Cities/Sarasota/The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

4.8(9.8K)google

4.5(672)yelp

Adult $25·Senior(65+) $23·Student $5·Child(6-17y) $5·Infant(under 5) Free·Military $15·Special FreeUSD(General ticket covers the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, and Bayfront gardens. Accessing the ground floor inside the historic Ca' d'Zan mansion requires a $10 upgrade. Additionally, Mondays feature free admission strictly for the Museum of Art galleries open to all visitors.)

Indoor

Overview

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art is the official art museum of the state of Florida, located in Sarasota, Florida, United States. It was established in 1927 as the legacy of Mable Burton Ringling and John Ringling for the people of Florida. Florida State University assumed governance of the museum in 2000.

Practical Info

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA

Mon10:00 AM –5:00 PM

Tue10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Wed10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Thu10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Fri10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sat10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Sun10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Suggested Duration3-6 hours

Best TimeOctober to April is the prime season for this grand pink Italianate estate. Visiting on a Monday is highly recommended, as general admission to the permanent art galleries is free on Mondays. Aim for 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM; the afternoon sun illuminates the dramatic bayfront loggia and statue courtyard beautifully.

Getting ThereLocated at 5401 Bay Shore Road in North Sarasota. Take I-75 to exit 213, drive west on University Parkway to its terminus, and turn left onto US-41 S. The museum property features an extensive, free covered and open-air parking network. Via transit, Sarasota SCAT Bus Route 9 drops off at the gates.

(941) 359-5700

ringling.org/museum-art

Travel Tips

The expansive campus requires decentralized site transfers; access to the delicate historic Cà d'Zan mansion requires an explicit, date-specific timed-entry online ticket. Walk-ins are universally denied interior house entry; book 5 days out. Note that galleries are free on Mondays, causing the lots to cap out by 09:15 AM.
Navigate coastal heat indexes and terrace footwear constraints: the campus sits on the exposed saltwater flats of Sarasota Bay, causing massive midday thermal glare. To protect the centuries-old delicate Cà d'Zan glazed encaustic tiles and marble terraces, stiletto high heels and lugged metal-studded boots are legally banned.

Photo Tips

Photo Rules

Observe stringent museum media and baggage restrictions: the interior galleries of the Ringling Museum and Cà d'Zan prohibit any strobe flash units, selfie sticks, freestanding monopods, or extended telephoto glass. All personal backpacks or shoulder luggage bags exceeding 11x15 inches must be surrendered at the security baggage-check.

Reviews

Positive

This pink Italianate palace museum built by a circus tycoon is stunning; the massive courtyard statue gardens and master Rubens originals truly deliver.
The unique Circus Museum carries immense value; its life-sized historic wagons and a massive miniature circus model drag the fun to the max.
Sitting on scenic Sarasota Bay, the grand Ca' d'Zan mansion edges the water; wooden broadwalks and massive banyan trees form a flawless view.
Museum directories are highly scientific and clear, accessible facilities are spotless, and it opens free on Mondays, a saintly model of value.

Heads up

The entire estate footprint is massive; the art museum, circus halls, and mansion sit far apart, and the free tram shuttle suffers from long peak lines.
Entering the core rooms of Ca' d'Zan mansion requires buying a pricey separate ticket not bundled in basic admission, making some feel nickeled-and-dimed.
Being a heritage structure with antique rooms, parts of the main mansion lack modern central AC, making tours at summer midday feel hot and stuffy.
Surrounding public bus routes are narrow, forcing reliance on driving, and the onsite cafe choices are limited, expensive, and basic in taste.