Any suggestions on touring the Ringling Bros Museum in Sarasota?

[cabo35]

We will be visiting friends in Sarasota shortly. We always heard that the Ringling Museum was worth a visit. Any comment pro or con welcome as well as any suggestions on other points of interest in that area. Thanks.

[chuckinca]

Check out the Keys

http://www.lido-key.com/history.htm

[Village Kid 2]

Cabo,

The Ringling Museum and Circus Museum on the grounds are very worthwhile to visit. The Ringling has some of the art work of the European Masters. The Ca'd'Zan was the winter home of John and Mabel Ringling and it is exquisite. There is also a circus museum and an exhibit of a private collector of circus memorbilia and miniatures. Really, it could easily be a two day visit, but not less than a whole day. There is a designated "free" day for the museum but I don't remember which day it is. John Ringling left an instruction in his will that the museum should be free to the public one day a week. Here is the website:

http://www.ringling.org/

St Armands Circle on Lido Key is also worth visiting for shopping and restaurants.

VK2

[chelsea24]

Went there years ago. It was a very fascinating place. Don't miss it. :bigthumbsup:

[Pete]

On St Armands Circle there is a ring of fame around the center that praises various circus stars. The one for John Herriott who is my brother-in-law, they were married in the center ring of a ringling circus performance back in the 50s.

They now are in there seventies and she is paralized from the waist down from a horse throwing her, and he is retired and her caregiver.

It is a very interesting life for circus performers.

[Boomer]

I liked it.

I just pulled out the museum cookbook that I bought in the gift shop there. It's titled "Rubens to Rhubarb" and under the museum's name on the cover, it says "The State Art Museum of Florida." I did not know that until just now.

btw, The cookbook has some good recipes, with relatively short ingredients lists. (That's how I judge a cookbook.) There are recipes for seafood and seafood sauces and, of course, Key Lime pie. No photos of food though. But there are photos of some of the art.

I am not a fan of the circus. (Clowns give me the willies.) But I do like art museums. It was a good day. And I did not see any clowns. Unless I have blocked that part out.

Boomer

[chuckinca]

Anna Maria Island

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9zF4OfkwtY

[Sidney Lanier]

Simply put, well worth it! Definitely visit there if you have the chance, as it is fascinating!

[cabo35]

Thanks so much for all the responses and tips. Chuckinka, Mr. Bones and the Sand Bar on Anna Maria Island looks like our type of place. Thanks for the heads up.

Your a great bunch of folks to take time to respond. We really appreciate it.

[chuckinca]

Have a great visit!