Sarasota, Florida, is not a cheap destination like Southeast Asia or South America, but there are ways to make your holiday to Sarasota a little more affordable. You can keep costs down on the Gulf Coast by mixing expensive activities with free things to do in Sarasota. I do love a good freebie!
Your wallet will thank you, plus these free activities are pretty awesome.
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10 Free Things To Do in Sarasota
Sarasota is a cool town. There's heaps to do in the area, including some great activities that won't break the bank. The beaches in Sarasota are among the best in the country thanks to their picturesque white, fluffy quartz-crystal sand.
The city is also home to one of the best museums we've ever visited (don't roll your eyes just yet - we aren't even "museum people"). Okay, without further ado, here are ten fun and free things to do in Sarasota.
1. Community Drum Circle
We heard about the Community Drum Circle from a spiritual lady we met in Sarasota. There are a lot of hippies in Sarasota. I imagine they are partial to the city due to the healing properties of the quartz-crystal sand, but that is just a wild guess.
If you are in Sarasota on a Sunday, you are in luck. The "hippie" Community Drum Circle is held every Sunday at Siesta Key Beach one hour before sunset.
The Sarasota community loves and gets involved with this ritual-chanting, dancing, and singing. If you are looking for the Community Drum Circle, it is between lifeguard stands 3 and 4 on Siesta Key Beach.
2. Siesta Key Beach
Even if your stay doesn't fall on a Sunday, we strongly recommend visiting Siesta Key Beach, our absolute favorite beach in Sarasota County. And we are not the only ones who feel it is a fantastic beach.
It has been awarded Best Beach in the United States numerous times-in 2004 by the Travel Channel, in 2011 by Dr. Beach, and in 2015 by TripAdvisor. The beach is highly regarded for its blinding white quartz-crystal sand.
Aside from the stunning sand, colorful lifeguard stands are also all over the beach, which is perfect if you want an Instagram-worthy photo. Siesta Key Beach offers free parking, which is rare in Florida.
Booking a rental car at Sarasota Airport will save you time, so you can spend more of it beach-hopping.
3. Ringling Museum of Art
If you are in Sarasota on a Monday, you MUST visit The John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art. The museum is usually $25 a person, but admission is free on Mondays, which might be the best deal in Sarasota.
One interesting fact about Sarasota is that it was once a circus city. John Ringling owned a circus in Sarasota called "The Greatest Show on Earth."
Long story short, John purchased a large piece of land in Sarasota, where he collected various interesting and unusual works from around the world. He eventually turned part of his home into a museum you can still visit today.
Even if you are not interested in art, we highly recommend visiting the Ringling Museum of Art, as the premises are beyond opulent.
The Ca' d'Zan building is the most impressive in the complex. John hired a New York architect to build a Venetian Gothic-style palace on the water.
The house is 36,000 square feet and has 41 rooms and 15 bathrooms. It cost him a staggering 1.5 million dollars back in 1924.
The Ringling Museum of Art is an excellent place to visit. We aren't at all surprised by the great Tripadvisor reviews. In short, go here.
4. Turtle Beach
If you are interested in seeing turtles while in Sarasota, Turtle Beach is the best place to go. The best time to see turtles in Sarasota is during nesting season, from May to October.
In saying this, sadly, your chances of seeing wild turtles are pretty low year-round, as turtles come out after dark when there are fewer predators around.
Regardless of turtles, Turtle Beach is a great place to visit in any event. While the sand is dark and grainy, the water is stunning. The beach also offers the most amazing sunsets.
For those traveling to Sarasota on a budget, you will be happy to know that there is a great campground nearby. Parking at the campground is tight, but it's right on the beach.
If you drove to Sarasota and brought your women's bike, you can put it to good use, cruising from this beach to the others. We will be putting Turtle Beach back on our list of fun, free things to do in Sarasota the next time we visit.
5. Unconditional Surrender Statue
One of the most popular things to do in downtown Sarasota is to visit the Unconditional Surrender statue.
The statue of a United States Navy Sailor kissing a nurse is a famous icon depicting the end of World War II. It's based on a photo of George Mendosa and Greta (Zimmer) Friedman in New York.
Interestingly, there is controversy around the famous statue as the pair did not know each other before the photo, sparking claims that the image captured a sexual assault.
The story goes that George Mendosa was so happy to find out the war was over (and being a little drunk) that he grabbed Greta Friedman, a random nurse in the streets, and kissed her.
Many argue that the statue is an assault and should not be glorified. Due to the assault claims, the statue in Sarasota has been subjected to graffiti by "Me Too" protesters in recent years.
While George and Greta are now deceased, there appeared to be no bad blood between them as they met up numerous times for interviews and to recreate the memorable moment in New York.
It is free to enter and view the Unconditional Surrender Statue in Sarasota.
6. Coquina Beach
Coquina Beach is a fabulous free beach to visit in Sarasota. It is a popular beach for locals and tourists as with perfect white, fluffy quartz-crystal sand and warm water ideal for swimming.
One quirky element of Coquina Beach is that it is home to thousands of very friendly squirrels who live in the woodlands just off the beach. They're probably fed by tourists who visit the beach, as they're ridiculously friendly.
We were a little scared of a squirrel attack while at the beach. After the fact, it was super fun to laugh about the squirrels at Coquina Beach. Like most beaches in Sarasota, Coquina Beach has free parking.
Travelers exploring more of the Gulf Coast often pair Sarasota with the St. Pete area, where Isla del Sol St Petersburg rentals provide easy access to beaches and nearby attractions.
Related: Clearwater Beach, Florida
7. Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy
The Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy is another excellent free activity in Sarasota. This museum is a winter activity set up for snowbirds. It closes for the summer and reopens the day after Thanksgiving on November 29.
In winter, in Sarasota, you will find a variety of interesting art in the museum, from paintings to sculptures.
While it is free to enter, they ask for a $5 donation as they are a not-for-profit organization. This donation is entirely at your discretion and not mandatory to enter.
8. Lido Key Beach
If you decide not to head to the Siesta Key area, we recommend a trip to Lido Key-the beaches on Lido Key are stunning.
Lido Key Beach is the rival beach to Siesta Key Beach in Sarasota. Like Siesta Key Beach, the sand is white and fluffy, and the water is perfect for swimming.
South Lido Key Beach is also a lovely beach in the area; however, swimming's not possible due to strong currents. It is popular with anglers as the waters are teeming with fish.
Parking is free at Lido Key Beach, except at the North end, where Sarasota County recently installed pay-and-display parking Monday through Friday.
9. Celery Fields
The celery fields are excellent places for nature lovers in Sarasota, particularly for those who enjoy bird-watching and photography.
The celery field is essentially a large wetland area in Sarasota. The park offers a few good elevated nature trails for more up-close and personal bird watching.
You can see much of the same wildlife here that you can view at Myakka River State Park, a paid State park just outside Sarasota. The celery fields in Sarasota are entirely free to visit!
10. Bayfront Park
You will find Bayfront Park and the Children's Fountain, located along Palm Avenue, next to the Statue of Unconditional Surrender.
It is entirely free to enter Bayfront Park in Sarasota. The park is a great place to stroll on the Sarasota waterfront.
Families like to bring their children to play in and around the water fountains. There are also great picnic spots, kayak rentals, and a fun tiki bar.
Bonus: Affordable Things To Do in Sarasota
There are a few inexpensive activities we recommend in Sarasota. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is an affordable activity in Sarasota that the whole family will love. It costs $20 per person to enter the picturesque gardens.
The Myakka River State Park is another good place to visit in Sarasota if you love the great outdoors and want to see wildlife, including alligators and deer.
The State Park is also home to the popular, well-rated Myakka Canopy Walkway, offering terrific views of the Sarasota area. You can camp at Myakka River State Park for $26 a night, or get a day entry pass for $6 per vehicle.
The last reasonably affordable activity we recommend is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. At $46 per adult entry, this is a popular option for family fun in Sarasota County, as it allows visitors to see Florida manatees.
Wrapping Up
As you can see, Sarasota, Florida, offers many free and affordable activities for all interests. From the enchanting beaches like Siesta Key and Turtle Beach to the cultural spots like the Ringling Museum of Art, there's no shortage of experiences that won't cost a dime.
Whether joining the Community Drum Circle, admiring the Unconditional Surrender Statue, or exploring the Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy, Sarasota proves that the best things in life can be free.
And with budget-friendly options like the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota is the perfect destination for travelers seeking value and variety.
So pack your bags and head to this Gulf Coast paradise where budget-friendly adventures await!
