Cultural Places in Sarasota, FL

Ca’ D’Zan (5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243)

If you plan to visit Sarasota, you cannot miss this authentic architectural treasure. This majestic mansion was built by John and Mabel Ringling, a couple of millionaires known for being circus magnates and art collectors. Construction began in 1924 with the commissioned design of the remarkable architect Dwight James Baum.

The Ringlings took inspiration from the great palazzos of the Venice canals. By 1926, the Venice Gothic-style palace was finished, and it would be the couple’s winter home. Its name means House of John in Venetian.

This 36,000-square-foot palace contains three floors and a graceful tower of 82-foot high. One of the most significant attractions is definitely the vista, as the palace is located in front of an extensive lake which gives rise to the Venetian inspiration. By visiting Ca’ D’Zan you can take a tour around the different floors and rooms of the opulent mansion.

Florida Studio Theatre (1241 N. Palm Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236-5602)

The Florida Studio Theatre was opened in 1973 and since then it has preserved the colorful and picturesque style of 70’s theaters and cinemas. This stunning place represenst the heart of the performing arts not only from the city of Sarasota but from the entire state of Florida. But this is not a conventional theatre, it is in fact an artistic villa composed by five theatre halls.

Keating Theatre was initially built in 1915 as a women’s club, being one of the most ancient buildings in the entire city of Sarasota, the theatre still preserves its elegant essence and vibrant energy.

With 273 seats, Gompertz Theatre is the largest of the five halls. All of the most important theatre groups from all over Sarasota have performed in this room, so the place represents a significant step in the career of any theatre actor.

Gompertz Theatre is located next to The Green Room, a bar and restaurant, the ideal place to have a drink or enjoy a good meal before or after a play.

Bowne’s Lab Theatre is the newest and most intimate hall. It has 100 seats and is home to FST Improv Troupe, the charismatic Improv Comedy group that performs every Saturday night to bring laughter to the audience.

Goldstein and John C. Court Cabarets are two very similar halls, both with a Parisian style inspiration and a seating capacity of 100. Both are intimate and charming spaces that offer kitchen and bar service.

Florida Studio Theater has an annual budget of $6 million and about 30,000 subscribers, making it one of the grandest theaters in the country.

By visiting this magnificent place, you will be able to enjoy a variety of plays; including children’s plays, musical shows, cabaret and comedy spectacles, among many others. Although the Florida Studio Theater’s halls are not extremely large, their impact definitely is.

Historic Spanish Point (337 N Tamiami Trail, Osprey, FL 34229)

This museum is not like any other, as it is an environmental complex of 30 acres where you can find a variety of exhibitions and fun activities to do. One of the main attractions is an archaeological exhibition called “A Window to The Past” where visitors can enjoy an audiovisual and interactive exposition on the city’s ancient inhabitants and their way of life. The curious thing about this exhibition is that it is placed inside a prehistoric shell midden.

There are records of inhabitants in the area where the museum is located from more than 5,000 years ago, these people came to develop weapons and ceramics and lived on the large number of natural resources offered by the Gulf of Mexico. However, there are no more records of these primitive inhabitants from AD 1100, so it is presumed that this place was abandoned until the arrival of the Webb family in 1867.

John Greene Webb would name the prosperous lands he had acquired as “Spanish Point.” The family planted different fruits and sugar cane. It wasn’t until 1976 that the property was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Today, The Historic Spanish Point is one of the most visited historical destination in the city of Sarasota, FL. Its vast areas of gardens and rivers will leave you breathless. This natural and splendid environment is perfect to celebrate exceptional events such as weddings or spend the day on an educational boat tour.

Center for Architecture, Sarasota (265 S. Orange Ave. Sarasota, FL 34236)

The city of Sarasota is characterized by a bold and contemporary architecture. This space was opened only 4 years ago, with the aim of becoming a meeting place for students, design professionals and the public in general.

Some of the amenities of this space include a gallery, classrooms, conference and exhibition rooms. This is an excellent place for those who want to appreciate architecture and join conversations about urban design and innovative construction.

This center has an edgy and minimalist architecture, with beautiful glass walls and a bone colored facade. This gives it an immaculate and modernist character to the building.