Best History Museum in Sarasota

"Recognized as the State Art Museum of Florida, the John and Mable Ringling Museum focuses on preserving and enhancing the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. The 66-acre museum complex includes the Museum of Art, the Venetian-Gothic Cà d’Zan Mansion, the eighteenth-century historic Asolo Theater, as well as the Circus Museum. In this museum, you can learn the remarkable story behind entrepreneur and art collector John Ringling."

"Administered by Florida State University, the museum encompasses the entire Ringling estate, far more than just the art museum; there's…"

"For history buffs, the perfect place to spend the day is the Manatee Village, Historical Park. The park is home to a collection of historical objects, artifacts, and buildings that help show visitors how life in Florida was during the pioneer years. Some of the historic buildings include a smokehouse and mill, Potter's Barn, Fogarty Boatworks, Curator's Corner, a blacksmith shop, Wiggins General Store, and an 1887 church."

"Learn about the history of Manatee County with a trip to the Manatee Village Historical Park. The venue features dozens of photographs and artifacts of Manatee County through the decades and is managed by the Florida Association of Museums. Head here for the annual Heritage Days for special exhibits, live performances and reenactments that tell the story of life in Manatee County."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Ebyabe used under CC BY-SA 3.0. An open-air museum and a park in Florida’s Bradenton, Manatee Village Historical Park is recognized as a National Historic Site. This space comprises 14 replica and preserved structures to honor Manatee County’s founding period from 1840-1918."

"If you would like to learn a little more about the history of the area, the Florida Maritime Museum provides you with a glimpse of the people and events that shaped Florida into the state it is today. The museum occupies 4 acres of land and includes the historic fishing village of Cortez as well as a 1912 schoolhouse building. The Florida Maritime Museum was designed to showcase the significance of the regional commercial fishing industry."

"Florida Maritime Museum 4415 119th Street W Cortez, Florida 34215 • 941-708-6121. A non-profit organization, the old Cortez Rural Graded School was transformed into the Florida Maritime Museum to educate visitors on the topic of Florida’s maritime heritage. It sits on 1.6 hectares (four acres) of land in the historic fishing village of Cortez."

"Discover old Florida through the history of Cortez Fishing Village. Explore the traveling exhibits such as the current attraction, Caught in the Storm, 100 Years of Florida Hurricanes. Permanent exhibits feature an expansive shell collection, ship models, and more."

"The Circus Museum, established in 1948, is the first museum of its kind to document the history of the circus. The museum has a collection of handbills, posters and art prints, circus paper, business records, wardrobe, performing props, circus equipment, and parade wagons. The adjacent Tibbals Learning Center contains The Howard Bros."

"The only surviving plantation house in South Florida as well as the oldest building in Manatee County, The Gamble Plantation Historic State Park features a plantation restored to resemble its original beauty during the mid-1800s."

"A small, intimate bistro-style restaurant, featuring an exquisite menu with New American Cuisine paired with a fine wine selection or a mixed..."

"Hyde Park Prime Steakhouse provides an upscale, white tablecloth experience with the best cuts of meat in town. Located in downtown Sarasota on Lemon Avenue, this iconic establishment is renowned for its filets and oldschool manned bar with impeccable service and quality at every turn. Celebrate special occasions here and do not skip the oversized chocolate molten lava cake."

"Hyde Park – Sarasota sits at the corner of Lemon Avenue and State Street, ½ block south of Main Street; minutes from Siesta Key, Longboat Key, and St. Armand’s Circle. Hyde Park is located near the Ritz-Carlton, Hyatt, Hotel Indigo, and Lido Beach hotels. Upscale bar and dining with a late night happy hour menu."

"What a wonderful evening my husband and I had while on vacation in Sarasota. The service and atmosphere was perfect. Our meal + drinks were great."

"The Sign of the Mermaid is pure Bohemian, a mesmerizing part of Florida hidden outside the tourist shops and dockside restaurants. This antique house is a nostalgic glance back into Old Florida, with an acclaimed and continental seafood-focused menu of Blue Crab Cakes, Grouper, Southern Style Shrimp and Grits, and even a signature Baked Brie. The restaurant typically closes from 2 p.m."

"Pascone’s Ristorante’, relocated to the University Park area after many successful years in Bar Harbor, Maine where it served seasonal guests from all over the world. We provide fine Italian dining, private dining, a large selection of wines and full bar services to the Sarasota and Bradenton, FL..."