I lived in Tampa in '95 and '96, in that area (off Bruce B. Downs). It's not a bad city, especially where Florida's concerned; at least Tampa has some age and history to it. I think the sportsbar chain I used to frequent to watch my Patriots was Beef O'Brady's (decent food and drink at that time).

This is a decades-old "to do" list so, if any of these have gone downhill, don't blame me, LOL.

Ybor City
Florida Aquarium
Busch Gardens
MOSI
Lowry Park Zoo (in a shitty area, as most city zoos are, but a very nice zoo)
Tampa Theatre (old-style moviehouse/playhouse)
Brandon Town Center (big-ass mall near you)
Shell's restaurant (not too far from you)
Hops restaurant (if they're still around)
Crabby Bill's (St. Pete area)
John's Pass (St. Pete area)
Salvador Dali Museum (St. Pete)
decent sporting options (Bucs, Devil Rays, Lightning)

Apparently after I left they also built something called Channelside which is a shopping/eating district.

I drive by MOSI every day.

I'm just now getting the chance to get out and explore the city. Thanks for the tips. I thought the Salvador Dali Museum was in Sarasota? That is one place I'm going to go check out very soon.

Channelside is nice, but not spectacular. I prefer Hyde Park over Ybor for nightlife. Shell's (if it's what I'm thinking of) and Hops are just 'ok' chain restaurants. Crabby Bill's has locations all over the area, but Frenchy's is a much better casual beach seafood and there are better sit-down seafood places than Crabby Bill's. The rest is a pretty good list of stuff to do.

I wanted to visit the Dali museum for a while and the girlfriend and I went last month & enjoyed it.

Not sure what you mean by the "border" as it's an island over there, isn't it?

I've been to Clearwater beach and Indian Rocks beach and love 'em. I'm planning on going to Fort DeSoto beach tomorrow with my dog. I hear they have a dog beach over there.

If you cut the peninsula in half I consider the south part St. Pete and then north of it is Clearwater, Palm Harbor and then Tarpon Springs.

Clearwater beach is the 'fun' (and touristy) beach if you want a bunch of people of all ages. Indian Rocks is quieter. I love Fort DeSoto. There's tons to do there: canoe/kayak, beach, tour the fort, trails, etc. Yes, they have a dog beach. Last time I went we ate lunch at the dog beach then moved over to the beach by the pier. When we were out in the water we watched a family of dolphins about 25 yards out swim around for about 25 minutes.

Sweet. Would like to see that.

According to Mapquest, Fort DeSoto beach is an hour away!! Jeebus, I swear I can smell the ocean from here, how the ***** can I be an hour away! I need to move closer to shore.

I had noticed you missing but figured you had changed your name.

Too bad we don't get waves like this off Clearwater Beach. :D

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Sorry to hear about your dad.


So does this mean you won't come over to my house to see a football game in the future?

I would never do that. I like my name.

LOL. I'm sure I'll be going back to Denver for a visit some time in the future.

Nice to see you on the board, Cosmic. Sorry to hear about your dad and all the other troubles.

Thx. Very much appreciated.

I'm very blessed by all the kindness from so many people the last week in KC. There were 700-800 people at the memorial service and that was pretty inspiring- a real life-changer for me.

I think I went to Ybor city. I think. Could have been Daytona, maybe Panama City... I am not really sure. Anyway, if you know of any IT jobs opening in the area lemme know. Florida kicks much ass! Oh, and sorry about your dad. I went thru the same in June. It sucks.

Welcome!! I live on Dale Mabry we should meet up and hit up some bars. Shoot me a message.