Sarasota topped CNN Travel’s 10-town list of America’s best places to visit in 2026, released ahead of the July Fourth holiday as the U.S. approaches its 250th birthday.
CNN said it weighed hundreds of destinations and chose towns that often fly under the radar, scoring them on attractions, food and drink, arts and culture, local identity, accessibility and overall visitor experience.
No. 2 New Haven, No. 3 Greenville and No. 4 Bethlehem finished behind Sarasota, which CNN praised for combining Gulf Coast beaches with a dense arts scene, circus heritage and walkable waterfront downtown.
CNN’s accompanying feature cast Sarasota as Florida’s “Cultural Coast,” citing The Ringling, theater, music, dance, botanical gardens, Longboat Key and the Amish snowbird community in Pinecraft as part of its appeal.