Plan Your Visit
When are you open?
The Whimsy Museum ® & Lee Family Gardens
Will Reopen Saturday, November, 30 2024!!!and then be open Thursday, Friday, And Saturday From 1-4 PMThrough May 24, 2025
The Whimsy Museum ® & Lee Family Gardens
Will Reopen Saturday, November, 30 2024!!!and then be open Thursday, Friday, And Saturday From 1-4 PMThrough May 24, 2025
* FACE MASKS ARE NOW OPTIONAL-THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL CHOICE. PLEASE BE KIND. SOME PEOPLE MAY NEED TO WEAR A MASK TO PROTECT THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILY.
Do you have an Admission? We have a Suggested Donation of $10.00 per person, per visit Children under 12 - free Currently we accept Cash, Checks, and donations via PayPal.
When do you close? We close for the summer and early fall
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We also close for major holidays (Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve, New Years Day, Good Friday, Easter) and, for really bad weather...Hurricanes, High Winds, Flooding, Wind Shear, Tornadoes, and coconuts falling from the trees.
What is your photography policy?
Visitors are welcome to take pictures in the Collection galleries without a flash and only with a cell phone. Tripods, monopods, selfie sticks, and the use of a flash are not permitted. This includes: No selling, reproducing, publishing, distributing or transferring any photography or videos even if it is for "Personal use" Why cell phones only ? Why are you so strict about other cameras?
1. Most of the artwork you see here is made by Living Professional Artists who make their living by selling their artwork. 2. We are trying to help protect their copyright. (Some of their images have already been stolen, reproduced, and sold.)3. The museum is actually very small, other people might bump into you or you might bump into them.4. When you go out to dinner tonight with your friends, you probably will not bring your big camera, but we hope that you will share your cell phone images with your friends. Can I bring in Food or drinks? Water only. We do provide fruited water.
No Smoking or Vaping on the grounds, gardens, parking lots, the buildings or the bathrooms.
We have many wonderful restaurants. Here is a listing of 6 nearby restaurants by alphabet: Anna Maria Oyster Bar Landside 6906 14th St W., Bradenton, FL 34207 941-758-7880Captain Brian's 8421 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34243 941-351-4492Marina Jack's 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-365-4232 The Reserve Retreat 1322 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-253-6003Toasted Mango 430 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-388-7728Wicked Cantina 1603 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34236 941-706-2395
Can I bring my dog?
No. We all love dogs, BUT please Do Not bring yours! No animals or dogs allowed in carriers, handbags, backpacks, strollers or in a Visitor's arms or on their neck.
We do allow Trained Service Animals as permitted by the Federal Americans with Disabilities law and Florida Law that are trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. By law, we are allowed to ask what service the animal is trained to do. If the Visitor refuses to answer these questions, then it can be assumed that the animal is NOT a trained service animal and the animal must leave. A Trained Service Animal is not a pet. The trained service animal must be be on the ground, with a leash and under direct control of the Visitor with the Disability at all times.If the animal is out of control, growling, snapping, biting, or unable to control it's bodily functions, then the Visitor will be asked to remove the animal. The Visitor will be allowed back in, but not the animal.
We do allow Trained Service Animals as permitted by the Federal Americans with Disabilities law and Florida Law that are trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. By law, we are allowed to ask what service the animal is trained to do. If the Visitor refuses to answer these questions, then it can be assumed that the animal is NOT a trained service animal and the animal must leave. A Trained Service Animal is not a pet. The trained service animal must be be on the ground, with a leash and under direct control of the Visitor with the Disability at all times.If the animal is out of control, growling, snapping, biting, or unable to control it's bodily functions, then the Visitor will be asked to remove the animal. The Visitor will be allowed back in, but not the animal.
Other Animal Notes We share this property with the local wildlife such as racoons, possum, black snakes, lizards, and mosquitos. Please let us know if you should find some racoon poo, try not to step in it, and notify a volunteer. Please try not to terrorize the black snakes...they keep our rat population under control and we only have one black snake at present that we are aware of. PS We are all volunteers!
No Smoking anything legal or illegal. Including no e-cigarettes or vaping in the museum or on the grounds...including entryways, gardens, and parking lots or the bathrooms.
Visiting Groups...Self Guided Visiting Groups
The Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy is pleased to welcome self guided groups to tour the Museum Buildings & Gardens on your own during our regular open hours: Thurs., Fri., and Sat. 1-4pm Our trained volunteers will be happy to provide you with more information about our Artwork, Founder and Museum! Tour Groups On occasion, we do offer a tour -talk during normal open hours. Please call to make arrangements.
Are you ADA accessible? Yes. We are ADA accessible. We are fully wheelchair accessible. Please bring yours. We have Very Few Steps.
PS We only have one wheelchair available for emergencies and on a first come, first serve, basis.
The Marietta Museum of Art & Whimsy is pleased to welcome self guided groups to tour the Museum Buildings & Gardens on your own during our regular open hours: Thurs., Fri., and Sat. 1-4pm Our trained volunteers will be happy to provide you with more information about our Artwork, Founder and Museum! Tour Groups On occasion, we do offer a tour -talk during normal open hours. Please call to make arrangements.
Are you ADA accessible? Yes. We are ADA accessible. We are fully wheelchair accessible. Please bring yours. We have Very Few Steps.
PS We only have one wheelchair available for emergencies and on a first come, first serve, basis.
Directions & Map to Whimsy Museum
The Marietta Musem of Art & Whimsy is located on US 41, West of the Trail, in Sarasota just north of Greater Downtown Sarasota and is nestled between Whitaker Bayou and the Ringling College of Art & Design on Sarasota's fabulous North Tamiami Trail.
There is No Direct Entrance from US 41 to either 2229 North Tamiami Trail or 2005 North Tamiami Trail. Please use the side streets on 22nd St or Sylvan Drive
- We have three parking lots for use by our visitors:
- Parking Lot A 2229 North Tamiami Trail - our Sculpture Garden and Parking Lot. Plese take time to walk around the Sculpture Garden. Enter off 22nd Street North Campus
- Parking Lot B 2121 North Tamiami Trail- the Main Museum Building. Enter directly from US 41 Middle Campus
- Parking Lot C 2005 North Tamiami Trail - the Whimsy Waterfront Studio and Parking Lot. Enter off Sylvan Drive South Campus