Architecture Tour

Buildings, People & Periods!

Sarasota is home to an amazing architectural legacy. On this 90-minute air-conditioned tour, led by guide Ed Simays, guests will visit some outstanding examples of architecture and design, with tours featuring three of the city’s distinctive styles: Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco, and Mediterranean Revival.

Visit historic neighborhoods and explore the Sarasota School of Architecture, structures and architects, periods, styles, and history of significant buildings.

These tours run in our comfortable air-conditioned high-top van so that we are able to get down some of the narrower streets in Burns Court and other downtown neighborhoods.

ALL guests must be 10+. No children under 10 allowed except on family tours designed for children—The BooMobile and Christmas Carol Trolley. Every guest must have a paid ticket in order to board.

Tour ticket includes FREE Parking!

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THE REVIEWS ARE IN!

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Superb tour
This tour was simply amazing! Tour guide Ed was a dynamic fountain of knowledge, bringing to life the buildings that best epitomize the evolution of Sarasota-area architecture. Has inspired me to learn more about the architectural styles–Mid-Century Modern, Art Deco, and Mediterranean Revival–and their cultural and historical contexts. And what a boost this tour was to civic pride for this newcomer! The driver Ed was also excellent. Thoroughly recommend to visitors and residents alike.  — 75shelleyr

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Excellent Tour of Sarasota Architecture
Our guide, Ed, was excellent and knowledgeable about the A group from the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Ringling College of Art and Design took a tour this morning. The van seats only 9 passengers, so it was a small group which made it ideal to hear the guide and ask questions. various styles of architecture in different neighborhoods in Sarasota. The tour went downtown, then later on Bayshore Drive where there are beautiful examples of Art Deco, Spanish and Mediterranean revival and New College where many buildings were designed by I.M. Pei. Along with James, the terrific driver, Ed provided us with an educational and informative tour. I recommend it to visitors as well as residents, like our group, who came away with a new appreciation of our beautiful area. — july4writer

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Stunning Sarasota Architecture
Ed did a fantastic job of providing background information on this tour! I especially enjoyed his commentary on Sarasota’s importance to the mid-century modern architecture movement in the US. Using the info he provided (I took notes), I spent the next several days revisiting sites on this tour, as well as visiting other sites he mentioned or that I discovered with further research. If you love architecture, city planning, or Sarasota—take this tour!— Michael G.