Circus Secrets of Sarasota
- 1h 30m
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Discover Circus City USA’s secret places and charming stories on this unforgettable tour! It is a tour of the circus history in Sarasota and provides a wonderful historical perspective of the impact the circus has had in our area. Stop by circus landmarks with your engaging tour guide, Bob Collins (former marketing executive for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus), who tells stories about the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home. Meander through historic neighborhoods such as Indian Beach, Payne Park, and Downtown’s Main Street to learn about the rich history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, which moved its Winter Quarters to Sarasota in 1927. Explore several remaining sites intimately involved in Sarasota’s circus history including John Ringling’s private rail car “Jomar,” the Little People’s Houses and many more circus “secrets” hidden in plain sight! This 90-minute tour is a fun-filled adventure in Circus City USA!
Inclusions
What's included
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
Itinerary
Learn about the Circus Side of Sarasota with tour guide Bob Collins, by visiting key city landmarks and hearing stories of the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home.
Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores is a leafy bayside area home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which showcases the global collection of the former circus magnate, as well as circus memorabilia. Adjacent Ca’ d’Zan is the couple’s opulent Venetian-style estate, built in the 1920s.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
4.9
- 574
- 44
- 31
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 79 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- Off Fruitville, behind the Breakfast House
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Group size
- Up to 30 travellers
- Operated by
- Discover Sarasota Tours
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests must be 10+; no children under 10 allowed except on our family tours designed for children. Every guest must have a paid ticket in order to board.
How it compares in Sarasota
- Its from-price is 34% below the median of the 190 experiences we list in Sarasota.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 26 of 190.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Sarasota
Sarasota is a Gulf Coast city in Florida with white quartz beaches, the Ringling estate, mid-century architecture and barrier islands.
Sarasota sits on Sarasota Bay on Florida's Gulf Coast, sheltered by a chain of barrier islands. John Ringling, of the circus family, made it his home and the winter base for his circus in the 1920s. His Venetian-style mansion, Ca' d'Zan, and an art museum stand beside the bay, with a circus museum on the grounds. Downtown has theatres, galleries and a Saturday farmers' market.
Top-ranked sights in Sarasota: Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, The Ringling.
Special offers in Sarasota
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
