Category Archives: Tampa

Florida’s Best County Parks Provide Spectacular Experiences

Posted on January 5, 2019 by floridatraveler

Florida has 175 state parks covering some 800,000 acres as well as the famous Everglades National Park and Ocala National Forest. Yet most visitors, few snow birds, and all too many residents have visited very few county parks.  Since most … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, conservation, florida history, Florida parks, Historic Forts, marco island, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Waterside Entertainment Malls Are A Tourist Plus

Posted on November 28, 2018 by floridatraveler

A lot of Florida cities take advantage of both the climate and the location on the water of the ocean or a bay.   The creation of waterside entertainment centers give locals and visitors the option to dine, to shop, to … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, food, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, small towns, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Best Shopping Malls and Shopping Places in Florida

Posted on September 17, 2018 by floridatraveler

One of Florida’s most popular indoor vacation experiences is to go shopping, although with Florida’s climate, many of the popular shopping spots utilize beautiful outdoor settings.  It seems every area of Florida has discount malls but I prefer going to … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, dining, disney springs, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, Tampa, travel, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

My Favorite Florida Bed and Breakfast Places

Posted on August 31, 2018 by floridatraveler

When it comes to staying in a great vacation spot at a value place, Florida’s top bed and breakfast houses are a great choice for couples of all ages.  The breakfasts alone at many of these places beats anything you’ll … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, bed&breakfast, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, Recreational Experiences, Restaurants, Tampa | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Restaurants That Really Represent The Best of Florida

Posted on April 29, 2018 by floridatraveler

One of the favorite pasttimes of both Florida residents and visitors is going out to a restaurant.  Rather than visit the chain spots – many of which got their start inb the Sunshine State – I suggest looking for places … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, attractions, beer, dining, disney springs, Florida Food, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, food, Historic Hotels & Inns, mcbobleonard, panama city, Restaurants, small towns, Tampa, travel, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Brewery and Brew-Pub Businesses Are Booming

Posted on February 26, 2018 by floridatraveler

When I was a student at the University of South Florida, it was exciting to go down to the Anheuser- Busch beer plant and drink a free beer while we watched the flamingos.  Today, the Tampa brewery is gone, replaced … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, beer, dining, Florida Food, florida history, florida vacations, food, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Performing Arts Scene Is Not All Imported Shows

Posted on February 12, 2018 by floridatraveler

Barbara and I attended the second annual Walt Disney World International Festival of the Arts and I must confess watching top Broadway singers like Ashley Brown (Broadway’s original Mary Poppins) and Josh Strickland (original Broadway Tarzan) do the best Disney … Continue reading →

Posted in art, attractions, florida history, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, museums, music, Recreational Experiences, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Florida’s Immigrant Experiences Are Great Tourist Sights

Posted on December 12, 2017 by floridatraveler

Florida is one of the most diverse states in the nation and its history of immigration provides visitors and residents alike with many attractions that reflect this story. I have spent many decades teaching in Tampa’s historic Ybor City, which … Continue reading →

Posted in adventure vacation, art, attractions, florida education, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, Historic Forts, mcbobleonard, museums, Restaurants, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

In Florida Santa Often Arrives By Boat

Posted on December 3, 2017 by floridatraveler

With a coast line of 1,350 miles (2,170 km) and over 940,000 boats of every conceivable size registered in the Sunshine State (#1 in USA), it is not to shocking to learn there seems to be as many Christmas boat … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, environment, florida history, Florida parks, Florida sports, florida vacations, mcbobleonard, panama city, Tampa, travel | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Christmas At The Florida Parks: What’s New and Best

Posted on November 26, 2017 by floridatraveler

The end of Thanksgiving means that Florida’s major theme parks are featuring Christmas decorations and special events, many regular annual attractions that bring huge crowds.  So what’s new and what is outstanding this year? Walt Disney World:  The Christmas crowds … Continue reading →

Posted in attractions, dining, disney, Florida Food, florida history, Florida parks, florida vacations, Historic Buildings, mcbobleonard, Restaurants, Tampa, Universal Studios, Walt Disney World, wdw | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment