Florida's Sarasota is a popular hotspot for locals and tourists, with beautiful beaches and wonderful weather drawing visitors all year round. The massive selection of things to see and do in the area is one of the reasons it is such a great destination, with outdoor attractions, historical locations, and a wonderful choice of museums all proving popular.

We explore some of the hidden gems around Sarasota that will help to keep you entertained and inject some fresh ideas into your plans.

Greyhound Racing

The Sarasota Kennel Club at 5400 Old Bradenton Rd is an excellent option where players can enjoy pari-mutuel gambling on dog and horse racing events, as well as enjoy casino games like poker, food and drink, and all the latest sports on large screen TVs.

This is an excellent option for Floridians and visitors who like to gamble, especially with the confusion in recent years regarding gambling legislation. While retail tribal casinos and sports betting facilities are permitted, online sports betting was delayed due to objections, and online casinos are still prohibited. This has resulted in many consumers exploring offshore gambling activity at online casino alternatives to Stake, a popular offshore crypto casino site.

Bars

The popularity of Sarasota has helped to create a buzzing nightlife scene, and what better way to start an evening than by hitting a bar or two? One option on Main Street is the Pangea Alchemy Lab, which offers guests a speakeasy experience with impressive cocktails. Located down an alley, the sense of adventure involved in finding it makes it a great option.

The Forbidden Tiki bar is one of a selection of great Tiki's, and its great staff and laid back vibes make it a popular location. Over on Clark Road, you might want to check out the Dive Cocktail Den for some great food and a wonderful choice of delicious cocktails.

Restaurants

There are restaurants for every taste and budget in Sarasota, with some excellent hidden gems that have gone under the radar for too long. One of these is Darrell's Restaurant, a Barbecue spot that specializes in smoked chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and a host of incredible sides. 

Another great option is Reyna's Taqueria, where you will find some incredible Mexican dishes. The restaurant has been open since 2018, and can be found at Suite 701 of the strip mall at Sarasota Commons. For Thai food, look no further than Bangkok on Swift Road. This great restaurant has an incredible ambience, hand-carved tables, and food to die for, and the Thai crispy duckling that is their signature dish is worth the visit alone.

Concerts

If you are on the lookout for a music venue, Sarasota has you covered with the Ringling Museum of Art, which often hosts events, as well as other venues including Bold Cowork, the Cafe in the Park, and the Fogartyville Community Media and Arts Center. 

The Sarasota Opera House is an excellent choice for a classier evening, while the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall is another excellent venue. Planning and checking venues for future events and tickets will ensure you don't miss out.

Festivals and Events

Sarasota is home to some great festivals and events throughout the calendar, including Oktoberfest, a film festival, a music festival, a county fair, a New Year's Eve party, and a fishing festival, so there is a bit of something for everyone.

Staying entertained in Sarasota is easy with so many great locations and events to explore. With lots of new things to see and do constantly popping up, it helps to keep things fresh and gives people a reason to keep coming back.