The courtyard at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
Add the stunning Ringling Estate to your travel plans.
This treat for the senses includes the winter residence of John and Mable Ringling, the Cà d'Zan (House of John), two Circus Museums including the Tibbals Learning Center, a Museum of Art featuring European, American and Non-western works with an impressive array of Old Masters paintings, the Historic Asolo Theater with performances daily and 66 acres of historic grounds and gardens all on beautiful Sarasota Bay.
Visitors can stroll the magnificently restored rooms of Cà d'Zan, the palatial home of a Circus King. The dream home has a renewed spirit reflecting the Roaring Twenties and Mable Ringling herself.
Circus enthusiasts and children of all ages will rejoice in the Tibbals Learning Center. The whimsical building doubles the size of the Museum's exhibition of circus wonder with videos, interactive displays and the Howard Brothers Circus Model.
The model, built by one man over 50 years, will blow you away! While a miniature by definition, it is gigantic in proportion at 3,800 square feet. In exact detail, it features eight tents including the menagerie and Big Top, 152 wagons, 1,300 circus performers and workers, more than 800 animals and a 59-car train.
You'll learn how the circus found its footing in America through a comprehensive exhibit of the history from the Greeks and Romans all the way through today with Cirque Du Soleil and Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
Once you've enjoyed the miniature, be sure to check out the originals at the Circus Museum next door. There you will find restored wagons, sparkling costumes and a human canon all documenting the history of the Circus and its impact on our culture.
The Historic Asolo Theater offers a diverse roster of performances and programs including Dance, Film, Guest Speakers, Music and Theater. The beauty and intimacy of the theater is said to be worth the price of a ticket simply to be seated.
Tempt your taste buds by dining at the museum's very own fine dining restaurant, Treviso, either before or after the show.
The Museum of Art, built by John Ringling to house his personal collection of masterpieces, today features paintings and sculptures by the great Old Masters including Rubens, van Dyck, Velázquez, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, El Greco, Gainsborough and more.
Admission to the Ringling Museum of Art is $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, $10 for students 18 and over and children ages 6-17 and members of the military.
Admission is free for members and children younger than 6.
Call 941-359-5700 or visit www.ringling.org for more information.
