Sarasota exudes an air of relaxed sophistication. Long considered the cultural capital of Florida, the Ringlings and other wealthy families made Sarasota their winter playground, imparting the legacy of the arts early on. This fair city soon became a haven for artists, thespians and musicians.

The powder white sands of the keys attracted more visitors and they soon developed into rustic, laid-back beach communities. With a cultural calendar that rivals that of any metropolis, Sarasota boasts several world-class museums and arts venues. The Circus Museum on the grounds contains memorabilia from the Big Top, including parade wagons, photographs and costumes. The Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Asolo Center) is an outstanding regional theater, as well as a teaching conservatory.

Honored by the state of Florida for its high quality of artistic production and performance, the Sarasota Opera Association presents four operas in February and March. A celebrated orchestra, the Florida West Coast Symphony, presents a stunning season with several internationally renowned guests. The Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, a purple, shell-shaped landmark, is known for its distinctive architecture and excellent acoustics.
Sarasota is also rich in lush natural beauty. The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, set on Sarasota's sparkling bay, is an orchid research center with beautiful and bountiful grounds that showcase these and other exotic blooms.

For the more active visitor, Sarasota offers watersports, fishing and tennis galore, along with many excellent golf courses. A municipal baseball stadium is used for spring training by the Cincinnati Reds. Nearby Myakka River State Park, Florida's largest, offers sun-dappled rivers and cypress-studded paths for hikers and bicyclists. So just kick back, relax and let your cares dissolve in Florida's premier west coast paradise.