The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, known as The Ringling, is a museum campus in Sarasota with art, circus history, a historic mansion and gardens. You can plan a visit around the venues that interest you, keeping in mind that some admission and access details vary by venue.
- The campus covers 66 acres.
- Its venues include the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan and Bayfront Gardens.
- Regular hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; check the official site before you go.
What is included at The Ringling?
The Ringling brings together several museums and outdoor spaces on one 66-acre campus. You can combine a visit to the Museum of Art with the Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan mansion and Bayfront Gardens; allow time for moving among the separate venues and grounds.
The campus map also identifies the Tibbals Learning Center, Historic Asolo Theater and McKay Visitors Pavilion. Outdoor features include Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden, the Dwarf Garden, the Secret Garden and Ringling burial site, and the Millennium Tree Trail.
What can you see at the Museum of Art?
The Museum of Art is one of the main venues at The Ringling, alongside the Circus Museum and Ca’ d’Zan. Its galleries are part of the wider campus experience, so you can pair an indoor visit with time in the historic grounds and gardens.
Food and drink are not allowed in the galleries. Souvenir photography is permitted in venues except where restrictions are posted; flash photography, selfie sticks, tripods and lighting equipment are prohibited. Video and audio recording are not permitted on guided tours.
What are Ca’ d’Zan and the historic grounds?
Ca’ d’Zan is the Ringlings’ historic mansion, and it sits within the same campus as the Museum of Art, Circus Museum and Bayfront Gardens. The estate map marks the mansion and the outdoor features, giving you a way to plan time between indoor venues and the grounds.
Ca’ d’Zan tours are reserved with general admission in the Museum of Art lobby or by calling Advance Tickets. Reservations for mansion tours, education programs and special events are strongly recommended.
What should you know about tickets, hours and access?
General admission has been described as including the Museum of Art, Ca’ d’Zan, Circus Museum, historic grounds and gardens, with possible supplemental fees for special exhibitions and events. Admission to Ca’ d’Zan and the Circus Museum is not included with free Museum of Art admission on Mondays.
Discounted admission is offered for the Museum of Art and Bayfront Gardens only. The campus closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. Hours, admission and tour arrangements can change, so check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Thursday: 10 AM–8 PM
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
A limited number of wheelchairs are available at each venue, and courtesy carts can be requested from a Museum Attendant. Family restrooms are located in the Visitors Pavilion, Tibbals Learning Center, Ca’ d’Zan and Museum of Art. The Circus Museum Historic Galleries do not have wheelchair-accessible restrooms.
How do you get to The Ringling from the motel area?
The Museum of Art is about a four-minute drive from Deluxe Inn, which offers rooms for a Ringling visit. Parking and the main entrance are along Bay Shore Road.
Once you arrive, use the campus map to orient yourself among the venues and gardens. If you plan to visit several parts of the estate, consider the venue-specific access details before setting out across the grounds.
FAQs
What does The Ringling include?
The campus includes the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan mansion and Bayfront Gardens, as well as historic grounds and other estate features.
Is The Ringling open on Thursdays?
Open daily. Yes. Discounted admission is offered for the Museum of Art and Bayfront Gardens.
Can you visit Ca’ d’Zan with general admission?
General admission has been described as including Ca’ d’Zan, but mansion tours are reserved separately with general admission in the Museum of Art lobby or by calling Advance Tickets. Reservations are strongly recommended.