trolley tours sarasota fl

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City Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota

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Sarasota's BEST City Sightseeing Tour, a wonderful way to learn where to eat, shop and visit, and about Sarasota's interesting past, whether you are a longtime resident, a newcomer, or a visitor.

Tours with fewer than 10 guests will travel in our air-conditioned 9-passenger van.

Activity location

• 1826 4th Street
• 34236, Sarasota, Florida, United States

Meeting/Redemption Point

• Sat, Jun 15 $62
• Sun, Jun 16 -
• Mon, Jun 17 -
• Tue, Jun 18 -
• Wed, Jun 19 -
• Thu, Jun 20 $62
• Fri, Jun 21 $62
• Sat, Jun 22 $62
• Sun, Jun 23 $62
• Mon, Jun 24 -
• Tue, Jun 25 -
• Wed, Jun 26 -
• Thu, Jun 27 -
• Fri, Jun 28 -
• Sat, Jun 29 $62

City Sightseeing Tour

• Activity duration is 1 hour and 30 minutes 1h 30m 1h 30m

What's included, what's not

• What's included What's included Bottled water
• What's included What's included Air-conditioned vehicle

Know before you book

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Guests must be 12+; no children under 12 allowed except on our family tours designed for children. Every guest must have a paid ticket in order to board.

Activity itinerary

The ringling (pass by), marie selby botanical gardens (pass by), gillespie park (pass by), sarasota opera (pass by), burns court neighborhood (pass by), best deals on things to do, top experiences in sarasota.

Live more. Drive less.

Experience the new Sarasota Bay Runner Trolley!

ATTENTION: Route changes on Monday, May 29 due to Parade. Click here for more information.

Connecting Downtown, the bay, and the beach

The Bay Runner is a free trolley service that connects the best of Sarasota keys and Downtown, for an ultimate outdoor Florida experience. The goal of the Bay Runner is to provide an enjoyable experience that reduces travel time, congestion, and makes getting around easier for visitors, residents, and employees.

Gather your friends and family for a ride in this open-air trolley and enjoy the stunning scenic views and vistas!

Live more and drive less when you step aboard the Bay Runner! Park once and travel between the beach and downtown.

Whether for easy wheelchair access, or full paratransit services, the Bay Runner provides access at all levels of transportation need.

Leave the "getting there" to us

The Bay Runner invites you to take it easy, leaving the stress of “getting there” behind as you smoothly move from beach to shops to dining to cultural venues to a vibrant nightlife scene, free of worry about driving and parking. Where you go is up to you! The Bay Runner is here to make your journey enjoyable, convenient and safe.

Downtown Sarasota

Stroll down Main Street, take in a show, discover your new favorite restaurant, check out world-renowned art galleries, or pop over to the newly opened Legacy Trail for a scenic bike ride.

St. Armand's Circle

Enjoy fine dining, exceptional shopping, luxurious salons and spas all in an atmosphere of casual elegance.

Experience the natural beauty of one of Sarasota's most charming beaches, without having to worry about finding a parking space.

Longboat Key

Simply bike or drive to a convenient parking location in St. Armands, and catch the Bay Runner to Downtown. Returning to the key is a breeze because the Bay Runner operates 7 days a week.

How can I use the Bay Runner?

Connect to the legacy trail.

Go from Venice to St. Armands - by bike - when you take advantage of the connection to the new Legacy Trail Extension.

Commute to Work in Style

Whether you work Downtown or on the Island, the Bay Runner will help you save time and money getting to and from work - with bonus great views.

Make Getting to the Beach a Breeze

Bring along your beach gear - the Bay Runner has stops just steps from the beautiful white sands of Lido Beach.

Download The Bay Runner App

Download the Bay Runner app for the convenience of having everything you need to know about your trip – right at your fingertips!

Plan your adventure

Where will you go next? Use the Bay Runner app to plan your trip.

Track the Trolley in Real-time

Use the Bay Runner app to find out exactly when the next trolley will be making a stop near you.

• Our most popular family tour! Treasures to Jewelry & family friendly lunch!
• Hour Glass 3.5 Hours

Shark’s Teeth & More Family Adventure!

Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays| Perfect for families, homeschoolers, youth groups & birthday parties!

• Sarasota's #1 Walking Ghost Tour!
• Hour Glass 1.25 Hours

Ghosts & Gruesomes

Wednesdays & Thursdays| A creepy walking tour in downtown Sarasota with stories of its ghosts & dark history.

• Anna Maria Islands #1 Walking Ghost Tour!

Stories, Shipwrecks and Spirits on Anna Maria Island

Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays | A creepy walking tour on Anna Maria Island with stories of its ghosts & dark history.

• It's a Toast to the Ladies of Anna Maria Island!
• Hour Glass 1.5 Hours

Wild Women of Anna Maria Island

“Al Capone runs rum to the Midwest” “Women Allowed in the Secret Service” Find out about these headlines & SO much more on “Wild Women of Anna Maria Island.” Includes a  glass of wine & cheese plate also. Join us in raising a glass to celebrate these amazing women!

• It's all about the Ladies!

Wild Women of Sarasota Walking Tour

Take a step back in time as you explore the “Wild Women of Sarasota.” You will hear about Mary Jane Whittaker and her contemporaries on this story filled walking tour.

• Book Early to save your date!

Sightseeing Trolley Tour of Sarasota for Private Groups of 10 or more!

A 1.5 hour adventure!

• Hour Glass 3 Hours

CINCO de MAYO Fiesta Extravaganza!!

Join us for a Fiesta Street Party in downtown Sarasota! We are offering food tours with a festive twist in honor of Cinco de Mayo on both Saturday May 4th and Sunday May 5th!

Enjoy a memorable experience on a local Food Tour!

Locations: downtown sarasota, st. armands circle, venice & anna maria island.

Our "Key Culinary Tours" division is the #1 rated food tour company in the Sarasota area with over 5000 happy guests! Locally owned & operated since 2015!

Holiday Tour of Lights - Tickets Now On Sale!

Reserve Your seats now!

2023 ticket sales now open, famous holiday tour of lights.

Each year these neighborhoods light up bigger and brighter, all for sharing in the Holiday Spirit. 

Home after home, 

Join us as we tour through to see this years light-up!

What a great time for Family and Friends to spend together.

Tours depart nightly at "2" different times for convenience, 6:15 PM and 8:15 PM

CHECK-IN time is 15 minutes prior to departure.

Please don't be late, we can't wait!

Guests are welcome to bring along a beverage and a snack.

We depart from the parking lot at the McDonald's at the corner of Cattlemen & Bee Ridge Rd. Look for us as we will be staged and ready to go.

Tickets are $20.00 per-person. Reservations required.

 Private tours are available, please call 941.346.3115 for pricing and special arrangements.

Copyright © 2023 Sarasota Trolley - All Rights Reserved.

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• HOLIDAY TOUR OF LIGHTS

Sarasota’s Premier Trolley Rental Service

SRQ Trolley – Sarasota’s Premier Trolley Rental Weddings, Birthday Parties, Corporate Events and more…

Ride In Air Conditioned Comfort -

Our fleet of 5, comes in a wide range of options. Whether you’re needing a small trolley or a large trolley, we have it all. We have four different sizes (20, 27, 32 & 39 passenger), all with padded seats (except the 32 passenger) and all trolleys offer air conditioning, stereo systems ,Smartphone compatible, CD, radio and microphones. We are fully licensed and insured.

5 Air Conditioned Trolleys Available -

Perfect for events, serving sarasota, bradenton, venice & boca grande for over 13 years, photo gallery.

YEARS OF BUSINESS

Client Testimonials

Hi Pricilla

Just wanted to let you know that everyone had a great time on Tuesday night. We were very fortunate that it did not rain while we were there in Sarasota, but once we got on the bus to return to Sun City Center it poured the whole ride home. Also found out that t here were thunder and lighting storms all evening before we came home.

Thank you for a great evening, your two drivers were wonderful.

Happy Holidays,

Sun City Center Travel Club

Priscilla, all went off perfectly. The guests really loved Siggi and he took great care of them. Friendly, positive and a great ambassador for SRQ Trolley. Will highly recommend to anyone and happy to be a reference if needed.

We got on the 6:30 Holiday Tour of Lights Trolley! So much fun!🎅🏻🌴🤶

So glad we just came and hung out!

We are so looking forward to seeing the lights on Sunday the 17th. We have heard so many good compliments from other people in our park who just went to see the lights. Hoping for good weather! See you then.

Perfect ! We had a house-full of family … didn't have a clue what was about to happen ! And, then the SRQ Trolley showed up in front of the house. All craziness broke loose ! Our driver, 'Siggi' (sp) was perfect ! Great personality … he added more fun to the ride ! The ride to Mellow Mushroom was full of noisy, happy family … trying to guess where we were going. Twenty seven immediate family … 5 were absent with written excuses. Our 6 yr old great-grandson, Jax, ran thru the house shouting, “Hurry … a bus is waiting for us!” He held on tight to the pole and enjoyed every single solid minute !

Thank you for making our day perfect,

Hi Priscilla!

I wanted to reach out and thank you again for Siggi and the holiday tour of lights! Our members had an amazing time!!

Looking forward to the circus!

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Nicole Lewis -Laurel Oak Country Club

Member Relationship Coordinator

Hi Priscilla:

Thank you for helping me make the Trolley Tour for the New Sarasotan’s Club such a smashing success. I had so many notes and comments from the participants. We had a great time. I will highly recommend this event to anyone who asks.

Thanks for making it so easy to work with you.

Merr y Christmas and Happy New Year!!

We did the holiday trolley on Tuesday night we were on ziggy trolley and

He did such a fantastic job making it fun and entertaining we will definitely becoming back and will be requesting him again!

We all had such a wonderful time on the Trolley rides. Jeff was knowledgeable and entertaining! And a great driver!! (Good thing I wasn’t driving that trolley! LOL!)

Thank you for making it all happen so smoothly for us. You both are a dream to work with.

Merry Christmas!

Thank you so much for your flexibility on the fly! You all were so kind to give the Rehearsal dinner guests a lift to Louies Modern – that wind Friday night was CRAZY. All our guests had a fabulous weekend, thanks to your participation.

Thank you again- everything was fantastic and our driver was excellent!!!

Plan to book again next year!!!

Kind regards,

Hi Priscilla,

Oh my! Siggi and the trolley experience were one-of-a-kind! We loved the party atmosphere and his outgoing personality.

I will highly recommend your company to all my friends. Everything was perfect! Thank you so much!

Let the good times roll!

Thank you so much for working with us and for providing us the 2 wonderful drivers for the GNO evening this past Wednesday! It turned out to be a fabulous event and you and your team provided us the much needed relief from any stress in driving!

We’ll be back for the holiday tour if not before that! Thank you again!

Priscilla………. what can I say……. Siggi was absolutely awesome!

I did not even get a chance to meet him personally, but I heard wonderful compliments and comments about how accommodating he was and, he actually fit everyone back to the Hotel on the first run……. I did hear that there was some dancing on the wa y back, though most of the groomsmen where policemen and did not seem concerned about disturbing the peace….lol!

On a more serous note, I cannot thank you and Siggi enough, the night went flawlessly, EVERYBODY was happy and had great things to say about SRQ Trolley…..

and let me know which is the best site for me to leave a recommendation review.

With gratitude

• The Most Picturesque Small Towns in Florida

Florida is a hotspot destination for travelers because of the scenery and tropical atmosphere. The bigger metropolises like Miami and Orlando are well documented and receive scores of visitors every month. However, the smaller towns hold the most appeal and charm.

These are the most picturesque small towns in Florida for different reasons. Some towns are landlocked, while others resemble the Caribbean, with white sandy beaches and clear water. These ten towns embody what Florida represents to so many people.

Siesta Key is a beautiful barrier island off of Sarasota. It's known for its pure white quartz sand and azure-colored waters. The eight-mile island is a hub for fishing, scuba diving, and parasailing. The Siesta Key Breeze Trolley is free and offers the best way to see the island, though walking is also a great option.

Siesta Key Village is the heart of the island, where you will find shops, boutiques, and eateries. Siesta Key Oyster Bar is one of the more popular restaurants and converts to a Chicago Bear-driven sports bar on Sundays. Siesta Key is consistently ranked among the best beaches in the world and is one of the most picturesque in Florida.

Cedar Key is a barrier island in Northwest Florida known for its authentic, old Florida vibe. There are two nature refuges: Cedar Key Museum State Park and the Cedar Key National Refuge. The museum is 18 acres of preserved land with a trail leading to the salt marshes. The wildlife refuge is only accessible by boat and contains over 20,000 bird species. It provides a golden opportunity to see the unique history of the island.

The Cedar Key Fishing Pier is perfect for surf fishing and gazing at sunsets. You won't find any chain restaurants here, which adds to the charm. Popular spots like 2nd Street Cafe and Steamers Clam Bar and Grill are among the top restaurants on the island.

Located in Central Florida, Mount Dora is a charming southern town with a fascinating history. The town centers around Lake Dora and Mount Dora Lighthouse at Grantham Park. It is also known for its bustling downtown that comes alive over the weekends.

There are also historic bed and breakfast inns, like the famous Lakeside Inn. Built in 1883, it is considered Florida's most historic bed and breakfast. The inn includes five yellow buildings and 90 rooms. The lakefront, historic buildings, and walkable downtown make Mount Dora one of the prettiest towns in Florida.

Fort Walton Beach

Known locally as FWB, Fort Walton Beach is a small country town on Okaloosa Island with white sandy beaches. In addition to the striking beaches, attractions like the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park are popular. They host classes and tours and showcase the fragile state of marine life.

Historical sites include the Indian Temple Mound Museum and the Air Force Armament Museum. The Mound showcases Northwest Florida's heritage from 14,000 B.C. through the 1950s C.E.. The Air Force Armament Museum includes exhibits and tours that celebrate the strong military history in the local area.

Panama City Beach

Panama City Beach , or PCB, is a party zone for Spring Breakers, but there is plenty to see and do year-round at this famous beach. Besides the miles of sugar sand beaches, St. Andrews State Park is a major draw. The park hosts multiple species of migratory birds throughout the year, and you will not want to leave once you gaze upon the emerald-green waters and pristine beaches.

The Panama City Beach Conservation Park includes 24 miles of hiking trails and a mile-long boardwalk. This is a great way to see Florida's natural habitat and the stunning beaches for which PCB is known. The preserves and the beaches make Panama City Beach stunning and one of the state's best beach locations.

Naples is on the Southwest coast, known for its architecture, and is a world-class, sophisticated shopping destination. These shops are located on Fifth Avenue and Third Street South downtown. The shopping ends on the beach, where outdoor cafes offer breathtaking views of the blue Gulf of Mexico.

The Naples Pier was erected in 1888 and has undergone several rebuilds due to hurricanes. It is the ideal spot to watch sunsets and surf fish. And don't worry; there are plenty of beach hotels like La Playa Beach and Golf Resort where you can stay for a couple of days and complete the Naples experience.

Key West , the southernmost point in the continental United States, is a beach lover's dream. Only 90 miles north of Cuba, this tiny island has a great history, including Native Americans and celebrities like Ernest Hemingway. After a day at the beach, Duval Street is party central. You will find pub crawls, costumed figures, and the famous Sloppy Joe's Tavern here.

The Hemingway Home and Museum celebrates the life of the secluded writer with original furniture, including the six-foot wall he built around his home. Walking tours are available, which are the best way to get a feel of the island and the history that shaped it. Most tours start at the Key West Cemetary, which shows off the locals' eclectic humor and Key West's history.

Islamorada comprises six of the Florida Keys and is known as the "sport fishing capital of the world." Watersports like boating, scuba diving, and fishing dominate the area, but there are many more attractions on land to consider. The History of Diving Museum is popular and offers exhibits and tours exploring local diving history.

The Theatre of the Sea is a fun aquarium offering tropical gardens, sea lions, dolphins, and other aquatic wonders. Robbie's of Islamorada is a family-friendly park where you can feed tarpon and see what makes Islamorada so special. It is considered the busiest attraction in the Florida Keys. Islamorada has a world-famous beach and feels like a Caribbean vacation without leaving the States.

Winter Garden

Winter Garden is a southern town in Central Florida. It is not unusual to be passed by a golf cart or bicyclist. The downtown area was designed for walking and leisurely activities. The town is only 20 minutes from Disney World and is a popular tourist lodging area.

This charming town was founded in 1908, and the citrus industry put it on the economic map. Historic Downtown is a perfect walking area filled with quaint shops like The Ancient Olive Gourmet and the Farmer's Market. Winter Garden is perfect for those looking for a charming and scenic getaway.

St Augustine

Founded in 1565, St. Augustine is the longest continuously habited European settlement in the United States. It is a virtual time portal to the 18th century, where period actors are not uncommon to be encountered on historic St. George Street. Castillo de San Marcos is an 18th-century fort with live reenactments and exhibits.

This is definitely a walking town, and St. George Street is the center of the walking attractions. Along with bed and breakfast inns, this pedestrian-only road leads past several shops and restaurants, including the St. George Tavern, a popular spot for locals and period actors. St. Augustine is full of Old European history and architecture and offers some of the best views in Florida.

Florida is a gorgeous state. The rivers, oceans, and beaches make it one of the most pleasing states to visit. There are also centuries of history, especially in St. Augustine. These ten towns are the most picturesque, though that is a tough decision.

Whether you are looking for parties, tropical beaches, or country charm, Florida has you covered. Barrier islands like Cedar Key and Siesta Key take your breath away because of the natural scenery of old Florida. Central Florida towns like Mount Dora and Winter Garden have a different aesthetic while maintaining the Florida charm. These towns are breathtaking and have a lot of natural and historic attractions.

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Sarasota's Newtown community is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places

Sarasota's predominately Black neighborhood of Newtown is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places after years of planning and strategic collaboration between Newtown historians and city leaders.

The historic district encompasses Myrtle Street to the north, 19 th  Street to the south, Seminole Gulf Railway tracks to the west, and U.S. 301 to the east and has been the Newtown Historic District since late April. The federal designation adds a deeper layer of historical significance to the area, now set against a growing backdrop of new development stretching across the cityscape.

ICYMI: Colson Hotel demolition talk spurs controversy among Sarasota historians, leaders

The U.S. National Parks Service coordinates the national list, which serves as the official list of the nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Listings in the National Register of Historic Places is a recognition of an area's significance to the history of the community, state, or region.

More: Lynching marker honors 6 victims who were killed in Sarasota-Manatee County by mobs

The city began seeking a historic designation in April 2009 following Newtown community members expressing a strong interest in preserving their prominently Black neighborhood. In a recent media release , Dr. Cliff Smith, a Senior Planner who oversees the City of Sarasota’s historic preservation program, said the designation was a significant accomplishment for all involved.

“Getting to this point truly was a community effort. Residents approached staff 15 years ago and wanted to know the best way to save Newtown’s cultural heritage and showcase its significance. It takes time to document so many historical resources, record personal histories, and present a case that an area meets the criteria for a national register designation," Smith said.

Smith lauded Newtown Alive founder and CEO Vickie Oldham, along with former and current Sarasota city commissioners, for their roles in documenting the history of Newtown and supporting the ongoing preservation efforts.

Opinion: Save examples of early African American architecture in Sarasota before it's too late

Newtown holds Sarasota's 'cultural heritage'

The community of Newtown spurred from the city's first Black neighborhood of Overtown — a small stretch of streets where Sarasota's Black pioneers like Leonard Reid and Lewis Colson once laid the foundation for a bustling Black community in the late 1890s.

Vickie Oldham, a Sarasota native and historian, has been rediscovering and collecting the history of Black residents in the community since being tasked with preservation efforts by the city in 2015. She established the Newtown Alive trolley tour and developed and opened the city's first African-American Cultural Center, now hosting an art exhibition at the historic Leonard Reid Museum about the Civil Rights Movement across Sarasota and Tampa Bay.

Oldham plans to create and introduce Sarasota's cultural heritage to the world, she said.

"Of course, Sarasota is known for its world-class beaches, certainly the arts, the fine dining, shopping, and wealthy visitors, but not cultural tourism, not until this Newtown project began," she said.

Most recently, Oldham spearheaded a cultural heritage campaign to entice a selection committee to select Sarasota as the future site of a multi-million dollar Florida Museum of Black History; however, Sarasota was eliminated as a potential site in late April. The community of Newtown could still be selected as a potential satellite site for a museum or related purpose, she said during a recent interview.

"There are over 600 contributing structures, making it one of the largest historic districts in Florida, and our team provided the ammunition to take this from application to project to approval," Oldham said.

"This historical designation acknowledges Newtown's glorious but painful history and the many contributions of its pioneers to Sarasota's evolution."

• Sip and See Art!

Art Crawl Trolley

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 4 hours
• User Ages: 21+
• Glass Tour Includes: Complimentary beer/wine before boarding for guests 21+; wine and appetizers at each gallery
• Map Marker Departure Point: 1826 4th Street - FREE parking! Guests may also hop on or off at each location.
• Bus Please note: "Dolly The Trolley" is enclosed & air-conditioned

Enjoy a hop-on/hop-off Art Crawl experience on select Fridays, January-March. Explore Sarasota’s vibrant art scene with guide & watercolor artist Jerome Chesley. See Sarasota’s collection of public art and 20+ art galleries and studios! Along the way, enjoy hearing about the neighborhoods we’ll visit, Sarasota’s visual arts community and Sarasota’s public art collection.

Two trolleys will be running in rotation every 15 minutes from 5 PM – 8 PM and stop at hub stop locations where you’ll find several galleries and studios to visit! The trolleys will arrive every 15 minutes to each hub stop from 5 PM – 9 PM. If you are unable to catch one of the trolleys before 9 PM, you are welcome to take an Uber or walk back to the Trolley Cottage.

Before you board, browse our charming Trolley Cottage Gift Shop located in the heart of Gillespie Park, and enjoy complimentary beer/wine at the Trolley Cottage Tiki Bar.

Please arrive after 5 PM to begin the tour! Tickets are $10 to board.

Includes: Hop-on/hop-off transport to all gallery hub stop locations. FREE onsite parking at the Trolley Cottage Gift Shop. Complimentary beer or wine for guests 21+ at the Trolley Cottage Tiki Bar before boarding.

ALL guests must be 21+. Every guest must have a paid ticket in order to board.

THE REVIEWS ARE IN!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Art Crawl Trolley Last night we thoroughly enjoyed our trolley tour of three galleries! Jerry was our host for the tour and was informative and fun! Along with wine and nibbles available at each stop, the gallery owners and artists provided us with info on their artwork and collections. Between galleries we were introduced to many pieces of public art in Sarasota! All in all, it was a wonderful way to spend an evening and get to know more about the Sarasota Art Scene! — Kathy H.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Well worth the cost, try it… you too, will be very pleased. Fun way to spend an evening. It ‘spotlighted’ several galleries we had not been to. Very helpful staff and it could not have been more easy to get around. It was a fun vibe with other guests as well. — Donna C. 

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City Sightseeing Tour

On this classic City Sightseeing Tour, learn where to tour, dine, shop or visit! Get an entertaining overview of Sarasota’s rich history, culture, and neighborhoods.