In relation to romantic issues to do in Sarasota for {couples}, the seashores and sunsets are best the start. This implausible Gulf Coast town pairs all that herbal attractiveness with a thriving cultural scene and world-class eating, making it the easiest backdrop for a romantic getaway.
When my husband and I plan a date night time (or day), we don’t have to appear some distance as a result of Sarasota has extra to supply {couples} than many larger locations. In fact, the white sand seashores are at all times tempting, and Siesta Key’s sunsets are like no different, however the town has so a lot more to present. There are botanical gardens, excursions that blend historical past with amusing, and romantic wonderful eating that makes dinner the spotlight of the night time.
👉 Fast guidelines for visiting Sarasota!
🍽️ Savor downtown Sarasota with the Historical past and Tasting Strolling Excursion
🛍️ The Sarasota Boutique Excursion for a novel buying groceries enjoy
🌴 For one thing extra lively, do this memorable Evening Kayaking Excursion
🛏️ To find the easiest Sarasota Inns
Because the creator of 100 Issues To Do In Sarasota Prior to You Die, and anyone fortunate sufficient to name Sarasota house, I’ve skilled such a lot that this town has to supply, and it’s nonetheless certainly one of my favourite escapes.
Whether or not you’re making plans a weekend or an extended keep, Sarasota has a lot of distinctive stories for 2. I will be able to’t wait to percentage a few of these most sensible choices for websites, actions, and moments that make Sarasota this kind of particular vacation spot.
Watch the Sundown on Siesta Key Seashore
No {couples} go back and forth this is entire and not using a Siesta Key sundown. The sand on Siesta Key Seashore is powder comfortable, fabricated from natural quartz, and constantly ranked top-of-the-line seashores in america.
We adore to reach about an hour early, stroll the coastline, then settle in because the sky starts to show sun shades of orange and pink. Afterwards, you’ll simply walk into Siesta Village for gelato or a nightcap prior to heading again on your resort.
Siesta Key Seashore is set a 20-minute power from downtown Sarasota. When you’re staying within reach, you’ll motorbike or hop at the unfastened Siesta Key Breeze Trolley, which runs day-to-day and forestalls close to the seashore and village.
Tip: If riding there, parking on the primary lot is unfastened, however it fills up temporarily at the weekends, so cross previous.
Take a Historical past and Tasting Strolling Excursion
There may be such a lot historical past in Sarasota, and numerous nice meals! In this small team historical past and tasting strolling excursion, you’ll get a few of each. You’ll talk over with a number of native eating places, tasting your method via samples. Don’t concern, you gained’t depart hungry! Whilst you walk, you’ll additionally be told in regards to the distinctive historical past of what was once as soon as known as Circus Town.
Discover The Ringling
The Ringling is greater than Sarasota’s artwork museum; it’s a glimpse into the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. {Couples} can spend hours wandering the Museum of Artwork, stepping throughout the Circus Museum, or traveling the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion, the home John constructed for his spouse within the early 1900s.
The Bayfront Gardens are simply as a lot of a draw, with banyan timber, sculptures, and a romantic stroll that leads right down to Sarasota Bay. Inside of, you’ll to find Eu artwork, circus historical past, and a present store with distinctive belongings you gained’t see in different places.
Lunch within the Ringling Grill Room is a good way to finish your enjoy. Take a seat out of doors if it isn’t too sizzling, or ask for a seat by way of the window. The parts are massive, so stay that during thoughts. We ordered an appetizer and sandwiches, and it was once an excessive amount of to complete.
Walk St. Armands Circle
With stores, galleries, and eating places circling the middle, St. Armands Circle is the type of position the place you’ll spend a couple of hours or lots of the day. You’ll be able to additionally learn extra of the historical past and take a look at the time table of occasions at the St. Armands Circle site.
After we cross, I really like to begin with a tumbler of wine and a small plate prior to strolling via among the boutiques. It’s such a very easy method to spend time in combination, and if we’re no longer reasonably able to move house, Lido Seashore is true around the boulevard. Kicking off your sneakers and placing your toes within the sand is the easiest method to wrap up the afternoon.
Tip: Despite the fact that you’re no longer going noon when the solar is the freshest, at all times deliver a hat and sunscreen. We stay chairs and different seashore tools in our automotive so we’re at all times able.
Guide a Dolphin Excursion
Because the early Nineteen Seventies, researchers at Mote Marine Laboratory were finding out the dolphins in Sarasota Bay, and about 150 of them make this space their everlasting house. It’s possible you’ll get fortunate and see one from the seashore, however the surest method to see them is at the water.
Many excursions ensure dolphin sightings, because the dolphins like this space up to we do. Observing them swim and play proper subsequent to the boat by no means will get previous, regardless of how time and again you cross.
Tip: I believe the most efficient dolphin excursions are in Anna Maria, which is set 40 mins away. Morning excursions most often imply calmer water and a smoother experience. Plan to spend the day as there are such a large amount of issues to do on Anna Maria Island.
Enjoy a Sundown Cruise
Being at the Gulf at sundown is a type of belongings you’ll by no means overlook. The sky adjustments each and every minute, seabirds fly overhead, and on occasion dolphins may also sign up for the display.
For {couples}, an night time dolphin cruise is date night time perfection as you take a seat again, watch the colours, and benefit from the view because the sea coast lighting start to sparkle.
Tip: Once more, the most efficient sundown cruise is in Anna Maria Island. Even heat days can cool off temporarily at the water, so deliver a gentle jacket.
Sing Alongside Trolley Excursion
When you’re tune enthusiasts and prefer a very easy date night time the place anyone else plans the main points, the Sing Alongside Trolley is a hoot! Uncover Sarasota Excursions runs this 90-minute enjoy for adults 21+, departing from 1826 4th Side road.
You’ll be able of 1 unfastened beer or wine prior to the excursion, in addition to one unfastened beer or wine on the bar prevent. We had such a lot amusing in this excursion!
Consult with Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
Selby Gardens is world-renowned for its orchids and bromeliads, and Time Mag even named it probably the most International’s Biggest Puts in 2024. The downtown Sarasota campus provides shady paths alongside century previous are living oaks, tropical presentations, and unbeatable bay perspectives.
The Historical Spanish Level campus mixes pioneer historical past with nature trails alongside the water. It’s possible you’ll spot uncommon birds just like the roseate spoonbill.
Each campuses spotlight the relationship between artwork, nature, and conservation, they usually host rotating shows that come up with a explanation why to return again time and again. After we make an afternoon of it, I really like to begin downtown, have lunch within reach, after which head to Spanish Level to wrap up the afternoon.
You’ll to find a lot of quiet corners to experience in combination, plus quite a lot of spots highest for Instagram-worthy footage. Tip: Test the occasions calendar prior to you cross as a result of there are continuously particular shows and seasonal presentations you gained’t see any place else.
See a Display at Van Wezel Appearing Arts Corridor
For {couples} who love are living leisure, the Van Wezel is tricky to overcome. The seashell-inspired construction, painted a daring coloration of pink, sits proper on Sarasota Bay with implausible perspectives. Inside of, you’ll to find Broadway excursions, symphony performances, comedians, and well-liked headliners, so it’s simple to seek out one thing for each and every taste.
We most often pair it with dinner downtown, then head over somewhat early to absorb the bayfront perspectives prior to the display. It’s certainly one of Sarasota’s vintage date nights and one you don’t wish to pass over.
Tip: There’s plentiful parking in its lot (850 spots) with valet carrier to be had. When you’ve dined downtown, strolling the waterfront or taking a rideshare is a pleasing choice as a substitute of being concerned about parking.
Take a Elegance on the Artisan Cheese Store
The Artisan Cheese Store is this kind of amusing spot to talk over with. Discover the superb and scrumptious cheeses or even order a charcuterie board for 2.
The store provides categories in designing a charcuterie board, studying about cheese, and extra. The store additionally serves wine to move together with your cheese. I may store there for hours.
Spend the Day at The Bay
The Bay Park is Sarasota’s new 53-acre waterfront construction, and it has actually transform certainly one of my favourite puts. {Couples} can get started the morning with yoga beneath the banyan timber, paddle in combination on a unfastened guided kayak excursion, or just take a scenic walk alongside the strolling trails.
Within the evenings, there are live shows, meals vans, and films beneath the celebrities. There are such a large amount of simple techniques to experience time in combination right here with out numerous making plans. We booked the kayak excursion and had been in point of fact stunned simply how simple it was once, and some other night time we stuck a film beneath the celebrities.
The Bay is the type of position the place {couples} can drop in for an hour or spend lots of the day, relying on how a lot time you’ve. Tip: Maximum actions are unfastened, however positive occasions, just like the kayak excursions, do require registration. It’s a good suggestion to order your spot via The Bay’s occasions calendar.
Enjoy the Siesta Key Drum Circle
Sunday evenings at Siesta Seashore, simply prior to sundown, the drum circle comes alive. Musicians, dancers, and curious guests all accumulate within the sand and the power builds because the solar starts to dip.
We’ve been a number of instances, and it’s by no means the similar enjoy two times. Some nights the drumming is extra polished, whilst different instances it’s freeform, however it’s at all times a ton of amusing. {Couples} continuously settle in with a blanket or chairs, percentage a drink or snack, and benefit from the rhythm of the drums within the outdoor.
What makes it amusing is how unpredictable it may be. It’s possible you’ll see seasoned drummers, first-timers giving it a check out, and a lot of other folks dancing within the circle. It’s informal, unfastened, and has a group vibe that’s exhausting to copy any place else. It’s one of the memorable techniques to absorb a Siesta Key sundown in combination.
Tip: Arrive a minimum of 30-45 mins early if you wish to have a great place. I additionally suggest bringing a seashore blanket or chairs.
Waterside Position at Lakewood Ranch
Waterside Position is a more moderen lakefront district the place stores, patios, and are living occasions stay issues amusing and energetic. We’ve picked up items for pals at Monkee’s and Florida Provisions, then stayed for dinner at Osteria 500.
Excellent Liquid Brewing is an easygoing prevent should you’re within the temper for native craft beer. Prior to heading out, make sure to take a look at the occasions calendar as a result of we’ve been fortunate sufficient to catch in point of fact nice are living tune right here greater than as soon as.
For {couples}, the draw is how flexible it’s. You’ll be able to make it an informal afternoon surfing stores and grabbing espresso, or a full-on date night time with dinner and are living tune by way of the lake. Sitting out by way of the water with a drink in hand whilst the solar is going down makes it an ideal spot to finish the day in combination.
Have a Mai Tai on the Bahi Hut Tiki Cocktail Front room
When you’re within the temper for a date night time with somewhat persona, Bahi Hut delivers. This Sarasota establishment has been pouring beverages since 1954, incomes its name as Florida’s oldest tiki bar.
The vibe is natural unfashionable with low lights, bamboo cubicles, and simply sufficient tiki decor to make it amusing with out going overboard. It’s comfortable, somewhat quirky, and strangely romantic in that antique, rum-soaked more or less method.
The Mai Tai here’s a native legend and as it’s so potent it’s capped at two in keeping with individual. When you’re in search of a mellow vibe, swing by way of between 3 and six p.m. all over Satisfied Hour when it’s quieter and so much more uncomplicated to snatch a desk.
Afterward, the power choices up, particularly on weekends when are living tune kicks in. Tip: The ones Mai Tais aren’t any shaggy dog story. Tempo your self and plan a rideshare should you’re making an evening of it.
Walk Via A Native Farmers Marketplace
Farmers markets make such a very easy and amusing daylight date for foodie {couples}, and this one is the number 1 farmers marketplace in all of the nation! The Lakewood Ranch Farmers Marketplace, positioned at Waterside Position, has greater than 100 distributors, so there’s masses to discover in combination.
We’ll most often snatch espresso and a pastry, after which wander during the stalls in search of native honey or a loaf of clean bread to deliver house. With a lot of meals vans, plan to have lunch or take house dinner.
When you favor one thing smaller and extra walkable, the Sarasota Farmers Marketplace downtown is a smart selection. It’s been round for the reason that overdue Nineteen Seventies, so it has that vintage, established vibe.
After surfing during the distributors’ stalls, you’re already inside steps of a lot of lunch spots, making it simple to show a morning on the marketplace into an informal afternoon date.
Tip: Convey a tote bag (or two). Between the produce, baked items, and perhaps even a present merchandise or two, you’ll depart with greater than you anticipated.
Dive Wine & Spirits Speakeasy
On Clark Highway, Dive seems like an abnormal liquor retailer from the out of doors. However step previous the cabinets and thru a metal door, and also you’ll discover a hidden cocktail den with simply 25 seats.
It’s intimate, dimly lit, and feels such as you’ve stumbled onto Sarasota’s best-kept secret. A part of the thrill this is that you simply by no means in point of fact order the similar factor two times. On my first talk over with, the bartender requested about my favourite spirit and stunned me with an off-menu introduction.
That degree of consideration makes it really feel non-public, which is strictly why it really works so neatly for {couples}. Dive is the type of spot that makes any date night time extra amusing! When you like Speakeasies, there’s additionally one above Agave Bandido in Waterside.
Consult with the Sarasota Artwork Museum
For artwork enthusiasts, Sarasota Artwork Museum is a should. Take a look at the other exhibitions or take a highlights excursion, presented on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 11 a.m. Take a look at the occasions calendar for wine tastings.
Revel in a Romantic Dinner
With such a lot of wonderful Sarasota Eating places, the eating scene is as a lot a draw because the seashores. Those eating places pair memorable plates with the type of setting that makes an evening out in combination really feel particular.
Michael’s on East
A Sarasota establishment since 1987, Michael’s on East is town’s best AAA 4 Diamond Award eating place. It’s recognized for very good carrier, a wide-ranging world menu and a wine record that has earned nationwide reputation. The are living piano in the living room provides to the sublime setting, making it a most sensible go-to for dates, anniversaries, or big day evenings.
Sage
Positioned within the ancient Sarasota Instances construction downtown, Sage serves ingenious seasonal dishes with a rooftop bar that’s highest for cocktails prior to dinner. The mix of the ancient surroundings and fashionable delicacies makes it one of the distinctive eating stories within the town.
Indigenous
Indigenous turns dinner into greater than only a meal. Chef Steve Phelps builds the menu round what’s in season, so it at all times feels recent and encouraged. The intimate surroundings, along side dishes that remember native substances, makes it certainly one of Sarasota’s maximum scrumptious alternatives for date night time.
Shore
Shore is all about coastal delicacies in a swish, fashionable surroundings. Out of doors tables are strung with lighting, making it one of the fashionable spots for {couples} to linger over dinner.
Duval’s
Duval’s is a downtown favourite and great spot for recent seafood, successful more than one ‘Very best of Sarasota’ awards. From oysters to lobster, the menu covers the classics.
The surroundings is fashionable however relaxed. It’s the type of position the place you’ll take a seat again and experience, with out feeling like they’re speeding you via dinner.
Selva Grill
Selva Grill has been wowing Sarasota diners for years with its Peruvian-inspired menu. Identified particularly for ceviche, it’s constantly indexed a few of the town’s most sensible eating places. The daring flavors and colourful surroundings make it a full of life selection for {couples} having a look to percentage one thing with a little bit of a special spin.
Continuously Requested Questions
I like the spring, fall, and wintry weather in Sarasota. The seashores and skies are stunning with gentle climate and many of outside actions. Summer season will also be particularly warm and humid.
Maximum guests fly into Sarasota-Bradenton Global Airport (SRQ), simply 10 mins from downtown. Tampa Global (TPA) and St. Pete-Clearwater (PIE) also are choices, about an hour’s power.
Sarasota Bay Runner provides a unfastened trolley carrier, offering transportation from downtown Sarasota to St. Armands Circle, Longboat Key, and Lido Seashore. When you’re staying within the middle of downtown Sarasota, many eating places and points of interest are inside strolling distance, making it simple to benefit from the town with out riding.
Extra Concepts for {Couples} within the Sarasota House
Very best Eating places in Sarasota
Romantic Eating places in Bradenton Florida
Very best Eating places in St. Armands Circle
Seashore Day on Anna Maria Island
Meet the creator
Welcome! I’m Kelly!
Author, Traveler, Lover of excellent Meals and Wine.
