Adding a few extra days in Sarasota before or after your cruise is the perfect way to extend your adventure. This laid-back Florida city has the perfect mix of nature, cultural, and coastal charm.

Let’s see how you can work this extra stay into your trip and make the most of your time in Sarasota. 

Unwinding and Relaxing Before Your Cruise

If you’re looking to get into a calm and refreshed state of mind before you sail from Florida, there is plenty to do in Sarasota during your 2 or 3 day stay. 

Here are a few ideas for how you can spend your time that are totally geared toward relaxation: 

• Head to Siesta Key Beach. Consistently ranked as one of the best beaches in the U.S., Siesta Key Beach will give you no option but to slow down, lounge around, and take in a sunset or two.
• Book the massage. Sarasota isn’t short on luxury spas, so there’s never been a better time to finally book that massage, and BlueAloe Day Spa is a top choice. There are also plenty of ocean-inspired treatments available to melt away any pre-travel stress. 
• Dine al fresco. Waterfront restaurants like Ophelia’s on the Bay or The Shore are ideal for dining outdoors with views of the water, cocktail in hand, watching the sun set.
• Visit Marie Selby Botanical Gardens. Take a peaceful stroll through Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, which is the only botanical garden in the world where epiphytic orchids, bromeliads, gesneriads, ferns, and other tropical plants are displayed and studied.

Keep the Adventure Going Post-Cruise

If you would rather start your vacation with a cruise, Sarasota can give you those few extra days of fun and relaxation before you head home. Setting aside 2 or 3 days is perfect. 

You can either keep the relaxation going with the activities mentioned above or have an adventure or two, so pack accordingly.

• Kayak through mangrove tunnels. If you head to Lido Key, you can jump in a kayak and explore the mangrove tunnels of Ted Sterling Park. The mangrove trees and root systems are so massive that they almost block out the sunlight.
• Join a guided eco-tour. If it’s the Florida wildlife you want to see, an eco-tour in Myakka River State Park comes highly recommended. 
• Say hi to the dolphins. There are several dolphin cruises that depart from Sarasota Bay, and they’re an amazing opportunity to see wild dolphins playing in their natural habitat. 
• Visit The Ringling Museum of Art. This is one of the most stunning museum complexes in the U.S. It includes Ringling’s art galleries, the historic Ca’ d’Zan mansion, and even a fascinating circus museum.
• Explore Downtown Sarasota. The heart of Sarasota is easy to walk, and you’ll stumble upon a number of local art installations, boutique stores, and local cafes. There’s also plenty of live music to enjoy in the bars, with Tamiami Tap being a popular spot. 

Planning Your Transfers

Traveling between the airport, Sarasota, and the cruise ports is really easy, and there are several ways to reduce any transfer stress.

Sarasota-Bradenton (SRQ) will be your closest airport, but Tampa International (TPA) is also close enough.

To get to the Tampa or Fort Myers cruise ports, you can either travel 1 hour by car from Sarasota or take a bus, but you will need to set aside at least 6 hours for that, as there are multiple stops and transfers. 

You can also arrange a shuttle transfer through companies like Dolphin Transportation, Blue Ribbon Transportation, and Bry’s Car Service.

Sarasota to Sea

Sarasota is the perfect place to add more depth, relaxation, and adventure to your cruise vacation. 

There’s plenty for every type of traveler to do, and you have easy access to cruise ports and airports, so no need to spend extra time in transit or take more time off work just to enjoy more vacation days.