The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Location :

5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, USA
Added by Jopie, at 23 April 2017

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• Anynomous

  24 December 2017

  It was worth my visit, but I wouldn't do it again. Basically what I would expect from a circus show man. Faux replica everything, a bit gaudy and not all that well crafted. The art museum collection is certainly nowhere near world class as some people have reviewed it to be. A lot of Italian Renaissance second and third tier painters. Lots of the same themes by their more famous counterparts, almost like they were copying them in order to sell their paintings. Don't expect any names of artists that you know unless you were an art history major. I enjoyed the East Asian collection though, and found it to have some interesting qualities. The museum Courtyard is total replica. And not all that finally built. For example all the ballast writing is concrete and all the walkways are concrete, no natural stone materials highly crafted. The house tour was interesting enough. But even though I paid for the extended tour, it felt like we only saw half of the home at best. Full access to the museums and the house with extended tour is a pretty expensive endeavor for most people. But, it takes a lot to maintain the collections in the buildings so I understand.

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• Anynomous

  16 December 2017

  If you really love art or circus history, totally worth it. For the rest of us, the miniature circus and interactive bits are good, but $25 per person is a steep price tag. Also, that price doesn't even include going into the house. I probably wouldn't recommend unless you're here for a long trip and have had enough beach time.

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• Anynomous

  15 December 2017

  If you have never been to an art museum, and you were dropped onto earth from outer space, this would be truly a memory that you would take back to your planet!
  
  This museum is so beautiful it defies words. From the architecture of the structure itself, to the palatial grounds, to the many, many beautiful sculptures.
  
  You will enjoy the most amazing display of art from history's most revered international, classic artists.
  
  This is a MUST stop if you are in Sarasota. I am amazed at how many people do NOT know of this most precious gem representing the culture of this beautiful city.
  
  Do MOT mistake the John and Mable Ringling museum as a circus entity. The grounds are totally separate from the other main attractions at this location: those being a tour of the John and Mabel Ringling Mansion (another MUST visit if you have time), and the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum.
  
  I am dumbfound as to how many people have visited the beautiful city of Sarasota and have NO clue of that this most beautiful attraction exist.
  
  So, I hope that my review will convince you to go treat yourself that you experience this most amazing attraction!

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• Anynomous

  22 November 2017

  This museum is very beautiful. The offer a lot of beautiful art to see. They also have the virus museum on the grounds which is amazing to see. The museum offers a great little cafe as well. My favorite part was viewing the Ringling mansion and the gardens. There is a surprise spooky find awaiting for you to find in the garden. The grounds are full of beautiful scenery. Be careful not to walk close to the edge of the walkway near the picnic tables on the way to the mansion. There is a gap between it and the grass and I stumbled and hurt my knee a bit. There is nice shading throughout the grounds. Great place for a family day or a class field trip. We enjoyed our visit. My parents got married in the Rose garden three years ago. It was neat to be able to see where.

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• Anynomous

  31 October 2017

  If you have never been to an art museum and you were dropped onto earth from outer space, this would be truly a memory that you would take back to your planet. This museum is so beautiful it defies words. From the Architecture of the structure itself, to the palatial grounds, the many, many beautiful sculptures, to the most amazing display of art from histories top international classic artist.... this is a MUST stop if you are in Sarasota. I am amazed at how many people do NOT know of this most precious gem of the culture of this beautiful city. Do not mistake this as a circus entity it is totally separate from the other main attractions at this location: the tour of the John and Mabel Ringling Mansion, and the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum.

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• Anynomous

  27 October 2017

  Astonishing, elegant, fascinating! For a very reasonable $25, a visitor has access to 3 excellent museums and the opulent grounds of the former estate of John and Mable Ringling. Two excellent cafes and fine restaurant provide nourishment. The history and culture provided in such the Magnificent setting is Shear Delight. Not only that, but there is a wonderful playground for the young ones who might get Restless touring the exhibitions. Consider planning your visit for Thursday, when the museum on the grounds are open to visitors until 8 p.m.

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• Anynomous

  01 October 2017

  A little pricey but worth the trip, it really is a step back in time. The museum is huge and the circus memorabilia was awesome. The tour of the house you really got the feel of the opulent days. So much detail in the building of the home much at Mables hands, too bad she didn’t get to enjoy it long. The grounds are amazing right on the water. So glad we went but took two days!

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• Anynomous

  09 September 2017

  Signs are old and faded so I was a little confused. Heard about more of a museum with more Ringling material but couldn't find it. Gift shop was fun with a lot of options. Good quiet and helpful staff. Outside areas were a great touch and a lot of fun. Really enjoyed it though I felt like I was lost a few times.

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• Anynomous

  31 July 2017

  Believe me when I say this state art museum of Florida is beautiful all around as this Sarasota gem is a must. John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art is beyond imagination with all that there is to see, right before your eyes. Courtyard is gorgeous, let alone all of the new and remodeled buildings surrounded by gardens, plants, statues, water, and more. Artwork is absolutely flawless; you would be one step ahead of being amazed.
  
  Outdoor park for children sits near the breathtaking garden. Trams are available and free.
  
  On Mondays, this perfect gem is completely free, as this complimentary gets you into basically all buildings, including a Tour of the Mansion. With the enchanting art and history, a circus is also present throughout this captivating property. Circus is popular but not what this treasure is all about.
  
  A few months back, I had a photo shoot here and was stopped by an employee upon my entrance, asking me to pay to shoot on their grounds, which was shocking. As for my previous shoot, I did not encounter anything like this. Nonetheless, I did not have to pay a fee of any kind after all.
  
  From the breathtaking views of the architecture, atmosphere, courtyard, grounds, park, sunset, tour, water, everything about this prize possession is out-of-this-world in every way possible.
  
  Get your cameras out to capture the best of what your eyes are in for at this stunning gold of beauty.

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• Anynomous

  30 June 2017

  So happy we came here while visiting Florida. The most beautiful museum I have ever been to. Totally worth every penny and on Monday's its FREE!

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• Anynomous

  24 June 2017

  So much to do here. Costume display, minitur set ups of the circus back in it's glory, posters and items collected. Great art museum walking distance. It had the Renaissance period paintings, ancient God painting and statues and 2 small modern sectioned rooms. Trust me it's a big place. The statues and in a big garden area.

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• Anynomous

  20 June 2017

  Went on a Monday when you don't have to pay to get on the grounds. You are allowed to walk the whole grounds and one museum bldg. Otherwise extremely expensive. You can spend a good part of your day there. Employees very friendly and knowledgeable. The have employees in golf carts driving around stopping to answer any questions and/or drive you to any place you want to go. Very pretty. A lot of shade and a small playground for kids to run around on.

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• Anynomous

  21 May 2017

  Used to be good, until they begin to charge for the house tour. You will pay $25 at the entrance plus $20 for the house guided tour. We have been there twice over last year, only needed to pay for the entrance ticket. The self guided tour of the house is free. But now they charge you $20 for the guided tour. Don't quite know the fee for self guided tour, but I'm pretty sure you have to pay additional to get the ticket. And you only have 3 time options for that, for example 10 am, 3 pm and 5 pm etc. a little bit disappointed.

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• Anynomous

  30 April 2017

  My favourite part was the enormous circus model. An fascinating view on a vanished world. The house was pretty cool too. I wished I had done a full tour instead of the self guided of just the main level.

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