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The Ringling is a must-see attraction in Sarasota, Florida. It’s worth a look if you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind, spectacular way to spend your weekends. If you want to immerse yourself in the arts and culture, appreciate the beauty of nature, and learn everything there is to know about the circus industry, The Ringling is the place to go. Make the most of your time here because there are six locations to visit.
The Ringling has one of the most important arts and cultural collections in the United States. The story begins over a century ago, with circus magnate John Ringling and his adored wife’s shared love of Sarasota, Italy, and art.
Hours and Admission
- Open daily – 10 AM – 5 PM
- Holidays – Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day
If you want to know more about the admission, click here.
Ca’ d’Zan
Ca’ d’Zan, the home of the circus king and his wife, is a testimony to the Roaring Twenties American Dream. The design was inspired by the Venetian Gothic architecture of the palazzos that line Venice’s canals. The opulent palatial residence brilliantly evokes the majesty and romanticism of the Ringlings’ beloved Italy. They named the residence Ca’ d’Zan, which means “House of John” in the dialect of their beloved Venice.
The 36,000-square-foot home is situated on a beachfront lot. It has five floors and a large basement. The home was built using terra cotta “T” blocks, concrete, and brick. It is stucco and terra cotta-covered, with glazed tile accents. The pink patina of the stucco and terra cotta facade is highlighted by beautiful tile medallions, balustrades, and ornamental cresting in soft red, yellow, green, blue, and ivory.
Museum of Art
The Museum of Art houses an exceptional art collection. It’s a must-see destination where you can see treasures from the permanent collection, exciting exhibitions from around the world, and classical sculptures that fill the vast courtyard.
The museum is a pink Renaissance-style mansion with 21 galleries surrounding a courtyard filled with replicas of famous statues.
Historic Asolo Theater
Music, theater, and dance come to life in the Historic Asolo Theater, which was designed for a queen. Every object in the Historic Asolo has been thoroughly and lovingly restored since it was brought to Sarasota by visionary Museum Director Chick Austin.
Ringling purchased the theater for $8,000 in 1949, and it debuted in its new location in 1952. It was housed in the Museum of Art until a new facility was built for it.
Bayfront Gardens
The Bayfront Gardens shouldn’t be overlooked when visiting The Ringling. It’s a living gem worth seeing as a piece of art.
The Ringling Arboretum
The Ringling Arboretum is located on the Ringling estate’s grounds. It’s a 66-acre complex that includes museums, theaters, a historic mansion, and unique gardens. The arboretum contains around 2350 trees that are natural, exotic, historical, and culturally significant.
Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is one of The Ringling’s most beautiful and fragrant areas, and it is certainly a work of beauty. The architecture is Italian-inspired, with pathways flanked with garden sculptures depicting courting couples in idyllic surroundings. Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Old Garden Roses, and Shrubs are among the roses in the garden.
The Secret Garden
Mable’s Secret Garden, located north of Ca’ d’Zan, is where she, John, and his sister rest. Bromeliads, Philliline Violets, and Variegated Bougainvillea are among the plants in the garden.
The Dwarf Garden
The Dwarf Garden is filled with whimsical stone figurines brought from Italy by John Ringling. The Dwarf Garden is situated next to the Visitor Pavilion.
The Estate’s Trees
Wander through a 66-acre tree garden that features the largest collection of banyans in Florida, as well as shaving brush, tiger claw, Bunya pine, rainbow eucalyptus, and numerous species of bamboo.
The Millennium Tree Trail was built to commemorate the year 2000 and offers a refreshing relief from the hot Florida sun. The trail features a diverse range of trees, including holly, oak, citrus, and magnolia.
The Bolger Bayfront Promenade and Campiello
The Bolger Bayfront Promenade and Campiello connects Ca’ d’Zan to the Millennium Tree Trail at the estate’s southern end. Visitors can see the keys that previously belonged to John Ringling from this vantage point.
The Courtyard
The Courtyard incorporates Renaissance Garden principles. Long loggias flank a central courtyard with metal and stone replicas of famous Classical, Renaissance, and Baroque statues. Michelangelo’s David is among them, in the center.
Three-tiered terraces with turf, low-growing juniper, and slash pines make up the courtyard. A moat flanked by sculptures of reclining figures representing the Nile and Tiber, Egypt’s and Rome’s famous rivers, can be found at the courtyard’s western end.
Circus Museum
The Circus Museum is a must-see destination for anybody interested in learning about the history of the American circus through special exhibitions, displays, and interactive galleries.
It’s your chance to walk the tightrope, ride a clown car, and marvel at the posters, parade wagons, colorful costumes, and famed cannon-firing performers through the air.
Admire the 44,000-piece Howard Bros. Circus Model and the Greatest Show on Earth Mural. The Circus Museum is guaranteed to have something of interest for you.
Education Center
The Johnson-Blalock Education Center houses the extensive Art Library and provides classroom space for both adult and children programs that promote an art appreciation. The Education Center also houses the cutting-edge Conservation Lab, where The Ringling’s treasures are kept and protected.
The Art Library is one of the southeastern United States’ most extensive art research libraries. The Reading Room overlooks the Museum’s beautiful gardens and provides a relaxing environment for reading and research.
Final thoughts
If you’re planning a trip to Sarasota, Florida, don’t forget to stop at The Ringling. It’s a magnificent hidden gem that will immerse you in arts, culture, nature, and the golden age of the circus industry in the 1920s. So, what are you holding out for? Get ready for your journey to Sarasota, Florida, and The Ringling.
The Ringling
Address: 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
Telephone: 941-359-5700
