What are you ding this w/end? Ideas Please. (Tampa: theatre, restaurants)

[Floridaa]

Any different suggestions for tomorrow.(no children)

Think we have done all the local attractions. Selby,Disney( love Disney/go all the time),Universal,Seaworld,Jungle Gardens Local,Beaches, Mansion at Ringling Bros,State Parks near by. Venice,Solomons Castle.Mantee Players,Golden Apple theatre, Boat Tours Sarasota Bay,Parasailing.

What are we missing,that is about 1 1/2hr -2hrs away from Out East in Bradenton.

[smaridge01]

Floridaa, I don't see canoeing or kayaking on your list of been there done that. I have done both on numerous occasions around the Tampa Bay area and several rivers inland. Having tried them both, I prefer kayaks in a big way.

I would suggest getting in touch with a local outfitter and see about getting some paddles wet! Here are some websites I found with a quick Google search:

Kayak Eco Tours in Sarasota Florida

Sarasota Kayak and Canoe Trails

Kayaka Sarasota with Biotica EcoTours

Kayaking Sarasota

I can't say enough good things about kayaking. Here in Florida, it's a kayaking paradise. There are so many opportunities to see all manner of wildlife while paddling, even manatees sometimes!! Very exciting to see it all, and very relaxing to experience the kayak perspective.

Good luck with it all.

Dunedin Daily Photo
Clearwater Daily Photo
Clearwater Beach Daily Photo

[Floridaa]

Thank-you.

You are right,Kayaking it is this w/end.

btw/Has anyone ever gone to Fisherman's Village? I think it is a about 1+ 1/2hr ride from East Bradenton. Is it worth it?

Have a good w/end everyone.

Always trying to do things different over the w/ends.

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Floridaa

Thank-you.

You are right,Kayaking it is this w/end.

btw/Has anyone ever gone to Fisherman's Village? I think it is a about 1+ 1/2hr ride from East Bradenton. Is it worth it?

Have a good w/end everyone.

Always trying to do things different over the w/ends.

You have a pretty good list going. The only other place I would suggest is Babcock Wilderness Adventures. Fisherman's Village is Ok. There are a few shops and restaurants. I think they have a Farmers Market on Weds. You might want to do a dolphin tour or sunset cruise out of there.

[Floridaa]

Thanks SFlorida Gal,will keep it in mind. You didn't seem to enthused with Faihermans Market.Maybe not worth the trip to there but will try the Babcock one.

Heading out the door to Kayak after some lunch to Sarasota..

[SoFLGal]

Originally Posted by Floridaa

Thanks SFlorida Gal,will keep it in mind. You didn't seem to enthused with Faihermans Market.Maybe not worth the trip to there but will try the Babcock one.

Heading out the door to Kayak after some lunch to Sarasota..

It's OK. Here's a link that tells about it: Punta Gorda's Waterfront Mall, Yacht Basin and Marina in Punta Gorda, Florida It's not all that exciting, IMO.

[Big House]

Originally Posted by Floridaa

Thanks SFlorida Gal,will keep it in mind. You didn't seem to enthused with Faihermans Market.Maybe not worth the trip to there but will try the Babcock one.

Heading out the door to Kayak after some lunch to Sarasota..

FV is worth seeing if you are in town, but to travel all that way just for FV? I would put it off, again until you are up here for some other reason that you can pare with it. There are some nice restaurants, and plenty of nice shops, and it is on a pier that runs out to the harbor. SoFLGal mentioned that they have a dining cruise, so you could set something up like that to go with the tour of FV.

Kayaking - that is a lot of fun, and like someone else suggested you can see all kinds of cool natural things, birds, fish, and other wild life.

[davery5872]

Being in Bradenton you are pretty close to Pinellas County.

There is the Pier at St. Pete.
At Madeira Beach there is John's Pass and a bird sanctuary (free).
At Clearwater Beach there is the pier. Make sure go at sunset. They have street performers and such. Kinda like a family version of Key West. In Largo there is the Florida Botanical Gardens (free). A bit further up the road is Tarpon Springs. I love Tarpon Springs, it reminds of old Florida. There is also Fort Desoto on the southern end and Caladesi Island on the northern end of the county.

[Skunk Workz]

Originally Posted by davery5872

Being in Bradenton you are pretty close to Pinellas County.

There is the Pier at St. Pete.
At Madeira Beach there is John's Pass and a bird sanctuary (free).
At Clearwater Beach there is the pier. Make sure go at sunset. They have street performers and such. Kinda like a family version of Key West. In Largo there is the Florida Botanical Gardens (free). A bit further up the road is Tarpon Springs. I love Tarpon Springs, it reminds of old Florida. There is also Fort Desoto on the southern end and Caladesi Island on the northern end of the county.

I haven't been in years, but Sunken Gardens is in St. Pete, along with several art museums if you're into that sort of thing.

Also Busch Gardens in Tampa.

[davery5872]

Originally Posted by Skunk Workz

I haven't been in years, but Sunken Gardens is in St. Pete, along with several art museums if you're into that sort of thing.

Also Busch Gardens in Tampa.

That's true. I was thinking of free things. And I forgot about the Don Pedro. We go and walk around a bit. A little boring for kids, though.

Non-free things-
There is the Dali museum and Sunken Gardens. There are also a couple of pirate cruises. I don't know if there is still a gambling boat or not. Tampa Aquarium is also pretty nice. Lowery Park Zoo is OK.