Free Things to Do in Sarasota, Florida

Stephen King, Dick Vitale and Jerry Springer all have homes in Sarasota. The Ritz-Carlton and Sarasota Film Festival attract the rich and famous alike. Susan Sarandon was spotted at the county fair with her children. But that doesn't mean that the average Joe living on less than a seven-figure salary can't enjoy everything this beautiful beach town has to offer. This hub is an inside guide through the luxuries of Sarasota on a pauper's paycheck.

The beaches are among the most beautiful in the world. Crystal clear water against pure white sand mimics movie sets and Caribbean islands. Forget the turnstiles of the Jersey Shore, and don't worry about cash for parking. If you can successfully maneuver your family past the concession stand without breaking the bank, then you can enjoy the sun, sand and surf, free of charge, at every beach in the area. Siesta Key Beach boasts some of the whitest sand in the world. Turtle Beach is great for collecting shells and shark's teeth, and Lido Beach has a tiki bar thanks to the Lido Beach Resort. It should be stated that a visit to the tiki bar will definitely cost money!

But here's something else that won't – a Monday visit to the Ringling Museum of Art. Every Monday the museum waives their admission fees, which include admission to the art museum, circus museum, Càd'Zan mansion, and grounds.

The grounds alone are worth the trip. The massive property overlooks Sarasota Bay. Enjoy the pleasant combination of warm sun and bay breezes on the mansion's terrace. There's a seating area with scattered benches and about a dozen tables and chairs. If the sun is blazing or the kids are bored, eat lunch at a picnic table under the banyan trees. The shade lowers the temperature a good ten degrees and banyan trees are the original jungle gyms. After lunch, sneak off to the Secret Garden or stroll through Mable's Rose Garden. To actually stop and smell the roses would take too long; the garden is home to twelve hundred.

As with the tiki bar, the guided tour of the Càd'Zan mansion is a worthy reason to whip out your wallet. It's five dollars per person, and the tour guides are extremely knowledgeable about the mansion and its former owners, John and Mable Ringling. Plus, tours take priority over other visitors. A tour is the only way to guarantee you'll see the inside of the mansion.

Inside the Museum of Art you'll find John Ringling's personal collection of paintings, sculptures, and various artistic treasures. An antique piano is the centerpiece of one room, a silver tea set in another. The surrounding art is work by famed artists like Peter Paul Rubens, Anthony van Dyck and El Greco.

For a tour of more current and local art, take a Friday night art walk. Galleries stay open late to welcome the public. There are two in Sarasota. Both are held on Friday nights, and both serve free wine and cheese. The Palm Avenue First Friday Walk runs from 6 pm to 9 pm. The Towles Court Art Walk is held every third Friday and runs from 6 pm to 10 pm.

For a posh walk any day and time of the week, head out to St. Armands Circle for some serious window shopping. The circle consists of art galleries, restaurants and all types of shops – clothing, pet, candy, and ice cream to name a few. This last activity may require more self-control than the others in order to stay on a pauper's paycheck of nothing, but it's worth the effort.

Sarasota offers luxury at any price; you don't have to be Susan Sarandon to enjoy it!