St. Petersburg & Tampa Bay

"The St. Pete oyster bar standard. Local Gulf oysters done right."

A sleek downtown oyster bar serving Gulf Coast and East Coast oysters alongside Florida stone crab in season, creative coastal preparations, and a focused wine list. One of the better fine-casual seafood restaurants in the Tampa Bay area.

"The best tacos in St. Pete. Small, casual, and completely committed."

A small taqueria in the Grand Central District serving al pastor, carne asada, and birria tacos with salsas made daily. The tortillas are pressed in house. The kind of focused taqueria that does a few things excellently and nothing else.

"A neighborhood Italian joint in Gulfport. The anti-tourist restaurant."

In Gulfport (the arts village at the south end of St. Pete), Pia's has been a neighborhood Italian trattoria for 20+ years — homemade pastas, osso buco, and the kind of meatball that ends arguments. Small room, no pretension, real food.

"The largest Dali collection outside Europe. In St. Pete. Genuinely."

The world's largest collection of Salvador Dali's work outside of Spain — 96 oil paintings including Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea and The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus. The building itself, designed by HOK with a geodesic glass bubble, is a landmark. This museum alone would justify a visit to St. Pete.

"The artist village south of St. Pete. Galleries, restaurants, and a fishing pier."

A small arts community at the southern tip of St. Pete with a main street of galleries, the Gulfport Casino Ballroom (a waterfront dance hall), and a fishing pier on Boca Ciega Bay. The Tuesday and Saturday markets are excellent for local crafts and produce.

"Five connected islands with Spanish-American War fortifications and exceptional beaches."

A barrier island park in Tampa Bay's Gulf approach with WWII-era and Spanish-American War fortifications, 7 miles of beach, campgrounds, and a wildlife area that is one of the top birding sites in Florida during spring and fall migration. Often rated the best beach in Florida.

"Consistently ranked the best beach in the US. White sand, clear Gulf water."

Clearwater Beach on the northern Pinellas barrier island is the stereotypical Florida Gulf beach — powdery white quartz sand, calm clear water, and sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico. Pier 60 has a daily sunset celebration with street performers. Arrive early in summer to secure parking.

"Manatee encounters in the mangroves. A world-class urban paddling environment."

Tampa Bay's mangrove-lined creeks and coastal waterways are home to West Indian manatees, roseate spoonbills, ospreys, and bottlenose dolphins. Shell Key Preserve and the mangrove tunnels north of Fort De Soto are exceptional paddling environments accessible to beginner kayakers.

"A barrier island with osprey trails and Gulf access. Accessible and excellent."

A state park on a Pinellas barrier island with 4 miles of beach, osprey nesting habitat, a coastal scrub trail, and ferry access to Caladesi Island (rated one of the top beaches in Florida). The park's osprey population is among the most concentrated on the Gulf Coast.

"A genuine world-class collection in downtown St. Pete."

A comprehensive art museum on the waterfront with a collection spanning Greek and Roman antiquities through French Impressionism to 20th-century American art. Consistently ranked as one of the better art museums in the South. Free parking and lower crowds than comparable institutions.

"Tampa's cigar-making neighborhood. Latin culture, live music, and wild chickens."

Tampa's 19th-century cigar manufacturing district — Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants settled here and built a self-contained city within Tampa. Restored brick buildings now house restaurants, bars, and live music venues. Free-roaming chickens (descendants of original livestock) wander the streets. The Saturday farmer's market is excellent.

"Tampa Bay ecosystems beautifully presented. Better than its reputation."

Tampa's aquarium focuses on Florida's aquatic ecosystems — Weeki Wachee River, Tampa Bay wetlands, and a coral reef exhibit. The Dive with Sharks program lets certified divers enter the shark tank. Penguin exhibit popular with younger children.

"An African wildlife experience wrapped in a world-class theme park."

A 335-acre theme park with genuine safari areas (rhinos, giraffes, cheetahs in naturalistic habitats) alongside world-class roller coasters. The Cheetah Hunt and Montu are among the best coasters in Florida. Significant military discount — check for free access programs.