Do you have this problem (Tampa, Orlando: theater, university, live)

[Floridaa]

I find when I get company from other places,who aren't beach people or into Sports,that besides the movies/out to eat,there really isn't anyplace to take them unless we go to Disney/Nothing actually in Bradenton!

Any suggestions?

[Rushmore]

I guess these folks have no interest in the arts at all either? Do they enjoy animals? How about parks? What about boating? Do they like bars? How about live music?

Nothing much to do here I guess.

[Picshooter]

Where would they take you if you were to visit them? What would they be doing if they were at home?

If I had friends visiting the last place I would want to go is the movies where I would be respectively quiet. I would prefer to chat and catch up.
We would go boating / fishing. I know that we all don't have boats, but there are bay cruises out of Marina Jack. Stroll St. Armands or downtown, Ringling museum. Myakka or Oscar Sherrer

[Sunshine Rules]

Here are some area things that we do with out of town guests:

In the winter, visiting the Mixon Fruit Farms is a nice afternoon trip. They have a nice little deli and cafe and offer all kinds of special events all winter long.

If your visitors like wine, a trip to the Fiorelli Winery just south of Lake Manatee on county road 675 might be the thing to do. My brother is a wine buff and he bought several bottles.

South FL Museum & Bishop Planetarium. Have your friends ever seen a Manatee up close and personal?

For history buffs, there's the Manatee historical village just east of 1st street on Manatee Ave E. Another spot is the Desoto National Memorial Park, which offers nature trails and guided walks.

How about taking your friends on a boat tour of the Manatee river? There's a little tour boat company off of US301 at Ellenton on the Manatee River that offers tours.

Have you been to the Village of the Arts in downtown Bradenton? Local artists have little shops selling their art work, ceramics, jewelry and crafts.

What about the Twin Dolphin Marina on the Manatee River? There's a restaurant where you and your guests can enjoy watching the boats come and go on the river as you dine.

Sarasota has the Jungle Gardens and Mote Marine. Ever gone on an airboat ride at the Oscar Scheror state park in Osprey? Gotta check out the Gater Gal at least once.

If you want a Disney type experience, what about Busch Gardens in Tampa? Much closer than Orlando. Other options in Tampa are the Museum of Science and Industry, Adventure Island, FL Aquarium, Lowry Park Zoo, Ybor City & the Tampa Bay history center. The Lego Park (formerly Cypress Gardens) will be opening this fall in Winterhaven.

Another place to visit might be St. Pete. Downtown area offers the Pier and Baywalk, Haslam's bookstore (lots of used, new and rare books), there are a number of antique stores too. Attractions include Sunken Gardens and the Dali museum. Along Indian Rocks & Clearwater Beach area are several boat tour options from small to large.


This doesn't even begin to cover all of the local festivals and events held all winter long in our area..... and you won't have to spend almost $100 a ticket to have fun.

[TamRE]

Great World Nature Tours – http://www.greatworldway.com/Great_World_Way/Home.html

Red Barn Flea Market - http://www.redbarnfleamarket.com/

South Florida Museum - http://www.southfloridamuseum.org/

Desoto Square Mall - http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=128

Manatee Players at Riverfront Theatre - http://www.manateeplayers.com/

Rosa Fiorelli Winery - http://www.fiorelliwinery.com/

DeSoto National Memorial Park - http://www.beachdirectory.com/desotomemorial/index.html

Desoto Super Speedway - http://www.desotosuperspeedway.com/

Smugglers Cove Adventure Golf - http://www.smugglersgolf.com/

Gamble Plantation Historic State Park - http://www.floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation/

Village of the Arts - http://activerain.com/blogsview/124666/Village-Of-The-Arts

Mixion Fruit Farms - http://www.mixon.com/

Schomburg Farms - http://www.discoverourtown.com/FL/Palmetto/Recreation/schomburg-farms/21382.html

Myakka River State Park - http://www.myakkariver.org/index.php

[Floridaa]

Thanks for all the replies. Some good others not so good.

Mixion Fruit Farms,isn't what I think of when taking people out! Others are on the list are kind of cheesy. DeSoto Sq Mall.horrible place! as is the Red Barn! Minature golf /no way.

The winery sounds nice/will try that. Always do the Boat ride out of Marina Jacks.

Plus I suppose I will do what I always do,go to Tampa to see some shows and Disney.

We lived not far from NY City,so our choices were limitless.
Needless I love where I live.

[photoman_6]

why are you limiting yourself to Bradenton? There's so much to do in Sarasosta. How bout a ducky tour off nokomis?venice

[TamRE]

If you want to drive down to Sarasota, here are some other activities:

Sarasota Jungle Gardens - http://www.sarasotajunglegardens.com/flash.html

Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall - http://www.vanwezel.org/

The Golden Apple Dinner Theater - http://www.thegoldenapple.com/

Sarasota Players Theatre - http://www.theplayers.org/

Asolo Repertory Theatre - http://www.asolorep.org/

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens - http://www.selby.org/

Mote Marine Laboratory - http://www.mote.org/

The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art - http://www.ringling.org/

G.WIZ, The Hands-On Science Museum - http://www.gwiz.org/

St. Armands Circle - http://www.starmandscircleassoc.com/

Sarasota Classic Car Museum - http://www.sarasotacarmuseum.org/


If you want to drive to Hillsborough County, Tampa area, here are some activities there:

Tampa Electric Company Manatee Viewing Center - http://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay - http://buschgardens.com/bg/

Florida Aquarium - http://www.flaquarium.org/

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo - http://www.lowryparkzoo.com/

University of South Florida Botanical Gardens - http://www.cas.usf.edu/garden/

American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship - http://www.americanvictory.org/

Henry B. Plant Museum - http://www.plantmuseum.com/

Tampa Bay History Center - http://www.tampamuseum.org/

Ybor City Museum Society/Museum - http://www.ybormuseum.org/

[jnanner]

we are totally not into sports and we like the beach but we aren't really super beach people but we find stuff to do