THE

REGION

THE CULTURAL COAST & METRO AREAS

Lakewood Ranch is surrounded by metro areas with endless entertainment. Get lost in one of many museums, explore lush gardens, and catch a concert or dance performance. In the same day, you can lace up your sneakers for an afternoon at the aquarium and get all dressed up for an evening at the opera.
Located just east of the Sarasota coastline, Lakewood Ranch is on Florida’s “Cultural Coast,” surrounded by significant metro areas, including Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota. The region is rich in arts, culture, entertainment, shopping, dining, and world-class beaches. So, when you call The Ranch home, you can take full advantage of life on Florida’s Cultural Coast 24/7.

ARTS & CULTURE

Get lost in a museum, explore lush gardens, catch a concert or dance performance. Here, you can enjoy the aquarium and the opera in the same day!

Arts & Entertainment

  • Art Center Manatee
  • Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota
  • Manatee Arts Education Council
  • Ringling International Arts Festival
  • Sarasota Film Festival
  • Village of the Arts

ARTS & CULTURE

Theater & Performing Arts

  • Asolo Theater
  • Florida Studio Theater
  • Manatee Performing Arts Center
  • McCurdy’s Comedy Theater
  • Sarasota Ballet
  • Sarasota Contemporary Dance
  • Sarasota Opera
  • Sarasota Orchestra
  • The Sarasota Players
  • Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
  • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

ARTS & CULTURE

Museums & Attractions

  • Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum
  • Florida Maritime Museum
  • John and Mable Ringling Museum of Arts
  • Manatee County Agricultural Museum
  • Manatee Village Historical Park
  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
  • Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
  • Sarasota Arts Museum
  • Sarasota Classic Car Museum
  • The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

ARTS & CULTURE

Get lost in a museum, explore lush gardens, catch a concert or dance performance. Here, you can enjoy the aquarium and the opera in the same day!
Lakewood Ranch is surrounded by metro areas with endless entertainment. Get lost in one of many museums, explore lush gardens, and catch a concert or dance performance. In the same day, you can lace up your sneakers for an afternoon at the aquarium and get all dressed up for an evening at the opera.

Theater & Performing Arts

  • Asolo Theater
  • Florida Studio Theater
  • Manatee Performing Arts Center
  • McCurdy’s Comedy Theater
  • Sarasota Ballet
  • Sarasota Contemporary Dance
  • Sarasota Opera
  • Sarasota Orchestra
  • The Sarasota Players
  • Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
  • Westcoast Black Theatre Troupe

Museums & Attractions

  • Anna Maria Island Historical Society Museum
  • Florida Maritime Museum
  • John and Mable Ringling Museum of Arts
  • Manatee County Agricultural Museum
  • Manatee Village Historical Park
  • Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
  • Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium
  • Sarasota Arts Museum
  • Sarasota Classic Car Museum
  • The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature

Arts & Entertainment

  • Art Center Manatee
  • Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota
  • Manatee Arts Education Council
  • Ringling International Arts Festival
  • Sarasota Film Festival
  • Village of the Arts

SPORTS

When you live here and you’re a sports fan, you’re in luck. Root on every Tampa Bay pro team and catch MLB spring training every year.
When you live here and you’re a sports fan, you’re in luck (and in good company!). Hockey, soccer and football fans can grab tickets to Tampa Bay Lightning, Rowdies and Buccaneers games. And baseball fans have year-round excitement with our home-team, the Tampa Bay Rays, and during the pre-season with multiple MLB teams spring training right in our backyard. 

  • Tampa Bay Lightning
  • Pittsburgh Pirates Spring Training
  • Baltimore Orioles Spring Training
  • New York Yankees Spring Training
  • Tampa Bay Rays
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers
  • Tampa Bay Rowdies

BEACHES

Just a short drive from Lakewood Ranch awaits the powder-soft sands and bright blue waters of the Gulf Coast.
Just a short drive from Lakewood Ranch awaits the powder-soft sands and bright blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The Sarasota coastline attracts travelers from near and far to relax on the warm beaches. Sarasota waterways and the Gulf coast are ideal for paddleboarding, parasailing, boating and fishing. Take a day to enjoy the nationally-ranked Siesta Key or our other barrier islands.

  • Anna Maria Island
  • Bradenton Beach
  • Longboat Key
  • Lido Key
  • Siesta Key

PARKS & RECREATION

Sarasota and Manatee counties are full of county parks for exploring the area and enjoy nature and the great outdoors.
Sarasota and Manatee counties are full of opportunities to explore the area and enjoy the outdoors. County parks and preserves provide great places to hike, bike, birdwatch and picnic while canals and waterways are great for fishing, paddleboarding or kayaking. There’s something for everyone at every age to enjoy.

  • City of Bradenton Parks
  • Florida State Parks
  • Manatee County Parks
  • Sarasota City Parks
  • Sarasota County Parks

AIRPORTS

Lakewood Ranch residents have easy access to several airports located in Fort Myers, Sarasota, Tampa and Clearwater.
Lakewood Ranch residents have easy access to several airports located in Sarasota, Fort Myers, Tampa and Clearwater, which provide multiple travel options to help you reach your destination including both domestic and international nonstop flights.

  • Tampa International Airport
  • St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport
  • Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
  • Southwest Florida International Airport

UTC DISTRICT

West of I-75, just outside Lakewood Ranch, you’ll find the region’s largest hub for shopping, dining, services and attractions. University Town Center, UTC for short, is made up of over 300 businesses located throughout the Mall at UTC and in adjacent shopping districts. You’ll find national shops like Apple, Trader Joes, Saks Fifth Avenue and Orange Theory alongside homegrown favorites and family-friendly events.
West of I-75, just outside Lakewood Ranch, you’ll find the region’s largest hub for shopping, dining, services and attractions. University Town Center, UTC for short, is made up of over 300 businesses located throughout the Mall at UTC and in adjacent shopping districts. You’ll find national shops like Apple, Trader Joes, Saks Fifth Avenue and Orange Theory alongside homegrown favorites and family-friendly events.