Things to do in Sarasota and Siesta Key

Sarasota sits about 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes southwest of Orlando via I-4 and I-75, close to the practical limit for a day trip. The city itself is compact around Main Street and the bay, built on the legacy of the Ringling circus fortune, with the Ringling Museum and Ca' d'Zan villa as its centerpiece. West of downtown, three barrier islands cover very different ground: Lido Key and the shops of St.

Armands Circle, Siesta Key with its quartz sand that stays cool underfoot even in full sun, and quieter Longboat Key to the north. November through April is high season, when winter residents fill the roads and beach parking fills by mid-morning; summers are hot, humid, and prone to afternoon storms, and occasional red tide algae blooms are worth checking before a beach day.

Most visitors need two nights to cover the beaches, kayaking, and museums properly.