Experience Sarasota's Paradise for Free 365 Days

The Gulf Coast of Florida is one of the most beautiful places in North America. The sunny, tropical environment along a beautiful sea opens the imagination to relaxation, fun and enjoying the best of what nature has to offer. Of course, businesses in Florida realize how wonderful this place is and make no mistake in making sure they are well compensated for enhancing a visitor's experience!

Let's say you aren't a rich tycoon from a wintery state who is willing to spend bundles of money for a premium experience when you visit Florida. Let's say you are a Florida student or resident and just want to have a good time on your weekends without spending all your money all the time. If you are either kind of people, or someone close to it, there are plenty of fun and interesting things to do in Sarasota County all year round.

Fine Art and History
The City of Sarasota is a manicured garden of fine art and history. Shaped by the interests of John Ringling and everyone who supported his ideals, the City of Sarasota is home to countless pieces of art that can be viewed and enjoyed for free just by wandering around the city.

If you would like something a little more structured than walking at will around the entire city, try the Art Walks on Palm Avenue. On the first Friday of every month, from 6:00 pm through 9:00 pm, people are invited to visit the restaurants, art galleries, and jewelers along Palm Avenue. There is refreshments, dancing and live music for everyone.

You can also have a walk through the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art for free every Monday. Circus mogul John Ringling had an intense passion for art that revealed itself in his impressive collection, which grew until the day of his death. The museum is an incredible venue for teaching children about the many different forms of fine art. A guide for parents is available for use in taking the children on an educational tour that will hold their interests and inspire their imaginations. Find the John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art at 5401 Bayshore Road in Sarasota. Museum hours are 10:00 am until 5:00 pm. The free admission on Monday does not include the gorgeous mansion Ca d'Zan or the Circus Museum, which are both located within casual walking distance of the art museum.

Fitness and Nature
Siesta Beach, one of Sarasota County's most beautiful spots, has no rivals for those who seek tranquility, peace and beauty. Walking along the beach is always free, but if you'd like an event that will bring you into contact with other people with an avid interest in nature and health, come enjoy Free Yoga on Siesta Beach. Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, at 8:00 am, breathe and pose in the peaceful environment of Siesta Beach in the care of Avananda. Avananda is a skillful instructor with over 35 years of experience in some of the world's most beautiful spots, including Siesta Beach. To find Free Yoga on Siesta Beach, enter the Siesta Beach Main Entrance. Bring your own yoga mat and drinking water.

It is a growing sport that combines technology with fitness and nature. In these days, most people have a GPS device in their possession. If you do have a GPS, you will find Geocaching free and fun throughout Sarasota County. Geocaching is a popular worldwide sport that can be enjoyed wherever you go, which includes beautiful places like Sarasota County. Geocaching containers are hidden within the Sarasota City limits as well as all throughout the county in various parks, beaches, and interesting sites. By allowing coordinates to lead you to seek out these Geocaching containers to sign the logbooks within them, you will learn about history and discover little known beautiful spots that aren't mentioned in the traditional tourism guides. Visit the website www.Geocaching.com to open a free account, then download coordinates to begin the search for fun.

For Children
The Selby Public Library at 1313 First Street in Sarasota invites two year-olds and their accompanying adults every Thursday from 10:00 am until 11:15 am to participate in Not-Two-Young Storytime. The program involves numerous activities from crafts, read-along stories, community guests, music, films and finger games. It is a free program designed to enrich the imaginations and skills of toddlers on their way to preschool.

Mote Marine Laboratory hosts a free events every Saturday at 9:30 am called Mommy and Me at Mote. Children ages 2 - 5 are invited to learn about ocean creatures and life. Pre-registration is required so visit the website www.mote.org/mommyandme to download the form and complete the registration for this and any other free events held at the Mote Marine Laboratory located at 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway in Sarasota.

Gathering and Meeting
If you're looking to meet new people or would like to have a different experience without spending a fortune to find out if it is something you would like to continue, there are places all over Sarasota that are organized to offer you something and someone new and different.

For mothers with children at home, the MOMS Club of Sarasota North meets every Wednesday at 10:00 am at the St. James United Methodist Church, located at 2049 Honore Avenue in Sarasota. For those mothers interested in history, St. James United Methodist Church has historic notoriety in the Methodist faith as well as for local Sarasota history. Visit the website www.momsclubofsarasotanorth.com to learn more information about the club and the activities for children and moms.

If you've had enough negativity and want to be surrounded by a positive environment for an evening, try the Positively Speaking Toastmasters. This meeting occurs every Friday at 6:00 pm at the Episcopal Church of the Nativity at 5900 N. Lockwood Ridge Road in Sarasota. Guests are always welcomed. Learn more about this group and their meetings by visiting the website posspeaking.freetoasthost.org. Everyone should experience this at least once.

Sarasota is full of tiki bars with $10 margaritas and clubs with 2-drink minimums. Instead of emptying your wallet every time you want to go out, find your good time for free. Sarasota has plenty of beauty and fun to offer without costing you anything. Meet new people, have wonderful educational experiences, enjoy the city and art with your children, and save your money for other things.