A couple of days in Tampa - what to do?

[Mrs Smith]

Hi all,

I'm from just up the road, but being relatively new to Florida, husband and I are trying to explore the area. We have a couple of days off coming up (Fri-Sat) and are planning to head out your way. If there are any really neat things to do/places to see/can't miss opportunities in Tampa/Clearwater/St. Petersburg, we'd love local recommendations.

So far, our short list includes the Florida Aquarium, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and the Salvador Dali Museum. Obviously, we're fish people, hence the fish-heavy plans.

Also, what's the favorite beach over there? Good (relatively inexpernsive) places to eat? Local favorites? Best snorkling sites? We usually go over to Cocoa beach-wise, so weren't sure where to start. It seems silly, I guess, that we're so close and haven't visited yet, but work all too often gets in the way of fun.



Thanks!
Danielle in Orlando

 

[Gimplar]

Ok well iknow st pete liek the back of my hand so ill start there:

St petersburg

Pass-A-Grille or "St pete beach" is my personal favorite cause theres plenty of beach restaurants and little shops to visit. The beach is clean and theres a nice sand bar right off the shore line that is fun to swim/walk to. Also the sun sets are GREAT there. The Don cezar is also there, which is a world famous hotel resort and has been there since i think the early settlement of st pete and is probably THE biggest landmark around that area. Also, Visit the St Petersburg Pier. Not tooo exciting but it has a neat little aquarium on the 3rd or 4th floor. Of course there are plenty of tourist spots and the architecture of the building is outstanding. The top floor offers a restaurant called Cha Cha Coconuts. Decent Seafood, decent price, and great view. Another nice place to spend the evening. As far as food, Salt Rock Grille which is on the beach as well. (i think indian rocks shore area) Is REALLY REALLY Good. Of course, this is a elegant restaurant, well its pretty expensive, but well worth a nice night out. As far as other restaurants on the beach, theres Woody's which is a nice little restaurant thats out doors. Good place for lunch for likea burger or a grouper sandwhich. If you like smoked fish, Ted Peters off of Pasadena Ave (also next tot he beach) has some great smoked mullet and Mahi Mahi. also their Potatoe salad is to die for and its super cheap. Besides those few places, i knoew som real athentic Chinese sea food restaurants, but id unno if you'd be interested in that, or would even know what to order lol. I know some good Viet restaurants as well. And if you want sushi, theres a place in tampa which is decent but its all you can eat sushi .


Tampa

Now in tampa, im not tooooo fimiliar with, but one place to check out is Mosi. They dont have the Body exhibition anymore, but they still have their I Max theater. I saw Dolphins and if you like the water (assuming you do) it's a great documentary and very cool experience. I dont know too many beaches int he tampa area so i couldnt really tell you about that. As far as that goes, theres always the malls which is West shore mall and International. West Shore is my favorite cause its got a big Old Navy store and they have Maggiano's which is a really nice Italian Restaruant (im not italian obviously, but its good in my opinon) Their Cheese cake is to DIIIIEE for. As well as their Bruchetta. Theres also T C Changs right across, but im asian and that place sucks IMO. But i know a few friends who like it. It;s a good place for ...Fine American Chinese dining, if you wanna call it that. International mall has a good food court including The Cheesecake Factory and some other places. The mall itself has different stores then West shore, so i would hit it as well for some variety. They have a Fossil Store in particular which i like, good place to get a watch . They also have a Nordstroms as well and some other higher end stores. They also have an Mac Store which is kinda hard to find as well. As far as other places to visit, i cant really say much besides the Florida Aquarium and Y bor (only if you wanna have a drink or go clubbing) Y bor has great night life, but during the day, you can always catch a movie at their Muvico. And sometimes theres comedy shows there. For example, i think Charles murphy was there earlier in the year.

As far as places to eat in tampa, if you like Jamacian food, theres a place on fowler ave and 15th street called "the jerk hut" which has really good food. A personally recommendation is the Ox tail, Goat Roti (or any other meat) and their Jerk chicken (or any other meat). I know Viet Trangs Restuarant (another viet restaurant) has really cheap food and is really good. Also Ho's Garden off of 15th and Fletcher Ave has really good Dim sum (chinese gourmet food) which is my fav. You havnt had chinese food until you've tried Dim Sum. I cant really think of any private owned restaurant in tampa right now...Oh wait and also on Dalemabry and....I think Close to Linebaugh, theres a restaurant called Mama's pizza, nice pizza place, real old school, witht he red booths ect ect. And MiMi's Cafe on Dalemabry (around the same area as Mama's pizza) has good comfort food. (i think it's got a good amount of southern comfort foods). Besides that..i can think of anything but if i do, ill post.



Nelson

 

[CaptiveReefer03]

Just my thoughs...

If your gonna see the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, take an extra 5 minutes or so head through the round about up to north beach , when you see the Fire station on the left turn into the lot following it around to Frenchy's ... Its some of the best food around ! Sea food wise asuming you like sea food..If not head over to safety harbor where we have a couple of great little places to eat... there is the world famous spa you can eat at or off 3rd ave. north they just put in a bbq place and its wonderful! as far as snorkling try honeymoon island off alt. 19 and curlew road in dunedin. you can also catch the ferry out to caladesi island for 8 bucks a person , really nice beaches and great hiking trails both are state parks... and i think its like 5 bucks for a car load to get into honeymoon but well worth it. and there are some great fish diversities out there to be seen... hope my two cents might give you and idea or two but if not try the one tank trips with bill mury from fox 13 news.. they should be in your local book store... Have fun and enjoy the area!
Charles-

 

[TAMike97]

Heres mine...


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