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We loved exploring this amazing museum! We have been looking forward to getting to see some of the Circus displays and it did not disappoint! Our favorite parts were seeing the amazing miniature circus model along with some of the costumes and train cars. There is also a huge art museum to explore. This museum is well worth the entry fee!
Such a beautiful property. There is something for everyone here-circus history, fun for kids, art, beautiful grounds (it was a really rainy day so we didn't explore much). It definitely allowed for a new experience for a city we visit often. Looking forward to returning
Came to check it out on free Monday. The admission does not include the circus museum. Walking along, the grounds is very peaceful. The art collection inside the museum was very great. This place reminded me of walking through Italy. Love the replica of David in the courtyard. Also, the pianos mixed in as a part of the collection was a great touch. Only downside was there will be a line since the museum is free on Mondays so come early.
BLUF: Mansion, circus exhibits, art museum and pretty views make this a lovely destination. I love The Ringling more than ever! Originally my fascinating with The Ringling was because I fantasized about the magnificence of the Ca' d'Zan mansion after seeing it in the 1998 version of Great Expectations. But now, I am obsessed with the new circus museum and especially the Howard Brothers Circus model. Circus model is an understatement. The model is huge, detailed, clever, crafty and just jaw dropping. I always say a good museum leaves me wanting to know more and that is certainly true about The Ringling and especially the Howard Brothers Circus model. Aside from touring the mansion and marveling at Howard Tibbals' circus model, I enjoy walking the grounds and looking at the turtles and banyan trees. The gift shop is also nice for a quick stroll. Weather permitting, it might be nice to try the onsite restaurant and sit outside. I was a fan on my first visit eight years ago and I am even more hooked now!
It's been five years since we visited the Ringling. There is so much to explore, I wore sneakers & brought water this time. This 66-acre Ringling Museum complex has something for everyone. The grounds are magnificent with statues hidden among the spectacular foliage. The massive victory with beautiful red flowers was just incredible. Mabel was a horticulturalist and it shows here . The Ringling is a whole experience, not just the sum of single pieces of art. Happily they will clean restrooms and icy cold water fountains all over the property. We parked for free in the large lot and admired the license plate plates from all over the country that are here. We paid $45 giving us full access to the Museum's mansion and Gardens. We spent another full day, exploring the galleries & gardens taking hundreds of photographs and videos along the way.. There are 4 main components; the art museum, the circus museum, the Ca' d'Zan mansion and the Bayfront Gardens. Glass Pavilion just inside the gate near the Grillroom can't be missed either. Mondays are free days for the art museum & gardens, so if you have a group, it's an affordable way to visit. Mondays are the busiest day of the week. The campus is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on Thursdays. The museum stays open late so visitors can visit James Turrell's Skyspace exhibit, Joseph's Coat, as the sun sets. It is absolutely something to experience. We made a full day of it. We started at Mable's Coffee and Tea café (named for John Ringling's wife) when the museum opens for coffee. We explore the large gift shop filled with jewelry, books, postcards, pottery, children's items... On open table we made reservations for the museum's restaurant, The Ringling Grillroom. We could've spent a full day in the Ringling, art gallery, there were so many rooms and pieces from thousands of years ago to modern works, including Asia, the Mediterranean... If you have a single day to visit, these are some things you don't want to miss in the galleries: Michelangelo's David in the Art Museum Courtyard - David is not only seen throughout Sarasota silhouetted on city signage. It's also the most recognizable statue in the world. The one at The Ringling is a more recent bronze cast of the original white marble sculpture by Michelangelo. The annual Ringling Underground concert series sees local bands playing beneath the David to a raucous crowd in the garden. Mater Dolorosa, Blue Madonna in the Art Museum, Gallery 9 - The Blue Madonna, was painted in the 1670s by Onorio Marinari. It's painted in a "Renaissance style," in which the figure appears to be luminated from within. The blue of her shroud is vibrant. The Astor Mansion Salon and Library are from Aster's 1893 NYC Gilded Age mansion and we're very impressive draped in gold. Howard Bros. Circus Model in the Tibbals Learning Center of the Circus Muse This is fun for everyone. Even your most snobbish visitors to Sarasota will not be able help but enjoy seeing this massive miniature replica of a traveling circus. I see something new every time I walk through the display, and the lights even change, so you can see how nighttime looks within the tiny circus. I never knew the circus was this much of a spectacle. The Tibbals Learning Center is named for the creator of this model, Howard Tibbals. The Wisconsin in the Historic Galleries, Room 105, Wagon Room - Trains transported the circus when rail lines took prominence over wagon-led troupes. The Wisconsin was the private railroad car for John Ringling & his wife Mable. They rode the Wisconsin to Sarasota to visit their new bayfront property where their house, the Ca' d'Zan, stands. This rail car takes visitors back in time and is as delightful as it is uncanny to see the luxury the Ringlings' enjoyed.
Absolutely incredible experience, gardens, art and environment! Getting to this place gets you transported into a different country and you definitely don't feel like you're in Florida. We came here for the free Monday tour they do every Monday and it was totally worth it. Even though I would absolutely pay to get into this place either way - definitely worth it. I knew nothing about this place and I'm so glad my family brought me here and explained everything about it and showed us around. From the art, to the architecture to the surroundings and history, this place is so magical. It's a place that inspires art, creativity as well as peace and awe. I can totally see myself coming here for some quiet time, reading, creating or man even working in the outdoors on my laptop (if you come on the free Mondays). Otherwise, let your eyes feast on the views, art and rich history. Bring your camera and enjoy this magical place!
Amazing. Never thought a "Circus Man" could be so wealthy. Been to quite a few "mansions" in my day - Biltmore, Monticello, Mt Vernon, Edison & Ford and Hemingway. This one is right up there. We did a tour. Well worth it. So much history of a time gone by. Unfortunately, I never got to see the Circus live. The circus era ended just before I was born. There is a "model" in the museum that shows the grand scale of circus. Incredible! Many little "movies" in the museum that show you the life/activity of the circus. Every Monday is free entrance day (grounds and Art Museum). Well worth the visit.
Absolutely beyond gorgeous place. Very big. Not your typical museum. So much history riggt here in the property. Upgrade to the cal d zar worth it. You could spend half a day here. There is alot to cover
I had the most wonderful walking the grounds of The Ringling. My only problem was that I didn't give myself enough time to wander and immerse myself in all the artwork and circus objects. You could easily spend 4+ hours there. I thoroughly enjoyed the circus portion of the museum and loved the history aspect of it. Looking at the displays made me wish I could've experienced a circus back at their peak period. There are several interactive areas and photos are able to be taken. All of the staff were super helpful and knowledgeable. They definitely added to the likability of the grounds. On the art side, you can't help but be amazed at how much the Ringling family were able to get their hands on. The buildings were beautiful and the artwork blew me away. I will leap at the next opportunity to visit this museum whenever I'm in Sarasota again.
So much to see and learn about the traveling Circus of yesteryear. Multiple areas to watch some videos of the history of the Ringling Brothers Barium Bailey Circus and what a massive task and it was to perform for a town and move to the next city over night. The shear quantity of people, animals and needed equipment, the size of the trains and the logistics to get everything to arrive in a specific order for set up of the "big top tent". There are two huge building shows old banners, wagons, costumes, given up you a greater appreciation of what they accomplished over 100 years ago. There is a display with more than 80,000 pieces of a recreation circus taking over 3,800sf when you see it you'll be in total awe on what one man spent most of his life building by himself with help from his wife For an additional small fee you can see the home that John Ringling and his wife built as their winter home for them and the Circus Be prepared to spend a few hours her with so much to see and take it all in.
This museum has a few parts for you to basically choose your adventure. There is the tribute to the circus, a fine arts museum and the waterfront home built by Ringling, Ca' d' Zan. You can visit the circus museum and the fine arts museum with the general admission, but the house is a separate ticket. We opted not to do the house as it was under renovation (I believe due to the hurricanes) and we already had plenty to see with the other two parts of the museum. The circus buildings provided a very informative history of the circus and contained a miniature size model that spanned multiple rooms which was fascinating. My husbands only disappointment was that there was not more circus artifacts. The fine arts museum is overwhelming as it has multiple galleries and is full of art from the renaissance to contemporary art. It warrants multiple visits to really appreciate the collection. The favorites in the museum were actually rooms recreated from the gilded age in NY. There was also an entire exhibit on Japanese block art. This place has a lot to offer and definitely worth a visit whether you're there for the circus history or the fine arts.
Complementary parking is included. And there's a short walk to the main entrance. The entrance fee is very steep in my opinion. However with that being said this is the original house that John Ringling built for himself and his wife mabel. In addition it was also featured extensively in the movie starring Gwyneth paltrow, Robert De Niro and Ethan Hawke ...... Great Expectations.
When people think of Florida, they usually think of beaches, palm trees, and sunshine. But tucked away in Sarasota is a place that feels like it belongs somewhere in Europe -- a massive estate filled with art, circus history, stunning gardens, and one of the most beautiful mansions you'll ever see. I'm talking about The Ringling Museum of Art. And after visiting it myself, I honestly believe this might the most underrated attraction in Florida. A Little History Behind the Estate The museum was created by John Ringling, one of the famous brothers behind Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. John Ringling and his wife Mable Ringling built this estate in the 1920s as their winter home. But it wasn't just a house -- it was meant to be a cultural destination filled with art, architecture, and beauty. Today, the property covers 66 acres along Sarasota Bay and includes multiple museums, gardens, and historic buildings. And the moment you step onto the grounds, you realize this place is far bigger and more impressive than you expected. The Art Museum - A Surprise Even for Non-Art Lovers The centerpiece of the estate is the Ringling Museum of Art, a stunning European-style museum that houses an impressive collection of Renaissance and Baroque artwork. The building itself feels like a palace. Long marble hallways, towering ceilings, and an open courtyard filled with statues make it feel more like something you'd find in Italy than on Florida's Gulf Coast. Even if you're not a huge art person, the atmosphere alone is worth the visit. Walking through the galleries, you quickly realize John Ringling didn't just collect a few paintings -- he built one of the most significant art collections in the country. Ca' d'Zan - The Venetian Mansion on the Water If there's one building on the property that will completely blow you away, it's Ca' d'Zan. This massive Venetian Gothic mansion sits right on the edge of Sarasota Bay and was the Ringlings' personal home. The name literally means "House of John" in the Venetian dialect. Walking up to it feels like stepping into a European palace. Inside you'll find: Grand staircases Elaborate ceilings Antique furniture Huge windows overlooking the bay But honestly, the back terrace view might be the best part. Standing there looking out over the water, it's easy to see why John and Mable Ringling chose this exact spot to build their dream home. The Circus Museum - Where the Fun Begins Of course, you can't visit The Ringling without diving into its circus history. That's where the Circus Museum at The Ringling comes in. Inside you'll find vintage circus wagons, costumes, posters, and fascinating exhibits about the golden age of the American circus. But the highlight is the Howard Bros. Circus Model, an incredibly detailed miniature circus that recreates what a traveling circus looked like in the early 1900s. We're talking thousands of tiny figures, wagons, tents, animals, and performers -- all laid out exactly how the circus would arrive and set up in a town. It's the kind of exhibit where you can stand there for 20 minutes and still keep discovering new details. The Gardens - Florida Meets Italy Another thing that completely surprised me about this place was the gardens. The Bayfront Gardens at The Ringling stretch across the property and are filled with statues, banyan trees, fountains, and quiet walking paths. Some areas feel tropical, while others look like something straight out of Italy. There are even spots where you can sit along the water and just watch boats move across Sarasota Bay. It's peaceful, scenic, and honestly one of the most relaxing places to wander around. Why This Might Be Florida's Most Underrated Attraction What makes the Ringling so surprising is that most people visiting Florida don't even know it exists. Tourists head to the beaches, theme parks, or big cities -- but they completely miss this incredible estate sitting right in Sarasota. Yet in one place you can experience: World-class art Historic architecture Circus history Massive gardens Waterfront views That's a lot of variety for one destination. And because the grounds are so big, it never feels overly crowded. Final Thoughts After spending time exploring The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, I walked away thinking the same thing: How is this place not talked about more? It's beautiful, historic, unique, and completely different from the typical Florida attractions people expect. If you're visiting Sarasota and want to see something beyond the beach, this is absolutely worth adding to your list. Brian's Tip Give yourself at least 3-4 hours here. There's way more to see than you expect, and rushing through it would be a mistake. Take time to explore the museum, wander the gardens, and definitely walk out behind Ca' d'Zan for one of the best views on the property. Trust me -- this place is one of Florida's hidden gems.
An absolute must see if you visit Sarasota! The grounds are stunning, the staff is fantastic, & the history is beautiful. Although I don't agree with having animals in the circus, it's nice to see that it's evolving & hopefully in the near future the few that are still remaining will be retired. It's cruel & completely unnecessary to have a good time. Rant over. lol. With that said, give yourself plenty of time to experience this place. It's very large. After the circus museums, there is a private collection of art that The Ringling's owned for which they created a breathtaking mansion to showcase it for all of us to enjoy. It's worth it! It's definitely a place I would return to for a different memorable experience. Thanks Team The Ringling. read more
The Ringling in Sarasota, Florida, is easy to reach, with free parking about a block from the entrance. If you have a NARM (North American Reciprocal Museum) pass, admission is free, except for Ca' d'Zan, the Ringlings' opulent Venetian-style mansion, which is only a small portion of the entire property. This expansive cultural complex celebrates the legacy of circus entrepreneur John Ringling and his wife Mable. It includes: * John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - Established in 1927 and opened to the public in 1930, it features European masterpieces, ancient and medieval works, Asian art, and pieces from the couple's personal collection. * Circus Museum - Opened in 1948, this vibrant, kid-friendly highlight is filled with colorful costumes, animal replicas, intricate miniatures, and engaging displays that bring the magic of the circus to life. * Ca' d'Zan - Completed in the 1920s, this grand mansion reflects the lavish style of the Roaring Twenties. * Later additions - The Ting Tsung and Wei Fong Chao Center for Asian Art, added in 2016, expanded the museum's global reach. We loved the block art here, much overlooked but the docent explained how labor intensive these are, WOW! * State recognition - Designated as Florida's official State Art Museum. Visiting in August means you'll be moving between humid outdoor spaces and very cool, air-conditioned interiors--bring a sweater if you're not used to the temperature change. read more
7 months ago
1 year ago
The main thing to note is that you have to walk outside to get to the museum after going through the visitors center. I went on a hot, August Monday. The woman checking me in didn't give me a map so I wandered for A HALF MILE before finding the main museum. Bring water, wear a hat, this is an outdoor experience. Once inside, yes, the art is beautiful. read more
2 months ago
5 months ago
Surprised by how much I enjoyed this place. The Howard Brothers miniature circus is fascinating. Who knew so much was involved keeping the Circus up and running. Really interesting and engaging.. touring the Ca'd'zan home was so fun to see all the architectural details - look at the ceiling in every room. All staff on the campus are really knowledgeable and friendly. Lunch at the Grillroom was soooo good. I couldn't believe it was a museum cafe. The Truffle Burger was tender, delicious and so flavorful. The side salad was packed with nuts, seeds and feta, with a light tangy dressing. Grounds are gorgeous with tons of banyan trees and sweet little gardens. Really great day. read more
2 years ago
We were so excited to be able to tour The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art as well as their historic and exquisite mansion. Most people remember The Ringling Brothers with Barnum & Bailey Circus when they were children. Now you can go back in time and relive your childhood menories. Besides the Circus Museum, there is also the amazing and very valuable Museum of Art collections from the 1600-2000s from Europe. Venice, Italy, was the Ringlings favorite city to visit, and they brought back many treasures from there and displayed them at this property. Eventually, the Ringling legacy was given to Florida. People from all over the world visit the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca' d'Zan (the mansion), and Bayfront Gardens (statues) There are tours, and the prices are listed on their website for the different tours. In our opinion, this was one of the most elegant, breath-taking museums we have ever visited. We hope to go back again next year. read more
This place is AMAZING!!!! The Ringling is the winter home of the Ringling family. Yes the circus family. Tour their home, art gallery and two museums dedicated to circus life. You can only tour the first floor of the house. They are repairing hurricane damage. The house is amazing and beautiful. Everything is so beautiful and detail especially the woodwork is wonderful. The museums dedicated to circus life are so realistic, it is like they took you to The Greatest Show on Earth. You have to see the model of the circus. One of the most amazing models you will ever see. The man who built the model spent over 50 years building it and trust me when I say he spared no thought to detail. You will see outfits used in the circus, historical stories from those personally involved in the circus. However most impressive are the actual circus cars used in the circus. The museum literally brings the circus to life. This is perfect for children and families. LITERALLY ONE OF THEE BEST MUSEUMS I HAVE EVER BEEN TO!!!! read more
10 months ago
Students get a discount! By showing a valid ID, a student ticket is only $5 (for just the museums). The circus museum was a favorite for me. The immense diorama of the old timey circus was incredibly intricate. There were a couple interactive things in the other section, but we didn't get to explore the whole place. The Ringling's art collection was awe-inspiring. I definitely recommend going through the main part of the art museum if you're short on time; the other sections had some cool stuff, but the old pieces collected by John and Mable Ringling were unmatched in sheer size and quantity. Would definitely like to get back some time, maybe see the mansion as well! read more
An absolute visit if you are in Sarasota! Absolutely phenomenal collection of fine art from Baroque and Renaissance era. The museum is quite big so allow plenty of time. Beautiful see ting on the Tampa bay surrounded by lush park. If you can make it on a Monday it's free entrance for everyone. A definite must stop! read more
11 months ago
This is our favorite place to walk. There is a beautiful huge art gallery here where you can enjoy high art! I highly recommend this place to visit! read more
1 year ago
Incredible! You should really go when they first open, it takes the full amount of time to see it all. Some exhibits were closed and the top floor of the ca'd'zan was closed for renovations due to the recent hurricane which was a little disappointing. I wanted to see the marble bath. Gardens are stunning , even without water in the fountains. Ok but seriously, the ca'd'zan is out of this world. The marble throughout was such a treat. Venetian gothic/Spanish mission flair ,a marriage of styles throughout, was so fun. 'Conjuring the spirit world' was a phenomenal exhibit. Very well curated. There's so much I could say but you should just visit and see for yourself. Worth every penny to explore such a treasure read more
Growing up here (in Florida), surprisingly I've never been to the Ringling Museum and the Ringling house. We bought tickets for the Ringling home/Circus museum/art museum/gardens. Price was STEEP at $45 per person. This property really took a hit during the hurricanes of 2024. The home sustained damage, with it just reopening in December 2024. They are still working on repairs- only 4-5 rooms of the home are actually open to tour. The rose gardens have been completely decimated and have not begun restoration as of yet. The grounds really looked pretty unkept. I'm not a big fan of the Circus, in general- but if you are, you might like the memorabilia. The art museum was pretty cool. No works of super famous artists were here (unless you knew A LOT about art history), but the works were beautifully displayed, and in large quantities. There are also a couple rooms dedicated to local/current artists. There is a decent amount of walking. The food situation is scarce, as the eatery is currently closed for renovation. There was a small food truck selling some animal crackers, chips and ice cream bars. There is also a Starbucks located in the entry building. I was hoping for a MUCH better experience, especially given how much the tickets were. We were there for about 3-4 mediocre hours. We will not be coming back. read more
3 years ago
The Ringling estate is extraordinary. We came to see the waterfront mansion, Ca' d'Zan, but there's more -- Ringling Museum, Circus Museum, gardens, picnic areas, a playground, and numerous walking paths. This was the winter home of John Ringling and his wife, Mable. Ca' d'Zan -- "House of John" in Venetian dialect -- is a gorgeous Venetian Gothic revival home on the edge of Sarasota Bay, surrounded by lush trees and beautiful gardens. Completed in 1926 after two years of construction, this waterfront mansion has 56 rooms spread out over 36,000 square feet of living and entertaining space. We took the docent-guided tour of the house ($60 each) and highly recommend it. The tour covered the first floor entertaining and dining spaces, pantries and servant quarters, second floor bedroom suites, third floor (attic) game room and hidden vault, and a climb up into Belvedere Tower with its awesome 360° views. Along the way, we learned about John and Mable, his businesses, their lifestyle and entertaining, and how they sourced furnishings for the house in Europe. This was one of the best house tours I've ever taken! I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Sarasota. read more
What a great way to spend a few hours! Admission for the museums and the 1st floor of Ca D'Zan mansion is reasonable. So cool to see the history of the circus. We learned a lot about the Ringling family as well. The mansion is simply gorgeous! The setting on the bay.. can't beat the view. Totally recommend this if you're vacationing in the Sarasota area. read more
7 months ago
I took a trip from Tampa to visit the museum. The museum is well kept and has plenty of parking. There is a restaurant and coffee shop on the property and plenty of space to bring your own food for a picnic. My favorite thing ti see was the Cadzan house. The items in the kitchen are the same from almost 100 years ago so seeing the original stove was pretty cool. You can also get some nice ocean views once you exit the house. read more
7 months ago
9 months ago
Was pleasantly surprised to find the Ringling Museum in Sarasota on our November vacation. The place is absolutely gorgeous. The museum had lots of exhibits from the circus' past, including a car from the actual train and circus models of the grounds. The grounds are beautiful, as well as the museum of art and the statue garden. Due to the recent hurricane, Ca' d'Zan was off limits due to repairs. They do have a military/veteran discount of 25%, which saved us quite a bit and was very important to me. We got lots of cool photos and would definitely recommend stopping by. read more
1 year ago
A definite visit if you're in the area! The fine art museum is incredible. Walking around the grounds feels like you're in a different world. We could not explore inside the main house as there was some work being done from hurricane flooding, but I'd love to return to see it. I'd advise visiting during the week, as most weekends there are weddings. read more
Yesterday, my wife and I took a day off of work for a date day. In Florida, we have many options. I mean, a LOT of options. We decided to do one of our Florida bucket list items, The Ringling. The Ringling is an hour and six minutes from our house. I purchased the 40 minute tour of the house, along with entrance to the museums. I think the ticketing system isn't most clear, even the guy taking our tickets messed up by not giving us something for the house tour, but the people there we super nice and it was instantly rectified. Literally, that is the ONLY slightly negative thing about the experience. We arrive and parking was very easy. It is quick and easy to get into the museum; tickets were electronic. This is where the good stuff begins. We started at the Tibbals Learning Center. This place is fantastic and far beyond what I expected. You must experience the model both from the ground level, and then the lookouts on the second floor. Loved the experiences upstairs. Our second stop was Ca' D'Zan. Pain to write, so I call it the house. the house is very impressive. I recommend the tour so you can see the second floor. I will try the experience next time so I can go all the way to the top. Do not expect the Biltmore or Hearst Castle. This home is much smaller, but it has an unmatched view. What is different to me in this house is the feeling you could live there. It isn't so grand that you couldn't imagine living there. Yet, it is far more than any but the wealthiest could afford. Not as large as you think but pretty incredible. After the house, we went to the art museum. I don't care if you are an art lover or not, this place is incredible. It far exceeded what I expected. This would be a major museum in any major city in America. The collection of early European art is massive. Multiple Rubens, a Rembrandt that was probably completed by his circle, incredible artifacts from a number of cultures. The grounds themselves are art. The building is magnificent. Two of the rooms in the museum are themselves exhibits. Our final stop was the other circus museum. The train car and circus wagons are the highlight, but everything was interesting. Overall, every part of the facility was well maintained and at a level that would rival any major museum. 50 acres are beautifully manicured. There are picnic tables everywhere. They encourage you to bring food and enjoy the grounds. The restaurant on site gets great reviews and looks pretty nice. I think we will try it next time when we bring guests. This is a place everyone should visit, So much history is found here. It is presented as well as it can be. It is fun, interesting, beautiful all wrapped up in a very unique experience. Highly recommend. It exceeded my expectations and I hope it does yours as well. read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
This has been on my bucket list for years and it did not disappoint! There is so much to see both indoors and outdoors. Although I am against the circus and how they treated the animals, it was very interesting to learn more about how the Ringling brothers came about and learned how they made such a big production and business. The Circus Museum had an enormous miniature model of the circus that was so cool and the attention to detail was fascinating! The Museum of Art was absolutely stunning and a lot bigger than I expected. A lot of the paintings in every room that were apart of John's original collection and also donated. There were unique sculptures and jewelry. The bulk of our time was spent exploring the art and also garden (less time outside though as it was a hot summer day). On the way to Ca'D'Zan, you pass Mable Ringling's Rose Garden which is beautiful but could not stay there for long as there wasn't any shade it the sun was very strong. A short walk away is the Ca'D'Zan house of John Ringling which is an extra charge but super cool inside. This was the main attraction for me. The Venetian style architecture is absolutely beautiful, the gothic dining room, the ceilings, the old furniture, the stained windows. We only toured the first floor as the upstairs was closed but it was still nice. Overall, I would definitely recommend a visit here and putting aside at least 3 hours. read more
3 years ago
Absolutely gorgeous day adventure! This spot has the Estate (Ca' d'zan) which is $10 extra, the art museum and gardens and the circus museum which explains the history of the Ringling circus and all that went into the production. I was amazed by how much time, planning and work went into putting on a circus in the past. We spent about 3 hours wondering the grounds and different areas - there is also a rose garden and a playground for kids. This place is great for people of all ages. If you are a student, be sure to bring your ID as certain students get in for free! read more
Located along the waterfront in Sarasota is The Ringling Estate, and there's good reason it's the number one attraction to visit in town. The extensive property consists of a mansion (Ca D'Zan), a European style art museum, the circus museum, and expansive walkways and gardens. There's a coffee shop (serving up quick eats and baked goods) and a restaurant (The Ringling Grillroom) on premises. The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the state museum of the state of Florida, and consists of over 20 galleries surrounding an Italian style courtyard and a statue of David. While many of the galleries have European paintings, there are sculptures and decorative arts from various places from around the world. Even if you have no interest in the history of Ringling Brothers or the circus, this art museum holds its own as a top notch museum worth visiting. The circus museum consists of 2 buildings and is a one of a kind niche museum dedicated to the history of the circus, which is how the Ringling family gained fame and fortune, while also tremendously contributing to the growth of the Sarasota area in it's heyday. The gardens, while modest, are a pleasure to explore, with well manicured pathways and Banyan trees providing unique appeal and shade. I didn't have time to fit in Ca D'Zan on my visit, but the mansion is quite the impressive fixture on the Sarasota waterfront. All in all, The Ringling Estate is a visit I'd wholeheartedly recommend to others, and a place I'd love to return to explore further in the future. There's plenty of free parking and admission to the art museum and grounds is free on Mondays, though well worth the price of admission any day of the week. read more
1 year ago
"Ringling" that's a name I've heard 100+ times so it's crazy to actually go to the Ringling mansion which is now a museum. Museums are suppose to help you learn and that's exactly what I got out from this journey. I learned how a traveling circus back then would operate, how people in the early 1900 used to live and about the Ringling family. The Ringling mansion is something you would see from the Great Gatsby. Its gorgeous and the detail on each frame is insane. There is a section for the circus, you can tour the mansion, you can visit the art museum from when Ringling used to go to Europe and bring back art and sculptures. Overall a great experience and I 100% recommend. read more
The Ringling Museum, its grounds and the Ca' d'Zan is easily one of my favorite places in the world. I fell in love with it when I first visited in my early 20s. (I was sad that I was already married, I would have loved to have my wedding there!) Now I live here and can enjoy its beauty as often as I like. My entire family loves our visits here, and have an amazing time. It is perfect for any type of weather, and there is always something new and different to discover. The Art Museum has such gorgeous art pieces, some that have been there for decades, and others that are new. The courtyard is filled with beautiful fountains that were in use not too long ago, I hope they regain life soon! The Circus Museum is filled with fun and awe-inspiring artifacts from circus life. The Ca' d'Zan is absolutely gorgeous, inside and out. The architecture and attention to detail is stunning. I especially love the colored glass windows. The grounds are also amazing. There are so many different types of trees, plants, and flowers. There are banyan tree groves, bamboo forests, a secret garden and rose garden to name a few. We have seen hummingbirds in the secret garden, along with butterflies of many varieties. There are so many natural spots for photos, and each one turns out phenomenal. There is a kid's park inside and an awesome food truck with ice cream that my daughters look forward to. We just discovered the family events that they offer, and have started taking advantage of those. We attended a toddler/preschool art and story time, which was extremely well run. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable and we will definitely return for more. We are thankful to live in proximity to such a gem of culture. There is so much to say about The Ringling, it is just something that you have to experience for yourself! read more
My friend and I went here early, on a weekday, and that definitely was a perfect time to come. We paid extra so we could see Ca'd'Zan (House of John), the castle/mansion built by John Ringling on the edge of the grounds. We started with Ca'd'Zan, which was a nice little walk from the main entrance, and right on Sarasota Bay. They only do official tours a couple days a week, so we just self toured. Fortunately, there were a lot of Guards around that were able to answer any questions we had, and freely provided information they thought might be interesting to us. Since we weren't on the tour, we could only see the first level and the grounds. Leaving here we walked to the left side so we could see the secret garden, and where the Ringlings were buried. Then we walked back towards the museums, wandering through Mabel Ringling's rose garden on the way. The circus museum consists of two buildings, with random circus props, many interactive exhibits, and the extremely cool rail car that was used by John Ringling when he traveled with the circus. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the extraordinary 3/4-inch to the foot scale replica model of the entire Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus located in it's own room - make sure you see this. We went from here, through the Dwarf Garden, which I loved, to the main museum of art. There was so much to see here! We used their QR code so we could listen to some of the descriptions of art through our phones/ear buds. The first part was all religious paintings, and then you wandered into other galleries with a wide variety of art. After a couple hours here, we were pretty arted-out. So we headed to the inner courtyard to look at the gimourmous statue of David, and all the interesting regular statues. Leaving, we did a detour to the glass museum, which is near the entrance. Don't miss this! It was small, but had beautiful works of glass in it. Final tips - be ready to walk, and plan on spending the day here. Fortunately they have a restaurant on site, so we were able to take a lunch break, and then get back to it. This place is definitely a Sarasota treasure. read more
More info about The Ringling
5401 Bay Shore Rd
Sarasota, FL 34243
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(941) 359-5700
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http://www.ringling.org/
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Ask the Community - The Ringling
What are Saturday hours? What are prices for seniors for circus part of museum?
Please go to the website for the updated information on their admission prices and hours for the day you plan on going.
For the Ca d'Zan, what's the cheapest ticket available which at least gives you a "worth it" experience?
Mondays are free to view outside. $35 allows self guided tours 3 times a day of first floor and…
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