The Ringling Legacy Tour
Tours begin Feb 1, 2025
Discover the remarkable life and legacy of circus impresario and art collectors John and Mable Ringling. From humble origins, John Ringling and four of his brothers started a circus and the rest is history! This is a journey from John’s first year running a circus to the lasting cultural impact he and his wife Mable left behind in Sarasota, Florida.
Beginning in the Historic Circus Galleries and ending in the Museum of Art, this tour is 60-75 minutes long. It takes place indoors and outdoors, and is subject to weather conditions. Please note: participants must walk and stand throughout the entire tour.
This ticket includes entry into the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens.
$25 + Museum Admission | $15 for Members
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Bayfront Gardens Tour
Nov 8, 2024-Apr 28, 2025
This small group guided walking tour introduces you to interesting botanical specimens, while providing a historic overview of the development of the estate.
The tour is 90 minutes long and takes place entirely outdoors. Participants are encouraged to bring bottled water, and wear appropriate footwear, and sun protection. The tour is subject to weather conditions and your ticket includes access to the Bayfront Gardens for the rest of the day.
Price: $15 / $10 for Members
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Museum of Art Tour
Get acquainted with The Ringling’s art collection on these engaging 40-minute tours. Led by volunteer guides, each tour is different and may include artwork from the Original 21 Galleries, Searing Galleries, Monda Gallery, or Chao Center for Asian Art.
This guided tour is free with Museum Admission. The tour is offered Tuesday through Sunday at 12:00 PM, 1:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. All tours are contingent upon volunteer guide availability. Meet in the museum lobby to participate. Space is limited.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
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Slow Looking Tour
Did you know that the average museum visitor only spends 15 to 30 seconds looking at each artwork? We invite you to slow down and experience in-depth engagement with just a few works of art. These special tours, appropriate for all levels of art enthusiasts, are designed to give you the time and space to discover new insights through close and careful looking.
This guided tour is free with Museum Admission and is offered on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at 1:00 PM. Tours are contingent upon volunteer guide availability. Meet in the museum lobby to participate. Space is limited.
Please note: There will not be a tour offered on December 26, 2024. Beginning in January 2025, Slow Looking Tours will be at 1:00 PM.
Price: Free with Museum Admission
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Private Tours
Led by our trained volunteer guides, private tours are available for an additional $200 fee. Each private tour group can accommodate a maximum of 20 guests.
Museum of Art Tours: Available every day of the week except Mondays.
Bayfront Gardens Tours: Available seasonally, November – April. This tour is 90 minutes long, takes place entirely outdoors and is subject to weather conditions.
Ca’ d’Zan Tours: Private tour experiences in Ca’ d’Zan can be arranged on a very limited basis and require significant advance notice.
Group Size
- Private tours are available for 1-20 guests per tour.
- If your group has more than 20 persons you may book multiple tours to accommodate your entire group.
Fees
- A $200 fee is required per tour. This $200 fee is in addition to all regular Museum Admission costs.
- The $200 fee is non-refundable and due at least two weeks prior to the scheduled tour date.
Book Your Tour
- Private tours must be booked at least three weeks prior to the scheduled tour date; Ca’ d’Zan tours may require a significantly longer lead time..
- To schedule your private tour, or for additional information, please contact [email protected].
- Please note that tours are subject to guide availability and are not confirmed until you have received communication verifying your date and time from museum staff.
⬇️Ca’ d’Zan tours are currently unavailable while recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton continues. ⬇️
Welcome to Ca’ d’Zan Tour
+ Museum Admission
Please note: The Welcome to Ca ‘d’Zan Tour is temporarily unavailable. Regular Museum Admission is available here.
Discover the history and legacy of this magnificent bayfront mansion and its famous residents, John and Mable Ringling. You will visit the spaces where the Ringlings entertained and get an up-close look at the striking design elements of their Mediterranean Revival-style home. This tour includes the entire first floor, plus John and Mable’s bedrooms and a guest room on the second floor.
The tour is 40 minutes long and participants must climb multiple stairs and stand throughout the tour. There is no seating, or an elevator available.
This ticket also includes Museum Admission, providing entry into the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, and Bayfront Gardens.
Price: $60 | $25 for Members
Ca’ d’Zan Experience
Please note: The Ca’ d’Zan Experience Tour is temporarily unavailable. Museum Admission is available here.
This engaging guided tour explores all five floors of Ca’ d’Zan and culminates with the panoramic views atop the Belvedere Tower. Get an up-close look at the design elements of this Mediterranean Revival-style mansion and learn more about its famous residents, John and Mable Ringling.
This small group tour is offered daily and limited to 8 participants. The tour is 70 minutes long and participants must climb over 85 steps. There is no elevator or seating available. Belvedere Tower access is weather permitting. This ticket includes the guided tour of Ca’ d’Zan—and access to the Bayfront Gardens.
Price: $60 | $25 for Members
