Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota: Giant Paintings, Banyan Secrets & Bayfront Strolls
Table of Contents
My first memories of the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art aren’t as a casual visitor, but as a teacher. Back in the late 1980s and 90s, I brought my high school students here on field trips. At the time, I was teaching a unit on Greek and Roman mythology, and I wanted my students to see the connections between the stories we read and the art hanging on the walls.
Now, I’ll admit—I didn’t force too much structure on those trips. Instead of marching the kids from painting to painting while I lectured, I gave them freedom. I let them wander, explore, and discover. Some kids gravitated toward the mythological paintings, but many were just as fascinated by the giant-sized “old master” works that dominated entire walls. I remember them pointing out how dark many of those paintings seemed, whispering in awe at their sheer size.
Fun Fact
The Ringling holds over 10,000 works of art, from ancient to modern, including European masterpieces collected by John Ringling himself.
The truth is, I wasn’t just trying to teach mythology. I was trying to expose them to art and museums, knowing most wouldn’t have had the chance otherwise.
Exploring the Ringling Museum of Art Grounds (Statues, Gardens & Banyans)
Years later, I’d run into former students who told me they remembered those trips vividly. Some said they went back on their own, bringing their children to experience what they had first discovered as teenagers. That, to me, was the true payoff.
Not every student cared about mythology or Renaissance brushstrokes. But many cared about the feeling of being in a museum, of walking through halls filled with centuries of creativity, of sitting under banyan trees after escaping algebra for the afternoon.
The courtyard statues have always been iconic, especially the towering replica of Michelangelo’s Statue of David. It stands proudly at the center, surrounded by other classical statues, all framed by the pink arches of the Museum of Art.
But beyond the courtyard, the grounds were a playground of discovery.
•The rose garden in bloom.
•The winding sidewalks under the massive banyan trees.
•The Bayfront walkway, with water lapping against the seawall.
One statue in particular always captured my attention—and later became a quirky favorite for my students: the small sculpture of a child slowly being “swallowed” by the roots of a banyan tree. Over the years, the tree has literally grown around the statue, making it look like the child has been imprisoned for eternity
Fun Fact
Near the banyans, a small statue of a child has been slowly engulfed by the tree roots, making it look as though the child has been “imprisoned” there for eternity.
Even back then, those field trips were more than just a lesson. They were an experience.
Speaking of lessons, are you aware the rose garden was created by Mable Ringling in 1913 and has been restored to feature more than 1,000 roses
Sorry, you can’t take home a few dozen of these gorgeous roses. I’ve already asked.
Why Those Trips Mattered
Years later, I’d run into former students who told me they remembered those trips vividly. Some said they went back on their own, bringing their children to experience what they had first discovered as teenagers. That, to me, was the true payoff.
Not every student cared about mythology or Renaissance brushstrokes. But many cared about the feeling of being in a museum, of walking through halls filled with centuries of creativity, of sitting under banyan trees after escaping algebra for the afternoon, of exploring the gorgeous grounds.
But beyond the courtyard, the grounds were a playground of discovery.
•The rose garden in bloom.
•The winding sidewalks under the massive banyan trees.
•The Bayfront walkway, with water lapping against the seawall.
One statue in particular always captured my attention—and later became a quirky favorite for my students: the small sculpture of a child slowly being “swallowed” by the roots of a banyan tree. Over the years, the tree has literally grown around the statue, making it look like the child has been imprisoned for eternity
Fun Fact
For decades, Sarasota students (mine included!) have visited the museum, often remembering it as their first exposure to world-class art.
The docents were another part of what made the trips so memorable. Every volunteer seemed to interact with the kids like a grandmother or grandfather. They didn’t expect the students to absorb every lecture point; they knew the kids were mostly there for an adventure. But they always made sure to connect in small ways, smiling, asking questions, and encouraging curiosity.
More Than a Museum: The Ringling in Daily Life
One of the things I admire most about The Ringling is how it’s transformed from being just a destination for tourists or school field trips into a place woven into Sarasota’s everyday rhythm.
Over the years, The Ringling has partnered with the Asolo Repertory Theatre to present the Summer Circus Spectacular at the Historic Asolo Theater. This family-friendly show brings world-class circus artists to the stage, keeping Sarasota’s circus legacy alive and accessible for today’s families.
But that’s only part of the story. The Ringling has also created opportunities for locals and visitors alike to experience the estate in new, social ways:
When I mention Wine & Roses @ The Ringling, I think of couples gathered in the rose garden at twilight, listening to live music.
Then there’s Ringling Underground, which mixes live bands with contemporary art in the courtyard.
Fun Fact
The Summer Circus Spectacular ensures Sarasota’s circus tradition isn’t just history—it’s a living performance renewed each summer at the Historic Asolo Theater.
Or Ringling by the Bay, where music and dancing are timed perfectly with Sarasota Bay sunsets.
And for those looking for peace instead of parties, there’s Yoga at The Ringling.
These programs aren’t about standing silently in a gallery. They’re about connecting art, history, and community—giving people reasons to keep coming back, to make The Ringling part of their lives, not just a once-a-year visit.
Why I Still Go Back
My wife and I look forward to The Ringling’s Toys for Tots night every December. They open every venue—galleries, the Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan, and the grounds—right when Sarasota’s weather turns cool and crisp, and local schoolchildren fill the estate with holiday music. It’s simple, generous, and joyful.
We also go just for the grounds. On days we’re not museum-bound, a lap through the banyans and along the Bayfront is our version of daily steps—right up there with a Siesta Key Beach walk. Both are gorgeous; you can’t go wrong.
Since the late 1980s we’ve enjoyed more visits than I can count. Yet, we keep discovering new details. On April 20, 2019, I noticed the Shaving Brush Tree, a “Bunyan” pine whose trunk segments look like a vertebra, and a rose garden at peak bloom—all reminders that The Ringling always has one more surprise waiting.
Plan Your Visit
What: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Where: 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL
When: Open daily (check The Ringling’s official site for times)
Admission: Free on Mondays for the Museum of Art & grounds; ticketed admission for other venues
👉 Visit The Ringling’s official site for current hours and events.
Closing Thoughts on The Ringling Museum of Art...& Other Venues
Every time I visit, I think back to my students and those first wide-eyed reactions. I didn’t know it then, but those field trips weren’t just about connecting mythology to art. They were about giving kids a sense of wonder—something they could carry forward into their own lives.
And now, The Ringling continues to create that sense of wonder through evening programs, partnerships, and community traditions. It’s proof that Sarasota’s cultural crown jewel is as much about the present as it is about the past.
So whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or simply someone looking for a beautiful afternoon—or evening—in Sarasota, I can’t recommend The Ringling Museum of Art enough.
While you’re planning your Sarasota outings:
•Explore our Sarasota Lifestyle Events Calendar
•Discover Things to Do in Sarasota This Fall
•Check out my other blogs you’ll want to check out about The Ringling: Ringling Circus Museum, Ringling Ca’ d’Zan, & Ca’ d’Zan @ Christmas
Love This Post? Share It!
Hi, I’m Mike – real estate agent, photographer, and blogger. Come along as I dive into all things Sarasota, Florida, share insider tips and exciting stories that make this place special. For 20+ years, I’ve helped countless people buy and sell property. Before I transitioned to full-time real estate, I taught high school English & coached basketball.”
One response to “Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota: Giant Paintings, Banyan Secrets & Bayfront Strolls”
[…] Rep is located at the FSU Center for the Performing Arts on the grounds of The Ringling. Its main stage, the Mertz Theatre, was originally the Dunfermline Opera House in Scotland before […]