Exploring Florida on vacation..
 

I've been down here since Monday morning and so far I've been in Ft Lauderdale, Miami, all the Keys but mainly Key West, did an everglades tour and now I'm in Sarasota just outside of Siesta Key.

First time down here, any other suggestions?

Sorry you came to Sarasota. It's just boring unless you enjoy a beach with nothing else to do.
Red tide is in as well so there is dead fish everywhere.
If you need restaurant recommendations let me know.

Figured you were a native

Saw some of that at Siesta Key this morning, and yea I'll take some restaurant recommendations any time.

Sent a PM

Bath salts are popular

Angels Taqueria- Sarasota

Another Broken Egg-Siesta Key breakfast

Daiquiri Deck- Siesta Key beverages

Dude, get up to Clearwater and hmu tomorrow.

It’s Florida. Go towards the salt water stay away from gators. I live down here, that’s what we do and its awesome. Eat some fish tacos.

Clearwater beach is the best beach in central Florida these days. Daytona is a shithole

Nice hidden gem is crystal river and three sisters spring.

Daiquiri deck is down the street from where I'm staying so I've already been there.

Go visit BRC.

Been to Crystal River several times flying a guy.

What's the name of the restaurant that you have to drive west a ways out to near open water? I had the smothered grouper there, and holy shit it's the best fish I've ever had.

Find Florida man hes wild as hell!

Go check out the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral if you're into that sort of thing.

Oh, and pamper yourself for an hour at Bob Kraft's day spa.

I'm a fan of Siesta Key.

My daughter is a waitress there.

.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...257412a81f.jpg


And be nice...."I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills, skills I have acquired over a very long career, skills that make me a nightmare for people like you."

Sent from my LM-X410(FG) using Tapatalk

Stop by El Rey De Las Fritas in Miami for a Cubano, then walk that over to Union Beer for lunch and a great beer.

not right now. The red tide and fish kills is stinking up my little slice of paradise. :#
https://media.wtsp.com/assets/WTSP/i...d_1140x641.png

Stay away from Tampa area. Currently experiencing a red tide. There's over 600 tons of dead sea life washed up on the beaches. Kinda smelly...

Dry Tortugas, Tower of Pizza in Key Largo, Looe Key if you like snorkeling...

We should explore each others bodies on the beach mecca

The J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) in Tampa is a cool visit. They have an hour long tour of their facility where you can see people hand rolling cigars and lots of other neat stuff.

I and my adult son toured that a couple of months ago. We loved it. Going into the tobacco rooms, and seeing, touching and smelling the bales of tobacco leaves, was like being in Willy Wonka's factory.

Sanibel (especially this time of year, when the snowbirds are gone and it is less crowded).

This... tons of dead fish by our house. It's sad.

Rainbow river is beautiful and spring fed, 72 degrees year round.

WTF????

Dry Tortugas is booked several months out, if you wanna do that plan very far ahead.

What is red tide? And who do we need to cancel for such a travesty.

Basically a bunch of unused fertilizer from other states gets washed down and caught in a big lake damn. That damn gets opened releasing all that shit into the gulf, it basically causes an algae explosion..fish swim in it and die because it's so thick.

Then you end up with tons of dead fish and crop chemicals in the water, it smells awful.

It's like what you do for attention, except instead of saying the stupid thing, he says the gayest thing.

I had Cuban food from a place in key west called El sabony it was really good.

I think my lady got sick from it. She's had a bunch of breathing problems for about a week.

We're at 17,000,000 cells per liter of this crap. 1,000,000 is considered high.

I'll blame Alabama then...it is in their motto already.

Yea it can cause lots of respiratory and eye problems. Even today with no sign of it I had some coughing.

WHO has acquired these skills? You or the bartender?...:)

Water is a clear 82 degrees with 1-3 ft waves here on the East Coast.

Where did you get that BS story?LMAO


Red Tide happens naturally, but you never see fish kills and wide spread smell like this. Worse in the 11 years I've been down here.


But in this case, it was the planned chemical spill from Piney Point. Their waste product from making fertilizer was deliberately dumped into the Bay and everyone knew this was going to cause a Red Tide explosion. But, the whole dam giving way would have created an even worse Red Tide.


Below is from Wikipedia. Just google Piney Point if you want to confirm..........

Piney Point phosphate plant is an industrial site in Manatee County, Florida, formerly the location of a fertilizer plant and currently owned by HRK Holdings, which leases portions of the land to industrial tenants under the name Eastport.<sup id="cite_ref-Bradenton_1-0" class="reference">[1]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-HRK_2-0" class="reference">[2]</sup> In March 2021, a phosphogypsum stack, the dam to the reservoir storing wastewater from phosphate tailings created by from the former plant's operations, began to fail, prompting evacuations on April 1 followed by the governor of Florida issuing a state of emergency on April 3.<sup id="cite_ref-CNN_3-0" class="reference">[3]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-Guardian_4-0" class="reference">[4]</sup> Contaminated water was discharged into Tampa Bay in an effort to prevent the reservoir's collapse

Damn well sure you know more than me.

What Rain Man said. We were in Bradenton and drove over to Cape Canaveral and LOVED the Space Center. It's about $65/person + $10 to park.

Seminole Hard Rock Casino Hollywood, Florida.

We’re leaving Sunday morning for 3 days at universal and then 3 days at fort Walton beach. Is the red tide near either of those 2 places?

Also, any tips on good restaurants there would be appreciated.

In Orlando hit Cafe TuTu Tango.

I live 2-3 miles from Piney Point

I hope Tom Brady stays there in the offseason.

Yikes:eek:

Blackened fish tacos were Awesome in Key West!! We did the touristy trap stuff, didn’t care!! Have fun, drink some Miami-vices!! Eat some chocolate covered key lime pie!!!

Ive not heard of any “Red Tide” smell in the Orlando area. You should be good to go. Going to Disney World myself in about 10 days. Florida resident rates are $54. That’s too good to pass up.

No idea where Ft. Walton beach is but this still ongoing red tide smell should just be located in the greater Tampa Bay Area but Piney point is near Sarasota so it could be effecting that area too

Delmonico’s has great Italian food and it’s not too far from Universal. The owners are from upstate NY and it’s probably my favorite restaurant in Orlando. Seito Sushi is very good too. Toothsome’s Chocolate factory at Universal is pretty cool, but the last time I went there about a year ago the menu was cut back because of covid. I assume it’s back to normal now. No red tide in either of those areas and the beaches in Fort Walton are super nice.

The tempura cheesecake at Seito is freaking delicious

Thanks. Toothsomes sounds right up our alley. We’ll definitely check that out.

We’ve heard a lot of good things about Fort Walton beach. We’re gonna do some running at universal and then hang out on the beach for 3 days.

And yes, I’m Mr Touristy McTourist and I don’t care. Lol.

Thanks BRC.

The touristy stuff is cool. Toothsome’s is definitely a fun place and if you are taking kids they will love it. You’ll probably need a reservation at any of those places I mentioned so definitely call ahead. Toothsome’s normal menu is like a book so if they are back to normal, then you should have plenty to choose from.

If you were going to Disney, Epcot has a couple of really good restaurants too. I used to work in Pensacola and am very familiar with the beaches up there, but don’t know much about the restaurants in Ft Walton area.

Yeah it is. I’ve only had it once but it was really good. I really like their shishito peppers and edamame appetizers, too.

I've done the Cigar City Brewery tour over in Tampa and had a fun time. They make some great beers. They do beer tastings on the tour and then they have a tap room for after it's over.

At Disney now, and heading to Madeira Beach (St Pete/Clearwater area) on Monday. Any info about the red tide there? What are the chances it may move out by then?

If you can smell red tide all the way in Orlando, we’re deeply ****ed.

Here’s yesterday’s red tide map. The worst of it is in the actual bay. The Gulf beaches have not had it as bad — yet.

https://myfwc.com/media/27125/7-8-15-2021-combo.jpg

Circles Waterfront Restaurant in Apollo Beach is an excellent choice for seafood as well as having a nice, outdoor experience. We ate there a few days ago and also went down to the beach afterwards and didn't notice any red tide issues.

Fresco's is right around the corner from Universal off Turkey Lake Rd....small family owned Italian place, doesn't look like much, but the food is fantastic and priced very reasonable.....make reservations or you won't be able to get in....good for entire family

Touristy: Go down I-drive (International) for all sorts of chain stuff, and there is a Melting Pot on Sand Lake.....wouldn't recommend any of it personally, but if you have family in tow, it may be ideal.

If you're looking for high end, there's a ton of places up and down Sand Lake (about 5 mins from Universal).....Eddie V's, Ocean Prime, Christinie's, personal favorite is "H".....ran by a couple of Turks, and they run a really tight ship....it is costly, but the presentation and food is amazing.....they do a table side service, which is a lot of fun.....again, very costly. But all of this is 5-10 mins from Universal.

I would concur with all of this as well!

We prefer Siesta Key as well. Clearwater Beach is crowded all the time and parking/traffic can be a nightmare there.

Was just at Universal 3 weeks ago. Yes, definitely make a reservation at any city walk restaurant. It will make your life better.

Oh and Velocicoaster is amazing.

No chance. But, it may be a lot less of an offensive smell on the western side of the peninsula. I'm guessing you'll notice it but wont ruin your beach day.

During red tides the rip currents are a lot worse, but still rare. Just remind your kids on how to behave if they get caught in one.

Went out to my dock this am and still tons of dead fish all around my dock but I'm on the eastern bay side.

Daiquiri Deck is fantastic. Went there in March.

Clearwater is a way way over rated beach. I've only been once in 11 years. No parking, You have to walk a 1/2 mile out to get in water above your waist.

Siesta Key has the quartz sand. Doesn't get hot and feels like walking on baby powder. Best beach in the USA and in some lists the world.

Ft. Desoto is a national park. It has the best beaches in the TB area. Plenty of parking. $5 a car load. Camping. 2 major beaches. Dog beach. You want to go where the locals go...... this is the place. Don't tell em I sent ya.

I haven’t been to the H, but I’ve been to the other Turkish place in that shopping center before and it was pretty good. If it weren’t too far away, I’d recommend the places downtown that are within walking distance from Lake Eola.

I am a big Disney fan but there is no way I would go in June, July or August. Between the sweltering heat and the crowds I will pass no matter what the price.

You are a braver man than I.

I have lived here in. Florida about 5 years now....and I have to say it's been a great place to live. My goal from now until the time I am "toes up" is to explore all the little things that I overlooked in all my travel thus far.

Most of what my wife and I have done is northeast Florida/SE Georgia, stopping at places most people overlook when planning a trip....a diner few know about...unique and eclectic shopping venues...pristine beaches where commercially driven construction hasn't invaded.

I find myself just as interested in the out of the way lake....or restaurant....or trinket/second hand shop as I do the normally advertised places.

Don't get me wrong....I do Disney and Kennedy Space Center....Daytona Beach and St Augustine...but nothing is better than heading out with a general purpose in mind and accidentally discovering something totally different.

I'm use to it now. I'll regularly go out in the middle of the day/heat and walk 4-5 miles. If I can survive that Jacksonville game heat in 2019, I can survive any heat.

gotta put H on the list, but be prepared to drop some dime on it

wear sunscreen

That was a test of loyalty....it was telling that by the middle of the 2nd quarter that stadium was mostly red.

I am used to the heat here...it's the crowds and all that hot cement that exacerbates the heat. Plus as I have gotten older my tolerance and patience for waiting has waned.

Last night we went to Owens Fish Camp to eat, pretty good I thought.

I don’t wait in line either. Standing and Waiting for 1-2 hours for a 1.5 minute ride ain’t happening anymore with me either.

I like going to the food and wine festival. Walking around drinking alcohol and sampling food from around the world is more my speed these day’s.

+1 on Fort DeSoto. Fantastic place.

Here's Webcams of Santa Rosa Beach, it's just east of Destin, they shot the movie The Truman Show nearby at Seaside.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oZItMwnjjXI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ftGfQqCA184" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Here's a webcam from the Wyndham Garden Hotel Ft. Walton Beach

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5lK8CJLW1oI" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Go check out the new OCC Road House & Museum in Clearwater. Maybe pick yourself up a new chopper and see Florida in style!