The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
5401 Bay Shore Road
Sarasota, Fl 34243
941-359-5700
http://www.ringling.org/

This beautiful Italian Renaissance villa is designed as an art museum and is home to exquisite collections of Baroque, Italian and Flemish Renaissance and Old Master paintings in addition to lovely 17th-century tapestries. The Ringling Residence, better known as Ca'd' Zan "House of John", was modeled after a Venetian Palace.

This 30-room mansion set on breathtaking Sarasota Bay is truly an architectural delight. The Museum of Circus contains memorabilia from the "big top," including such items as parade wagons, photographs, costumes and colorful posters.

A must visit! Hannerle grew up playing on the grounds of the Ringling Museum. The museum complex is located off U.S. 41, just west of the Sarasota/Bradenton Airport. Take exit 40 off I-75.

South Florida Museum, Bishop Planetarium
and Parker Manatee Aquarium
201 10th Street
West Bradenton, FL 34205

P.O. Box 9265
Bradenton, FL 34206
941-746-4131
http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/

Florida's story from the prehistoric to the present with life-size dioramas and exhibits of Indian life, Southwest Florida's maritime traditions and turn-of-the-century medical facilities.

The Great Hall houses a 19-foot high mastodon discovered in Florida's Aucilla River. The Spanish Plaza features full-scale replica of a 16th century chapel, and the East Gallery is devoted to changing exhibits. Natural history can be investigated through the study of the Museum's fossil, bird and shell collections. As part of Florida's manatee rehabilitation network, the Museum features a state-of-the-art 60,000 gallon multi-level manatee aquatic refuge. Discovery Place, the children's hands-on activity center, is open at selected times. Open Mondays, January - April and during July from 10AM - 5PM. Hours: 10AM - 5PM Tuesday-Saturday; Noon - 5PM on Sunday.

Gulfcoast Wonder & Imagination Zone (G-WIZ)
Blivas Science and Technology Center
1001 Boulevard of the Arts
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-309-4949 
http://www.gwiz.org/

At G.WIZ you can play a laser harp, build your own robot, test your aerobic ability, and learn about machines, sound, electricity and lasers. The hands-on exhibits inspire visitors of all ages to interact and explore science and technology. This "science playground" is definitely a place for kids of all ages.

Sarasota Classic Car Museum
5500 N. Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34236
941-355-6228 
http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.com/

The Sarasota Classic Car museum offers more than a century of automotive history on display. The collection consists of more than 100 vintage vehicles including early carriages, John Ringling's Rolls Royce collection and famous cars such as John Lennon's Mercedes Benz.