Florida!

Zoom

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#1
My bf's mom is flying us down for his birthday, so we get to escape the snow and below freezing temps of Colorado for a few days!

We'll be around Sarasota...where are some good places to eat? Are there any "MUST DO/TRY THIS" things?

I'm so excited; I've never been on a tropical beach before. My very first ocean experience was last summer with Nolu when we went to Maryland. There may be reports of the ISS logging odd flashes of light from the beach--which will be me, most likely. I'm so pale right now I reflect light. :rolleyes:
 

noludoru

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#2
You'll LOVE the beach in FL. It's so much better than MD. Warmer, softer sand, cleaner water, etc.

And I have to say... I'm liking the cold. :eek:
 

Lizmo

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#3
All I have to say is. You've never been to the FLORIDA beach?! Oh man. The beach is wonderful.
 

milos_mommy

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#5
I've never been to Sarasota, but I'm fairly certain that is EXCELLENT manatee viewing grounds - and it might be close to some of the natural springs where they breed, although breeding season is passed, there should still be plenty of manatees around to squeal at.

Otherwise, the ocean is likely heavenly. The water down there this time of year is still as warm or warmer than the atlantic off NY in summer, so enjoy it. It's so salty and floaty and wonderful.
 

~Jessie~

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#6
Awesome! I don't know much about the Sarasota area, but I do like the gulf coast beaches. You definitely should cut across the state and go to an Atlantic Ocean beach. I was at the beach over the weekend and the water was still a bit cold, but I'm a wuss with temperatures since I've moved down here :p

If you can get a bit north, Crystal Springs is where most of the manatee swims are. The springs down in FL are awesome- crystal clear water and warm.

Have a great time :D
 

SoCrafty

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#7
I have never been to Sarasota but I live about an hour or two from Tampa. If you are looking to see Manatees, you have to go to Homossasa Springs. There is a wildlife park there with springs that may still have some manatees in. Otherwise, head to Weeki Wachee. They still do mermaid shows or you can rent a canoe or kayak and and go down the Weeki Wachee river in the clearest water you will EVER see. The Weeki Wachee Springs has a water park, don't know if its open yet but I think the spring is open to swim in. As far as restaurants most of Florida is ALL chain restaurants.

If you want Gulf Coast beaches - definitely Clearwater Beach. I think they still have a pretty big scene. Ybor is ehh, but then again I am not into the club scene. If you want Atlantic beaches, you can make the east coast in about 3 hours. New Smyrna Beach is really pretty, and I think they still have some local only restaurants. Try Norwoods if you like seafood. St. Augustine is about 2 hours north of New Smyrna and is awesome. Totally recommend that. You can stop in Daytona on your way from New Smyrna to St. Augustine.

If you decide to stay strictly West coast - avoid US 19 as much as possible. Terrible road. There are always accidents on it, no matter where you are on it.

Invest in the urban Spoon app on your smart phone and you will get a lot of hits for restaurants.
 

crazedACD

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#8
I used to live in the Riverview/Brandon area and I stayed on the beach in Siesta Key. It was nice, cute (expensive) shops, nice eateries, nice beaches. Nothing overly 'must-see' though. If you like theme parks, Busch Gardens is great. Usually when I stay at the beach...I beach it for a few days, relax, shop, eat good. :p I always used to go to Anna Maria island (which is on the same strip as the Sarasota beaches).

Ybor is ehh, but then again I am not into the club scene.
Ybor is uh..classy :rofl1:. It's pretty 'ghetto'. Had my car broken into, been followed by creeps. Don't walk down dark alleys and don't let anyone really talk to you. I used to like it when I was younger and into causing trouble :p. You're probably better off going to Channelside (the aquarium is there, IMAX theater, a few decent restaurants/bars), if you are in Tampa.
 

SoCrafty

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#9
Ybor is uh..classy :rofl1:. It's pretty 'ghetto'. Had my car broken into, been followed by creeps. Don't walk down dark alleys and don't let anyone really talk to you. I used to like it when I was younger and into causing trouble :p. You're probably better off going to Channelside (the aquarium is there, IMAX theater, a few decent restaurants/bars), if you are in Tampa.
LOL totally agree with Ybor thing. Was trying to be nice :lol-sign: Channelside is nice though! Aquarium is awesome.
 

Zoom

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#10
Don't care too much about the shops or theme parks. Mostly looking forward to good food and water. It would be awesome if I got to see manatees!
 

Zoom

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#11
However now that I think about it, there may have to be some shopping going on. I think I own precisely one pair of shorts...and they may or may not be fit for public. This is what happens when you have jobs involving either jeans all the time (horses) or dress pants (sales).
 

meepitsmeagan

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#12
However now that I think about it, there may have to be some shopping going on. I think I own precisely one pair of shorts...and they may or may not be fit for public. This is what happens when you have jobs involving either jeans all the time (horses) or dress pants (sales).
I'm not here to state anything outside the fact that I am still very jealous that you had a trail riding job. Lol
 

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