Rainy Day
A rainy day in Sarasota
When a storm rolls in off the Gulf, Sarasota moves indoors to world-class museums, a new aquarium, matinees and long lunches.
Museums worth a whole afternoon
Sarasota’s best rainy-day plan has been the same for decades: head to The Ringling.
5401 Bay Shore Rd
The Ringling
The Museum of Art’s Baroque masters, the Circus Museum with its vast 1920s miniature circus, and tours inside Ca’ d’Zan. Plan a full day.
1001 S Tamiami Trail
Sarasota Art Museum
Contemporary art in the restored 1926 Sarasota High School, with a café for lunch.
5500 N Tamiami Trail
Sarasota Classic Car Museum
Classic and collectible cars near the airport. Allow one to two hours.
Selby Gardens, downtown
Selby’s conservatory
Between showers, the tropical conservatory at Selby Gardens keeps orchids and bromeliads under glass.
UTC: shop, lunch and see the sea
North of downtown, University Town Center puts a covered mall and a brand-new aquarium across the street from each other.
225 University Town Center Dr
Mote SEA
Mote Marine’s new Science Education Aquarium at Nathan Benderson Park, opened in October 2025. Open daily 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
140 University Town Center Dr
The Mall at University Town Center
Saks Fifth Avenue, Macy’s and Dillard’s, designer boutiques and lunch at The Capital Grille or Seasons 52.
Matinees and indoor shows
In season, a rainy afternoon is a fine excuse for a matinee.
Ringling grounds
Asolo Repertory Theatre
One of the country’s leading regional theaters, with matinees through the season.
Bayfront
Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Touring Broadway, concerts and comedy in the purple shell on the bay.
See Events for what is on this week.
Slow it down
- Book a spa treatment. Resort spas welcome day guests; see Golf & Spa.
- Make lunch the event. A long, unhurried meal at one of our favorite restaurants.
- Browse a bookstore. Bookstore1Sarasota at 117 S Pineapple Ave is downtown’s independent.
- Find a speakeasy. Rainy evenings suit a hidden bar; see Cocktail Bars.
- Dig into local history. Our Sarasota History guide maps the landmarks.
Rainy days, answered
What is there to do in Sarasota when it rains?
The Ringling is the top choice, with an art museum, the Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan. Mote SEA and the Mall at University Town Center sit across the street from each other, and the Sarasota Art Museum, theater matinees and resort spas round out the day.
Do Sarasota rainstorms last all day?
Often not. Summer storms tend to build in the afternoon and pass within an hour or two, so a museum visit can be followed by a dry sunset. Winter fronts can bring a fully gray day.
Is The Ringling worth it on a rainy day?
Yes. Most of it is indoors, and the art museum, Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan can easily fill a day.