
What do you do when the weather turns cold in Florida? First, let's acknowledge that "cold" is relative. Here in Sarasota, the chilliest months of the year typically offer temperatures ranging from the 60s to 70s—pretty comfortable by most standards.
Suffice it to say the Gulf Coast doesn't shut down when winter arrives. In fact, it might just be the low-key best season to visit the Sarasota area. Let our real estate agents be your guides to winter activities in Sarasota and Bradenton.
- Ringling Museum of Art - 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
The official state art museum in Florida, the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is a perfect place to enjoy some art and culture on a cool winter day. The museum has been open since 1927, and it houses a vast collection of art that spans centuries, continents, and cultures, from ancient Roman sculptures to contemporary installations. The museum sits on a wooded estate that also includes a series of gardens and walking paths, all within minutes of these Sarasota homes for sale.
- Sarasota Farmers Market - N Lemon Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
Florida's growing season never ends, and the bustling Sarasota Farmers Market is a weekly occurrence year-round. Every Saturday from 7 am to 1 pm at the corner of Main Street and Lemon Avenue, the Sarasota Farmers Market brings together more than 100 vendors who offer everything from fruits, vegetables, and dairy products to local jewelry, soaps, and candles.
- Red Bug Slough Preserve - 5200 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
There's a case to be made that winter, with its mild temperatures, is the best time of year to go hiking in the Sarasota area. That being the case, Red Bug Slough Preserve is a great place to get out and enjoy nature locally. It has several miles of hike and bike trails and boardwalks that meander through a picturesque 72-acre landscape of woods, wetlands, and ponds. Sharp-eyed visitors might catch a glimpse of scarlet skimmer dragonflies or red cotton stainer beetles—the "red bugs" for which the preserve is named.
- Art Center Manatee - 209 9th St W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Bradenton's Art Center Manatee is a vibrant art center that strives to create a space for local artists. In addition to an ever-changing slate of programs and exhibits, Art Center Manatee also hosts art classes for all ages and skill levels. From drawing and painting to jewelry and sculpture, there's a class here for every interest, and it's a mere stone's throw from many Bradenton homes for sale.
- Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium - 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL 34236
Sarasota is a coastal city, and it's inseparable from the aquatic environments that surround it. At the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, you can learn more about our oceans and the creatures that call them home. Highlights of the facility include a 135,000-gallon shark habitat, coral nursery, and displays dedicated to sea turtles, otters, and seahorses.
- Bradenton Riverwalk - 452 3rd Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
Some of the best views in the Bradenton area can be found along the Bradenton Riverwalk, a 2-mile strip of land alongside the Manatee River. This charming linear park offers picturesque walking paths, a playground and skate park, public art installations, and fishing access. It's a lovely spot for a romantic sunset stroll in any season.
Contact us today to learn more about life in the Sarasota area, and be sure to ask our real estate agents about how we can help you find your dream home on Florida's Gulf Coast.