We visited Myakka River State Park after having had a stomach flu for two weeks. We NEEDED to get out of the house and get some fresh air but we didn’t want to share our germs so we knew we had to avoid public places. We decided to drive down to the park from Tampa – about an hour and 10 minute drive for us.
Perhaps we had been cooped up for sooooo long that anything would have been entertaining but we had the best time! I’m not a huge lover of hikes and the outdoors. Especially in Florida, hiking often means mosquitoes, sweating, sugar sand, and mediocre views since our topography is flat.
We headed straight for the Canopy Walkway when we arrived. The walkway is 25 feet high and 100 feet long. There’s also a taller tower that rises 74 feet into the air and allows for beautiful views of the treetops. We were happy to discover the walkway and tower are a short distance from the parking lot. The views were beautiful!
We chatted with a few people at the walkway who told us they had just seen 8 alligators by the docks. We went straight there! The kids were eager to spot a gator. They told us to drive past the area where they do river tours, to the end of the parking lot, past the docks, then take the trail a short ways which will lead to a lake. It was easy to find and we spotted a bunch of big alligators when we arrived. There were fisherman there with the alligators all around them. Made us nervous but it was also a good show!
After that we drove slowly through the park and spotted a few deer. Our kids didn’t even know we had deer in Florida so that was a fun surprise.
Next we visited the birdwalk which lived up to it’s name! We saw several specials of birds including a hawk which was eating a mouse. It was a little graphic. We also saw a small alligator crawling through the marsh.
On our way out of the park we stopped at the bridge right by the entrance. We had also been told that was a good place to spot alligators. Sure enough, there were several meandering through the waterways and we sat and watched them watch us for a while.
Overall, we found Myakka River State Park to be a beautiful, unique, animal-dense park and the kids are eager to return soon!
Heading off on vacation to Clearwater Beach in search of fun activities in the sun? Popular for its gorgeous beaches and white sand, Clearwater is also an excellent spot for families to come and enjoy the beach town with plenty of activities both on and offshore. So, enjoy this mostly tried and tested list of the best fun things to do in Clearwater Beach.
Dolphin
Tours
Cruise out of Clearwater Bay as you make
your way to the Gulf of Mexico in search of friendly dolphins jumping out of
the water. Tour guides will share facts about the natural wonders of the area
and its wildlife, too. There are several companies available such as The Tropics
Boat Tours for shared tours or for a private tour
try A Boat Day.
Pirate
Ship Tour
Ever wanted to embark on pirate
adventures? Clearwater Beach is unique for having a large, black and red,
traditionally designed pirate ship full of friendly pirates on board taking you
through Clearwater Bay. Captain
Memo’s pirate boat tour is fun filled for both
children and adults with dolphin spotting, stories, music, and water gun games.
Fishing
Charter
From both inshore to deep sea fishing,
Clearwater is full of great opportunities for fishing enthusiasts to catch
something interesting from under the sea. With kid friendly fishing charter
tours as well as half and full day tours, it’s a great way to experience the
sea with the family. Check out the longest operating Clearwater fishing boat here
and another great fishing charter company offering a variety of tours here.
Pier
60
Clearwater’s most popular pier, Pier
60
features a 1,080 foot fishing pier recreational park right on the beachfront.
It’s packed full of fun activities like trampolines, bounce houses,
playgrounds, and – of course – fishing. You can also find souvenirs and
concession stands at the pier.
Segway Tour
Take in the sights of Clearwater Beach while riding a Segway! This 7.5 mile journey aboard a high-tech ride will be a memorable experience and loads of fun with friends and family. This two hour guided tour would be a great way to get an overview of all the restaurants, sights, and fun to be had along Clearwater Beach. Tours depart everyday at 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM and cost is $65 for a 2 hour tour.
Sunsets
at Pier 60
A great spot for the whole family, Sunsets at
Pier 60 is a free daily festival full of local
crafters and street performers with acts such as fire breathers, magicians,
stilt walkers and much more. You may even spot “Captain Jack Sparrow” hanging
around here.
Visitors can also enjoy the cozy outdoor
cinema at Sunsets at Pier 60 while on vacation, too. It’s not only free but
also great fun for the whole family with movies beginning at dusk
Wave
Runners
Looking for more adventure during your
vacation? Embark on a high-speed journey through the Gulf waters as you explore
the sea with perfect views of Clearwater Beach. Both independent and guided
tours are available. An exciting guided tour is a 2-hour
dolphin safari, allowing you to get up close
to Clearwater’s beautiful dolphins.
Clearwater
Marine Aquarium
Experience the fun of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and meet friendly sea turtles, dolphins, and other marine mammals. The aquarium is a non-profit dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine animals. Many activities at the aquarium include learning about caring for the marine animals in a fun and engaging atmosphere.
This aquarium is home to several rehabilitated dolphins including Winter from the movie Dolphin Tale staring Morgan Freeman.
Visitors can also enjoy guided kayak and
boat tours hosted by the aquarium for added adventure.
Parasail
Parasail City offers the opportunity to venture high into the sky for amazing views of the Gulf of Mexico and a thrilling experience. For $79 you’ll board the boat with a United States Coast Guard licensed captain for an hour and a half total boat trip time and riders will be airborne for 8 to 10 minutes. Adventurous riders can choose to get dipped into the water and/or have a short free-fall.
Putt
Putt
Everyone enjoys a bit of putt putt on vacation, so check out Clearwater’s several putt putt options during your stay. Captain Bligh’s Landing Mini-Golf has a great set up of 18-hole mini golf featuring caves, waterfalls, a large wooden pirate ship, and parrot in the front office who greets you upon arrival.
Shopping
Complete your vacation fun with some shopping. Clearwater Beach has a variety of nice shops on Mandalay Avenue and Gulfview Boulevard with everything from souvenirs and clothing, to surfing equipment and keepsakes, to everything else under the sun. Local artisans also set up shop along Pier 60 in the evenings and it’s great to support local businesses!
Indoor Surfing
If the weather doesn’t cooperate take the party indoors for some FlowRider surfing inside of the popular Surf Style store. The simulated adventure shoots a thin layer of 80-degree water at surfers at 25 to 30 mph. Wipeouts reportedly don’t hurt (can’t attest to that one) since the FlowRider has a trampoline-like surface. There are no age limits but riders must be at least 42 inches or taller. There are instructors to help out first-timers and all boards are provided. One 30 minute session is $30 but you can purchase memberships and save up to 50%.
Tampa is a great place for families, especially when it comes to dining out. When you’ve got the whole family in tow, finding a place where everyone has something to enjoy while keeping the kids from getting restless is key. Break away from the typical chains and schedule some quality family time at one of these 7 best family-friendly restaurants in Tampa!
1. Datz
We’ll start with Datz, which has always ranked highly among those
with little ones. Why we love it? For starters, you can come for breakfast, brunch
(weekends only), lunch, or dinner. And the food is purely fantastic with huge
salads, sandwiches, and tacos rounding out the menu. But what makes it perfect
for the kids is that it offers a text-ahead feature so you can get in line
before you get there, meaning no more of the dreaded “I’m hungry! Why can’t we
sit down nowwwww?” Also, the kids’ menu has hilarious names for its tasty
selection like ‘I’m Not Hungry’ (chicken strips) and ‘Stop It’ (grilled
cheese).
2. Heights
Public Market at Armature Works
If you’ve yet to head over to Armature
Works, get the kids in the car and go right now! This innovative place will
keep your whole clan entertained for hours. With so much to do, we love Heights Public Market, which
is basically a fancy food court. Every restaurant in Heights Public Market has
offerings for kids too. This is the ideal solution when you ask your kids, “What
do you feel like eating?” and everyone chimes in with completely opposite
tastes. Plus, there’s a fun front lawn that has giant chess and checkers boards
to play on with surrounding chairs where you can dine al fresco.
3.Bartaco
Craving food with a Mexican flair? Bartaco is the place to be! This
open-air eatery features a great location nearby fountains and shopping, making
it easy to take squirmy kids for a quick walk around. The kids’ menu has plenty
of healthy options you’ll love yet are tasty enough to appeal to even the
pickiest of children.
4.Sparkman Wharf
Tampa’s newest outdoor waterfront venue, Sparkman Wharf, is a prime place to take
the kiddos on the weekend. With lush, green space ideal for running off that
seemingly never-ending energy, live music, and kid-friendly eats in the Dining
Garden, you’ll have a grand time. With a relaxed outdoor waterfront setting,
the Dining Garden is a place where culinary concepts come alive. The kids will
most definitely love The Corners for
Detroit-style pizza and Flock and
Stock for chicken and burgers.
5. Beef ‘O’Brady’s
With numerous locations in the area, Beef
‘O’Brady’s has been a Tampa-area institution since 1984. If you have been
in Tampa since your college years, you probably found Beef’s to be a fantastic
place for wings and beer. Well, it still is, plus it has a game room for kids
and kid-friendly eats. The original location is in Brandon, but you can choose
one of their other locations nearest you in Tampa.
6. GameTime
Located in Ybor City, GameTime has something
for everyone in the family. Check out sports on over 60 TVs and let the kids
play in the Mega Arcade which features over 120 games and simulators. Plus, the
new menu of gourmet eats is a win with wings, pizza, sandwiches, wraps, ribs,
and more!
7.Splitsville
With a great location in the Channelside
Bay Plaza, Splitsville
revamps the classic bowling alley with a vibrant, upscale twist. Be sure to
make reservations first though, especially if you’d like to go bowling. The
food is far more spectacular than typical bowling alley food that you grew up
with a southern style that features fried green tomatoes and fried chicken
alongside pizza and nachos. Utterly eclectic, you’ll get no complaints from
your squad.
So where will you be taking the kids to eat
in Tampa today?
Tampa’s Thai Temple – A Unique Taste of Thailand in Tampa Bay!
In
the heart of Tampa Bay, Wat
Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple brings you a little piece of Thailand from nearly
10,000 miles away with its traditional Thai architecture, cuisine, and
hospitality.
Located on the banks of the Palm River, the temple (commonly referred to as Wat Temple because Mongokolratanaram is a little hard to say!) first opened in 2007 by members of Tampa’s Thai community. They gather every week for services at the temple, which gleams in the sun with its golden-colored roof and dragon-esque decor.
Tampa’s Thai Temple
Curious visitors are invited inside the temple, first removing their shoes. They’re welcome to wander the temple, explore its unique architecture, and get a close up of the golden Buddha statue as they learn more about Buddhism and Thai traditions. Friendly volunteers of the temple are also available for chats and to answer any questions visitors may have.
Thai Temple’s Sunday Market
One of the temple’s greatest attractions is its Sunday Market where visitors can dive into Thai cuisine and interact with the local Thai community in a friendly and inviting atmosphere. From pad Thai and curry to fresh pork noodle soup and fried bananas, the market offers plenty of delicious foods from Thailand.
Tips for Visiting Tampa’s Thai Temple Sunday Market
The market becomes very crowded from quite early on, so it’s a good idea to arrive as early as possible to find a good parking spot. Also, the food can sell out quite fast, so arriving before 10AM is probably best.
There’s lots of seating at red picnic tables, but it can still be a bit difficult to find a decent spot to sit down and eat.
Cash Only
The market is cash only so be sure to bring enough cash. Prices are generally very reasonable with egg rolls available for $1, pork and beef on a stick for $3, curries starting at $5, and pork noodle soup starting at $6.
Food Tips
Fried Bananas being cooked.
There are many curries available, as it’s a popular choice among visitors. We sampled 6 of the curries and found our favorite to be the the chicken pumpkin panang.
One note, some of the dishes we weren’t expecting to taste fishy were very fishy. Our kids don’t like seafood so they wouldn’t touch the ones that had a fishy taste. If you’re allergic to shellfish or sensitive to that taste, it’s something to look out for.
The star of the show, with the longest line to go along with it, was the soup! The broth was so flavorful and our whole group (5 adults and 5 kids) agreed it was delicious. We did have to wait in a 20 minute line to get the soup but it was worth it!
You can choose between beef, pork, or vegetable noodle soup. We tried all three and enjoyed all three! $6 and the portions were very large.
The market has various other traditional foods such as grilled pork or chicken on a stick, egg rolls, Thai papaya salad, and Thai tea and coffee as well as several desserts. We tried most popular items and especially loved the chicken satay, fried bananas, and Thai tea!
You can also buy fresh fruit and vegetables to take home with you from the market.
Recycle
After eating, you’re encouraged to use the provided recycling bins to recycle your plastic bottles and cans.
Flowers and Produce
Beyond food, flowers and medicinal herbs and plants are available for purchase, too. If you’re a fan of orchids, this is the perfect place to shop for fresh and beautiful ones.
Other items for sale included locally grown produce, sauces, herbs, and desserts.
Entering the Wat Temple
Dress appropriately. Shorts and short dresses are not encouraged. Legs, shoulders and stomach should be covered, according to the sign on the door.
You’ll need to remove your shoes before entering the temple, so bring socks if you’re not comfortable walking around barefoot.
Don’t point your feet at the Buddha images or Monks, as it’s a sign of disrespect.
If you’re interested in attending, the religious service runs from 1PM until 2PM. It involves chants, sermon, and meditation and it is conducted entirely in Pali.
When we visited there were two rows on chairs set up in the back and guests who were praying or sitting on mats in the middle of the floor. There was a man with a microphone answering questions asked by the visitors. We sat and listened for 10 minutes as he talked about the history of the temple and the upcoming events and services they offer.
Visiting the Wat Temple in Tampa, Florida is an incredible experience combing food, culture, and great atmosphere with the local Thai community. The temple itself is both calm and reverent and the market is full of friendly vendors and delicious food. You won’t regret visiting this beautiful temple along the lovely Palm River!
First date, milestone date, or somewhere in between, there’s a perfect date night restaurant for you in Tampa. Ignite your desires for something a bit more mysterious than ordering takeout yet again from your corner Chinese place or heading to the same chain restaurants. Here, we’ve carefully curated a list of the best date night restaurants in Tampa that will impress no matter how many dates you’ve had together.
1. Ava
First up, Ava
is a casual place with a homey vibe. Plate sharing is the name of the game,
creating a sense of community throughout. The wood-fired pizzas are out of this
world though other items on the menu, like the braised lamb shank, can do no
wrong. It’s a pet-friendly place on the back patio if you want your dog to be
the third wheel. This is the perfect place to go if you want a laid-back date
with tasty food and a good selection of beer and wine.
2. Cask
Another casual date night restaurant option
with indoor and outdoor dining is Cask. Come
here when you’ve been out all day and don’t feel like dressing up. It’s ideal
for unwinding plus features creative plates and cocktails alike, all with
delicious results. Known for candied bacon and honey popcorn, it’s a place for
the fun and adventurous to grab a bite.
3. La
Terrazza Ristorante
For something a little more refined, La Terrazza in Ybor City gives you an
understated and welcoming atmosphere with authentic Italian flair. Great for a
little romance, Chef Andrea Fenu crafts some of the best Northern Italian
classics for your gastronomic pleasure. No need to make reservations though if
you want to ensure you have a table on typically busy nights, make one.
4. The Rusty
Pelican
For date night with a view, head to The Rusty Pelican. With fresh
seafood and a dazzling Caribbean touch, this elegantly-appointed restaurant
hits all the right notes. The stunning panoramas of the waterfront and city skyline
are the ideal backdrop to your date night out.
5. Ciro’s
Speakeasy and Supper Club
Looking for something a bit different and
exciting for your date night? Try Ciro’s
Speakeasy and Supper Club. With the theme of the Prohibition-era and a
roaring 20s ambience, it’s a unique way to enjoy a night out. A captivating
menu of cocktails and classic dishes awaits your discovery. Make reservations
to get the password of the day and knock to get in!
6. Bern’s
Steakhouse
And finally, for the ultimate date night
restaurant in Tampa, nothing exceeds the excellence of the legendary Bern’s Steakhouse. It’s been an
institution in Tampa for perfectly aged steaks and upper echelon dining since
1956. Take a tour through the kitchen and vast wine cellar if it’s your first
time and don’t forget to make reservations for the Harry Waugh Dessert Room to end
your meal with an impeccable finish.
Which one will you dine at for date night
tonight?
