Sarasota Architecture Tour
Description
Sarasota is home to an amazing architectural legacy. On this 105-minute air-conditioned tour, guests will visit some outstanding examples of architecture and design, with tours featuring three of the city’s most distinctive styles: Art Deco, Mediterranean Revival, and Mid-Century Modern (featuring the "Sarasota School" of architecture, a regional adaptation of 20th-century International Style modernism that flourished in Florida from the 1940s to the 1960s.) These tours sell out weekly so book early!
Tour Options
Itinerary
Travelers will learn about the Art Deco style, which first appeared in France during the 1910s, and flourished in architecture and fashion, through the 1930s. The Sarasota Municipal Auditorium is a fine example of Art Deco style. Visitors will also learn about the history of the Auditorium, built in 1938. The Art Deco Chidsey Library is also on the itinerary. The Chidsey Library opened in May 1941 as the City of Sarasota's first public library building.
The Burns Court Historic District includes houses (and some commercial buildings) that are fine examples of Mediterranean Revival architecture. Visitors will learn about the history and design of the Burns Court development in the mid-1920s.
The Sarasota Art Center represents the Sarasota School of Architecture, a particular movement in Mid-Century Modern architecture. The Blue Pagoda is another Mid-Century modern building on the tour. Designed by a founding member of Sarasota School of Architecture, Victor Lundy, this 1956 Japanese garden-inspired structure is a sight to behold near the bayfront. Built for the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce, the structure features a Japanese blue glazed tile roof. Lundy wanted the blue tiles to reflect the nearby blue waters of Sarasota Bay.
Commissioned in 1959, the Center for Architecture in Sarasota is an example of Mid-Century Modern architecture. Visitors will learn about the construction and design of the building.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests must be 10+; no children under 10 allowed.
Reviews(43)
Jon the tour guide was excellent. His ability to relate Sarasota’s history into interesting stories is absolutely wonderful and so entertaining. He is such a delight to be around. He has an aura about him that draws you in and want to hear every word he utters.
The tour was most enjoyable! The owner/guide is very knowledgeable and gave us facts about the Sarasota architectures and fun stories of the buildings and houses we pass by but never saw, I highly recommend this tour to learn about our city.
Thank you so much!
The Discover Sarasota architectural tour was excellent. The tour guide was knowledgeable, easy to understand, and gladly answered questions. The trolley car ride was comfortable and clean. Don't miss a tour of Ca D'Zan (house of John Ringling) to supplement this over-all city tour. I would recommend this tour for anyone who would like to learn about Sarasota's architectural history.
Thank you for this review and for adding great advice!
It is soooo interesting. Sarasota has such a wonderful history. It great to go around the neighborhoods and understand the architecture vision and story. I highly recommend to take the tour to uncover Sarasota history.
Thank you very much!
Good general overview. Rather pricy for the offering. Some houses/structures couldn’t be seen because the trolley wouldn’t fit down the street. Using handouts to show things not visible from the bus such as interiors was useless. By the time the handout had made the rounds we were two stops further along.
If you booked on Trio Advisor rather than directly with us you are paying more. Our daytime tours are all the same $54.99 price for a 90-min narrated air-conditioned tour. The one street not accessible due to narrow width of street was only mentioned as a place to explore on your own. We saw similar homes on Burns Court on the tour so you missed nothing on the tour. The handouts were simply additional buildings by the architects that no longer exist. They were meant to help you see the past and were not specific to buildings still standing. Most guests like them and have requested these visual aids.
We are full time Sarasotans. Our neighbors recommended this Tour, and we are glad we did it. It mwas our 3rd Tour and we have enjoyedm them All.
Appreciate your wonderful review! Thanks for being SUPERFANS!
We enjoyed the architecture tour but it would have been nice to be able to get out of the trolley to take some pics. Also it would be nice to be able to go into the building on Orange Ave and check out their exhibits.
Thank you. We aren’t able to let people out on these 90 min tours because there just isn’t time. We encourage you to return to buildings to view them on your own at a later time. The African American Museum is open daily 10-5.
This was a last minute decision on our last day in Sarasota and I was not disappointed. The tour was so fun, entertaining and informative, John was interesting the entire time. The driver was great, I felt safe. It was worth the price. They are friendly and accommodating, the cute shop is an added bonus before and after the tour. They were so kind to sing happy birthday to me!
The tour was informative and fun! Our guide was the founder of DiscoverSarasota Tours so we had the best. We will definitely return for other tours.
Very kind of you and I’m glad you enjoyed the tour!
Tammy was a terrific guide and we covered so many buildings in an hour and a half! I would recommend it. The only complaint is about seeing buildings from a trolley: if you're on the wrong side, you don't see the building very well; the trolley sometimes goes by too quickly. it wasn't always clear which building Tammy was referring to.
Thank you for this helpful comment. I will be more clear in future tours.
