History buffs and art connoisseurs, nature enthusiasts and just plain fun-lovers will delight in the bounty of Sarasota's historic sites and time-tested attractions. Here are some suggestions for hitting the highlights on and around our sunny shores.

Day One: Bayfront Beauties
A most

Mote Aquarium photo by William S. Speer

appropriate beginning is the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, at University Parkway and Bay Shore Road, just west of Tamiami Trail. Nestled amid majestic Banyan trees and perched on tranquil Sarasota Bay, the Ringling complex not only houses a world-class art museum, but also Cà d'Zan, a 20th century mansion. Also on the premises is The Circus Museum, where the exploits of Emmett Kelly and the Flying Wallendas, among others, are preserved for posterity; the Tibbals Learning Center, which contains a 3,800-sq.-ft. miniature circus and a circus poster display; and the Historic Asolo Theater.

Head next to the Sarasota Garden Club, nestled in downtown Sarasota just off U.S. 41, which delights with large hibiscus and bromeliad gardens and a butterfly garden, planted to appeal to a large variety of butterflies and hummingbirds. Its central garden has recently been renamed " Falling Water Patio Garden."

Deciding on lunch will depend on your mood - choices range from an honest-to-goodness '50s diner to the glitzy Vernona Restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota. For the "best cheeseburger in paradise," pull into the Hob Nob on 17th Street and Highway 301. This fun and funky Sarasota institution has been dishing out delicious burgers since 1957.

Alternately, stay on 41 to experience the heart of Sarasota's cultural district.

Selby Gardens photo by Vern Sawyer

Charming Main Street and Palm Avenue spill over with world-renowned art galleries and eclectic restaurants.

Head south along Sarasota's downtown waterfront to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a tropical oasis boasting 20,000 colorful plants - including a living collection of more than 6,000 orchids, and stunning water views.

Day Two: Where the Wild Things Are
Start with a safari at Sarasota Jungle Gardens, just off North Tamiami Trail on Bayshore Boulevard. Sarasota's oldest attraction, it boasts 70 species of animals, birds and reptiles, as well as thousands of exotic and native plants.

Travel across John Ringling Causeway to your next destination, and brace yourself for breathtaking views of sailboats gliding across the crystal blue-green waters. The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is St. Armands Circle, a picturesque, historic site internationally known for its designer boutiques and mélange of restaurants. Lido Key's sandy Gulf shores are only steps away.

Next, head north to visit Mote Aquarium... home to sharks, manatees, sea turtles and other marine life.

Scenic Longboat Key lies ahead, a barrier island brimming with manicured tropical beauty. Choose among the many restaurants here, such as the Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, which overlooks Sarasota Bay.

Day Three: A Window to the Past
Start your day with a tour of Historic Spanish Point in Osprey, where more than 4,000 years of Southwest Florida history come alive through fascinating exhibitions. Have lunch at Spanish Point Marina, which offers casual fare with a generous side of spectacular water views.

Next stop: Venice. Keep the water in sight as you watch boats navigate the Venice Jetties on the Intracoastal Waterway while lunching on Grouper "Key Largo" at the Crow's Nest Restaurant in Venice.

Beachcombers will find Venice Beach laden with sharks' teeth. Saunter down Venice Avenue for other treasures; it's lined with enchanting shops and cafés. Don't miss the renovated Venice Train Depot... the distinctive 1927 Mediterranean building and grounds are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Celebrate another glorious sunset at Pop's Sunset Grill in Nokomis, where you can sup on fish and chips, a reuben or shrimp scampi as the fiery sun slips into the Gulf.

The Big Picture
Other areas of interest include The Towles Court Arts District (www.towlescourt.com), an artists' colony of 1920s bungalows-turned-studios; Powel Crosley Museum (www.crosleymuseum.com) , the restored 1929 palatial estate of the wireless radio pioneer; and the Sarasota Opera House (www.sarasotaopera.org), a historic Mediterranean Revival Theatre.