
Circus Secrets of Sarasota
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.9/5
Based on 79 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Circus Secrets of Sarasota worth booking?
Circus Secrets of Sarasota is a 1.5-hour experience in Sarasota, United States, from $86 per person. It scores 76 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.9/5 rating across 79 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 76 / 100
- Rating
- 4.9/5 (79)
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- From
- $86 per person
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
What you get
About this experience
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!
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- In-vehicle air conditioning
What you'll see and do
St. Armands Circle
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 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
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Sarasota
Off Fruitville, behind the Breakfast House
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Off Fruitville, behind the Breakfast House
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 4 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Discover Sarasota Tours
Know before you go
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Guests must be 10+; no children under 10 allowed except on our family tours designed for children. Every guest must have a paid ticket in order to board.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 79 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
79 verified traveler reviews for Circus Secrets of Sarasota. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Circus secrets revealed!
Booking on line was easy…checking in either Susan felt like a concierge experience. Tour guide Bob not only knew his stuff, but his photos and stories brought the circus to life!
Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed the whole experience!
via Tripadvisor
Sarasota city tour.
Fun and interesting, Pat is an entertaining and informative guide, this tour exceeded my expectations!
via Tripadvisor
Entertaining and Interesting Tour
Our guide, Bob, was very knowledgeable about the history of the Ringling family and the Circus. We saw many interesting sites connected to the Circus and he explained how the Ringlings helped to develop Sarasota in the early 1900's
via Tripadvisor
Circus Secrets Tour
The tour was very interesting and a lot of insight into the history of the Sarasota circus The tour guide was very interactive with the tourists and shared his experiences being involved in the Circus.
via Viator
Great way to explore beautiful Sarasota
Discover Sarasota Tours offers several great options for exploring beautiful Sarasota and its history, including the importance of the circus to the city's development. For all of the company's tour options, the guides are engaging and knowledgeable, the drivers are skilled, and all of the staff are friendly and helpful. I'm looking forward to trying the Amish experience next.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1.5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 28
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 76
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Circus Secrets of Sarasota: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Sarasota.
How much does Circus Secrets of Sarasota cost?
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Prices start at $86 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Sarasota usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Circus Secrets of Sarasota take?
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Plan for about 1.5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Sarasota is not rushed.
Is Circus Secrets of Sarasota worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 76 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.9/5 across 79 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Sarasota, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Circus Secrets of Sarasota?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Circus Secrets of Sarasota suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Circus Secrets of Sarasota?
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Around 28 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Sarasota can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Sarasota and add a light layer if any part of the 1.5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Circus Secrets of Sarasota start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Sarasota within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Sarasota?
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Sarasota runs dolphin and manatee boat tours out of Sarasota Bay, kayak trips through Lido Key mangroves, Siesta Key beach days and visits to the Ringling estate. On Outty we rank every Sarasota experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Sarasota Guided Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Tour, Sarasota Mangrove Tunnel Guided Kayak Adventure, Manatee Discovery Anna Maria Island. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Sarasota?
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November to April for dry weather and calm bay water. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Sarasota?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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