TAMPA TIME
8/29/2007 2:04:42 PM by Bill Lindsey
If a quick escape to Florida’s West Coast is in your plans, you might want to venture over to the Tampa/St. Pete area for a water-bound sojourn filled with endless activities and perfect sunsets.
The breeze wafts in from the soothing waters of the Gulf of Mexico cooling those on deck as evening approaches. Cocktail glasses clink as the boat guests lounge in the cockpit with pre-dinner drinks and decide what to do that evening. After all, there are so many choice options.
On the other side of the boat lies the hustle and bustle of Tampa gearing up for yet another evening of trendy crowds and impressive nightlife. Meanwhile, the adjacent sister-city, St. Pete, is doing the same, making these West Coast of Florida shores just the right place for those looking for a unique balance of relaxation, great fishing, haute cuisine, arts and culture and more.
BOATING PARADISE
Visiting Tampa by boat, the first words of wisdom are “stay in the channel” as there are lots of shallows around. On the upside, that also means there are plenty of tiny out islands to explore, some of which are serious party hangouts on weekends. (Just ask the locals.) St. Pete is close enough to cruise over to for lunch or dinner when in the mood for something a little different. The downtown St. Pete municipal marina is first-rate, with the St. Pete Yacht Club nearby as well as the Pier, which features a pyramid-shaped building that features the Columbia restaurant (best Cuban food on the planet) shops, bars, etc. The Dali Museum is right across the street. The “Bounty” pirate ship is moored there too.
Fishing is good both in Tampa Bay and offshore in the gulf. In addition to plenty of grouper and other fish, there are some interesting wrecks for divers to explore. Tampa’s big boating event is Jose Gaspar Day in January. This enthusiastic reenactment of the pirate Gasparilla’s Invasion causes the entire city to shut down in celebration. It is essentially Mardi Gras via boats, and that is quite a sight to see, even if you choose to visit the city by airplane or land. Of course, the best views are from the water, and you can even join the “invading” fleet.
The St. Petersburg/Tampa Bay Marine SuperShow is also on everyone’s agenda in this part of the world and features a new concept in boat show production, incorporating family-fun activities, seafood and even a waterskiing squirrel. All these options are augmented by in-water and on-land displays including boats and motorcycles and live entertainment. This year’s show will take place from May 23-26 over Memorial Day Weekend. For more information, go to WaveLife.com.
Another popular Tampa sport is taking pontoon boats inland and up the Alafia River and going to the scenic Fort DeSoto park off St. Pete beach. For something really off-beat, just north is Clearwater, home to the Greek sponge divers. Going to Tarpon Springs is like stepping back in time to the days when the autos ruled the interstate highways and the family summer road trip was a given.
ACTIVITIES ABOUND
When it comes to eating, you’re going to have to watch your waistline. Temptation abounds. There are tons of great seafood restaurants on the Intracoastal Waterway. Again, remember to stay in the channel! As any city by the sea, seafood is abundant — whether you’re looking for a wide variety of fish or raw bar items such as oysters, clams and mussels. Tampa is known for its fine Cuban and Spanish restaurants and the spicy fish paella is vibrant like no other on the planet. The city is not limited to Cuban and Spanish cuisine; there is also fine American, Italian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai and Greek (up near Tarpon Springs) dining available. Outdoor dining is common, taking advantage of the balmy weather.
Ybor City, once an iffy neighborhood, is now the site of trendy dining and happening nightlife, so be sure to pack your dancing shoes and be ready to go all night. It is also a popular lunch spot for downtown businessmen and women. During the day historic Ybor City, often called Tampa’s Latin Quarter, is visited as a historic site featuring well-preserved antique brick streets and wrought-iron balconies. In fact, it is one of only three National Historic Landmark districts in Florida. The Cubans started their prosperous cigar-making businesses back in 1886, and the smell of hand-rolled cigars adds ambience to the neighborhood today. But now the formerly empty cigar factories have been turned into popular nightclubs, fashionable boutiques, art galleries and restaurants, making this once-neglected area the South Beach of the West.
When not eating, shopping or clubbing, Tampa and the surrounding environs offer plenty of other interesting attractions. Highlights include the famed Tampa Bay beaches, Busch Gardens, the resplendent Sunken Gardens, Dinosaur World and Busch’s Adventure Island. Museums abound and cover a gamut of subjects: the Salvador Dali Museum, the Museum of Science and Industry, the Children’s Museum, and the Museum of the Holocaust.
HEAVENLY ACCOMODATIONS
Now, where to stay? The ultimate Tampa accommodations are at the Vinoy: See the comprehensive sidebar for complete details. The Vinoy, however, is not the only historic hotel in town. The Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa claims a legendary ghost, that of its builder, the feisty Irishman Thomas Rowe. During the 1920s the hotel had such world-famous guests as Babe Ruth, Clarence Darrow and F. Scott Fitzgerald. The Casita de la Verdad is all about romance. This former Ybor City clapboard house of a cigar worker and his beloved bride now rents out as a solo unit with marble floors, claw-footed tub and full kitchen. For those looking for more amenities than a house, no matter how private and elite, there is the Don Vicente de Ybor Historic Inn. Also built as a home, this 1895 building reeks with Old World elegance and history. Tiffany lamps, Persian carpets and a stunning marble staircase will let you know that you’ve arrived. The service at this boutique hotel is exemplary.
Tampa has come a long way since its sun-kissed beaches were first visited by intrepid Spanish explorers in 1528. This bustling city is now the second biggest metropolitan area in Florida. Ride a streetcar to Channelside to shop or catch a professional sports team while in tow — there are three to choose from: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Devil Rays and Lightnings. Enjoy jetskiing, parasailing, and other watersports. The possibilities are virtually limitless — and so are the sunsets.
ROYAL RESORT
It was New Year’s Eve 1925. The stage was set for grandeur and the Vinoy Renaissance Resort and Golf Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, was the centerpiece, celebrating its official opening. Today, the historic hotel remains a hallmark of the Mediterranean Revival and a favorite for couples seeking their storybook wedding, honeymoon or weekend getaway. There’s also great gourmet experiences to be had at the resort’s award-winning Marchand’s Bar & Grill, featuring panoramic waterfront views, world-class menu offerings and endless libations. Outside, the swimming pools are lined by a cascading waterfall and offer day and night activities. The 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course is located on Snell Isle just minutes from the resort. The historic Clubhouse features keyhole arches, ancient inscriptions and a huge ballroom. There are also 12 tennis courts to expel some energy at after a long day poolside. And as with any iconic mainstay, the Vinoy is growing. Scheduled for completion by the end of the year will be a new $3.4 million fixed-dock marina featuring 74 enlarged, longer and widened slips. As part of that, Wave will be hosting their Renaissance Rendezvous series throughout the year. Stay posted for updates as we coincide our first invitational in conjunction with the Vinoy marina’s official relaunch. For more information on the Vinoy, go to VinoyRennaissanceResort.com.