Florida side trip ideas? - Page 2

I am still oxox · ‎03-09-2010

On 2/18/2015 I am still oxox said:
On 2/18/2015 lolakimono said:
You should go to the Dalí museum! ${#emotions_dlg.thumbup}$

http://thedali.org/

And eat at any of The Columbia Restaurant locations! ${#emotions_dlg.tt1}$

http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

We did both when we stayed near Tampa, the Columbia Restaurant was great

Also in the same area is the ClearWater Marine Aquarium where Winter and Hope Dolphins live. Their rescues were told in Dolphin Tale 1 and 2.

Stop being afraid of what could go wrong and start being positive what could go right.

FrostyBabe · ‎03-09-2010

I'm definitely a beach person, but there's plenty to do on the west coast from Tampa down to Sarasota to keep you busy for several days.

Ybor City and Tarpon Springs near Tampa are always fun places to visit. If you're into theme parks, Busch Gardens in Tampa will easily fill an entire day.

In the Sarasota/Bradenton area, the barrier islands of Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key are fun to explore, but will be extremely crowded in March.

Mote Aquarium and St. Armands Circle in Sarasota (at the south end of Longboat Key) are very close to each other. I'm a member at Mote and always take guests there for a day. St. Armands has great up-scale shopping and restaurants and is lots of fun for people watching. Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota are beautiful. The Ringling museum and Ca d'Zan Mansion are located together in Sarasota and could easily occupy a full day.

If you want an up close experience with manatees you could snorkel with them at Crystal River north of Tampa. Myakka State Park outside of Sarasota has both boat and tram tours. If you're really adventerous, they have a very cool canopy walk, but there is some climbing involved.

If you're into baseball, there's spring training in Tampa, Bradenton and Sarasota. If you enjoy hockey, there's an NHL team in Tampa.

Enjoy!

Justice4all · ‎12-22-2013

Lola, just took the virtual tour -wow- would love to see the current Pablo/Salvador exhibit. Thanks

lolakimono · ‎03-29-2012

On 2/18/2015 Justice4all said: Lola, just took the virtual tour -wow- would love to see the current Pablo/Salvador exhibit. Thanks

I've been there twice. Once, when it was in transition, and again when the new building was built. I really like it. His paintings are like Escher, where after the docent explains the painting you start to see several layers, sometimes as many as five. Some of his paintings are on such a large scale that it's hard to believe he was able to manage the logistics. Smile