```html Explore Tampa Bay & Beyond: Your Ultimate Florida Guide (Updated!)
TAMPA - CLEARWATER - ST PETERSBURG - SARASOTA: Your Florida Adventure Awaits! 🌴
Updated: 7/2/2022
Ready to discover the Sunshine State's hidden gems?
This is your insider's guide to Tampa, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, and all the awesome attractions nearby! Get ready for sun, sand, and unforgettable experiences!
🏖️ Craving a beach day? Just an hour from Tampa Bay, you'll find world-famous beaches with powder-soft sand: Siesta Key, Clearwater Beach, and Fort De Soto. Looking for tranquility? Fort De Soto is calling your name!
📍 TAMPA: City Vibes & Thrilling Adventures
- Tampa River Walk: Stroll along the scenic waterfront.
- Big Cat Rescue: Get up close with majestic lions 🦁 and tigers 🐯!
- Tampa Waterbike Company: Pedal your way through the waterways!
- Glazer Children's Museum: Fun for the whole family!
- The Florida Aquarium: Watch adorable penguins 🐧 play!
- Busch Gardens: Ride epic roller coasters 🎢 and explore exotic wildlife!
- Ybor City: Savor delicious local flavors like deviled crab, Cuban Sandwiches, Spanish bean soup, and crab enchilau.
- Tiki Boatbar: BYOB and cruise into paradise!
- Cycle Boats: Party on the water with 8+ of your besties!
- Hard Rock Casino: Feeling lucky?
- LegoLand: Everything is awesome!
- American Victory Ship & Museum: Step back in time aboard a WWII vessel.
- Thai Temple: 5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL 33619
This vibrant Thai Temple welcomes visitors every Sunday morning with authentic cuisine crafted by volunteer Thai chefs. It's a cultural experience and a feast for the senses! Tripadvisor recommends this highly.
Tampa: Where to Eat
- PHỞ BAR VIETNAMESE KITCHEN: 6310 Griffin Rd, Davie, FL 33314 (Near Hard Rock Casino)
- THINH AN KITCHEN & TOFU: 8104 W. Waters Ave, Tampa, Fl 33615 - Don't miss the Pate chaud and creme cheese pastries!
Want to visit a local fruit farm? Contact Cherry Allen! ♥️
📍 CLEARWATER: Sunsets & Sweet Treats
- Pier 60: Catch breathtaking sunsets and watch lively street performers. This popular beach is a must-see! Don't forget Rita's Frozen Custard on the way – it's irresistibly creamy and delicious!
- Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Meet rescued marine animals!
- Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise: Ahoy, matey! Embark on a swashbuckling adventure!
Clearwater: Where to Eat
- WILDFLOWER CAFE: 1465 S. Ft. Harrison Ave. #105, Clearwater, FL 33756 - Serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch.
- Machi Boba Tea and More: 1219 S Missouri Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756 - Boba heaven! 🧋🍮✌️🥰😘😍 Order call: 727-441-3866
- Nine Spices: Craving Lẩu & Korean BBQ? Make a reservation – it's popular!
- CRABBY'S DOCKSIDE: 37 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
Clearwater: Get Your Shop On!
- ICOT CENTER - Florida Flea Market: 13501 Icot Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33760 - The largest Asian flea market in Florida! Find fresh produce, unique goods, and connect with the local Vietnamese community every weekend.
📍 ST PETERSBURG: Art, Culture, and Stunning Views
- St Pete Pier: Explore this vibrant waterfront destination.
- Fort De Soto: Relax on pristine beaches.
- Sunken Gardens: Discover a botanical paradise.
- The Canopy Rooftop Lounge: Sip cocktails with a view!
- Florida Holocaust Museum: A powerful and moving experience.
- The Dali Museum: 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Immerse yourself in the surreal world of Salvador Dali! A must-visit for art lovers.
St. Petersburg: Where to Eat
- HA LONG BAY RESTAURANT: 5944 34th St. N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714 - Dim sum, shrimp balls, and chicken feet!
- THUY CAFE: 5944 34th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714 - Banh mi and fresh juices! (Rau má, chanh dây, nước dừa tươi...). Cholon market is nearby!
- Loon Fong's Nam Viet - Machi Coffee and Tea: 8150 49th St N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 (Flea market across the street on weekends)
- Seafood & More: 6155 Park Blvd N, Pinellas Park, FL 33781 (Specialty seafood store)
St. Petersburg: Fruit Farms
Venture a little further (1.5 hours from Tampa Bay) and discover these amazing Vietnamese-owned fruit farms!
- 🌴 Vườn Trái Cây La Vang: 9203 Stringflew, Saint James, FL - Tel: 1 (239) 222-3323
- 🌴 Island Fruit: 10161 Frankie Lane Dr, Sant James City, FL 33956 - Tel: (699) 213-8988
Experience the charm of rural Vietnam! Enjoy fresh sugar cane juice and relax in a hammock.
St. Petersburg: More Fruit Farms
- 🌴 Vườn Mãng Cầu Cô Mùng: 10801 Roberts Rd, Punta Gorda, FL 33950 - Tel: (941) 258-5739 - Savor fresh custard apples in season!
- 🥭 The Berry Patch (Vườn Xoài): 12290 Cristi Way, Bokeelia FL 33922 - Tel: (513) 658-6597 - Delicious dried mango and a warm welcome from the friendly owners!
St. Petersburg: Asian Markets
- Chợ Liên Hoa
- Chợ Á Đông 2
- Chợ Bolsa
- Chợ Saigon
- Chợ Lớn Oriental Market
📍 SARASOTA: Beaches, Arts & Culture (Courtesy of Linh Lương Nhà Đất)
- ✔️ Siesta Key Beach - Sarasota FL: #1 beach in the USA!
- ✔️ Lido Beach & Saint Armand Circle: Another stunning beach near downtown, with a charming pedestrian area reminiscent of Saigon's Đồng Khởi and Bùi Viện streets. Enjoy kayaking through the mangroves!
- ✔️ Ringling Museum: Sarasota's premier art museum! Free admission on Mondays.
- ✔️ Anna Maria Island 🏝: Experience magical sunsets! Free parking and beachfront cafes.
- ✔️ Myakka State Park: Alligator country! Observe these creatures in their natural habitat.
- ✔️ Hunsader Farms: Pick your own flowers, strawberries, and blueberries in season (Bradenton)!
- ✔️ Venice Beach: The "Shark Tooth Capital of the World"! A paradise for shark tooth hunters! Don't miss the charming downtown Venice area and the stunning sunsets at South or North Jetty park. 2000 Tarpon Center Dr, Venice, FL 34285, United States
- ✔️ Warm Mineral Springs Park, North Port FL: Florida's only natural warm spring with high mineral content, a constant 85F temperature, and skin-boosting, detoxifying benefits.
- ✔️ Manasota Key Beach: A beautiful and tranquil beach for a relaxing getaway.
- MARIE SELBY BOTANICAL GARDENS: 900 S Palm Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236
- SARASOTA JUNGLE GARDENS: 3701 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34234
- CENTRAL SARASOTA FARMERS MARKET: 4454 S Beneva Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231
Sarasota: Where to Eat
- Phở 101 Sarasota: Try the bún thịt nướng and cơm sườn bò nướng!
- Little Saigon Bistro - Sarasota: The cơm tay cầm with a crispy rice crust is a must!
- Pho Cali - Sarasota: The cơm chiên tỏi (garlic fried rice) is delicious. Parking can be tricky!
- Bunhaus - Sarasota: Enjoy bún bò, bánh mì, and Ding Tea bubble tea!
- Yummy house - Sarasota: Dim sum on weekends (11am-2pm) and delicious noodle dishes!
- Isan Thai - Sarasota: Authentic Thai cuisine.
- Nhà hàng Nhật Kiyoshi - Sarasota: Fresh, high-quality Japanese food.
- Charlie's Bulgogi - Sarasota: Korean BBQ.
- Phở Street - Bradenton: Try the phở xí quách!
- Trà sữa Ding Tea và Mochinut Donut - Bradenton: Get your bubble tea and donut fix!
Sarasota: Restaurants with Ocean Views
- Ophelia on the bay - Sarasota
- Sharky on the pier - Fin at Sharky's - Venice FL
- Beach House Restaurant - Bradenton
List compiled and created by Danny N Nguyen with Linh Lương's contributions to the Sarasota section.
Updated 7/2/2022
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