The Ringling
A circus magnate's Sarasota estate holding a Rubens gallery, a Venetian Gothic mansion and a miniature circus.
Updated 30 August 2026
John Ringling made his money in the circus and spent a great deal of it on art, buying seriously in the 1920s when European collections were breaking up - the museum he built in 1931 holds Old Masters including five large Rubens cartoons made for a tapestry cycle, hung together in one gallery. Ca' d'Zan, the winter house he and Mable built in 1926, is Venetian Gothic on the bay with a terrace of coloured marble. The circus museum holds wagons, posters and the Howard Bros. Circus - a miniature reproduction of a travelling circus at three-quarter-inch scale, with over forty-two thousand pieces, built by one man over decades. The estate passed to the state on Ringling's death in 1936.
The main sights
- Five large Rubens cartoons - hung together in one gallery.
- Ca' d'Zan - the 1926 Venetian Gothic house on the bay.
- The Howard Bros. miniature circus - over 42,000 pieces at scale.
- Circus wagons and posters - in the dedicated museum.
When to go
October to May. A full day.
Things to know
The estate is large - art museum, mansion, circus museum and grounds are separate stops. The mansion tour costs extra and books out. Summer is hot and wet. One ticket does not cover everything.
Nearby
Sarasota Bay is at the edge; Siesta Key is south.
What to pack for The Ringling
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
- Comfortable walking shoes - Sightseeing means kilometres of pavement and cobbles daily. Find on Amazon
- A slim anti-theft daypack - Zips that close properly; keep it in front in crowds and on transit. Find on Amazon
- A refillable water bottle - Many cities have public fountains; save money and plastic. Find on Amazon
- A light layer + compact umbrella - For museum air-con and a sudden shower. Find on Amazon
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Where to start if The Ringling is going on the list.
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Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
