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John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art


TripAdvisor Traveler Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
TripAdvisor Popularity Index: #4 of 44 attractions in Sarasota
Traveler Description: Did you know you can visit the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art free of charge? This was a stipulation of John Ringling himself - that one day a... more »
Know about John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art? Share your expertise with other travelers. Add to this description now.
Attraction type: Art museum, Museum, Other
Address: 5401 Bay Shore Road Sarasota, FL 34243
Tel: 941-359-5700
Fax: 941-359-5745

Traveler Reviews

[ Date ] [ Rating ]
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4 of 5 stars
TexasTraveller56 37 contributions
Fort Worth, TX
Jul 10, 2009

If you grew up ever dreaming about becoming a circus performer, then this is a must-see kind of place. You pay one fee and get admission to all the below attractions on the grounds: 1) Miniature Circus - an entire building is dedicated to this incredible display. It took the guy 50 years to build and now includes 1500 performers,... more

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5 of 5 stars
IT-Expert 68 contributions
Albany, NY
Jun 22, 2009

Easy to follow floor plans. Interesting collection, albeit maybe heavy on the baroque era. Ringling loved Ruben [1577~1640]. Good basic explanations of the eras. The temporary exhibits, at this time on nude drawings, eden, and dangerous women, were all well done. Staff always explained everything to you as you wandered in and out of doors. The garden in the middle... more

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5 of 5 stars
anhellica1979 19 contributions
Winter Park, Florida
Jun 21, 2009

Lovely grounds! The museum was fantastic. All of the employees were very helpful. Lots of interesting history about the circus and the art was great. Good traveling exhibits, great value for your money!! Will go again in the spring or fall when it's not so hot and I can enjoy the gardens as well! more

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4 of 5 stars
BlushPell 96 contributions
Massachusetts
Dec 31, 2008

This is a very nice museum to visit. They have many works of art that are beautiful and wonderful to look at. Also showcased are circus items which are so different than the fine art that is also available for viewing. There is something for everyone here. It is an interesting way to spend an afternoon. The grounds themselves are... more

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5 of 5 stars
Weston66 37 contributions
St. Louis, MO
Dec 2, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

The Ringling Museum is actually comprised of several different features, as others have described just below; and you will have a tough time "doing it all" in one day. Our group of six arrived when it opened, and stayed most of the day, and never made it to the Art Museum, which we felt would be the most expendable part,... more

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4 of 5 stars
Bannatyne 11 contributions
Orlando Florida
Jul 1, 2008
1/1 found this review helpful

Just to add a bit to recent reviews....the Art Museum is free on Mondays. If you are inclined to read about the paintings as you wander, you can easily spend 4-5 hours in these vast galleries. Each room has a large story board about what is contained in that particular section, so it is best to find each one as... more

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4 of 5 stars
doowutchyalike 15 contributions
Fort Lauderdale
Jun 19, 2008

Can't say enough how much my wife and I enjoyed our visit to the Ringling Museum of Art - and we're not sophisticated art connoisseurs. There are actually 3 distinct sections to the property and each is unique and interesting in its own way. Circus museum & miniature circus - my personal favorite, the miniature circus was amazing in sheer... more

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5 of 5 stars
Mkspangenberg 30 contributions
Phoenix
Oct 21, 2007
2/2 found this review helpful

This is an amazing place to visit. It is 6600 acres of astonishing beauty. The compound has 2 circus museums, 1 art museum, a summer home (castle) and an Italian playhouse. The circus museum consists of 2 buildings; the original and a newer building. The newer building has a remarkable minature display of a typical circus set up/road trip of... more

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4 of 5 stars
FreyaB 11 contributions
WB/SCR, PA
Aug 24, 2007

We were at the Museum in July 2007. We had not been there since 2004 and couldn't believe the new buildings they use now, especially the one for the circus memorabillia. At first I was reluctant to go into that section, I thought it would be boring to see circus "stuff", but was I glad I did! The house the... more

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4 of 5 stars
2Travelers2go 153 contributions
DC Metro Area
Jun 27, 2007

We were very impressed by not only the holdings of the museum, but of the building(s) themselves. There is bound to be something for any art lover; and even architect afficianados. The courtyard is pretty and a nice place to stop and rest. If you time it right, you may not find the museum crowded at all. That in and... more

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John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art Address

5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota, FL 34243
Tel: 941-359-5700 Fax: 941-359-5745