Circus and real estate tycoon, John Ringling and his wife, Mable, summered in sleepy Sarasota when their world-famous circus was on vacation. And can you blame them? With a bespoke, Italian-inspired estate overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, a famed rose garden, and an impassioned art museum that eventually became the official state art museum of Florida, The Ringling Museum, Historic Asolo Theater, Ca d’Zan estate and the surrounding grounds offer much for the curious traveler and history aficionado alike.
If you cross the Ringling Bridge to reach Lido and Longboat Keys, you might begin to understand the impact that the Ringlings had on what was once a quiet fishing village situated on the Gulf of Mexico. When John Ringling decided to winter his circus in Sarasota, tourism began to boom, forever altering the cultural identity of Sarasota. Known to this day as a “circus town,” the Ringling Museum is the perfect place to get a backstage glimpse into what life was like when John and Mable would walk the grounds of their sprawling estate, beautifully preserved and diversified for visitors of all ages.
A state of the art, interactive circus museum offers one of our favorite museum experiences to date. Ever tried to fit inside a clown car? How about balance on the rump of a horse?
Enjoy a gourmet dining experience in the property’s newly renovated atrium; see a larger than life replica of Leonardo DaVinci’s David sculpture; experience world class live music and theatre at the Historic Asolo Rep (a site to behold in and of itself); or just take a leisurely stroll through the impressive rose garden. Your nose will thank you.