10 Feb The Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida: Visitor’s Guide

The release of “The Greatest Showman” in 2017 renewed everyone’s interest in the circus. Additionally, it had a fantastic soundtrack. The movie was based on Barnum and Bailey Circus, which actually paired up with the Ringling Bros. Circus at one point. Visiting the Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida will take you back in time to the grand days of the circus. You will see movies, pictures, miniature models and more as you dive into the world of the circus.

Why not spend an entire day exploring the Sarasota area? You can start by visiting the Ringling Museum, continue by challenging your friend or partner to a game of mini golf, and then end the night with eating some delicious sushi.

Contents:

1) Location of the Ringling Museum

2) Opening Hours and Tickets

3) The Ringling Museum of Art 

4) Circus Museum 

5) Ca’ d’Zan

6) Bayfront Gardens 

7) Virtual Museum Tours and Activities 

1) Location of the Ringling Museum

While visiting the Ringling Museum, you will quickly realize there are various attractions on the estate grounds. I will touch upon each of those in detail over the next four sections. The Ringling Museum is located in Sarasota, Florida. For reference, it is approximately 25 minutes north of Siesta Key. I recommend you plan between two to five hours in your itinerary for the Ringling Museum.

For additional family-friendly activities in the area, check out the Manatee Viewing Center or this list of 21 things to do in Tampa Bay with kids.

Parking

There is a large parking lot located right by the main building on the Ringling Museum grounds. It can get quite busy on the weekends, so you thus might have to drive around for a couple of minutes to find a spot. 

Nearby Lodging

Lodging accommodations can be found in the nearby towns of Whitfield and Sarasota.

Nearby Airport

The closest airport is the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport, and it is very close. If you have a car, you only need around five minutes to drive between the airport and the Ringling Museum. However, there is also public transportation available through buses. The route between them is around 10 minutes long. Lastly, you can even walk between the airport and museum in 20 minutes or so. 

One of the few roses in bloom at the rose garden in winter

2) Opening Hours and Tickets

The Ringling estate is open daily from 10am to 5pm. It is closed on certain holidays, for instance Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Moreover, the Museum of Art is the only attraction with additional visiting hours. It is open from 5pm to 8pm on Thursdays for a discounted rate. 

Would you love the opportunity to explore Florida more while also maintaining and building your professional career? If so, then check out flexible travel jobs: https://jooble.org/jobs-travel/Florida.

Tickets for the Ringling Museum

The standard price for an admission ticket is $25 for an adult, $23 for a senior (65+ years), $5 for a child (six to 17 years), and free for young children (zero to five years). Discounted tickets are available for active US military at $15, Florida teachers at $10, and college students at $5. Furthermore, students from certain colleges as well as personal care attendants receive free admission. Please see the website for more information. The ticket includes access to the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens.  

To gain entrance to Ca’ d’Zan, you need to pay an additional $10 on top of the price of your original ticket. Additionally, there are tickets available for some individual attractions. More information can be found on their website. 

I saved the best news for last – Mondays are free! You can visit the Bayfront Gardens as well as the Museum of Art for no charge on Mondays. However, there is still an admission fee for the Circus Museum as well as Ca’ d’Zan.

Outside plaza at the museum of art

3) The Ringling Museum of Art

The Museum of Art houses a variety of collections and pieces. Some are temporary while others are permanent. For example, the Chao Center for Asian Art is a permanent fixture. Additionally, in the courtyard there is a replica of David by Michelangelo. On the other hand, the special exhibitions wing changes constantly. You can visit again and again over time and still be newly amazed at the art contained within the museum. 

John and Mable Ringling had a vast collection of art from all of their travels around the world. They desired to share their collection with the people of Florida for cultural and educational purposes. Additionally over the years, others have made additions to the Museum of Art. Some funded the opening of new galleries while others funded restoration projects. The Museum of Art thus stands today as an attraction built by the Ringling family as well as many others who sacrificed both time and money to ensure its success. 

From 5pm to 8pm on Thursdays, adult visitors can access the Museum of Art for only $15. Children cost $5 while members are free. 

An older photograph of the circus’ main entrance

4) Circus Museum

Get a glimpse into the world of the circus and what made it so spectacular at the Ringling Circus Museum. There is a 44,000+ piece miniature replica of the Howard Bros. Circus that demonstrates the layout of the circus. This of course includes the main show tent, but it also includes all of the other circus aspects as well. Many do not think about all of the tents and supplies needed for food, the animals, the guests, the train, etc. Additionally, if you happen to be a train collector, you can create your own Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey circus train replica. Bachmann Trains has an extensive collection, including a couple varieties of circus train sets. 

Throughout the Circus Museum, visitors learn the history behind the Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey Circus. The museum depicts all of the success of the circus as well as all of the hard work put in to make it successful. Furthermore, there is a tightrope walk if you dare test your abilities. But do not fear, it is a narrow beam just off the ground. Additionally, there are other interactive and realistic displays throughout the museum. 

Miniature replica of the circus

5) Ca’ d’Zan

Ca’ d’Zan, translated to the House of John, is the beautiful mansion in which the Ringling couple lived. It was styled after the Venetian Gothic style they adored in Italy. Everything in the 36,000 square foot house is exquisite, ranging from the paintings to the furnishings to the china. The total cost of the house construction cost $1.5 million, and it was completed in 1926. Unfortunately Mable Ringling only lived in the house for three years before she passed. However, John Ringling continued to reside in the house until his passing in 1936. 

After his passing, legalities muddled the continued care of Ca’ d’Zan. It took over 10 years for everything to be settled. Finally, the house belonged to the state of Florida, as the Ringling family intended after their passing. However, Ca’ d’Zan was then in deplorable shape. It was even featured in the movie “Great Expectations” in 1996 as a run-down mansion. Thankfully the state of Florida then decided to invest $15 million in its restoration. They restored Ca’ d’Zan to its original glory based on previous layouts and photographs. 

Checking out the architecture and design of Ca’ d’Zan

6) Bayfront Gardens 

The Bayfront Gardens includes the Ringling Arboretum, Rose Garden, Secret Garden, Dwarf Garden, Bayfront Promenade and Millennium Tree Trail, and the Courtyard. The Ringling family created such an extensive garden on their estate for more than just appearances. They desired to educate all who visited the gardens on their vast array of plants, flowers, and trees. People armed with the knowledge of the earth can do better to protect and care for it. 

For reference, there are over 2,300 trees in the Ringling Arboretum and over 400 rose plants in the Rose Garden.

Furthermore, if you are interested in learning more information about the Gardens, walking tours are available from the beginning of November through the end of March. The guide will provide information on the gardens as well as the history of the entire Ringling estate. Tickets cost $15 for non-members and $10 for members. 

For other beautiful nearby gardens, check out this guide to Tampa Bay Area Gardens. On the other hand, maybe you want to head to the beach? Then definitely check out Siesta Key, as it is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area.

Walking around the garden area

7) Virtual Tours and Activities – the Ringling Museum

If you unfortunately are not able to visit the Ringling Museum in person in Sarasota, Florida, there are still a variety of virtual options at your disposal. The Ringling website has an entire page devoted to virtual offerings. It is called “Museum from Home”.  

There are items of interest to children as well as adults. For example, children can learn how to create certain art crafts as well as complete puzzles. Those of all ages are welcome to explore the Ringling collection, take a tour of the Bayfront Gardens, watch a performance in the Asolo Theater, and more! All these activities can be done from the comfort of your own couch. 

An older photograph of the ticket booth

PIN IT to save it for later!

Planning a Glacier National Park trip anytime soon?: Easiest Hikes in Glacier National Park.

Check out one of my favorite trails: Hidden Lake Overlook Trail in Glacier National Park.