Here’s my list of things to do in Orlando and Tampa. When you think of Orlando you probably think of Disney, Universal Studios, and the many other theme parks. While I am a fond of them, there’s a lot more to Florida!
Orlando
Winter Park: This area is at the northeast of downtown Orlando and it deserves all the hype! We spent quite a bit of time here and there are also lots of parks and amazing restaurants and shops.
Disney Springs: Well this was a must, we had to wander through vibrant walkways and uncover the Christmas decorations savour a variety of culinary delights. If you ever stop by Disney Springs dine at Jaleo by José Andrés for authentic Spanish tapas, paella and sangria in a vibrant atmosphere. Award-Winning Owner/Chef José Andrés is a holder of 2 Michelin stars and “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanitarian of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation.
Another great restaurant that we discovered was Reel Fish Coastal Kitchen & Bar. It's a contemporary version of a classic fish camp, they serve fresh Florida seafood prepared in a southern style.
Tampa
Riverwalk: This 2.6 miles walk along the Hillsborough River is a great thing to do if you want to discover the city and you will get to see beautiful views of the city.
Henry B. Plant Museum: If there is one building you can’t miss in Tampa it’s the Henry B. Plant Museum. This beautiful building was originally built as a hotel and is now owned by the University of Tampa.
Sparkman Wharf is one of the hippest place in Tampa. It has a ton of little food stands set up with several fun options. This was the perfect waterfront place to chill and and sip a coffee under the sun.
I loved Hyde Park Village, this is the SoHo of Tampa, it is an outdoor lifestyle center offering a unique shopping, dining. We had a really pleasant time at Bartaco and Ava restaurant.
Heights public market was another place that we greatly enjoyed. The 22,000 sq-ft industrial market features an open floor plan with communal seating surrounded by restaurants, and on the plus side they host movie nights, game nights, paddling lessons and more open to public.
Clearwater
Tampa is located on the Gulf of Mexico, so you can enjoy the best natural beaches here. One of our favourite was Clearwater Beach. It’s about 25 miles west of Tampa Bay. Clearwater Beach has garnered a reputation as an ideal vacation destination for people of all ages.
St. Petersburg
Along with award-winning beaches, St. Petersburg is home to the world-renowned Salvador Dali Museum,and top-rated restaurants.
Comments