Plan a trip
Trip planner
Pick a town and your dates. You'll get the drive from Cape Coral, events during your trip and the top-rated places.
Getting to Sarasota
1 hr 36 min · 83 miles from Cape Coral (Google driving route without traffic, checked 2026-10-10; expect longer in season)
Events coming up
- St. Armands Circle Art Festival (37th)Nov 14–15 · Time TBA — check the organizerSt. Armands Circle, Sarasota · Source
- Grilled Cheese FestivalSat Nov 21 · Time TBA — check the organizerCoolToday Park, Venice · Source
- St. Armands Circle Art Festival (24th)Jan 30–31 · Time TBA — check the organizerSt. Armands Circle, Sarasota · Source
- Downtown Sarasota Festival of the ArtsFeb 13–14 · Time TBA — check the organizer1718 Main Street, Sarasota · Source
- Sarasota Film FestivalApr 9–18 · Time TBA — check the organizerDowntown Sarasota theaters · Source
- Skyway 2027 exhibitionApr 25 – Sep 26 · Time TBA — check the organizerSarasota Art Museum · Source
- Sarasota International Dragon Boat FestivalMay 8 · Time TBA — check the organizerNathan Benderson Park, Sarasota · Source
- Sarasota Music FestivalJun 7–19 · Time TBA — check the organizerSarasota Orchestra venues · Source
Places to go
Top 5 per group by Google rating (4★+, 20+ reviews). Hours change — call ahead.
Eat & drink
- Le Mans Kitchen · 5★ (974)707 S Washington Blvd, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Florence & The Spice Boys · 4.9★ (1598)4990 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA
- Aji Ceviche Bar Sarasota – Peruvian Restaurant · 4.9★ (1355)4141 S Tamiami Trl suite 16, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA
- Siegfried's Restaurant and German Biergarten · 4.9★ (939)1869 Fruitville Rd, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Bulgogi House Korean BBQ · 4.9★ (810)1472 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
Breakfast & coffee
- The Bakero · 5★ (125)1900 Main St Ste 104, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Soleil at Café · 5★ (23)431 St Armands Cir Suite 1, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- MERCI CAFÉ · 4.9★ (608)6112 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34231, USA
- Cedar Fox Coffee · 4.9★ (229)1952 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Cafe Arts · 4.8★ (167)1355 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
Bars & live music
- Baldoria - Restaurant and cocktail bar · 5★ (54)1528 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Mimi Brasserie and Speakeasy · 4.9★ (165)1920 Hillview St, Sarasota, FL 34239, USA
- Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center · 4.8★ (231)525 Kumquat Ct, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Rooftop Cafe · 4.8★ (20)1700 S Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34239, USA
- The Mable - Bar & Grill · 4.7★ (442)2831 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34234, USA
Things to do
- PARASAIL SIESTA · 5★ (10370)1250 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242, USA
- Silver City Sarasota · 5★ (514)6539 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242, USA
- The Teeth Beneath · 5★ (41)100 Casey Key Rd, Nokomis, FL 34275, USA
- Milan Art Gallery · 5★ (33)80 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Thomsen Fine Art · 5★ (32)10 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
Beaches & parks
- Turtle Beach Park · 5★ (22)8918 Midnight Pass Rd, Sarasota, FL 34242, USA
- Siesta key Beach,Florida · 4.9★ (21)690 Beach Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242, USA
- Bayfront Park · 4.8★ (6127)5 Bayfront Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Siesta Beach · 4.8★ (2979)Siesta Beach, Florida 34242, USA
- Lido beach · 4.8★ (1001)Lido Key, 400 Benjamin Franklin Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
On the water
- High Tide Tiki Tours · 5★ (1985)1250 Stickney Point Rd, Siesta Key, FL 34242, USA
- Kayaking SRQ · 5★ (1522)190 Taft Dr, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Shore Thing Tiki Cruises · 5★ (1143)119 Bridge St Ste 140, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217, USA
- Suncoast Adventure Tours and Charters · 5★ (313)582 Blackburn Point Rd, Osprey, FL 34229, USA
- Salty Adventure Boat Tours · 5★ (198)520 blackburn point rd Osprey, Osprey, FL 34229, USA
Shopping
- The George · 5★ (28)1960 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- RACHA · 5★ (27)352 St Armands Cir, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Unique and Chic · 5★ (27)2115 Siesta Dr, Sarasota, FL 34239, USA
- Modern Soul Boutique · 5★ (25)1533 Dolphin St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA
- Poppy Jane · 5★ (20)1476 Main St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA