Welcome to Museum District
The Museum District is located between Whitaker Bayou to the south and the Ringling Museum to the north. This neighborhood is Sarasota’s most historically significant neighborhood as this is where modern-day Sarasota first came to be. John Ringling, a circus magnate, and one of America’s Gilded Aged industrialists, was the visionary behind the neighborhood, and more broadly Sarasota, with his decade-long development of Ca’ d’Zan (“the House of John”).
The last of the gilded mansions, Ca’ d’Zan was built in 1926 as a Mediterranean revival style home featuring an eclectic array of stylistic influences, including Venetian Gothic, Italian Renaissance, Moorish, and Spanish-inspired elements drawn from various historic periods. These influences, along with Ca’ d’Zan’s beautiful murals, elaborate interiors, coffered ceilings and other ornate details, led to a cultural awakening of artistic vibrancy in Sarasota that still exists today.
Ca’ d’Zan was comprehensively restored in 2002 maintaining its original grace, beauty and charm on the grounds of The Ringling Museum. It stands as the centerpiece of today’s Museum District and the Cultural Capital of Florida, and serves as a testament to the American Dream of the Roaring Twenties.
Outside of the Ringling Museum, there are two other prominent areas within the Museum District. Indian Beach, located just north of The Bay project beginning at Indian Beach Drive, has a rich history dating back over 5,000 years when prehistoric Indians seasonally came to its shores. Indian Beach Park is a favorite spot of neighbors and their dogs to see beautiful sunset views of the Ringling Bridge and downtown Sarasota.
Indian Beach Drive turns into Bay Shore Road travelling north along the bayfront. The road has a majestic, natural canopy of giant oaks and banyan trees that provide the perfect mix of shade and old-Florida character. The west side of Bay Road is known for its stately homes, waterfronts, gorgeous sunsets and amazing views of the Ringling Bridge, while other portions of Indian Beach have an eclectic mix of craftsman, historic and artisan homes that add complementary charm and character. There are also smaller, well-maintained, manicured homes located along the Indian Beach’s arterial streets.
Sapphire Shores lies between Indian Beach and the Ringling Museum. Sapphire Shore Drive is located on Stephens Point, offers direct access to Sarasota Bay, and is one of two peninsulas surrounding Sapphire Shores Park. The other, Ringling Point Drive, offers glorious views of Ca’ d’Zan at the Ringling Museum. The Park is a wonderful place where locals relax in a tiny harbor of beautiful boats reading books or watching sunsets. You will often see residents here jogging, bicycling and walking their dogs.
Insider Tips
Family Friendly:
The Museum District is filled with family friendly cultural activities. Jungle Gardens, located on Bay Shore Drive, is home to over 200 native and exotic animals within ten tropical acres of gardens and walking trails. It has long provided an oasis for families to visit and enjoy live bird shows.
The Ringling Museum is a wonderful site for children to explore outdoor gardens, a playground, and an indoor circus museum. Family programs at the Ringling include ROAR, a story time program that connects art with early literacy, and various family art making activities.
The Bay Haven School is located within the Museum area.
Favorite Restaurants:
The Ringling Grillroom features Modern American fare and is located within the Ringling Museum overlooking the Bayfront Gardens and Ringling Estate. Wicked Cantina offers delicious Mexican fare in a modern, casual atmosphere with a great happy hour and tasty margaritas.
Recreation / Culture:
The Sarasota Ballet is a full resident ballet company that has received national and international acclaim for its unique and diverse repertoire. It
offers critically acclaimed performances such as its unrivaled 28-year run of the complete works of Verdi, including the acclaimed La Traviata. The Sarasota Ballet has performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, and at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in the Berkshires, MA.
The Asolo Conservatory is a majestic, historic building adjoining The Ringling Museum, and is one of the largest and most successful non-profit theaters of its kind. While the Asolo has been known as a training ground for many successful Broadway actors, it also has drawn many experienced actors to take part in its own productions. The Asolo’s programs are diverse in scale, and cover a variety of interests from Shakespearean screenings to local productions. The Asolo Conservatory has been featured in many national publications citing the quality and diversity of its performances.
The Marietta Museum of Art and Whimsy is an off-the-run, fanciful gallery of offbeat, contemporary artwork and paintings with a colorful outdoor garden. It is a bargain and well worth an afternoon of exploration.
