Ringling Museum in Sarasota FL

When we used to camp on the west coast of Florida, we came across this fabulous museum almost by accident. We hadn't heard of it before, so we came to visit with no expectations. It was above and beyond anything we could have planned for though.

I was so excited that we had a chance to go and visit it again today with Diana, Lauren and Joshua.

There is so much to see from the Circus museums to the Ca d'Zan to the art museum. It is hands down one of our favorite Florida museums.The cornerstone of the Circus Museum’s Tibbals Learning Center is the world's largest miniature circus, The Howard Bros. Circus Model. The model is a replica of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from 1919 – 1938. It was created over a period of more than 50-years by master model builder and philanthropist Howard Tibbals.Joshua was so fascinated by this that he didn't want to move through it quickly. He kept asking us to wait so he could see it better.

We didn't spend much time seeing this during this trip, but the grounds and gardens are incredible too. I love the banyan trees: