Today InSarasota
Issue 3Tuesday, June 2, 20262 min read

Siesta Beach sweeps three U.S. News & World Report top rankings

The county beach swept top honors in Florida and national rankings.

01Lead story

Siesta Beach sweeps three U.S. News & World Report top rankings

The barrier-island beach earned No. 1 in Florida beaches, Florida destinations, and national beaches.

Siesta Beach claimed the top spot in three categories in the latest U.S. News & World Report Best Vacations rankings: Best Beaches in Florida, Best Places to Visit in Florida, and Best U.S. Beaches. The county-run beach on Siesta Key is known for its fine quartz sand and wide shoreline. Sarasota County Parks lists the beach as a destination park with public facilities including pavilions, a concession area, and accessible beach paths. The 2026 Summer Camp Guide is also now available through the county parks system for families planning the season ahead.

02Around town

Florida Studio Theatre opens a folk-music revue tonight

Leaving on a Jet Plane runs through mid-July downtown.

Florida Studio Theatre's Leaving on a Jet Plane: A Folk Journey opens tonight and runs through July 12. The production is a summer cabaret revue built around folk standards, with showtimes and tickets through the theater's downtown Sarasota box office.

03Around town

Art, Actually Speaker Series at Art Center Sarasota

The Tuesday talk is part of the center's ongoing programming.

Art Center Sarasota hosts its Art, Actually Speaker Series on Tuesday, June 3. The center runs the series as part of its regular public programming around local artists, cultural leaders, and creative work.

04City Hall

SRQ Con returns to Selby Library on Saturday

The annual pop-culture convention is free at the downtown branch.

SRQ Con 2026 takes over Selby Library on Saturday, June 6, starting at 11 a.m. The annual pop-culture convention is hosted by Sarasota County Libraries.

05City Hall

Guitar and Amp Show at Robarts Arena this weekend

A three-day market for gear collectors opens Thursday.

The Sarasota Guitar and Amp Show opens Thursday, June 5, at 10 a.m. at Robarts Arena on the Sarasota Fairgrounds. The three-day event is listed through the fairgrounds calendar.

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