Sarasota, already having that name when first settled by those of European descent in the late 1840s, was incorporated as a town in 1902 with John Hamilton Gillespie as mayor. It is on the central west coast of Florida, Its official limits include Sarasota Bay and several barrier islands—some natural and some artificial—locally called keys, facing the Gulf of Mexico. The coast of the Sarasota area also is known for its beaches, the most famous being on Siesta Key, Lido Key, and Longboat Key.

Sarasota is steeped in history and there are many museums and art galleries. Sarasota began to acquire a reputation as an artists' colony in the early 1920s. In the years that followed, artists of many disciplines, including writers, performers, musicians, and architects, have been attracted to the community. Sarasota is the home of Florida West Coast Symphony, founded by Ruth Cotton Butler in 1949, and its famous Sarasota Music Festival which draws students, musicians, professors, and lovers of chamber music from around the world for a three-week event of international importance; Sarasota Ballet; Sarasota Opera; Florida Studio Theater, The Sarasota Players and numerous other musical, dance, artistic, and theatrical venues.

St Armands Circle. This is one of the few places you will see a roundabout in the US. It is a beautiful part of Sarasota on Lido key. There are shops and restaurants here and it’s just a short walk to the beach. Here is a map of the shops.

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