Florida Travel - Info, Recommendations, and Links

Florida

Select a country, state, or city to view information on our favorite places, including must-see attractions, money-saving museum and subway passes, our favorite restaurants/bars/nightclubs, and more...

Europe:
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UNITED STATES

Florida

Orlando/Kissimmee - We've both been to Disney World during childhood family vacations, and returned again as "grownups" in September 2001 and December 2004. (We also visited for a couple of days in July 2003, as a side trip when Mike was teaching in Tampa.) There are a million ways to entertain yourself in and around Orlando and Kissimmee. If you haven't been there since you were a kid, we're sure you'll find it's more fun than ever!

Tourist Info:

	FLA USA - The official tourism web site for the state of Florida. You can search for information by destination or interests, access the site's tools, and check out special "Hot Deals". You can also order a free vacation guide and view a PDF version of the vacation guide online.
	FloridaKiss - Kissimmee is located right next to Walt Disney World, and it is a convenient base for anyone planning to visit the Disney theme parks. This web site enables you to access information on all types of accommodations, restaurants, attractions, and more. You can even book a hotel online and view special deals. While you're at the site, be sure to order a free vacation guide containing information, maps, and special deals.
	OrlandoInfo - This site contains information on accommodations, attractions, dining, nightlife, and more. You can also book your trip online, and register to win an Orlando vacation. While you're at the site, order don't forget to order a free visitor information package, which includes the Orlando "Magicard" discount card.
	Online Guide Books - You can find a wealth of information on Orlando, Kissimmee, and Walt Disney World by visiting the incredibly useful Frommer's and Fodors online travel guides.
	Other - If you're looking to purchase a good guide book, we found The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World (with its clip-out touring plans) to be an excellent resource. Use the link to view a description, reviews, and sample pages on Amazon.com. (However, you can purchase this book from any major bookstore or online bookseller.)

Local Transportation:

Most visitors to the Orlando area either drive there or rent a car for the duration of their stay. Many local hotels offer complimentary shuttles to the theme parks; however, you should be aware that most shuttles have extremely limited service. If you're planning to use a hotel's shuttle service during your stay, we recommend you contact the hotel in advance and ask for their shuttle schedule. Car rentals are generally inexpensive in Florida; if you want to keep a flexible schedule, we highly recommend you rent one.

Attractions:

Walt Disney World - This is by far the most popular visitor attraction in the Orlando area. Walt Disney World is made up of four theme parks, the Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon water parks, two shopping/dining/entertainment complexes (Downtown Disney and Disney's BoardWalk), and over a dozen resorts. Some travel packages include admission to the parks; however, if you're not purchasing a package, you can purchase a multi-day ParkHopper or ParkHopper Plus pass. (Now that we're Florida residents, we're able to take advantage of discounted annual passports. Wahoo!)

	Magic Kingdom - Great fun for all ages. Our favorite attractions included Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin, and Pirates of the Caribbean. Mike also loved Dumbo the Flying Elephant (he's a kid at heart!), and Shay never tires of It's a Small World or The Enchanted Tiki Room.
	Epcot - The "Future World" section of the park features lots of great attractions such as Test Track (great fun for speed demons like Shay!), Journey into Imagination, Body Wars, The Living Seas (don't miss the dolphin show!), Living with the Land, Spaceship Earth, and many others. Epcot's newest attraction, Mission: SPACE, was extremely popular among park guests during our last visit in 2003. (However, you may want to think twice about going on this ride if you don't like tight spaces or spinning, or if you've just eaten.) If you've ever wanted to go on a round-the-world tour, you can do it at Epcot's "World Showcase"! This area features pavilions representing the United States, Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, the United Kingdom, Norway, France, Germany, Italy, and Morocco. *Tip:* Stop by Coca-Cola's "Ice Station Cool" at Innoventions West to sample free self-serve soft drinks from around the world. (The VegitaBeta from Japan is surprisingly good!)
	Disney-MGM Studios - This park features some of Disney's best thrill rides; namely the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror (Shay's favorite) and the Rock 'n' Roller Coaster. Those of you who love trivia games won't want to miss Who Wants to Be a Millionaire - Play It! (Mike's fave). Also fun are Star Tours, The Great Movie Ride, Backlot Tour, and Muppet*Vision 3-D.
	Animal Kingdom - Disney's newest park. Arrive early or get a Fastpass for the popular Kilimanjaro Safaris, which almost feels like you're on a real safari (as long as you can get past the contrived Big Red/poachers storyline). Thrill rides include Dinosaur and Kali River Rapids (be prepared to get soaked if you go on that one). It's Tough to Be a Bug is multi-sensory entertainment (you'll see what we mean!), and the Maharaja Jungle Trek and Pangani Forest Exploration Trail provide great opportunities to view all kinds of exotic animals. Take the train out to Conservation Station and enjoy the hands-on exhibits and fun Affection Section petting yard.

Universal Studios Florida - Another major Orlando visitor draw. The Men in Black Alien Attack attraction was by far our favorite ride in the park. The Animal Planet Live! show was entertaining and definitely worth seeing. The E.T. Adventure had technical problems and was not running for half the day, but we found it relaxing and fun when we finally did get on the ride. However, Back to the Future - The Ride pretty much spoiled the rest of our day...we were seated in the back of the "car" and our heads were repeatedly slammed against the back wall during the ride, giving both of us pounding headaches. (Note: We didn't get to Universal's Islands of Adventure, so we can't comment on any of the rides in that park.)

Restaurants:

Carrabba's Italian Grill - 7890 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee - A very good Italian restaurant chain. This location is convenient to the many hotels that line Irlo Bronson Highway. The food is tasty and very filling; check out the full menu online. While you're there, be sure to treat yourself to a pitcher of Carrabba's delicious red or white sangria! Hours, directions, and map are available online.

Giordano's - 7866 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee - This restaurant bills itself as "Chicago's Famous Stuffed Pizza"; they have many locations throughout Chicago, plus two in Florida. And they will even ship frozen, half-baked pizzas anywhere in the United States! Their pizza is definitely one-of-a-kind. Don't go unless you're very hungry...the two of us couldn't even finish half a small pie.

Ponderosa - 7598 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee - We tried the Ponderosa for breakfast one morning to partake of their ridiculously cheap breakfast buffet (just $3.99 per person!). We figured that the quality and selection wouldn't be very good considering the low price, but we were pleasantly surprised - Ponderosa actually offered a larger buffet than the nearby Shoney's, and the quality was pretty good. It's a great place to fill up before a long day at the parks. Visit the web site for other Orlando-area locations.

Shoney's - 7640 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee - This national chain restaurant offers an excellent breakfast buffet at a very reasonable price. The breakfast buffet at our hotel was completely unappetizing, so we became regulars at Shoney's every morning of our stay. (It's a good idea to eat a filling breakfast before a day at the parks...that way, you're not as tempted to buy overpriced Disney snack food throughout the day.)

Disney Dining - We generally ate one or two meals a day within the theme parks. These were our favorite Disney dining experiences:

	The Hollywood Brown Derby - Disney-MGM Studios - Exceptional food in an upscale environment--easily one of Disney's best dining venues. We recommend the barbecue pork tenderloin (Mike's pick) and the coconut-crusted tofu with udon noodles (Shay's pick). You can view lunch and dinner menus online at Themeparks.com.
	Cinderella's Royal Table - Magic Kingdom - If you've ever wanted to dine inside the famous Disney castle, arrange priority seating in advance or first thing in the morning. (And be forewarned—even with priority seating, you'll still have a bit of a wait.) You may have a chance to meet and take photos with "Cinderella" in the waiting area, and a costumed cast member will formally announce your name when your table is ready. The restaurant has an elegant atmosphere, and the food is expertly prepared. Mike recommends Major Domo's Favorite Pie; Shay liked the salad, but had to settle for The Mariner (a fish sandwich) as there were no vegetarian options during our visit in 2001. You can view lunch and dinner menus online at Themeparks.com.
	Coral Reef Restaurant - Epcot Future World, Living Seas - We Mike found out that one of his Kronos colleagues, Alicia Alcaino, was visiting Disney with her family at the same time as us during our 2004 trip, we arranged to meet up with them for dinner at the Coral Reef Restaurant. This was our first visit to the restaurant, and we were quite impressed - we were led to a table overlooking a room-sized aquarium, which we were told is the largest salt-water tank in the U.S. We enjoyed good company and equally good food - Mike ordered the Mahi Mahi, while Shay was pleased to find a roast squash vegetarian option. The salads, appetizers, and mixed drinks were yummy, and the desserts were positively decadent - Shay had the Key Lime Crème Brulée, while Mike had Coconut Bread Pudding. The menus seem to change regularly, but you can view sample lunch and dinner menus online at Themeparks.com.
	Les Chefs de France - Epcot World Showcase, France - Dining in this restaurant will make you feel like you've been whisked away to Paris. The atmosphere is romantic, and the food is heavenly. Try the vegetable gratin. You can view lunch and dinner menus online at Themeparks.com.
	Rainforest Cafe - Animal Kingdom - We had a late lunch here after a visit to the Animal Kingdom. We had a bit of a wait, and were finally escorted to a table in the heavily-themed dining room which featured lots of greenery and animated animals. This would be a great place to go with kids, but we found the loud jungle calls to get a bit annoying after a while. However, the food was quite good and the portions were large. For more information - including menus, rainforest quizzes, and other locations - visit the Rainforest Cafe web site.
	Restaurant Akershus - Epcot World Showcase, Norway - This restaurant offers an authentic Scandinavian smorgasbord. The lunch buffet was a bargain at $13.99; however, during our most recent visit in December 2004 the restaurant was only open for dinner (due to an extended character breakfast in the morning). The dinner buffet is still an excellent value (by Disney standards) at $19.99 per person. The cold buffet features a wide variety of salads, deli meats, cheeses, seafood, and breads. But instead of setting hot foods out at the buffet, guests order them directly from the kitchen. The food comes out hot and beautifully presented, and you can try as many or as few of the hot items as you'd like. Mike tried the Braised Lamb and Grilled Atlantic Salmon, both of which he enjoyed immensely. Shay was disappointed to see that the old Pasta Akershus - with mushroom ragoût and grated cheese - was replaced by fettuccine with grilled chicken. But when she inquired about vegetarian options, our waiter sent out the head chef, who offered to prepare a made-to-order dish of Shay's choice. In the end, she settled on fettuccini with a delicious tomato pesto and grilled vegetables - it was so plentiful and filling that she was only able to finish half of it! You also have a choice of side dishes; be daring and try the mashed rutabaga...it's really quite good! You can view lunch and dinner menus online at Themeparks.com.
	San Angel Inn - Epcot World Showcase, Mexico - We missed breakfast one morning of our recent 2004 visit, and opted for an early lunch when San Angel Inn opened. Because we arrived early, we were able to get a table overlooking the "El Rio del Tiempo" ride. We indulged in a couple of noontime margaritas; Shay loved the frozen mango 'rita. While the lunch menu did not show any vegetarian items, Shay inquired about vegetarian options and was pleasantly surprised when our waiter gave her a special vegetarian menu. Shay greatly enjoyed her vegetarian combo plate; Mike liked his tacos, but was disappointed to find that the pico de gallo was just a little bit of tomatoes and onions mixed in with black beans. You can view sample lunch and dinner menus online at Themeparks.com.
	Tangerine Café - Epcot World Showcase, Morocco - This excellent counter-service restaurant can be found near the entrance to the Morocco pavilion. It's a great place for lunch; meat-eaters may be interested in trying the chicken or lamb shawarma, while vegetarians will be happy to learn the menu features a vegetarian platter with hummus, tabouli, lentils, and a yummy orange couscous salad.
	Wolfgang Puck Café - Downtown Disney, 1482 East Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista - Delicious food (including Puck's famous pizzas) at reasonable prices amid colorful, funky surroundings. (We opted for the pleasant patio seating overlooking the Buena Vista Lagoon.) Mike enjoyed his filet mignon, while Shay highly recommends the incredible Roasted Pumpkin Mezzaluna Ravioli. If you have room for dessert after your filling meal, try Wolf's Crème Brulée Sampler...just heavenly! A sample menu is available online, along with current specials.

Clubs & Bars:

Our only experiences with clubs and bars in Florida were several evenings at Disney's Pleasure Island nightclub complex and one evening at a goth club (see below for more info). If you'd like to explore other bars and clubs in the Orlando/Kissimmee area, check out these web sites: Nightlife Orlando, Orlando After Dark, Orlando NightGuide, DigitalCity, and CitySearch.

Goth Clubs - Orlando and its environs boast several goth clubs (visit the International Goth Club Listing for a complete list). We spent an evening at Das Machine at Barbarella (70 North Orange Avenue, Orlando), and it was a blast! However, the club has since been renamed Independent Bar, and their goth nights are now called Necropolis. The cover charge is still very reasonable, and they still offer nightly drink specials to make your money go even further. Great music, cool crowd...all in all, well worth a visit.

Pleasure Island - We've spent some time in almost all of Pleasure Island's clubs during our 2001 and 2003 trips. Tip: Take a break from the clubs just before midnight and head outside for PI's nightly "new year" celebration, complete with fireworks and dancing in the street. Here's a summary of our favorite PI clubs:

	Motion - During a previous visit to Pleasure Island, we found that Thursday was alternative night at Motion - the club played lots of great tunes by The Cure, Depeche Mode, Siouxsie and the Banshees, Shriekback, Doctor and the Medics, Dead or Alive, and many other great 80s alternative groups. Alas, during our most recent visit (also on a Thursday night), they were playing boring pop and hip-hop tunes.
	Mannequins Dance Palace - Mannequins was closed for renovations when we visited it 2001, but it was open during our most recent visits. This club has two levels, with a rotating dance floor on the first level and a DJ booth and viewing area on the second floor. It's a pretty funky facility, but unfortunately they really didn't play our type of music. Still, it's worth a visit just for the novelty of the rotating dance floor.
	Adventurers Club - This cool venue is designed to look like a 1930s-style explorers' club. Take some time to examine the funky decor throughout the building, and don't miss the great live stage shows in the library!
	The Pleasure Island Jazz Company - Although we're not jazz aficionados, we enjoyed the music and laid-back atmosphere in this club.
	The Comedy Warehouse - Line up early to get a good seat in this club. *Warning:* If you're at all claustrophobic, you're not going to care much for this place. Guests are packed in tight and seated side-by-side on bar stools; if you're among the second half of the crowd to be admitted, you won't even have a counter or railing to lean on. But if you can cope with the cramped and uncomfortable seating, you'll be treated to a rather amusing improv comedy show.

Accommodations:

	Country Inns & Suites - 12191 South Apopka Vineland Road, Orlando - Shay stayed here during a business trip. Although the room was a bit pricier than some of the budget hotels that abound in this area (our corporate rate was around $80/night), the accommodations were of a much higher quality than most of the cheaper motels. The room was spacious and had a comfortable bed, a large desk and dresser, and a TV, as well as a microwave, mini-fridge, coffeemaker, and other amenities. Even the bathroom was oversized! The complimentary breakfast included cold cereal, yogurt, donuts, fruit, juices, and coffee. Visit the Country Inns web site for hotel info, overview, amenities, rates, and more
	Howard Johnson Maingate Resort West - 8660 West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway, Kissimmee - We stayed here during our vacation in September 2001. The rooms were large and featured bright, cheerful bedspreads, as shown in the photo on the web site. What the photos don't show is that this "resort" hotel is well past its prime. The carpets were worn, our bathroom door wouldn't shut properly, and we even had to call maintenance our first evening because the tub wouldn't drain properly. (In all fairness, they took care of the problem promptly while we were out that evening, and the drain was working fine when we returned to our room.) Other drawbacks: we could hear every word uttered in the room next to ours, and the pool was filled with screaming kiddies well into the evening. But considering the low price we paid (about $37/night plus taxes - per room, not per person!) and how little time we actually spent there, it was more than adequate for our needs. We would recommend it to anyone looking for a decent room (if a bit worse for wear) in a good location at a budget rate. See the web site for information on the rooms, facilities, directions, attractions, reservations, and more.
	Radisson Parkway - 2900 Parkway Boulevard, Kissimmee - We stayed here for a couple of nights in July 2003, following Mike's business trip to Tampa. We had booked a special internet rate of $69/night (plus taxes). The hotel and property were very nice, and all 700+ rooms had been completely renovated in 2001. The rooms are a decent size, with newer Italian furnishings and a red, blue, and gold color scheme. All rooms include a TV, safe, mini bar, hairdryer, iron, ironing board, and comfortable bed. While we were very pleased with the accommodations, we encountered a few problems that were exacerbated by poor service. When we returned to a hot and stuffy room after 2am that first evening, our air conditioner was no longer working and we couldn't open the window. We had to stay up for over an hour while a maintenance worker tinkered with our A/C unit, then went out to get a replacement unit, then tinkered with the second unit for a while, before he eventually gave up and they finally offered to move us to another to another room. Once we had moved all of our stuff to another room down the hall (around 3:30am at this point), the maintenance guy informed us that we just had a blown fuse (shouldn't he have checked that in the first place?!) and that we could stay in our original room. But at that point, we were already moved and just wanted to sleep. We went to Epcot the next morning, and returned to our room at 9:30pm to find that it had never been cleaned. (Luckily, we still had a couple of clean towels, so we didn't bother to complain about the lack of housekeeping service at that hour.) Here's the kicker: when we went to check out the next morning, we didn't receive one word of apology for the A/C problems, the middle-of-the-night room switch, or the lack of housekeeping service...but we did receive a bill for the full amount plus a mini bar charge for a Snickers that we never took. The mini bar charges automatically when a slot is opened, so we asked when the candy bar was taken. We were told that it happened at 3pm...in other words, when we were out for the day at Epcot. So somebody was in our room...presumably a hotel employee, since nothing else was stolen. The desk clerk finally removed the bogus mini bar charge before running our credit card. She then asked, "So, did you have a good stay with us?" She obviously hadn't been paying attention when we told her about the problems we had encountered, so Mike politely responded, "No, we did not." She then handed back our credit card and beamed, "Fine...you're all set!" before turning away from us. (In the end, we sent an email to Radisson's customer relations department. They responded promptly, expressed their concern, apologized for our frustrating experience, and mailed us a certificate for a free night at any Radisson.) All said, the Radisson Parkway is a very nice hotel, but be forewarned that you may encounter ineptitude or indifference from the hotel staff. If you do decide to stay there, visit the web site for details on rooms, amenities, location, dining, reservations, a virtual tour, and more.
	Radisson WorldGate Resort - 3011 Maingate Lane, Kissimmee - We stayed here during our visit in December 2004, after getting a great deal ($42 per night) through Priceline. The hotel used to be a Renaissance, and it has definitely seen better days - the rooms and common areas are starting to show signs of age. However, the rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the housekeeping staff changed our sheets and used towels daily. When we checked in, we asked if we could have a room on a higher floor. Even though we had booked through Priceline, they assigned us an end room on the top floor of the north tower, which afforded a great view of the parks and their fireworks displays. From our window, we could see Animal Kingdom's Tree of Life, Epcot's Spaceship Earth, and Disney-MGM Studios' Tower of Terror and mouse-eared water tower. We were also given directions on how to find the "secret" back entrance to the parks, which we could access from a road that ran adjacent to our hotel - much faster and easier than following signs from Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway. While this hotel didn't look as spiffy as its sister property, the Radisson Parkway, the service was much better and the location was perfect. While we probably wouldn't pay regular rates for this hotel, we would gladly stay here again if we got another good deal. Visit the Radisson web site for details on the hotel's rooms and services, photos, directions/map, and more, or visit the hotel's own web site for additional information.

Sarasota, Bradenton, and Ellenton - Now that we're living southeast of Tampa, we've started exploring the Sarasota area and nearby Bradenton and Ellenton. This section highlights some of the places we've either visited or intend to visit in the near future...

Tourist Info:

	Sarasota Convention and Visitors Bureau - This site is a useful resource for visitors to the Sarasota area. It provides information on the local area, accommodations, things to do, dining, events, and more. You can also learn more about visitor services, and order a free Visitors Guide.
	Florida's Gulf Islands - This web site provides tourism information for the Bradenton area, including the islands of Anna Maria and Longboat Key. The site includes detailed sections on the local area, accommodations, things to do, dining, special offers, events, and more. You can also order a free Vacation Guide. Additional information on local activities can be found on the Manatee Chamber of Commerce web site.
	Online Guide Books - You can find additional information on Sarasota/Bradenton area sights, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and more by visiting the incredibly useful (and free!) Frommer's and Fodors online travel guides.

Local Transportation:

If you're visiting the Sarasota area, you'll probably find that the fastest and most convenient way to get around is to rent a car. That said, the Sarasota and Bradenton (Manatee County) areas both have public transportation systems. Visit the Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) and Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) web pages for more information. (From the Manatee County home pages, click the "Transit" link on the left.) For additional information on local highways, bridges, and more, check out Tampa Bay Interstates.

Attractions:

	Crowley Museum and Nature Center - 16405 Myakka Road, Sarasota - This site features a wildlife sanctuary and education center where visitors can enjoy nature trails, a boardwalk through the swamp, an observation tower overlooking the marsh and Myakka River, a pioneer cabin and museum, a working blacksmith shop and sugar cane mill, and a restored 1892 "Cracker" house. Visit the web site for information (scroll down page for hours and admission), directions, monthly programs, annual events, recent wildlife sightings, and more.
	De Soto National Memorial - 75th Street N.W., Bradenton - The site is managed by the National Park Service, and its mission is to preserve the controversial story of De Soto's four-year, 4,000-mile odyssey and interpret its significance in American history. (If you weren't aware of the story, Hernando de Soto landed in Tampa Bay with 600+ soldiers and orders from King Charles V to "conquer, populate, and pacify" the land. The "controversial" part of the story concerns their treatment of the Native Americans De Soto and his army encountered, and the fact that they never found the treasure they so desperately sought.) The site features a visitor center and museum, living history demonstrations, and a nature trail through a Florida coastal landscape similar to the one encountered by conquistadors almost five hundred years ago. Visit the web site for overview/hours, admission (currently free), facilities/exhibits, maps, and more.
	Gamble Plantation - 3708 Patten Avenue (off Highway 301), Ellenton - Built in 1844, the Gamble Plantation was one of the most successful sugar mill plantations in the state, and is now the only surviving antebellum plantation house in South Florida. It was originally the home of Major Robert Gamble, and was donated to the state in 1925. Today, visitors can tour the mansion for a glimpse of what life was like before the Civil War. Visit the web site for information (scroll down to view hours and tour fees), activities, events, photo gallery, and more.
	Manatee Village Historical Park - 604 15th Street East, Bradenton - This site encompasses a variety of historical buildings, including: 1860 Courthouse, 1887 Church, One Room Schoolhouse, Old Settler’s House, Barn, Sugar Cane Mill and Smokehouse, Wiggins Store, and Fogarty Boatworks. All of the buildings are furnished with period furniture and artifacts. The Wiggins Store also includes a museum and a Children’s Hands-On Room. The site is open to the public and free of charge. Visit the web site for information, photos and details of the various buildings, directions, FAQs, and more.
	Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - 811 South Palm Avenue, Sarasota - A peaceful retreat that boasts more than 20,000 exotic plants, including over 6,000 orchids, as well as a bamboo pavilion, butterfly and hummingbird garden, medicinal plant garden, waterfall garden, cactus and succulent garden, fernery, hibiscus garden, palm grove, two tropical food gardens, and a native shore-plant community. Marie Selby's home and the Payne Mansion (both on the National Registry) are also located here. See the web site for visitor information, maps, lectures, and more.
	Mote Marine Aquarium - 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, City Island (Sarasota) - This aquarium allows visitors to learn about local marine life and their environment. Features include a shark habitat and movie, ray exhibit, touch habitat, manatees, sea turtles, giant squid, and research laboratories. See the web site for hours, directions, a virtual tour, lecture schedule (PDF), and more.
	Palmetto Historical Park - 515 Tenth Avenue West, Palmetto - This site encompasses a variety of historical buildings, including the Carnegie Library, Schoolhouse, Cottage Museum, Heritage Chapel, Heritage Station Post Office, and Agricultural Museum. Open to the public and free of charge. Visit the web site for information on the park and museum.
	Prime Outlets Ellenton - 5461 Factory Shops Boulevard, Ellenton - If you enjoy outlet shopping as much as Shay does, the Prime Outlets shopping center in Ellenton is definitely worth a visit. There are over 100 outlet shops, including many brand name and designer stores. Don't miss the Vanity Fair outlet, where everything is half off the lowest ticketed price. (You can often find jeans, including VF's Lee brand, for under $10!) In addition to clothing and apparel, you'll find stores specializing in everything from toys to power tools, from home good to travel items, from fragrances to furniture. Visit the web site for center info, store directory (listed by category or alphabetically), directions, details on the free More Card, special offers, and visitor services.
	Ringling Museum of Art - 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota - In our opinion, the Ringling Museum is the one must-see attraction in the Sarasota area. (We actually bought an annual membership so we can visit as often as we'd like.) This sprawling property encompasses an art museum featuring the collections of John and Mable Ringing (of the circus dynasty), as well as the Ringlings' stunning 32-room waterfront mansion, Cà d'Zan, and a circus museum. The beautifully landscaped grounds, including Mable's Rose Garden, are another draw. Visit the web site for hours and admission, directions, events, map, virtual tours, FAQs, and more.
	Rosa Fiorelli Winery - 4250 CR 675, Bradenton - This local winery offers a selection of wines made from grapes grown on its adjacent vineyard. Open daily (except holidays), and also serves lunch. Visit the web site to learn more about the winery, its wines, available tours, and more.
	Sarasota Classic Car Museum - 5500 N. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - Classic car buffs won't want to miss this museum. It boasts over 100 cars, including John Lennon's Mercedes Roadster, Paul McCartney's Mini Cooper, and a Cadillac station wagon (one of only five ever made). It also has an Antique Game Arcade and an Antique Camera and Photograph display. Visit the web site to learn about the museum and view admission and hours, directions, and more, including a coupon.
	Solomon's Castle and the Boat in the Moat - 4533 Solomon Road, Ona - We have to admit we haven't been here yet, but Shay stumbled across this web site while researching attractions in the local area. This "castle" was actually built by the artist Howard Solomon; it is his home and studio, and features exhibits of his work. It's actually open for tours Tuesday through Sunday (but closed from July through September). Solomon also built the replica galleon in the "moat", which serves as a restaurant. Visit the web site for more information about the castle, tours, restaurant, accommodations, nature trail, directions, and more.
	South Florida Museum - 201 Tenth Street West, Bradenton - This riverfront facility explores Florida from "Astronomy to Zoology" with exhibits delving into the area's cultural and natural history. You can also meet the famous "Snooty", a friendly manatee who is the oldest born and raised in captivity. See the web site for information on the museum, its collections and exhibits, the Parker Manatee Aquarium, hours and map, events, and more.

Restaurants:

	Johnny Carino's - 3005 University Parkway, Sarasota - Florida seems to have quite a large number of Italian restaurants; and if you like good Italian food, Johnny Carino's is definitely worth a visit. The food is delicious, the portions are large, and they have great happy hour drink specials (at this location, if not at all of them). The decor is pretty and homey, and is intended to evoke a sense of the Italian countryside. Visit the web site for menus (lunch, dinner, drinks/desserts, and others), locations, overview, and more.
	Schlotzsky's - 3816 Manatee Avenue West, Bradenton - This Austin-based sandwich chain has grown into a national success, and we were happy to find several in the local area. They serve up the best toasted sandwiches anywhere...once you've had one, you'll crave them again and again. Shay recommends the Vegetarian - but ask for the classic sourdough bun instead of the so-so wheat bun. You can find the full menu and a map of locations on the web site. Other local shops include 10047 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, and 2670 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater.
	Sweet Tomatoes - 4994 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota - More than just a "salad bar". In addition to the extensive salad bar loaded with crisp, fresh lettuce, veggies, and a variety of pre-made salads, you'll find a variety of other buffet stations awaiting you: tasty pastas, delicious soups, fresh-baked focaccia and muffins, a baked potato bar, and even a soft-serve sundae station. The friendly wait staff promptly clear away your plates and bring free refills of soft drinks. It's a great place to go when you're hungry, and we highly recommend it. Visit the web site for this store's location, hours, and daily menu, as well as nutrition info, history, other locations, and more.

Clubs & Bars:

Unfortunately, we really haven't had a chance to explore the Sarasota area nightlife yet. But when we do, we'll be sure to update these listings!

Accommodations:

We haven't actually stayed overnight in the Sarasota area, so we don't have any personal recommendations for this section. But you can find some options listed on the Sarasota tourism site.

Tampa/St. Petersburg - We visited the St. Petersburg area as a day trip during our 2001 Orlando vacation, and then enjoyed a longer stay in July 2003 when Mike was assigned to teach a week-long course in Tampa. We flew back in May 2004 to look at houses, and as of August 2004, we're now full-time residents!

Tourist Info:

	Florida's Beach - This web site is run by the St. Petersburg/Clearwater Convention and Visitors Bureau. FloridasBeach.com offers a wealth of information on lodging, attractions, beaches and nature, shopping and dining, and more. You can also access maps, event listings, and travelers' tools, including a free visitors guide.
	Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau - This site is a useful resource for visitors to the Tampa Bay area. It provides information on the local area, where to stay, things to do, events, and more. You can also download a Tampa Destination Guide (it is a PDF version - approximately 7.2 MB), or you can request a free copy to be sent to you by mail. For additional information on downtown Tampa's historic Ybor City district, visit Ybor.org.
	Online Guide Books - You can find additional information on St. Petersburg/Tampa area sights, accommodations, dining, entertainment, and more by visiting the incredibly useful (and free!) Frommer's and Fodors online travel guides. There are also a couple of excellent local sites that cover area news and events: Weekly Planet and Tampa Bay Online (in association with The Tampa Tribune).

Local Transportation:

If you're visiting St. Petersburg and/or Tampa, you'll probably find that the fastest and most convenient way to get around is to rent a car. (That's what we did.) That said, both St. Petersburg and Tampa do have local bus service. For transportation in and around St. Petersburg and Clearwater, visit the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) web site. For transportation in and around Tampa, see the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) web site. (Greyhound also serves both areas, as well as other cities throughout the state. And there are plans to develop a high speed rail system over the coming years, with the initial routes connecting Tampa with Orlando and St. Petersburg.) For additional information on local highways, bridges, and more, check out Tampa Bay Interstates.

Attractions:

	Busch Gardens - Busch Boulevard (at 40th Street), Tampa - Busch Gardens amusement park offers something for everyone: a variety of fun rides, lots of birds and animals, and free Anheuser-Bush beer. We've ridden both tracks of the Gwazi double roller coaster as well as the new Cheetah Chase, and Shay tried the park's four other coasters: Kumba, Montu, Python, and Scorpion. (Shay reports that Kumba and Montu were among the best roller coasters she has ever been on.) We passed on the water rides, as we didn't feel like getting drenched. But we enjoyed the views from the Serengeti Railway and the Skyride, and we had fun meeting the residents of the Bird Gardens, Lory Landing, Edge of Africa, and more. The Haunted Lighthouse attraction was amusing (beware of the special effects), and the new Katonga show was actually very good. Visit the web site for park info (including admission and parking fees), hours and events, directions, park map, attractions, and more. *Tip:* Although Busch Gardens no longer has a brewery on site, you can stop by the Hospitality House (in the Bird Gardens) for some free samples of Anheuser-Busch products. You can also sign up for a free beer class, which covers the company's history and brewing process, and provides additional samples. You'll even receive a certificate and a free key chain once you've completed the class!
	Clearwater Marine Aquarium - 7249 Windward Passage, Clearwater - The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a non-profit, working aquarium that is dedicated to public education, marine research, and animal-assisted therapy. They also rescue, rehabilitate, and release dolphins, whales, otters, and sea turtles that have been sick, injured, or orphaned. Guests can visit these rescued creatures, attend presentations on animal care and training, view native sharks and fish, and even touch a variety of the aquarium's inhabitants including sting rays, starfish, sea urchins, and other marine invertebrates. Visit the web site for information (scroll down to view hours and admission fees), overview, directions and map, presentation schedule, and more.
	Florida Aquarium - 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa - The Florida Aquarium boasts over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals, including those that are native to Florida as well as others from around the globe. The web site proudly states that it is considered "among the top aquariums in the world." The facility's permanent exhibits include wetlands, bays and beaches, coral reefs, sea hunt, invaders, no bone zone, and dragons down under. If you feel like splurging on an interactive adventure, you can swim with the fishes, dive with the sharks, take a behind-the-scenes tour, or go on a Dolphin Quest eco-tour. See the web site for hours and directions, admission fees, events, and more.
	Florida International Museum - 100 Second Street North, St. Petersburg - This international cultural center draws visitors from around the world, who come here to view its acclaimed permanent and temporary exhibitions. The museum hosts a permanent exhibit entitled The Cuban Missile Crisis: When the Cold War Got Hot, which contains film, articles, and other items relating to the tense events of October 1962. Unfortunately, the museum recently closed its other main draw--the Kennedy galleries (a collection of artifacts relating to JFK and his family, as well as a recreation of the West Wing of the White House)--in order to provide more room for upcoming exhibitions. During Shay's visit, the temporary exhibitions included a charming and creative collection of paper-doll-style quilts of famous women by Rebekka Seigel (see Martha Graham quilt as an example), portraits from the Golden Age of Jazz, and an interactive maze of puzzles and illusions. Visit the museum's web site for hours, admission, directions, events, FAQs, and more.
	Henry B. Plant Museum - 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa - The Henry B. Plant Museum is housed in the former turn-of-the-century Tampa Bay Hotel. Built in 1891 by the railroad, steamship, and hotel magnate Henry B. Plant, the structure is now a National Historic Landmark. The building was designed in the Moorish revival style, and its distinctive architecture includes a number of minarets. Today, the building is part of the University of Tampa campus. In addition to viewing Victorian-era furniture and art treasures from the original hotel, visitors to the museum can also peruse its permanent exhibit on the Spanish-American War. Log on to the museum's web site for hours, admission, directions, map, events, history, and more.
	Lowry Park Zoo - 1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa - The Lowry Park Zoo is a fun way to spend a day. Visitors can view a wide variety of animals, birds, reptiles, and marine mammals in simulated natural habitats. The zoo also hosts a variety of shows, including birds of prey, manatee, and reptile encounters. Several rides are offered for an additional fee, including a zoo-themed carousel, the Wild Australia safari ride, and a waterfall rock-climb wall. For hands-on interactions, visitors can feed and pet stingrays, goats, lorikeets, and even kangaroos and wallabies. (Unfortunately, the roos and wallabies weren't feeling very sociable during Shay's visit.) See the web site for admission and hours, directions, daily show schedule, events, zoo history, and more.
	Murielle Winery - 13131 56th Ct., Suite 305, Clearwater - This local winery offers a free wine tasting nearly every Saturday. They produce a interesting variety of red and white wines infused with fruity flavors. Visit the web site for a list of current wines, tasting schedule and reservations, directions, and more.
	Museum of Fine Arts - 255 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg - If you enjoy art, this gem of a museum should be on your "must-see" list if you're in the area. The elegant Palladian-style building combines classic architecture with the feel of a Mediterranean villa. (Indeed, the back of the building faces the St. Petersburg waterfront.) Its collections span many cultures, eras, and media, from Greek and Roman antiquities to pre-Columbian and Asian art, from 17th- and 18th-century European art to 19th- and 20th-century American art, from photography to sculpture. You'll find many well-known artists on display here, including Cézanne, Gauguin, Monet, O'Keefe, Rodin, and Whistler. *Tip:* Be sure to join one of the free tours conducted by the museum's art-savvy docents. (During Shay's visit, she was the only one who showed up for the 1pm tour...so she had her own personal tour guide for nearly an hour!) Visit the web site for visitor information (including directions, hours, admission, and tour times), special exhibitions, an overview of the permanent collection, museum history, and more.
	Museum of Science and Industry - 4801 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa - Tampa's Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) provides fun for all ages. The big draw is the museum's IMAX Dome Theatre, which features a variety of changing shows--and your museum admission includes tickets an IMAX show of your choice. (We saw Coral Reef Adventure, which was fantastic...we highly recommend it if it happens to be showing at an IMAX theatre near you.) The museum also features a number of interactive exhibits...you can "feel a cloud," maneuver through sharp corners in a wheelchair, stroll through the BioWorks butterfly garden, and even ride a high wire bicycle 30 feet in the air! (*Note:* A few of the smaller exhibits were broken or not working properly...it seemed to us that Boston's Museum of Science maintains its exhibits much better than MOSI does. But the exhibits that were working properly were all very interesting.) MOSI also has a planetarium on site, and it offers several additional attractions for an added fee: a bungee/trampoline jump, climbing wall, and flight simulator. See the web site for hours and admission, exhibit listings, current IMAX shows, FAQs, and more...and be sure to print out the $2-off coupon before you go.
	Prime Outlets Ellenton - 5461 Factory Shops Boulevard, Ellenton - If you enjoy outlet shopping as much as Shay does, the Prime Outlets shopping center in Ellenton is worth the drive from St. Petersburg/Tampa. There are over 100 outlet shops, including many brand name and designer stores. (Don't miss the Vanity Fair outlet, where everything is half off the lowest ticketed price. During Shay's visit, she got a nice pair of Lee jeans [with belt] for just $5!) Visit the web si