Planning My Return Journey To Tampa!
By now you all know I’ve left a chunk of my coronary heart in Florida. A fast flight and even drivable from Ontario, it’s the right place for that household trip, a fast romantic getaway, a spot for foodies or adventurers, Florida provides a little bit little bit of one thing for everybody. One of many locations that’s calling me again? Tampa and I’m in search of inspiration for my subsequent journey by wanting again on my final one.
Final time I used to be in Tampa we stayed on the Fenway Lodge, spent hours wandering round The Oxford Trade, explored Honeymoon Island and fell in love with the Florida Aquarium. Right here’s just a bit bit about the whole lot I discovered…
The place to Keep:
Fenway Lodge:
A brief hours drive outdoors of Tampa is the long-lasting Fenway Lodge. Driving up it’s majestic round drive you possibly can’t assist however really feel that you just’ve stepped again in time. In-built 1924, the Fenway Lodge is a landmark in it’s group and a sizzling spot to collect for locals and guests alike. The Fenway Lodge is house to HEW Parlor and Chop Home and the full of life “hifi” roof prime patio that boasts probably the most inspiring of sunsets.
The Fenway is a great thing about a lodge, perhaps much more enticing to the music lover. This boutique lodge instantly units itself aside from all others with it’s nod to the age of jazz. Jazz, the music, and the vibe are weaved into your complete keep. As you enter the foyer you might be greeted by a stay jazz band that performs all through the day. Verify in is swift and candy, full with the resorts signature champagne drink. Divine.
It is just after examine in then that you just start to understand how particular this keep will really be. The Fenway served because the nation’s first radio station, and has now been reworked right into a vacation spot like no different. With partitions echoing its musical heritage, heat and welcoming workers referring to themselves as “the band” and an Alexa in each room simply ready to help you, the Fenway is really a singular expertise. Go for the expertise, keep for the vibe, however don’t miss the restaurant!
Insider Tip: To not be missed is the HEW Parlor and Chop Home. This open kitchen model restaurant serves up delectable meals from sun-up to sunset and is open to the general public. Go away your automotive with the valet and bounce into the eating expereince with each toes. To start out, brunch is a should. I like to recommend the French Toast Pudding. Banana, walnut, and maple syrup all magically baked collectively. And when it’s dinner time don’t skip dessert. The Fenway Banana Cut up is solely a should.
Location: 453 Edgewater Drive, Dunedin, FL
The place To Eat:
The Oxford Trade
The Oxford Trade is an immersive restaurant expertise. Once you enter this area you might be instantly struck by the probabilities. You’ve simply entered a cool, snug area that’s a restaurant, a classy bookstore, a present store, an eyeglass retailer, and a espresso store with a decidedly European really feel all rolled into one. When you’ve acquired your bearings and soaked within the atmosphere it’s time to eat! The Oxford Trade provides an intensive menu of recent easy meals that includes the most effective seasonal, native and natural elements. As you sit absorbing the vibes on this restored outdated constructing you can provide your self a little bit pat on the again. You’ve most definitely discovered the hippest and happiest spot in Tampa.
Insider Tip: Be sure to have a reservation! That is one well-liked place to dine.
Certainly one of Florida’s best-loved state parks, Honeymoon Island has greater than 4 miles of seashore to discover. Park your automotive, pack a picnic, your seashore towel or your strolling sneakers. There’s tons to discover on Honeymoon Island. For the explorer there’s a three-mile path that darts away from the seashore and thru pine forests. As you journey, be sure you preserve your eyes open and it’s possible you’ll be fortunate sufficient to see eagles, osprey, gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos. Have that digicam prepared! Extra of an ocean lover? It is a good spot to whereas away the hours simply soaking within the solar.
Insider Tip: There’s an $8/per car cost to go to.
City of Dunedin
Put in your strolling sneakers and prepare to amble. The waterfront group of Dunedin has a really walkable and ridiculously charming downtown. Quaint antiques retailers, distinctive artwork galleries, full of life pubs, a micro-brewery and effective eating places are all inside straightforward strolling distance on and off Major Avenue. Parking is plentiful and simply discovered.
Insider Tip: The Blue Jays have their coaching camp right here. Once you’re ambling the streets of this little city, preserve your eyes peeled for ball gamers!
Hyde Park Village is an enthralling little out of doors procuring centre that provides you the possibility to surprise by greater than 70 distinctive procuring and specifically shops. From diners and eating places, to pastry retailers, well-known retail shops to distinctive boutiques, to film theatres, there may be positive to be one thing to please everybody. Hyde Park Village is well walkable and a real breath of recent air.
Insider Tip: Begin your tour on the nook of Swann and Dakota Avenue, the center of the Hyde Park Historic District in Tampa, and don’t overlook to deal with your self to a Sprinkles cupcake!
Florida Aquarium
A lot extra than simply fish! The Florida Aquarium is a charming expertise that means that you can stand up near lots of Florida’s aquatic life, land animals and ecosystems. A wet afternoon in Tampa was the right alternative to dive deep into the aquarium and discover all they needed to provide. We wandered the massive, fantastically laid out area and had the chance to see all method of creatures. Some highlights included the lemurs, seahorses, jellyfish, sharks, and birds that seemed to be mocking me with their beautiful colors. The whole area could possibly be simply explored in a brief afternoon, and this consists of cease to pet the stingrays.
Insider Tip: Think about The Wild Dolphin Cruise. It departs twice each day from The Florida Aquarium (climate allowing and at an additional price.) This 75- minute cruise consists of a possibility to identify dolphins within the wild whereas aboard a 72-foot catamaran.
Situated: 701 Channelside Drive Tampa, Florida. Open each day – 9:30 a.m. to five p.m.
I do know I barely scratched the floor of all that Tampa has to supply. I assume which means a return journey is so as! Have you ever been?
Have you ever been to Florida? The place is your favorite spot is and the place ought to we head subsequent?
