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Message
Things to do in Tampa/St.Pete/Clearwater for the 4th of July weekend
Posted on 5/31/15 at 8:57 am
Posted on 5/31/15 at 8:57 am
I lived there in the early 90's and haven't been there in forever. I'll be spending most of my time at the beach because I'm so friggin tired of living in landlocked cities for last 20+ years.
Is Busch Gardens still decent? I've been to Orlando several times for Disney/Universal so I'm thinking about staying in Tampa instead.
Any good seafood restaurant recommendations?
Any other must see places? Sunshine Skyway bridge caught my attention and I'm still in the process of figuring out where to go.
Is Busch Gardens still decent? I've been to Orlando several times for Disney/Universal so I'm thinking about staying in Tampa instead.
Any good seafood restaurant recommendations?
Any other must see places? Sunshine Skyway bridge caught my attention and I'm still in the process of figuring out where to go.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:03 am to Phat Phil
Don't go to clearwater beach, stick to the smaller local beaches to the south. Pass-a-grill it good balance...Indian Rocks and Shores good too, get there early and find one of the small parking lots that fit 10-15 cars and you will have the beach to yourself. Rent a kayak at Ft. Desoto and go through the mangroves. Also, boat out to Caladese island from Honey moon island (think 8 bucks a person) is a fun. Killer beach and since it is boat access only.
Safety Harbor puts on a good small town fireworks display and is a fun downtown to walk around in for July 4th.
Food wise crappy joes blows...don't go there. Guppies is good on the beach, ditto for a bunch around Belair Beach. Marlin Darling and E&E Steakhouse are good and just off the beach. Dunedin also a fun downtown to hit-up one night. Casatina is a great Mexican place there.
Safety Harbor puts on a good small town fireworks display and is a fun downtown to walk around in for July 4th.
Food wise crappy joes blows...don't go there. Guppies is good on the beach, ditto for a bunch around Belair Beach. Marlin Darling and E&E Steakhouse are good and just off the beach. Dunedin also a fun downtown to hit-up one night. Casatina is a great Mexican place there.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:06 am to St. Pete Tiger
quote:
Rent a kayak at Ft. Desoto and go through the mangroves. Also, boat out to Caladese island from Honey moon island (think 8 bucks a person) is a fun. Killer beach and since it is boat access only.
This is awesome. Thanks for a great inside info.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:07 am to Phat Phil
quote:
I lived there in the early 90's and haven't been there in forever. I'll be spending most of my time at the beach because I'm so friggin tired of living in landlocked cities for last 20+ years.
Where will you be staying. And what do you want to do?
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:29 am to Phat Phil
Sit on the beach
People will recommend Berns for steak but not worth the price IMO
People will recommend Berns for steak but not worth the price IMO
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:30 am to TheOcean
a hotel in Sand Key. I'll be spending most of my times relaxing at the beach. I'm trying to find out nearby attractions and restaurants.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:49 am to Phat Phil
If you want the best food in the Tampa Bay area, go to a place called the West Tampa Sandwich shop. That's a must for anyone visiting the area. There's also a killer colombian restaurant right down the road from there called la pequena colombia (fricking amazing).
Other than that, maybe check out fort desoto if you have time (I wouldn't go unless you kayak or fish since you're in clearwater). Wouldn't do a rays game unless you love baseball. And Busch Gardens is meh (kids will love it, though).
Other than that, maybe check out fort desoto if you have time (I wouldn't go unless you kayak or fish since you're in clearwater). Wouldn't do a rays game unless you love baseball. And Busch Gardens is meh (kids will love it, though).
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:50 am to Phat Phil
Also downtown clearwater if you want to be able to say you saw some Scientologists in their natural habitat
Posted on 5/31/15 at 9:55 am to biglego
quote:
People will recommend Berns for steak but not worth the price IMO
Berns is a don't miss.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:00 am to biglego
quote:Better go on Thursday July 2 at 12:10 pm EDT (Cleveland is in town).
Go to a Rays game
The Rays travel to New York to play the Yankees for the weekend of the Fourth.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:01 am to Phat Phil
Fort Desoto Park is really nice. It's right under the Skyway bridge. It likes looks like the Florida Keys on a small scale.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:03 am to Phat Phil
Whatever you do, fly through Sarasota Bradenton International Airport--they're a client of my company.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:22 am to TheOcean
Charley's is much better than Bern's.
ETA: are they closed?
ETA: are they closed?
This post was edited on 5/31/15 at 10:24 am
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:31 am to Phat Phil
Local here. I can speak authoritatively re: Pinellas County/Downtown St. Pete.
If you haven't been here since the 90's, you're in for an incredibly pleasant surprise. St. Pete, and DTSP in particular, are going through (I can say this with a straight face) a cultural & economic renaissance. The green benches are gone (Green Bench Brewery is the only reminder); God's Waiting Room has given way to a thriving food, art, and bar scene. As a matter of fact, just Uber over to Beach Drive and you'll immediately see what I'm talking about. You like museums? Hit up the Dali, Fine Arts, and Chihuly. Bars? Start with rooftop drinks at the Canopy, work your way to Tryst for beer & a light meal, walk over to the new Ringside by Jannus Landing (Ringside usually has great live music going), then hit up the Central Ave bars - Mandarin Hide for Moscow mules, Mastry's/Five Bucks for cheap drinks and darts if that's more your speed.
Do you like breweries? My personal favorite is Three Daughters, then St. Pete Brewing Co on 1st Ave N and then Green Bench. Restaurants? Birch & Vine or Parkshore Grill nice sitdown meals on Beach Drive; El Cap on 4th Street for the best burgers, the original Red Mesa (not Red Mesa Cantina downtown, although they have cheap margs and a cool atmosphere) for the best latin food in town. Nataly's is an insanely good mexican/thai fusion spot. Ted Peters for a St. Pete classic. Go catch a ballgame at the Trop; it's not the nicest place to watch a game, but it's air conditioned and tickets are cheap. And it's Major League Baseball.
Are you dead set on staying by the beach? You could stay downtown, close to bars/museums/the Trop, while only being ~15 minutes away from St. Pete Beach and Tampa depending on traffic. I don't know your budget, but I'd recommend 1) The Birchwood 2) The Vinoy. If you're looking for somewhere on the beach, I'd vote for 1) the Tradewinds 2) the Don Cesar.
I could talk about St. Pete all day. I'll keep an eye on this thread, let me know if you have any questions.
ETA: Places downtown like the Birchwood usually do a ticketed open-bar event for the night of the 4th to watch fireworks. They aren't cheap, and it sounds like you'd want to stay on the beach (there are fireworks there too), but it's something to keep in mind.
If you haven't been here since the 90's, you're in for an incredibly pleasant surprise. St. Pete, and DTSP in particular, are going through (I can say this with a straight face) a cultural & economic renaissance. The green benches are gone (Green Bench Brewery is the only reminder); God's Waiting Room has given way to a thriving food, art, and bar scene. As a matter of fact, just Uber over to Beach Drive and you'll immediately see what I'm talking about. You like museums? Hit up the Dali, Fine Arts, and Chihuly. Bars? Start with rooftop drinks at the Canopy, work your way to Tryst for beer & a light meal, walk over to the new Ringside by Jannus Landing (Ringside usually has great live music going), then hit up the Central Ave bars - Mandarin Hide for Moscow mules, Mastry's/Five Bucks for cheap drinks and darts if that's more your speed.
Do you like breweries? My personal favorite is Three Daughters, then St. Pete Brewing Co on 1st Ave N and then Green Bench. Restaurants? Birch & Vine or Parkshore Grill nice sitdown meals on Beach Drive; El Cap on 4th Street for the best burgers, the original Red Mesa (not Red Mesa Cantina downtown, although they have cheap margs and a cool atmosphere) for the best latin food in town. Nataly's is an insanely good mexican/thai fusion spot. Ted Peters for a St. Pete classic. Go catch a ballgame at the Trop; it's not the nicest place to watch a game, but it's air conditioned and tickets are cheap. And it's Major League Baseball.
Are you dead set on staying by the beach? You could stay downtown, close to bars/museums/the Trop, while only being ~15 minutes away from St. Pete Beach and Tampa depending on traffic. I don't know your budget, but I'd recommend 1) The Birchwood 2) The Vinoy. If you're looking for somewhere on the beach, I'd vote for 1) the Tradewinds 2) the Don Cesar.
I could talk about St. Pete all day. I'll keep an eye on this thread, let me know if you have any questions.
ETA: Places downtown like the Birchwood usually do a ticketed open-bar event for the night of the 4th to watch fireworks. They aren't cheap, and it sounds like you'd want to stay on the beach (there are fireworks there too), but it's something to keep in mind.
This post was edited on 5/31/15 at 10:40 am
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:35 am to Paul Allen
quote:
Charley's is much better than Bern's.
I think they're renovating/relocating or something like that. Unless you're a wine enthusiast or just want to hit up the dessert room, I'd take Charley's over Bern's all day. Shula's has good food but is, predictably, overpriced and more than a little tacky.
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:43 am to Phat Phil
I'm sitting on the beach on Lido Key right now near sarasot, it's very nice. St. Armands circle is great, lots of good restaurants and shops. One of my favorite get away from it all places
Posted on 5/31/15 at 10:54 am to CuseTiger
quote:
Get away from it all
All except tigerdroppings apparently
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