The Ringling, Sarasota

If you have never been to an art museum, and you were dropped onto earth from outer space, this would be truly a memory that you would take back to your planet! This museum is so beautiful it defies words. From the architecture of the structure itself, to the palatial grounds, to the many, many beautiful sculptures. You will enjoy the most amazing display of art from history's most revered international, classic artists. This is a MUST stop if you are in Sarasota. I am amazed at how many people do NOT know of this most precious gem representing the culture of this beautiful city. Do MOT mistake the John and Mable Ringling museum as a circus entity. The grounds are totally separate from the other main attractions at this location: those being a tour of the John and Mabel Ringling Mansion (another MUST visit if you have time), and the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum. I am dumbfound as to how many people have visited the beautiful city of Sarasota and have NO clue of that this most beautiful attraction exist. So, I hope that my review will convince you to go treat yourself that you experience this most amazing attraction!

This museum is very beautiful. The offer a lot of beautiful art to see. They also have the virus museum on the grounds which is amazing to see. The museum offers a great little cafe as well. My favorite part was viewing the Ringling mansion and the gardens. There is a surprise spooky find awaiting for you to find in the garden. The grounds are full of beautiful scenery. Be careful not to walk close to the edge of the walkway near the picnic tables on the way to the mansion. There is a gap between it and the grass and I stumbled and hurt my knee a bit. There is nice shading throughout the grounds. Great place for a family day or a class field trip. We enjoyed our visit. My parents got married in the Rose garden three years ago. It was neat to be able to see where.

It was worth my visit, but I wouldn't do it again. Basically what I would expect from a circus show man. Faux replica everything, a bit gaudy and not all that well crafted. The art museum collection is certainly nowhere near world class as some people have reviewed it to be. A lot of Italian Renaissance second and third tier painters. Lots of the same themes by their more famous counterparts, almost like they were copying them in order to sell their paintings. Don't expect any names of artists that you know unless you were an art history major. I enjoyed the East Asian collection though, and found it to have some interesting qualities. The museum Courtyard is total replica. And not all that finally built. For example all the ballast writing is concrete and all the walkways are concrete, no natural stone materials highly crafted. The house tour was interesting enough. But even though I paid for the extended tour, it felt like we only saw half of the home at best. Full access to the museums and the house with extended tour is a pretty expensive endeavor for most people. But, it takes a lot to maintain the collections in the buildings so I understand.

Astonishing, elegant, fascinating! For a very reasonable $25, a visitor has access to 3 excellent museums and the opulent grounds of the former estate of John and Mable Ringling. Two excellent cafes and fine restaurant provide nourishment. The history and culture provided in such the Magnificent setting is Shear Delight. Not only that, but there is a wonderful playground for the young ones who might get Restless touring the exhibitions. Consider planning your visit for Thursday, when the museum on the grounds are open to visitors until 8 p.m.

Absolutely beautiful art museum. The building itself and the grounds are well worth a visit. The artworks on the inside make it a must-see. Paintings and sculptures from the renaissance through to modern days are wide ranging and unique. The only drawback for our visit was the temporary exhibit "Aftermath" but that awful exhibit was made up for by everything else.