I created this list for some family visiting Anna Maria Island later this year. Much of this list is focused on Anna Maria Island and Bradenton, both of which are pretty close to Sarasota.
Attractions:
* Mote Marine Aquarium in Sarasota
https://mote.org/
* Save Our Seabirds. Educational displays featuring live birds that have been injured and treated, but are unable to be returned to the wild. Adjacent to Mote Aquarium.
https://www.saveourseabirds.org/
* St. Armands Circle in Sarasota. Lots of shopping and restaurants.
* South Florida Museum in Bradenton (contains a Florida history museum, Bishop Planetarium, and Parker Manatee Aquarium)
Home - South Florida Museum
* Ringling Museum in Sarasota
https://www.ringling.org
* Several places in the area to rent kayaks, go parasailing, and other water sports equipment.
* Robinson Preserve is a nice place to walk, and has a lookout tower to climb stars to see the area.
https://www.mymanatee.org/departmen.../parks__preserves___beaches/robinson_preserve
* General information about Manatee County:
https://www.mymanatee.org/departments/parks___natural_resources/parks__preserves___beaches/
If you are interested in concerts or community theater check out these venues:
* Van Wezel Auditorium in Sarasota
www.vanwezel.org
* Asolo Repertory Theater in Sarasota
www.asolorep.org
* Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota
https://www.floridastudiotheatre.org/
* Anna Maria Island Players in Anna Maria
https://www.theislandplayers.org/
* Manatee Performing Ars Center in Bradenton
http://www.manateeperformingartscenter.com/
* The Players Center for Performing Arts in Sarasota
https://www.theplayers.org/
Lots of things to do in St Petersburg/Tampa areas if you want to drive that far.
Restaurants (Reservations are recommended).
* The Columbia (on St. Armands Circle). Small Florida chain of Spanish cuisine. One of our favorite eateries. Be sure to get the 1905 Salad and sangria, both of which they make tableside.
Columbia Restaurant
The Columbia has another sort of nearby location on Sand Key, north of Sarasota and a bit south of Clearwater Beach. A few other locations sprinkled around Florida that are farther away.
* Lazy Lobster on Longboat Key
https://www.lazylobsteroflongboat.com
* The Feast Restaurant in Holmes Beach
http://thefeastrestaurantami.com/
* Sign of the Mermaid in Anna Maria
https://www.signofthemermaids.com/
* Blue Marlin Seafood Restaurant in Bradenton Beach. They have live music on their outside porch. The menu is small, so check it out before going there.
Blue Marlin Grill
* Euphemia Haye on Longboat Key
http://www.euphemiahaye.com/
* Manatee County Public Beach in Holmes Beach. You will pass this as you drive out to Anna Maria Island. Their snack bar is well know for all-you-can-eat pancakes for breakfast. Parking can be difficult here.
https://www.amibeachcafe.com/
* Pier 22 Restaurant in Bradenton
https://pier22dining.com
* Yoder's Restaurant and Amish Village (If you like this type of cuisine they are very popular.)
https://www.yodersrestaurant.com/
Lots of good restaurants around University Town Center Mall, University Boulevard and I-75.