rainforest Show, each presented twice a day. A shell museum, gift shop and cafe are also on-site.  

Florida House Learning Center 4600 Beneva Road South, Sarasota, FL 34233, 941-316-1200, Learn about the integration of environmental preservation, economic success, resource conservation, healthy house concepts, and recycling products while at this environmentally friendly model home that also features Florida friendly landscaping. 

G.WIZ Hands-on Science Museum 1001 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-906-1851, This state-of-the-art science and technology hands-on museum offers people of all ages to discover the magic of interactive exhibits and displays. Visitors can choreograph an avalanche, create animated videos, freeze their own shadows, launch cloud rings, and see butterfly and native animal habitats while at this museum. 

Le Barge Tropical Cruises 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236, 941-366-6116, This cruise company provides sightseeing and dolphin watching cruises that are narrated by a marine biologist, as well as sunset cruises with live entertainment, special event cruises, and private charters. Reservations are suggested. 

Solomon's Castle 4533 Solomon Road, Sarasota, FL 33865, Located in Ona, 863-494-6077, Take a guided tour of this magnificent castle built by Howard Solomon that overlooks the picturesque Horse Creek and contains galleries of his art and over 80 interpretive stained glass windows. The artist also built the on site Boat in The Moat which is a replica of a 16th century Spanish galleon and houses the castle's restaurant.