Day Trip to Sarasota and the Ringling Museum

I lived in Bradenton (just north of Sarasota) for 3.5 years and like most locals who know the attractions will always be there and don't feel the urgency to go explore now, I never actually made it to the Ringling Museum before I moved away.  I decided to combine it with a trip to see my friend and mentor who I hadn't seen in almost 7 years and drove the hour and 40 minutes from where I live in Ft. Myers to check out the museum, home, and beautiful grounds of John and Mabel Ringling.

John Ringling is one of the Ringling Brothers of circus fame.  He and his wife, Mabel, wintered in Sarasota and thought it would one day become a resort paradise.  Unfortunately, they did not live long enough to see just how right they were!  They bought land along Sarasota Bay and lived in a smaller home on the land before eventually building the very grand Ca d'Zan, which means House of John, on the bay.  The Ringlings had a love of Europe and especially Venice and modeled the home in the architecture and grandiose style that would be found in Venice, Italy. 

The museum is made up of three different buildings.  Two focused on the history of their circus and circus life in general and one dedicated to art with many pieces being from Johns Ringling's personal art collection.  The Ringlings did not have any children and wanted their collections to be gifted to the state of Florida.  Sadly, John Ringling died asset rich but cash poor and had many creditors after him at the time of his death, but the estate still made it to the State and is now run by Florida State University so that the public is able to enjoy the beauty and history of the area.  The entrance to the family home is a separate fee than the museums but to me was definitely worth the extra price.  I have been lucky enough to visit a few homes of the wealthy that were built in and around the 1920s and it is always intriguing to me to see how different life was.  This home did not disappoint.  With beautiful painted ceilings, glass windows specially chosen in colors that matched the styling of the home, ornate furnishings, and sparkling chandeliers, it was as grand as you would hope it to be to match the opulent lifestyle of a wealthy couple in the 1920s.

 The view to the bay through the stained glass windows

Beautiful stained glass windows from the outside

The art museum had collections from John Ringling's personal art collection but also houses art from Asia and different modern art displays as well.  It was nice visiting in September before the rush of high season begins again.  I was able to spend time in many of the exhibits completely by myself like it was my own private tour.  It also has a replica of the famous statue of David in the courtyard surrounded by palm trees and other sculptures in the garden.

Statue of David replica in the courtyard

The circus museum had a miniature replica of what the circus would have looked like when it was all set up.  The attention to detail was amazing with intricately carved people and animals creating a scene of what it would look like if you attended the event when it pulled into town.  There was a room with different interactive circus features including a high wire walk and the top part of a model horse that you can stand on and practice your poses.  Walking around the room, I couldn't help but play circus music over and over again in my head.

The elephants miniatures

 Miniature circus tents

 Anyone dream of being shot out of a cannon?

The train car that the Ringlings lived in while on tour with the circus.

I capped the day off with a quick visit to St. Armand's Circle and met my friend for dinner at what was one of my favorite restaurants in Bradenton Beach when I lived there.  It was a great day to learn something new and reminisce about the old for me.