Sarasota County Named #1 on CNN’s 2026 America’s Best Towns to Visit

SARASOTA, Fla. – (July 1, 2026) – Ahead of America’s 250th birthday, the country has a new No. 1, and our locals are lucky to call it home: Sarasota County has been named CNN Travel's #1 Best Town to Visit in America for 2026. The accolade’s accompanying article and video explores our community’s circus heritage, cultural institutions, award-winning beaches, culinary scene, and outdoor experiences, positioning Sarasota as a place that offers sophistication and authenticity.

Perspectives and photos from local businesses—including the Arts & Cultural Alliance of Sarasota County, The Ringling, Circus Arts Conservatory, Discover Sarasota Tours, MOTE, and Ocean Properties, among many others—are featured prominently to illustrate the partnerships that make Sarasota County a tourism powerhouse not just in the Sunshine State but across the nation.

“There’s much to write home about Sarasota County, and this recognition does a masterful job of capturing the many facets that make our area appealing to vacationers, groups, and future residents alike,” said Erin Duggan, President and CEO of Visit Sarasota County (VSC), the area’s tourism bureau. “However, national recognitions like these do not just fall into our laps. Sustained, strategic marketing and outreach—powered by Tourist Development Tax, paid exclusively by visitors—beats resting on our laurels any day.”

Earlier this year, as part of VSC’s ongoing communication with CNN Travel, the bureau’s domestic PR firm, Lou Hammond Group (LHG), proactively pitched Sarasota County’s evolving story and exceptional visitor experience. Following the area’s selection, VSC and LHG worked closely with freelance travel journalist Terry Ward to coordinate her May visit, helping facilitate local interviews, experiences, and on-the-ground storytelling that ultimately brought this feature to life.

CNN’s third annual list was curated by reader and staff nominations, which were then narrowed down to ten based on a collection of tourism essentials: attractions, dining and cultural scenes, diversity, a sense of identity, and what the outlet describes as the “wow factor.” Sarasota County joins New Haven, Connecticut, and Greenville, S.C., in the top three.

To view Sarasota County’s No.1 feature and the full list, visit https://www.cnn.com/travel/sarasota-florida-best-towns-america-2026

About Visit Sarasota County
Visit Sarasota County (VSC) is the official tourism marketing entity and primary provider of visitor information for Sarasota County where tourism is the top industry. Through programs and partnerships, VSC makes Sarasota County a better place by promoting our community on the world stage. These efforts bring together over 450 partners to keep visitors coming, local businesses open and residents employed all year. VSC is accredited by the Destination Marketing Accreditation Program, a program of the Destination Management Association International (DMAI). To learn more, visit www.visitsarasota.com.

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