The name “Sarasota” is derived from a Spanish term for ” a place of dancing” and apt mane for this Florida Gulf Coast city that is located just south of the Tampa Bay area. With gorgeous beaches, lively art scenes and a burgeoning business center, this place is a magnet for people who are looking to relocate. Sarasota is perched along the Gulf of Mexico about an hour south of Tampa and the city of Sarasota covers around 15 square miles of land in Sarasota County. Gorgeous beaches, warm weather and enviable recreational and cultural facilities earn a spot on the best-of list.
Which airport is closest to Sarasota, Florida?
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Sarasota is the up place to live in Florida for all ages, besting out ritzy Naples to the south and bustling Tampa Bay to the north. Some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world are in Sarasota. While the whole Gulf Coast is abundant with award-winning beaches, this place has 35 mile stretch of sand and surf that boasts some specific stunning gems.
Six keys hug the coastline, all with gleaming white, sugar-soft sand and glorious sunsets but each with its distinctive vibes. Similar to the many beach towns in Florida, Sarasota’s keys quiet down quite a bit in late spring when the snowbirds head north for the summer.
It is very easy to feel younger in Sarasota. In spite of the glorious Sarasota, weather, beaches and slew of recreation opportunities that tend to make anyone feel young, age demographics here skew on the high side compared to the rest of the United States.
Sarasota is a place that has some awesome neighbors, as much as this place has to offer, there are some pretty amazing places to visit within just about an hour’s drive. Saint Petersburg, as well as Clearwater, boasts award-winning white sand beaches with dolphin tours to boot and Tampa is a hub for live music and sporting events.
Tampa has Busch Gardens as well as Adventure Island to quench your thirst for adventure. You can also charter a boat out of Clearwater and take it to the high seas and well the high Gulf. And if you are a culture enthusiast then you must check out The Dali Museum which is located in Saint Petersburg.
What airport is near to Sarasota, Florida?
The closest airport to Sarasota is Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and the distance from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport to Sarasota is 4.3 miles or 7 km.
Some other airports are located nearby;
- Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
- Saint Pete-Clearwater International Airport
- Punta Gorda Airport
- Tampa International Airport
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is coded as SRQ and this airport is located 3 miles or 5 km southeast of Bayshore Gardens and about 4.5 miles or 7 km north of Sarasota.
This international airport is between the 2 cities from which the airport was named in Manatee County in Florida. It is more known as Sarasota by locals and airlines as it is the more well known to the two. Most of the traffic coming through this airport occurs during winter and spring as the area is a famous destination for tourists who are trying to escape colder temperatures and take advantage of the area’s warm weather. SRQ airport also houses a waterfall in the terminal that acts as an aesthetic nod to the region and is part of the air conditioning system cooling the facility.
The airport transports more than half of a million passengers per year. Currently, Charlotte, New York and Atlanta are the most famous domestic destinations. Delta Airlines has the largest presence at the airport and there are short and long-term options available for parking. City buses, taxis, airport shuttle services and on-site car rentals make getting to and from the airport easy. Sarasota Bradenton International Airport has about 6 dining options including Dunkin’ Donuts and Gulf Breeze Cafe. If you are shopping passengers then you can visit the TravelMart, PGA Tour Shop and the CNBC shop. If you want to stay near the airport then there is a Hyatt Place on-site and some other options available within 2 miles of distance.
Saint Pete-Clearwater International Airport
Saint Pete-Clearwater International Airport is coded as PIE and the distance from Saint Pete-Clearwater International Airport to Sarasota is 49 miles or 68 km. This international airport is located around 5 miles or 7.5 km north of Pinellas park and bout 5.5 miles or 9 km south of Saftey Harbor. With more than 30 airlines this airport is always ready to accommodate your schedule, competitive rates and efficient facilities packed with amenities, the airport is truly a gatekeeper to paradise.
Nonstop service is available to airports in more than 100 cities. The food, beverage, gifts and news concessions have expanded significantly. Restaurants and coffee options include Starbucks, Qdoba Mexican Grill, Wendy’s Auntie Anne’s, Bay Coffe and Tea Co0amny, New York Pizza, Burger 21, New York, Pei Wei and many more. Additionally, local favorites 3 Daughters Brewing, Mazzaro’s, Ulle, Columbia Cafe and Rumfish Grill are especially exciting that bring local businesses to Saint Pete-Clearwater International Airport.
This airport has a heartwarming new Pets Uplifting People therapy fog program which offers dogs to greet travelers who are waiting to board flights. Additionally, the airport now has “Bark Parks” that are fenced per relief areas for guests traveling with their dogs. The Bark Parks have benches and watering stations with other amenities. Airport parking lots are open two hours before the first departure of the day and one hour after the last flight arrives at the airport. Credit cards, debit cards and cash are accepted at the airport.
No overnight working is permitted in the short-term lot and there is limited availability with the lot sometimes filling up on Thursdays to Mondays and additional parking is available in Economy Lots. If you find it difficult walking with luggage then you are encouraged to park in the Economy Lot and use the convenient free shuttle service to and from the terminal.
Punta Gorda Airport
Punta Gorda Airport is coded as PGD and the distance from Punta Gords Airport to Saradots os 44 miles ot 71 km. This airport is located around 3.5 miles or 5.5 km east of Punta Gorda and about 5.5 miles or 9 km east of Punta Gorda Isles. Sun Country as well as Allegiant provide low-cost, nonstop air service to more than 50 destinations.
Owned and operated by the Charlotte Country Airport transportation and economic asset for the region, offering hundred of onsite jobs, space for business and aviation tenants and more than $1.275 billion in the total economic output. Inside the General Aviation Terminal, there is a gift shop and casual seating that offers food and general concessions including cocktails that are available inside Balley Terminal as well as SkyView Cafe.
Tampa International Airport
Tampa International Airport is coded as TPA and the distance from Tampa International Airport to Sarasota is 44 miles or 71 km. This international airport is located around 3.5 miles or 5.5 km southwest of Egypt Lake- Leto and about 3.6 miles or 6 km southeast of Town ‘n’ Country.
If you are looking to have a taste of Tampa Bay or picking up a last-minute souvenir then this airport has a wide range of restaurants from local hotspots to quick counter service as well as a variety of unique gifts in the shops of the airport. If you have some extra time before your flight then there is a relaxing chai9r massage or manicure that might be just what you need. You can view all of their dining, shopping and spa options by navigating their services.
Things to do in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a place that is known for its connection to the circus known as the Ringling Brothers Circus and is quite an intriguing place to visit with tons of vacation spots to enjoy. Here are the best and most fun things that you can do in Sarasota, Florida.
Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory
The Mote Marine Aquarium and Laboratory is situated on City Island, in a little spot called Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota Florida. It was first founded as the Cape haze Marine Laboratory in 1955 and its name remained that way until 1967 as a way of honoring Willina and Lenore R. Mote and William’s sister, Betty Mote Rose.
The aquarium portion on the hand is a wide open space for visitors to visit with more than 100 species of marine animals locals as well as a few from across the world. There are rays, turtles, manatees, eels, jellyfish, otters, seas horses and sharks, etc.
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is located on Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. This museum is named after the co-founder of an infamous circus you have likely heard of the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus. This museum is truly different and is a one-of-a-kind type of location and that is the reason it is one of the top things to do in Sarasota, Florida.
Within the museum, classical architecture as well as art both reproductions and genuine originals form a number of different eras. More than 10 thousand different works ranging from paintings to photographs and from sculptures to print are spread across 21 different galleries, each one dedicated to a different region and style.
Gulf Coast Sanctuary and Big Cat Habitat
Gulf Coast Sanctuary and Big Cat Habitat are situated in a part of Sarasota called Palmer Boulevard. It was first opened by Kay Rosaire in 1987 and a couple of decades later in 2005 it would become a nonprofit organization and now this place is one of the top places to visit in Sarasota, Florida.
As the name 0f, the place suggests the sanctuary mainly functions as a site for rescuing exotic cats and providing them with needed care. Some other animals like birds, chimpanzees and bears are also taken care of at this place. There are three habitats on the compound some of which are indoor and some of which are outdoor. There is also a petting zoo, which is the best place to bring kids to they can feed goats and llamas and for the brave, feeding the lions tigers and bears can also be done there at a small fee.