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 1990s, 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.
I’ll admit, I didn’t impose much structure on those trips. Instead of marching students from painting to painting while I lectured, I gave them room to wander, explore, and discover. Some gravitated toward the mythological works, while others stood quietly in front of the enormous Old Master paintings, amazed by their size and detail.
The truth is, I wasn’t just teaching mythology.
I was trying to introduce young people to museums, art, and history—experiences many of them might not have encountered otherwise.
Fun Fact
The Ringling holds over 10,000 works of art, from ancient to modern, including European masterpieces collected by John Ringling himself.
Today, visitors often pair the museum with Ca’ d’ Zan Sarasota: Inside The Ringling’s Gilded Bayfront Mansion and The Ringling Circus Museum | Sarasota’s Greatest Show Preserved, creating one of the most rewarding cultural experiences in Florida. And for anyone planning a broader Sarasota getaway, 7 Day Sarasota Itinerary: Beaches, Food & Hidden Gems is a great place to start.
What keeps bringing me back, though, isn’t just the artwork. It’s the combination of world-class galleries, sprawling banyan trees, quiet courtyards, and Sarasota Bay views that make The Ringling unlike any other museum I’ve visited.
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.
Why The Ringling Never Gets Old
Every time I visit, I think back to those student field trips and the look of curiosity on faces encountering something completely new.
At the time, I thought I was teaching mythology.
Looking back, I was really trying to teach appreciation—for art, history, creativity, and the simple act of slowing down long enough to notice something beautiful.
That’s what makes The Ringling so special. It offers more than paintings and galleries. It combines art, architecture, history, nature, and Sarasota Bay into a single experience that feels different every time you visit.
Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, a first-time visitor, or a longtime local, The Ringling has a way of revealing something new each time you walk through its gates.
To better understand why it remains one of Sarasota’s defining landmarks, explore 15 Must-See Icons of Sarasota That Shape the Community. After your visit, browse 15 Sarasota Restaurants Locals Actually Recommend for places locals actually return to. And if you want to continue enjoying Sarasota Bay, don’t miss Best Sarasota Sunset Spots: The People Make the Memory.
Some attractions impress you once.
The Ringling rewards you every time you return.
