Sarasota Circus City Tour with Historian Bob

Discover Circus City USA’s secret places and charming stories on this unforgettable tour! It is a tour of the circus history in Sarasota and provides a wonderful historical perspective of the impact the circus has had in our area.
Stop by circus landmarks with your engaging tour guide, Bob Collins (former marketing executive for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus), who tells stories about the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home.

Meander through historic neighborhoods such as Indian Beach, Payne Park, and Downtown’s Main Street to learn about the rich history of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, which moved its Winter Quarters to Sarasota in 1927.

Explore several remaining sites intimately involved in Sarasota’s circus history including John Ringling’s private rail car “Jomar,” the Little People’s Houses and many more circus “secrets” hidden in plain sight!

This 90-minute tour is a fun-filled adventure in Circus City USA!

Meeting Point

1826 4th St

1826 4th St, Sarasota, FL 34236, USA

Off Fruitville, behind the Breakfast House

What to expect:

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes

St. Armands Circle

300 Madison Dr, Suite 201, Sarasota, 34236-1300, Florida

Learn about the Circus Side of Sarasota with tour guide Bob Collins, by visiting key city landmarks and hearing stories of the colorful cast of circus characters, showmen, and performers who called Sarasota home.

Pass by without stopping

Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores

Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores, Sarasota, FL, USA

Indian Beach/Sapphire Shores is a leafy bayside area home to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, which showcases the global collection of the former circus magnate, as well as circus memorabilia. Adjacent Ca’ d’Zan is the couple’s opulent Venetian-style estate, built in the 1920s.

Pass by without stopping