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Cities of Florida

Attractions Cities of Florida West Palm Beach

A Sanctuary for Animals

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary treats several local South Florida creatures consistently. Through guided nearby visits, guests can encounter the office and communicate with a few distinct creatures. Guests can find out about the safeguard procedure, including how the haven helps neighborhood untamed life authorities to catch injured creatures, and bring a crest into the restoration focus, including a treatment facility and recuperation space for the stranded or harmed animals.

It may not be as big and fancy as other zoos, but you’ll still see plenty at the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society. Located within Dreher Park (about 4 miles southwest of downtown West Palm), the Palm Beach Zoo offers various animal exhibits, including multiple interactive experiences with koalas, sloths and tigers. Special kid and adult-centric events, such as a breakfast with the Easter bunny, a craft beer festival and a 5K tiger awareness run, are also hosted throughout the year’s than 170 animals, including lions, tigers, panthers and lemurs.

McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary is an ideal attraction for animal lovers. Unlike Lion Country Safari and the Palm Beach Zoo, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary affords visitors an up-close view of various animals, as well as interactive opportunities with many of the property’s smaller species. In fact, travelers can hold everything from baby alligators to pythons during each tour.

This year, McCarthy’s Wildlife Sanctuary has treated hundreds of native animals that were sick or injured. Everything from foxes to bobcats, Sandhill Cranes to pelicans, hawks, owls, and many others have received veterinarian care by our staff and then were released back into the wild. Without the support of our volunteers and members, it would be impossible to continue the work for this valuable cause.

In the event that you are pondering what to do in West Palm Beach, Florida with kids, this is an extraordinary place to visit. At long last, McCarthy’s offers an effort program to teach the general population on the most proficient method to connect with natural life, and backers for measures to propel the assurance of creatures in nature.

Photo Credit: http://www.mccarthyswildlife.com/

Attractions Cities of Florida Florida Tampa

A Unique Theatre Experience

Built in 1926, the Tampa Theatre is a luxurious movie palace featuring a unique mix of architectural styles including Italian Renaissance, Byzantine and Greek Revival. It presents foreign and classic films regularly along with specialty concerts and other programs. Tampa’s majestic movie palace hosts 600+ events each year, including contemporary films, classic movies, concerts, corporate events, educational programs, weddings and tours. The recently restored historic landmark has been called “One of the Most Spectacular Theaters in the World” by CNN and one of “15 Things You Must Do in Tampa” by the Huffington Post.

Even if you’re not in town for a film screening or performance, visitors highly recommend a stop at the beautifully ornate Tampa Theatre. When it was built in 1926, the theater was considered one of the world’s most elaborate theaters. Designed by architect John Eberson, the interior features a 900-pipe Wurlitzer organ and was constructed to look like a Mediterranean garden with flowers and gargoyles. Take a look at the ceiling and you’ll spot 99 bulbs meant to resemble stars in the night sky. If you can’t attend a show here, consider taking a tour instead.

Prior to each movie, a gentleman playing an organ ascends upward where he can be seen and then shortly thereafter descends that makes for a unique experience. Interestingly, the theatre is a not-for-profit, which is a good thing because it appears at the movies anyway that attendance is low.

This is the perfect place for a romantic date. The opulent theatre dates has been renovated numerous times. But its spectacular architecture and ambiance lives on. It’s a hidden jewel. Many people haven’t even heard of it despite all of the movies and special events that take place

Tampa Theatre is a grand and opulent movie house often featuring the best new, limited releases (that you won’t find @ the multiplex), and the classics that you missed and must see properly presented on the big screen.

Photo Credit: https://photonews247.com

Cities of Florida Florida Restaurants Restaurants Tampa

Something Fun and Different

Located in St. Petersburg’s historic Old Pasadena neighborhood, Alesia Restaurant serves fresh, rustic cuisine in a bright contemporary setting. Founded by three partners Sandra Ly-Flores and Erika Ly, and another co-owner, Paul Hsu. It is amazing to learn that they had never been in the restaurant business prior to opening Alesia. It turns out that Alesia is the name of the street they grew up on.

French, Vietnamese, and Chinese upbringings, Alesia Restaurant is the culinary embodiment of these childhood influences and the eclectic mix of dishes and flavors they were naturally raised with. This delightful restaurant is worth the trip for both its fabulous food and contemporary atmosphere, including a great, pet-friendly outdoor patio and a large beautiful outdoor dining room. It’s one of the prettiest and simple hangouts around town, and it’s the perfect place to linger over a latte or share a Cheese platter, which includes a selection of European cheeses served with fresh grapes and toast points.

What Alesia does well is keep the menu simple. There are no countless iterations of the same dish, no wide-selection of condiments to override inherent flavors, just variegated, well-curated dishes which encourage the simple pleasure of enjoying good food. The French, Asian, and Vietnamese dishes are so different from what is usually served in area restaurants, which was a great change of pace.

This place is easily a hidden gem in the St. Pete / Pasadena area. The ambience inside and outside is great, the staff are very attentive and friendly. The Asian-French-inspired (colonial) offerings are good. If you like traditional favorites like Pho or Bun, you will not be disappointed. The pho or noodle soup has a hint of sweetness; the bún or rice vermicelli noodles are served with skewers of glistening grilled pork or shrimp; the traditional bánh mi has a firm jalapeño kick to it if you order it spicy. These are the dishes you should try your first time there.

What can I say? Great food, great service and great wine selection. I would call it French-Vietnamese-Asian. But not fusion. Each cuisine seems to be able represented without falling into confusion.

Photo Credit: www.afar.com

Attractions Cities of Florida Miami Tampa

The Beauty of the Flag Bridge

Sunshine Skyway Bridge is considered the “flag bridge” of Florida, stretches across Tampa Bay and features a cable-stayed main span. The original bridge was built in 1954, but construction on the current bridge began in 1982 and it was re-opened in 1987. Of the more than 5,200 bridges in the state of Florida, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, spanning scenic Tampa Bay, is by far the most famous. But the award-winning bridge that residents and tourists cross on a daily basis isn’t the first to hold the Skyway name.

Tampa Bay’s gorgeous bridge frequently rates amongst the top in the world. Travel Channel rated it number 3 on its Top 10 Bridges in the World List. The 5+ mile bridge connects St. Petersburg with Terra Ceia. Driving over this architectural wonder truly is a great experience; the views of the water on both side is simply amazing.

Numerous versions of the current bridge have stretched across lower Tampa Bay, and each has its own remarkable history. Nevin and Ric Sitler detail the suspension cables, concrete, nuts and bolts and political battles that combined to produce the fantastic history of the Skyway bridges and other historic Tampa Bay crossings.

Many visitors love crossing the bridge to take in views over the water. You must pay a small toll, but it’s worth it to snap a few photos from this spot. You can stop at a nearby park on the St. Petersburg side of the bridge to rest, swim, or have a picnic.

At 431 feet tall, it is also one of the tallest bridges in the world. As you drive up to the top, you almost feel as if you are heading up into the clouds. Due to its’ beauty, it is often used in car commercials. It is not a surprise that Sunshine Skyway Bridge has provided the setting for several films over the years, both credited and uncredited, e.g., Loren Cass and The Punisher (2004). Because of its height above the emerald-green Gulf waters, length of continuous travel, location in a warm-weather state, and modern architectural design.

Photo Credit: http://floridaphotomatt.com

Attractions Cities of Florida Tampa

The Haven for Artists in Tampa

The Tampa Museum of Art is a boldly designed riverfront museum housing six temporary exhibits and an extensive permanent collection of Greek and Roman antiquities and 20th-century sculpture. Housed in an exquisitely designed building, the Tampa Museum of Art is emblematic of the city’s efforts to revitalize the downtown riverfront.

The museum is very much a part of the community and offers an extensive program of events from art classes to Buddhist meditation. Every Friday from 4 pm – 10 pm, the Tampa Museum of Art hosts Art on the House featuring pay-as-you-will admission.

The facility overlooks Curtis Hixon Park, the towering minarets of the University of Tampa, and the Hillsborough River. The museum’s 66,000 square feet of gallery space displays an impressive permanent collection of 20th- and 21st-century sculpture as well as Greek and Roman antiquities.

The Tampa Museum of Art is situated in downtown Tampa, Florida. It displays present day and contemporary craftsmanship, and Greek, Roman, and Etruscan artifacts. The exhibition hall was established in 1979 and appeared an honor winning new working in 2010 only north of its unique site along Tampa’s Riverwalk on the banks of Hillsborough River.

Five additional galleries host traveling exhibits ranging from the classics to some of the most prominent artists working today. The building’s external walls are lit at night with colorful LED lights, which are best viewed from Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park.

Gorgeous, beautiful, exquisite…. all words to describe the Tampa Museum of Art. This venue is exactly what Tampa needed for those who want a contemporary and modern place to host a wedding. The view from all angles is amazing.

Photo Credits: https://www.10best.com

Cities of Florida Florida Travel

The Hogwarts Express to Florida

One of the many go to places when you are in Florida is the Universal Resort Orlando. This Universal Studio stands out amongst other others because of it`s Harry Potter Theme Concept. The experience basically gives you a feel of the Harry Potter world and let`s you experience living in one. This starts by taking a ride in the Hogwarts Express, in order to ride the Hogwarts Express, we had to purchase the Park-to-Park ticket that gives you access to both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks.

You will board the Hogwarts Express through, Hogsmeade Station and when the train pulls up, you’re in awe of this magical locomotive. It seems so real as there is even steam coming out of the smokestack. The staff then directed us into our compartments and we were seated with other guests (up to 6 people in one compartment).

Once the train started moving, we saw images on the digital window of various Harry Potter characters and mythical creatures like centaurs. The whole ride was so entertaining and we loved all the little details they put into this train ride. The ride ends at King’s Cross Station where we walked through an even larger train station and you see boards above with schedules and times. The ambience give`s you a feel of being in the streets of London.

Right off the station is Diagon Alley, if you are a fan of the Harry Potter franchise I would assure you, as soon as you left the King`s Cross Station area you would be flabbergasted of the details and the things you would see at Diagon Alley. From quirky little shops to dragons sitting on top of buildings to wand shops , mystical pet shops , cauldrons; you name almost all of the necessities a new Hogwarts student needs.

It is strongly recommended that you try and join the festivities like practicing your spells with your wand. Although you need to buy the wand (A very good souvenir though) but upon purchasing the wand it comes with a set of instructions and a map where you can perform the spells and interact with the place. Note: The activity is like a puzzle you need to solve , but don’t worry you will have a lot of “friends” to help you solve them along the way.

Don`t get me wrong Universal Resorts Florida doesn’t feature Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey Ride only this place also features Transformers, Despicable Me, Rip Ride Rockit, and The Simpsons Ride. At Islands of Adventure, there’s Spider-Man, Skull Island and Jurassic Park , and more …

If dropping by Universal Studios Florida isn’t a good reason enough to be in Florida, well I guess dropping by makes it mandatory for all thrill seekers and Harry Potter fanatics out there.

Cities of Florida Schools Tampa

A University That Stands Out in Tampa Bay

Located in sunny Tampa Bay, Florida, the University of South Florida is an excellent option for international students looking to study abroad in the United States. Comprised of over fourteen different colleges, the University of South Florida has options for nearly every major and every career goal. USF is extremely diverse, with 128 countries being represented and a whopping 10% overall of the student population made up of international students. That, combined with a stunning, waterfront campus makes USF an extremely appealing option for international students.

The University of South Florida is known for being one of the top research schools in the country! Not only are the students expected to work together through classwork they also are expected to be present on campus. They have so many opportunities for that because of clubs, student union`s, fraternities, sororities and so much more. They also offer opportunities for residential life as a resident assistant, students here are known for their school pride.

In terms of extracurricular activities, the school is very active in volunteer and social work like peace corps and other communities. They are always finding ways to give back to Tampa Bay. The school community see`s to it that they make time to learn about our community and its needs.

Student`s here commit time to after school activities and they always have relaxing school activities. The learning environment at this university is nothing short of magical. It has ballet, art, theater, the student art museum, Rocky Horror Picture Show, bull-market, long library hours, supportive staff and most of all supportive peers.

USF is a great school that is really dedicated to the success of its students, hopefully you can come learn about yourself and others at the best school on the planet.

Attractions Cities of Florida Restaurants Schools Tampa

Visitors Guide to Tampa

The city of Tampa is situated on the western coast of the state of Florida in the USA. With a thriving commercial seaport and many waterfront areas, Tampa is also close to a number of notable beaches, such as Clearwater and St. Pete. Located across from St. Petersburg and within easy reach of Orlando, the city has much to offer visitors, including many historic sites, family attractions and major sporting venues. Tampa currently has a population in excess of 300,000 and covers more than 110 square miles / 285 square kilometers.

Tampa also features a wealth of shopping centers, together with restaurants, bars and a healthy nightlife. Much of city life is centered around the downtown area, which contains the Port of Tampa and the Waterfront district. With two universities, many entertainment venues and the outstanding Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, the city has earned itself a reputation for being Florida’s cultural center.

Tampa Tourism:
Tourist attractions in Tampa are extremely impressive, with many superb beaches nearby making Tampa the perfect holiday destination. Facilities include imposing landmarks and monuments, museums and art galleries, many must-see sights and family attractions, recreational activities, and a number of large parklands and gardens. Top attractions include Busch Gardens, which is one of the best theme parks in the whole of Florida, with thrilling rides combined with a vast zoo.

Also worth a visit in Tampa are the Florida Aquarium, Dinosaur World, the Weeki Wachee Springs, the extremely historic Sacred Heart Catholic Church and the Raymond James Stadium, which regularly hosts major professional football games and is the home ground of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Throughout the year the city regularly features many exciting festivals, including the extremely popular Gasparilla Pirate Festival, which is held each year during January and always attracts large crowds.

Tampa Transport:
Around Tampa, public transport is well ordered and the city is easy to reach by road, with nearby highways and interstates. Greyhound buses operate within Tampa and travel to a number of Florida cities, including Orlando and Miami. Other popular modes of transport include Amtrak trains, inner-city streetcars and taxis, which should generally be booked in advance.

Tampa International Airport (TPA) stands around 7 miles / 11 km from the city center and is an important transport hub, regarded as one of America’s most efficient airports. With many passengers arriving each day, Tampa Airport offers a range of convenient ground transport, such as shuttle buses, taxis and car rental options.

Tampa Hotels:
Being a popular and sunny coastal city, with many exceptional attractions, it comes as no surprise that Tampa offers an array of hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and affordable accommodation. Some of the most popular hotels in the city can be found in the heart of the downtown district, close to facilities such as shops and restaurants. Also, a number of waterfront hotels in Tampa offer exceptional coastal views and are extremely desirable, although the hotel rates often carry a premium, particularly during the high season, which is from January to April. Weekend and summer rates are usually reduced and this is a good time to find discounts.

Tampa Restaurants:
Tampa has an abundance of restaurants, which are readily available and suit every palate. Restaurants, cafes and bars have developed greatly in recent years, due to the rapidly expanding tourism trade and busy seaport. Concentrated around the central areas of Tampa, in the Hyde Park neighborhood – particularly along South Howard Avenue, the waterfront and throughout the lively Ybor district, most types of cuisine can be found in Tampa, including fast food at large food courts in shopping malls, traditional Hispanic eateries and exclusive seafood restaurants along the coastline.

Tampa Shopping:
The city offers a diverse shopping destination, with a large and varied selection of shops and stores. Facilities in Tampa include many designer outlets, well-known department stores, top boutiques and shopping malls. Popular shopping areas include the city’s historic and cultural areas, the Centro Ybor Mall – which is located in the Ybor Historic District, and Old Hyde Park Village in Tampa’s Old Hyde Park district, where you will find a mixture of modern stores, specialty shops and art galleries, in a particularly scenic setting.

Tampa Weather:
Tampa features warm and sunny weather, with pleasant breezes from the ocean. Temperatures during June through August are at their hottest and can attain highs of around 33°C / 91°F. Winter and spring are warm seasons and many people choose to visit the Tampa area at this time of the year. December and January are the coldest months with daytime temperatures remaining extremely mild and warm, generally around 22°C / 72°F, although lows of 15°C / 59°F may be experienced.

Cities of Florida Restaurants Tampa

Fries Fit For a King

If you are anywhere near the downtown area of Tampa, Florida and you are looking for an italian place to dine and chill out, make sure to drop by FarmTable Cucina. This restaurant offers one of my favorite styles of dining, It’s casual, family-style with sharing plates and authentic dishes that combine the highest quality ingredients to bring flavor to every bite.

The Italian-inspired style of dining is who FarmTable was always meant to be. It’s been an evolution and now we can celebrate and enjoy what it has become. FarmTable Cucina is an Italian-inspired restaurant that focuses on fresh, house-made cuisine influenced by seasonal, regionally sourced and carefully curated ingredients. Favorite dishes include house-made pastas, pizzas and fresh breads. The full bar offers handcrafted cocktails, craft beer and wines by the glass.

FarmTable Kitchen began as a small-plate beer-and-wine-only bar, no reservations, then added a ticketed prix-fixe, multi-course tasting menu, dining room. St. Petersburg residents pushed back — they wanted a full menu, reservations, a full bar. Mina and partner Don Pintabona obliged.

This restaurant is located in the downtown St. Petersburg area, just a few blocks from Beach Drive and inside a newer outdoor mall. The downstairs area of the space is dedicated to a market. From the second you enter you encounter delicious looking food and tremendous smells. The restaurant itself is located above the market and it is a very modern and chic space.

The decor makes it feel like you are located inside a working industrial kitchen. From the second you enter you encounter delicious looking food and tremendous smells. In addition to a standard sandwich station and meat counter, the store area had a poke station, ramen bar, and a dozen other hot food areas. It is hard not to get a least a little excited after seeing that.

So if you are planning to visit Tampa,Florida and you are within visiting distance make sure to drop by this place and don`t forget to taste their duck fat fries and their burger, I heard it was to die for especially for those who love fries.

Photo Credit: https://www.yelp.com/

Attractions Cities of Florida Tampa

The Busch Garden

Busch Gardens is home to one of the largest zoos in the U.S. , it has a beautiful and manicured landscape of roller coasters, water rides, themed kids’ play areas and character interactions that stray from Florida’s dominant mouse paradigm. In short it is a zoo with rides! I believe this is the perfect equation for an unforgettable family getaway.

There are three reasons why families particularly enjoy spending a day at Busch Gardens: the beautifully landscaped grounds, activities that appeal to every age range, and opportunities to see exotic animals up close and even feed them by hand; over 2,700 animals, from aardvarks to zebras, are housed here in surprisingly natural environments that are spread across 335 acres. And of course this is NO Disney and they have shorter hours of operation. But there is NO shortage of friendly helpful staff and things to do.

Busch Gardens’ free-roaming habitat for African wildlife is thought to be the largest such environment outside of Africa, and zebras, giraffes, hippos, lions, gorillas, chimpanzees and more call it home. That is why we would occasionally find ourselves entrenched in lush scenery as we explored the park, almost as if we’d entered a jungle. That’s one of the things that makes Busch Gardens so unique, which is emphasising on animals and their natural habitats in addition to having thrill rides.

Whether you’re looking for a zoo-like experience complete with kangaroos eating from your hand and safari trips across a realistic savannah, live shows that cater to your two year old and let him cuddle with Elmo, or thrill rides that will keep the teens in your entourage thinking you’re the best parents around, Busch Gardens is that rare theme park that offers a heavy dose of something for every age child.

You can tour the entire park in one day, but devoting two days to your visit will let you explore all of the attractions at a more leisurely pace. So consider tacking on a few extra days while you’re in these parts to make the most of your family vacation.

Photo Credit: https://www.mymeenalife.com/