The beautiful beaches tend to get the most press, but Siesta Key has long garnered attention as a haven for artists and writers, who need only to cross over the bridge to the mainland to enjoy downtown Sarasota's artsy attractions. Thanks in large part to the efforts of arts-minded developer and circus magnate John Ringling, Sarasota has long been considered Southwest Florida's "Cultural Capital". There is indeed still a circus in town, but the modern day scene is thoroughly sophisticated: a happening theatre district, world class museums, and scores of galleries keep visiting artsy types busy for days on end. The yearly Asolo Theatre Festival attracts thespians and theatre fans, and numerous blues and jazz festivals light up the streets of St. Armand's Circle and Siesta Village year-round.

John and Mable Ringling Museum Complex
5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota
(941) 359-5700
www.ringling.org

Circus magnate John Ringling helped transform Sarasota into a cultural capital in the 1920's. Today his influence is still evident in the John and Mable Ringling Museum complex, affiliated with Florida State University. Stunning architecture and an expansive collection of works by baroque masters and American artists delight serious art aficionados. Innovative installations and object art help showcase the wall pieces by giving the viewer a sense of time and place. In addition, the estate encompasses Ca d'Zan (the recently restored 32-room Ringling mansion), the Circus Museum, Original Asolo theater, Rose Garden and beautifully landscaped grounds overlooking Sarasota Bay.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota
(941) 366-5731
www.selby.org

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens is the perfect place for gardening enthusiasts and nature lovers to check out orchids, ferns, bromelaids and heliconias. The garden's biggest claim to fame is that it has more epiphytes than any other exhibit or display in the nation. What's an epiphyte - you ask? A breed of flower that seems to grow out of thin air. Not excited by obscure horticulture? No worries - nine acres of walking paths guide you through scenic gardens full of hibiscus, wildflowers, banyans, and tropical fruit trees.

Mote Marine Aquarium
600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota
(941) 388-4441
www.mote.org

Mote Aquarium's informative exhibits portray underwater life in grass flats, rivers, and artificial reefs. The popular "touch tank" allows little visitors to get up close and personal with a variety of marine life while three working laboratories give budding scientists insight into the world of Mote's research projects. The brand new Sea Cinema allows theater-goers to experience life as a hungry shark, thanks to surround sound, a big screen and 3D objects. The Sarasota Bay Explorers Cruise, a fascinating extension of the aquarium, travels through the bay with a marine biologist on board to help passengers spot dolphins and manatees. A brief stop on an island rookery allows glimpses of pelicans, herons, ibises and egrets.

Myakka River State Park
13207 State Road 72, Sarasota
(941) 361-6511
www.myakkariver.org

Florida's largest state park gives visitors a sense of what the state was like a hundred years ago. 29,000 acres of primal wilderness surrounding the Myakka River teem with alligators, vultures, and wild boars. Guided tours by foot, canoe, and kayak offer nature lovers an interesting look at wild cypress swamp, mangrove forests, and marshland.

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
777 North Tamiami Trail, Sarasota
(800) 826-9303
www.vanwezel.org

Arguably the crown jewel of Sarasota's contemporary arts scene, the landmark Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall welcomes a broad range of performers. Set along the waterfront, the stately venue hosts world-class symphonies, premier dance companies, jazz artists, pop legends, and Broadway shows.