Blown42

We have a free trip to Tampa next weekend 4 days/3nights. We are staying at Safety Harbor. I need suggestions on what to do and see in the area. I would like to visit some boat dealers or maybe do a fishing charter. Any other ideas are appreciated.

Jassman

Nor-Tech is not to far from there, great factory tour, about 45 minutes to Ft Myers.

Jassman

My bad, I thought I was staying in Tampa when I drove to NorTech.

CigDaze

Should be a fun trip. Safety Harbor is nice, but not too much action there.

Check out the St. Pete Pier for a nice day trip and sightseeing, Gators at John's Pass for lunch and a beer, Ybor City in Tampa for night life or any one of dozens of cool beach bars along Gulf Blvd in St. Pete beach--Our favorite is the Hurricane resterant. There are thousands of fishing charters available, do like Mike suggested. West Marine will have tons of info. Or hit John's Pass, you can catch 1/2 day and full day charters out of there at Hubbard's.

Blown42

Thanks for the info we will be drivng down from Atlanta. Any suggestions for Fine Dining? Are there any dealers in Sarasota it sound pretty close.

CigDaze

Not sure about dealers, but you can check out the Donzi plant if you wish. They're in Sarasota.

Mr. Demeanor

You can go out to the Casino boat out of Tarpon Springs. Im not big on gambling but the boat is anchored out in international waters and they run a free ferry back and forth. Catch a ferry out just before sunset for a free sunset cruise. It takes about an hour to get to the boat. We were going to do this boat is was raining the night we were there.
If your in Sarasota on Sunday night I have a must do for you. Go out to the public beach on Siesta Key an hour or two before sunset. A group of bongo players and fire dancers put on a show as the sun sets. They only do it on Sunday night. Afterwards you can grab dinner at any of the open restaurants in Siesta Village. If your in the Sarasota area I would also try a visit to Myakka River state park. They have air boat rides and nature hikes if your into that sort of thing.

FeverMike, was that you I saw leaving Marina Jacks in Sarasota a couple weeks ago with 3 or 4 guys om board?

CigBoat

Suncoast Powerboats in Sarasota seems to have a good deal of boats for sale on the internet. I dont know if they are brokered boats that are there or not. I agree that Mayaka is nice for the nature stuff. The Green Iguana in ybor city is a prety cool place because its right on the water. Too bad its not two weeks later I would be all moved down by then. I cant wait to get out of this cold weather and get boating!!
Todd




P5-48 Navigator
Hilsingermotorsports.com

mpally

What about Spectre? It is in Clearwater, about a 30 min drive. I have been there a few times. Give them a call and they will walk you around the plant.

magnum

A good idea might be to go to clearwater marina on your first evening.I think most full day fishing charters return between 4 and 5 pm,that way you can see who's catching fish and what kind.Afterwards dinner at one of the restaruants with a sunset view.Frenchy's at the north beach is great casual dinning right on the beach famuos for their Grouper sandwiches.International mall near the tampa airport has some upscale shopping and dinning that's always popular with ladies.plenty of things to do,I believe Cirque de la solei starts that weekend in StPete.Are you staying at the spa,If you should take a walk down main street a check the shops for a copy oh the Weekly Planet.Its a local magazine with tons of info for whats going on in the area.Also I think the Gasparilla Knight parade is that weekend if your adventerous,kind of like a mini Mardi Gras in Ybor.Have fun and let us know how you like Tampa bay!