Play Here

The Sun’s Always Out on the Suncoast

Every day is a good day to swim with a manatee, but Florida’s West Coast is much more than its beaches. Sarasota-Manatee is a never-ending channel of unique adventures, whether you’re looking to enjoy a bite at one of the award-winning restaurants, go shopping for vintage clothing and jewelry in one of the many historic downtowns, or go exploring across Sarasota-Manatee’s nearly 200 regional and state parks.

In Sarasota and Manatee counties there is also a magnificent cultural landscape brimming with theatrical, artistic, and musical ventures. From the North Port Performing Arts Center to Venice’s Historic Train Depot and Bradenton’s Palma Sola Botanical Park, the sun never sets on fun things to do on the Suncoast.

Two people play volleyball in the USA Volleyball Siesta Key championships.

Outdoor Recreation

Sarasota-Manatee has hundreds of state and local parks, nature preserves and some of the world’s best beaches.
Dive In
People view large religious renaissance paintings at the Ringling Art Gallery.

Arts & Culture

Art walks, festivals, museums and an array of theatre options make Sarasota-Manatee one of the most cultured regions in Florida.
Explore the Scene
People enjoy dinner outside at a restaurant in Lakewood Ranch.

Food & Drink

From international dining options in Venice to Floribbean cuisines and open-air tiki bars in Bradenton, the region’s restaurants are always offering up fresh picks.
Taste the Difference
Woman sitting on bench watching children play on playground.

Family-Friendly

Florida’s West Coast is fun for all ages, whether you’re shark-tooth hunting with the kids in Venice or playing 18 holes of golf in Lakewood Ranch — the #1 planned community in the U.S. across all-ages.
Let's Play
Mother holding infant daughter at first friday event in Lakewood Ranch.

Nightlife

The counties of Sarasota and Manatee offer an eclectic nightlife that has no curfew, whether your kick comes from burgeoning breweries or flavorful festivals.
Experience After Hours

What’s New in Sarasota-Manatee?

Keep up-to-date with news and happenings in Florida. It could be the one newsletter to change your life – literally.
Yellow lifeguard tower on Siesta Key beach at sunset.
Live

Tops in Florida, Sarasota ranks #5 in nation for best places to live

The annual U.S. News and World Report for 2023-24 tabbed Sarasota as the top place to live in the Sunshine State and fifth overall for the United States. With a 6.8 score out of a possible 10, Sarasota trailed only top-ranked Green Bay, Wis. followed by Huntsville, Ala.; Raleigh-Durham, N.C. and Boulder, Colo. Factors added […]
Read More
entrepreneurs

Florida is the best place for entrepreneurs

With resources like the SBDC at USF, the Manasota SCORE chapter and CareerSource Suncoast’s CEO Program, the Suncoast is known for birthing new entrepreneurs. A recent survey confirmed that Florida is the best state for entrepreneurship. The Digital Project Manager looked at eight factors before awarding the state of Florida its highest score at 65.12. […]
Read More
A couple walking toward a small hotel.

Sarasota earns Neighborly accolades

Neighbor ranked Sarasota as the No. 4 most neighborly city of 2023. Sarasota was the lone Florida city recognized in the top 25 list, which was determined by factors such as planting roots and embracing community events. “Recognizing America’s ‘Most Neighborly Cities’ is not just a celebratory act, but a call for unity and hope,” […]
Read More
Young man works on laptop during a university lecture.

Ringling College among top film schools

Ringling College is ranked 20th among the top 25 institutions in the Hollywood Reporter’s rankings of top film schools. The ranking is up three places from last year. “The small class sizes are a draw for the program, which enrolls between 30 and 40 kids a semester,” wrote the Hollywood Reporter. “Even with its small […]
Read More
More News