Sarasota boasts of about 35 miles of beautiful and scenic beaches along with six barrier islands – with Siesta Key being the gem of the group.
The area is home to year-round arts events, historic sites, concerts, fairs and other cultural events, so there’s always something going on near our Siesta Key resort hotel.
Planning for a holiday to Siesta Key this fall or winter to escape the cold? One of the absolute best historic sites near Siesta Key to visit is the inexpensive and fun-filled Ca’ D’Zan Mansion in nearby Sarasota.
This Venetian-Gothic mansion offers eye-catching bay side gardens and an absolutely incredible art collection so that visitors can indulge in the rich circus legacy of Sarasota and the Ringling family.
Ca’ D’Zan Mansion was the winter residence of the famous American circus magnate, John Ringling and his wife Mable. The mansion was completed with its Mediterranean-style architecture and 16-century Spain tiles in the year 1926 and then opened for general public viewing in 2002.
The Mansion Grounds
Set beautifully at the waterfront in the Sarasota Bay, the Ca d’Zan mansion offers visitors a step back into the gilded age with 56 rooms beautifully set on five floors and adorned with stucco, terracotta and colored glass.
With palm trees beautifully lined on one side of the mansion and the other side featuring an exquisite marble waterfront terrace, this 36,000-square feet mansion offers delightful and captivating tours to visitors. Choose personalized tours of this sprawling mansion based on what interests you the most – its architecture, its history or the history of the original residents.
As a testament to the American dreams that were fulfilled during the roaring twenties, this dazzling palatial mansion is known for capturing the best of Venetian architecture and is regarded as one of the best historic attractions in Siesta Key.
Situated on the Ringling Circus Museum campus, the mansion is surrounded by many other attractions and eateries that will make your tour relaxing and satisfying.
Plan Your Visit
Looking for the perfect place to call home during your next beach escape? Look no further than Tropical Breeze Resort! Our Siesta Key resort has everything you need for the perfect stay. Book your stay today and prepare for the best vacation of your life!
The Museums of John Ringling
The Museum of Art is another tourist attraction at this campus that John Ringling built to contain his precious personal collection that comprised of many different masterpieces.
Currently, the museum can treat you to incredible sculptures and paintings by the likes of Veronese, Titian, Gainborough, Rubens, Tintoretto and other famous masters of art. Another famous building that is worth seeing at the campus is the Circus Museum that lets you fully celebrate the history of the Ringling Circus.
As far as dining is concerned, you can satisfy your taste buds at the famous Ringling Estate restaurant for a wonderful dinner. Right next to the mansion is a low-key snack bar for quick refreshments while viewing the nearby Siesta Key historic sites. In the middle of the sprawling grounds is the Banyan cafe, where you can get short meals between tours while enjoying the bayside beauty.
Buying an admission ticket to the Ringling Museum means you can access the Museum of Art, the Circus Museum and other buildings, however admission to the Ca’ D’Zan Mansion must be purchased separately.
And if you get some time for shopping after enjoying delightful tours on American history, the Ringling circus, and art masterpieces, you have access to the popular Museum store that contains everything from the Ca’ D’Zan history to books and an exquisite jewelry collection.
These items represent the uniqueness of the Ringling and the Sarasota historic sites and are all made exclusively for the Ringling.
Take some of the circus home for yourself during your next Siesta Key vacation and keep it as a memorable souvenir while visiting this popular and beautiful historic site that will stay with you for the rest of your life.
