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Trip Planner:   USA  /  Florida  /  Southwest Gulf Coast  /  Sarasota  /  The Ringling

The Ringling, Sarasota

Must see · Art Museum · History Museum
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Florida's official state art museum, The Ringling includes over 20 galleries filled with European, Asian, and American paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and photographs. Among the 10,000 objects housed here, you can see a world-renowned collection of paintings by Rubens, Velazquez, Veronese, Bernini, Poussin, and Gainsborough. The campus also includes a circus museum, which boasts a huge collection of handbills, posters, costumes, props, parade wagons, and other equipment. The adjacent learning center houses a scale replica of a 1930s circus, claiming status as the largest miniature circus in the world. End your visit with a cup of coffee or tea at the museum cafe, or sit down for a gourmet meal at the on-site restaurant. Put The Ringling into our Sarasota trip planner to see other points of interest to visit during your vacation in Sarasota.
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The Ringling reviews

TripAdvisor traveler rating
TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.5
7,319 reviews
Google
4.7
TripAdvisor
  • Would encourage first time visitors to spend some time on The Ringling's website to plan their visit and to understand the admission pricing options. Attempting to do all The Ringling has to offer in....  more
    Would encourage first time visitors to spend some time on The Ringling's website to plan their visit and to understand the admission pricing options. Attempting to do all The Ringling has to offer in....  more »
  • ...we've been multiple times and will go back again. The fine art museum is outstanding and every time we go we see something new. 
    ...we've been multiple times and will go back again. The fine art museum is outstanding and every time we go we see something new.  more »
  • Wonderful museum bringing back childhood memories of the circus . Circ sole is fantastic but the real circus is Americana . The miniatures were amazing and beyond. The man hours of doing this is... 
    Wonderful museum bringing back childhood memories of the circus . Circ sole is fantastic but the real circus is Americana . The miniatures were amazing and beyond. The man hours of doing this is...  more »
Google
  • This was the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus museum when I was a little kid. It was funny to see some of the things I remember from the '60s still on display along with a lot of new exhibits. Make sure you buy the all access ticket so that you can enjoy visiting the mansion it has some amazing rooms, ceilings and furnishings inside. I remember the clown that used to come out to warm up the crowd beating a pair of pie pans together and getting each section of the crowd to cheer. A chance to see a world of another time that should not be missed. You must see the greatest show on Earth.
  • As a circus performer, this place was amazing. So much knowledge and history was here, I was in awe of the model of the Ringling circus. The detail was impeccable. I can easily understand how it took 50 years to create. It really put into perspective the size of the operation. The entire history of the Ringling circus and family was laid out well with clear and understandable information. Lots of interactive features too that I really enjoyed because I'm a child at heart. I was blown away by some of the facts that I learned. If you have any interest in circus or even if you don't, I highly recommend checking this place out.
  • We visit here Dec 2021. Interesting stuff. Was there the day before. Monday is free entry for the art and garden. So we take out time. We toke 3 hours then go out for later lunch. Restaurant was not open when we visit. Due to covid and short stuff. I think. Cost $25 for adults and $23 for seniors. Florida college students are free. We find a $2 coupon. You can look for then in the coupon station at your hotel or at the visitor center.
  • This is a fantastic museum that covers everything from modern art to mid-century artwork to statues, along with lots of descriptions for all the displays. The staff that is located in each room as security and also to help guide you along are all very knowledgeable and very friendly. This is a long walk to do all the different buildings and all the different artwork exhibits you should be able to complete this in a half a day but it is definitely a lot of steps on your Fitbit 💞
  • A huge place to visit. Amazing history of a circus family. The miniatures are so beautiful. I love everything. I couldn't finish the tour because they were closing a at 5pm. You will.need ar lear 3 hours to see everything. Very Nice experience.

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