NCS crowns Sarasota America’s high city to visit in 2026.
Just in time for the July Fourth vacation weekend, Sarasota has been named the (*1*) by NCS.
As the United States marks its 250th birthday, NCS Travel launched its annual listing of America’s Best Towns to Visit on Wednesday, July 1, spotlighting 10 locations that it says usually fly below the radar.
“Our third annual list looks beyond some of American tourism’s heaviest hitters to find less-discovered communities or places whose unexpected histories and curiosities have been obscured by splashier attractions,” NCS Travel notes on its web site.
Sarasota ranked above locations akin to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (No. 4), Greenville, South Carolina (No. 3) and New Haven, Connecticut (No. 2).
NCS highlighted Sarasota’s mixture of arts, historical past and coastal magnificence, praising town’s cultural establishments, distinctive heritage and celebrated seashores.
“This Gulf Coast city goes all-in on artistic excellence with a cultural compound that grew from the fortunes of a circus magnate, and other visual and performing arts attractions,” reads the blurb on NCS’s website. “Circus lore and a population of Amish snowbirds add to this town’s intriguing history. Throw in rare gardens and beautiful beaches, and you have a sophisticated cultural getaway that delivers sun and surf, too.”
The “Best Towns in America” article hyperlinks to a full story by NCS about Sarasota titled “This coastal Florida town is world-class in more ways than one.” The eight-minute learn explores how Sarasota has advanced into one of many nation’s premier arts locations whereas retaining the seashores and waterfront way of life that appeal to guests from all over the world.
NCS famous Sarasota’s identification as Florida’s “Cultural Coast,” pointing to establishments akin to The Ringling museum and the outsized affect of circus magnate John Ringling on town’s creative improvement.
The piece additionally praises Sarasota’s theater, music, dance and visible arts choices, which native leaders evaluate to these present in a lot bigger metropolitan areas. Beyond tradition, NCS spotlights Sarasota’s walkable downtown, waterfront setting, botanical gardens, Gulf seashores and even the world’s Amish snowbird group, portraying town as a uncommon vacation spot the place world-class arts and a basic Florida seashore trip coexist.
For eating suggestions, NCS highlighted landmarks akin to Columbia Restaurant on St. Armands Circle, Ringside on the circus-themed Cirque St. Armands Beachside lodge overlooking Lido Beach, The Green Orchid at Marie Selby Gardens and Dry Dock Waterfront Grill on Longboat Key.
“Any visit to Longboat Key should include raising something cold to drink — perhaps a Hugo Spritz or mojito — and sampling a grouper sandwich or blackened grouper tacos at Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, where alfresco tables overlook Sarasota Bay (a playground for eco tours and dolphin cruises) and egrets stalk the breakwater,” NCS notes.
NCS mentioned it thought-about tons of of locations nationwide earlier than choosing its 10 standout towns.
NCS mentioned its listing was “based on factors including attractions, food and drink, arts and culture, local identity, accessibility, proximity to other notable destinations, and overall visitor experience,” in an electronic mail to the Herald-Tribune.
Wade Tatangelo is the chief editor of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and Florida eating and leisure editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, and X. He could be reached by electronic mail at [email protected]. Support native journalism by subscribing.