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Official moving to florida

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Tampa

AttractionsCities of FloridaFloridaRestaurantsTampa

A Temple Chaser`s Spot in Florida

Less than ten miles north of the Tampa International Airport, on an unassuming side road that rolls through the flat terrain and lush vegetation typical of Florida’s bay area, an architecturally distinctive building bursts suddenly above the treetops. Built to serve the needs of a growing Indian community, the Hindu Temple of Florida is unique among its suburban environs.

Completed in 1996, the building is characterized by its prominent pyramid structure, which forms an entrance tower situated atop an exterior staircase that conducts worshippers to a rooftop courtyard and pooja room. After the building’s completion, a process of “Indianization” began to adorn the exterior in the florid architectural details seen today.

The temple is adorned with so many sculptures of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. Get this, all of it was hand carved by people they bought from India. This massive structure is located on Lynn road, close to Foster Elementary School. Lots of parking available by the compound. They offer prayers in the morning and evening. I always try to come hungry when visiting the temple, their canteen makes some amazing made-to-order South Indian food. South Indian foods are hard to find since most restaurants only offer North Indian dishes

The Hindu Temple of Florida is available for weddings, birthdays, and various public and private poojas, and is attended by priests who conduct services primarily in Sanskrit. Consistent with the non-canonical nature of Hinduism—the oldest religion in the world—the temple has no prescribed days or times for services, nor required donations or methods of worship.

Overall, amazing place to learn more on Hinduism and try some yummy South Indian cuisine. By the way, like most temples they do have a dress code here you are required to modest clothing and you will be asked to remove your shoes before stepping onto the steps of the temple.

 

Photo Credit: www.atlasobscura.com

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AttractionsCities of FloridaTampaTravel

Reconnecting with Nature

If you are looking for a good place to take a nature walk while in Tampa, stop off at Lettuce Lake Regional Park. The park is located on Lettuce Lake, named so for all of the vegetation that grows on top of the water. It’s a beautiful park that offers pavilions, restrooms, playgrounds, and trails. There is a 1.25-mile paved pedestrian trail, a 1.3-mile non-paved nature trail, and a long boardwalk that goes along the water.

There are so many things to do at this park! One of the most popular things to do at Lettuce Lake is to follow one of the trails and take a walk. You have three options to choose from – Boardwalk, Nature Trail, and Paved Path. Each one offers a unique experience through the park.

The boardwalk path will take you up to the Hillsborough River and to an observation tower. Oh, keep a lookout on things while walking on the boardwalk path, we saw some pretty like a five-foot alligator up close and personal! He was just hanging out right off the boardwalk and some turtles, bowfin fish, egret, and a roseate spoonbill.

Next is the Paved Path, this route is approximately a 1.25-mile loop around the park and most of this path is shaded with a nice hammock overhead. This is a great path for both hiking and biking! The only friendly resident animal that greeted us was an armadillo because this path was bustling with people! Which seems natural since this path was the most accessible one from the parking lots.

Last but certainly not the least, the Nature Trail. This is a more typical hiking trail, we didn’t see too many animals on this trail either. This trail is definitely the best if you want to get away from the crowd and truly enjoy nature.

If hiking isn’t your thing, don’t worry! This park also offers very reasonable canoe and kayak rentals. The rentals were $25 for 4 hours. You pay for the rental at the entrance and they give you a key to the kayak/canoe. Included in the rental price was the use of a life jacket, whistle, and paddle.

Overall, the lake and river are absolutely stunning with so many sites to see. If you are in the Tampa area and have a few hours to spare I would definitely recommend checking out Lettuce Lake Park.

 

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

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Cities of FloridaRestaurantsTampaTravel

Brunch Capital of Tampa

Hidden among a natural landscape, the new Oystercatchers draws those who seek tastes from the Gulf of Mexico. Stunning bay views and decor designed to complement the inherent beauty make this celebrated Tampa seafood restaurant a delight for the eyes as well as the palate. Indulge in the flavorful creations of Chef de Cuisine Kenny Hunsberger, who artfully blends the freshest catch with innovative touches, as only one born to the water can do.

Oystercatchers is in the Grand Hyatt Hotel on Tampa Bay, right near the airport and the International Mall. It’s classic Tampa. On the top floor is Armani’s restaurant, said to be where everyone gets engaged in the city; on the bottom floor, beachside Oystercatchers. If you’re there for a romantic dinner on the rooftop, you get to overlook Tampa Bay. If you’re there for the fabulous seafood, you get to stroll on the beach after your meal. It’s the best of both Tampa worlds.

Inside Oystercatchers, it’s all wood paneling and sunlight, as if you’ve just walked onto a brand-new massive yacht. Even the wait staff is dressed in all white, ready to serve. The Sunday brunch buffet is impressive in its quality and yet not large enough to be overwhelming, which I like. To break it down, it’s separated into sections, or bars. There’s the breakfast bar in the middle, a cheese bar, an omelet bar, a seafood bar, a raw pasta bar, a fish and meats bar, a bagel bar, a salad bar, a fruit bar, a sushi bar, and a guacamole bar. OK, it sounds overwhelming, but it’s really not. I mean, this is not Vegas-style. The focus here is on the quality of the food. Every section is extremely well thought-out and maintained.

Oh, wait. My goodness. I almost forgot to mention the dessert bar, which was so glorious it commandeered its own room. There was everything imaginable: moose martinis, cakes, cookies, cupcakes, brownies, tarts … you name the indulgence. Even chefs at the waiting, ready to whip up fresh bananas foster on a waffle with vanilla ice cream on top.

 

Photo Credit:  www.10best.com

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Steak and Wine Overload

There is only one window in Bern’s Steak House, and it’s one customer`s will never see. Replacing natural light is a red wine-colored aura cloaking the carpet, walls, and staircase, giving rows of antique paintings an alluring, ghostly glow.

The Tampa restaurant opened in 1956 at the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Bernard and Gertrude Laxer, or Bern and Gert, New York natives who had been running a mom-and-pop “luncheonette” and hoped to add a bar to their repertoire. Instead, they created a fine dining institution and pilgrimage point for wine lovers.

In Bern’s universe, everyone is welcome. Entrées come with a soup and salad. Meals are best ended with something sweet from your own private booth in a second-story dessert lounge. The piano player takes requests. And anyone can afford to drink their preferred wine, whether it’s a $3.50 supermarket pour or one of the rarest bottles in the world.

“We believe that every guest that comes to Bern’s is a special guest,” Frank Russo, dining room manager, says. “We want everyone to experience the ultimate in fine dining.”

And they will. The wines, steaks, and service at Bern’s have earned the restaurant such accolades as a James Beard Award in 2016, Rachael Ray’s best restaurant in America in 2009, and Wine Spectator’s Grand Award every year since 1981. Along with an ornate lobby and bar, there are eight dining rooms, each named for an aspect of Bern’s travels — Bordeaux, Burgundy, Rhône, Andre Tchelistcheff — with wall-to-wall photographs to prove them. Dinner reservations include an optional tour of the kitchen and wine cellar, as well as a trip upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room, named for one of Bern’s mentors, where 48 private “rooms” constructed of floor-to-ceiling redwood wine casks await.

The restaurant lives and breathes in its own, singular past, present, and future. It’s utterly bucket list-worthy, yet inured to the Instagram age — its magic surpasses filters and humblebrags, and the lack of natural lighting makes Snapchats a challenge. Closed off to the world, Bern’s makes us sentimental for a man we never knew, a life we never had, and wines no one has tasted.

 

Photo Credit: https://thegate.boardingarea.com/

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Cities of FloridaRestaurantsTampaTravel

The Steak Expert

Morton’s The Steakhouse offers some of the best Western cuisine, serving a tantalizing collection of dishes that are suitable for families and friends. From Steaks to Seafood its extensive menu is reflective of the restaurant’s efforts to cater to every palate.

The classic name in steaks, Morton’s Steakhouse Singapore has over 10 years of establishment locally. It’s international fame as an American steakhouse is even more renown. I think it’s every steak lover’s dream to finally have a taste of Morton’s, and I really count my blessings to give it a go at their quality steaks. And trust me, I’m a big steak aficionado.

With a prestigious downtown location in Phillips Point, Morton’s The Steakhouse in West Palm Beach is a popular destination or a plate of Bar Bites and a glass of wine in Bar 12-21 during Power Hour or for a relaxing dinner after a busy day. Power Hour is offered seven days a week in its Bar 12-21 from 5 to close with special pricing on select beverages and $6 Bar Bites. Every detail, from the succulent steaks and seafood and vast wine selections to the seamless service, makes Morton’s the classic dining experience.

I’ve been dining at Morton’s The Steakhouse for over 30 years. In that time, I can honestly say that I have never had a bad meal at any of their locations. Known for their top-notch steaks and the impressive service, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better place for a company dinner, birthday or anniversary celebration.

Morton’s promise is to serve huge macho, hearty dishes with pleasant service. Prices are steep, but there is no way you will leave hungry. Business gets quite busy especially during nights, but their amiable servers seem well-trained enough to handle it. Many of the staff at Morton’s have worked for years and are very experienced, hospitable people.

Yes, I know that Morton’s is a chain, but let’s face it – it’s a damn good restaurant and I’d put their filet up against anybody’s in town. They treat you like royalty and have a superior dining experience.

 

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

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Comfort Food with a Twist

Since the opening of Datz on January 28, 2009, owners Roger and Suzanne Perry have sparked invention and reinvention in Tampa’s food scene. They have evolved Datndon and Matthew proud. It’s a craft beer oasis, a bourbon lover’s paradise, a food ie wonderland filled with bacon, cheese, and house-made breads.

Their two-level Datz restaurant conveys a sense of comfort as soon as you pass through its doors. With a bar on each floor, there’s plenty of room to try the house-made cocktails. At the retail store you can buy pastries, chocolates, local honey and jams, and also choose from a large selection of American craft boutique spirits.

When it comes to the menu, the Perrys, along with their chef, have created comfort food dishes that are made with as many locally sourced products as possible. Peruse the offerings, which are presented in the form of a newspaper, and order the eggs barbacoa (pulled pork with cilantro and Monterey jack cheese over corn tortillas) or the red velvet tower made of four fluffy red velvet pancakes for breakfast.

Burgers are available as are flatbreads and a margherita pizza. If you are a fan of chicken-waffle, order the “Waffles n’ Tweet” made with boneless fried chicken and served with cheddar cheese waffles and jalapeño-maple syrup. If you haven’t tried it, this version is a good introduction.

wo must-haves are the Creole shrimps and grits and the pastrami pork belly on a bed of delicious homemade sauerkraut. Artisan cheeses are available before you move on to the peppercorn cheesecake or the Vosges macarons and chocolates. Accompany your meal with American wines — you can catch a peek of the wine cellar upstairs — or craft beers. If Datz is what we call a “neighborhood restaurant,” it should be more than that, as this is a dining destination for all of the Bay and out-of-towners, too.

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

 

 

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Beer Drinker`s Paradise in Tampa

Mr. Dunderbaks is a quaint German restaurant/beer bistro located in University Mall off Fowler Ave. in North Tampa. Originally part of a small chain of establishments prevalent in malls throughout the southeast, this location is now independently owned and operated. The current owner is well versed in entertaining beer enthusiasts and has done an excellent job of stocking a nice selection of brews to accompany a menu of German food, sandwiches, and a small deli.

 

The draft menu features about a dozen taps, and no domestic swill is to be found. Most are German standards such as Hacker-Pschorr and Spaten, some are more unusual like Kostritzer or Reissdorf Kolsch, and at least one Belgian is usually on tap as well. Additionally, right now and for the last year or so this place has featured Einbecker bock beer on draft – either the maibock or traditional ur-bock dunkel. Both are outstanding brews, and I believe this is the only place in Florida that has them on tap. In addition to the drafts they also feature a large selection of bottled beer with the emphasis again on German and Belgian selections.

 

Decor aside, a place is only as good as its food, and what Mr. Dunderbak’s had turned out to be pretty good. There is also a deli inside, so you can bring home authentic dishes as well. I highly recommend the landjaeger! The tap list is also quite extensive and changes frequently. There’s always a ton of different taps to choose from! They also have a good variety of bottles. The coffee bar is a little deeper in the restaurant, the grill is at the front, and they have a nice slate of sausage offerings.

 

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

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Giddyap Let`s Go !!

HorsePower for Kids, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides a farm and petting zoo so that everyone can have the opportunity to benefit from interaction with animals and horses. We provide fun, educational opportunities for children and adults to interact with and care for animals that have been rescued from a variety of situations. In our experience, working with animals enriches our lives.

Through animals, children transform into young adults, learning responsibility and respect.  These interactions build character, foster relationships, and allow us to become more open as individuals. At our farm, we strive to provide these experiences to the public and share our love for animals with everyone.

Some people would literally rather come here than Disney because there are no lines, all the animals you want to pet, and it’s so relaxing. Also, aside from the animals and the rides the scenery is very relaxing, not to mention the freshness of the air as you enjoy galloping through the course while enjoying your horse ride.

We enjoy sharing our animals with anyone who will benefit including children who cannot afford to visit us due to finances can attend free of charge on scholarship; we also rescue unwanted and injured animals. We are self-supporting, therefore being open to the public is how we are able to house and care for hundreds of beautiful creatures.

 

Photo Credit: http://horsepowerforkids.com/

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How Modern Day Museum`s Should Be..

Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry – we call it MOSI for short – is a scientific playground with more than 100 hands-on activities! MOSI’s innovative exhibits urge you to ask questions and expand your mind. We show you how cool curiosity can be – there are no tests or quizzes here. We spark conversations about the world and the future among kids and their grandparents, between spouses, and with strangers. There’s no other place like it in Tampa Bay.

Be sure to also check out MOSI’s two newest permanent exhibits: Imagination Playground and Mission: Moonbase. Imagination Playground enables kids to engineer everything from robots to cities using cubes, bricks, cogs, curves and cylinders. Imagination Playground allows kids to play in a way that encourages creativity and collaboration, while continually exploring new directions and initiatives that promote the benefits of learning, social development, movement and, above all, fun. This breakthrough play space concept enables children to create open-ended designs in a safe environment led by one of MOSI’s education staff.

Guests can head over to MOSI’s children’s science center, Kids Charge-in! and dive into a play space unique from a traditional playground not made of monkey bars, slides or see-saws. In this innovative hands-on zone, children work with large foam pieces to connect and build in intricate ways, enabling them to bring their visions to life. I personally enjoyed the presentations at the Saunders Planetarium located here at the same area of the museum and rode the high-wire bike that is carefully balanced with a counterweight. Oh — that bike takes you 30 feet over the main lobby floor, so don’t look down!

A trip to MOSI means planning on at least a half day of non-stop seeing, doing, and exploring. If you go during a busy time of the year, such as the summer, I’d simply allocate an entire day at the museum. I suggest arriving early and check out what is showing at the IMAX theater, which usually plays documentaries geared toward science as well as some popular films.

Don`t forget to stop by the BioWorks butterfly garden. You could make hundreds of fluttering friends! On the way out, you might want to take a little trek through the historic tree grove, which flourishes with more than a dozen trees grown from seedlings of trees associated with significant people or events.

 

Photo Credit: http://www.destination360.com

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AttractionsTampa

Chilin and Relaxing Along the Riverwalk

You might have driven south down Tampa Street but never stopped, turned right and see what undiscovered beauty lies down by the River, just north of the city. You’d be amazed at the work the City of Tampa and great organizations such as the Tampa Riverwalk project, are doing for our community. Revitalization of buildings like the old Water Works building, are bringing new life to urban neighborhoods and new people are interested in coming out to play.

Tampa’s Riverwalk project dates back to the 1970s, a time when much of the downtown waterfront consisted of aging warehouses and industrial facilities related to the nearby Port of Tampa. Tampa mayor Bill Poe conceived the idea of a park and walkway behind Curtis Hixon Hall, a civic center along the Hillsborough River that was one of the few public spaces in the area. The city built a short stretch of boardwalk on the east side of the river behind the Hall.

The Tampa Riverwalk is a scenic exploration of the downtown riverfront and connects most of the popular downtown attractions, parks, and restaurants. The broad paved path runs along, and in places, runs over the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel. Easily accessible to everyone including the disabled, kids, and furry friends, the Riverwalk accommodates walkers, joggers, and bikers.

A few of the landmarks you will pass include the Heights Public Market, Waterworks Park, Tampa Museum of Art, Curtis Hixon Park, the Convention Center, and the Tampa Bay History Center. Along the way you can discover numerous interpretive exhibits highlighting Tampa’s history and public art exhibits. The path is almost 3 miles long, but there are plenty of spots to stop for a rest and grab a drink or a quick bite along the way.

Bike, run, and discover the Tampa Riverwalk, linking downtown’s favorite attractions like gems on a string along the stunning Hillsborough River. The 2.4-mile path leaves you at the footsteps of great eateries like Ulele and Heights Public Market or at signature attractions like the Tampa Bay History Center and The Florida Aquarium.

 

Photo Credit: www.dreamstime.com

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About Me

About Me

Stephen

Stephen operates multiple businesses and is very passionate about Florida and helping others follow their dreams of moving to the Sunshine State. Stephen relocated from Indiana to Tallahassee, Florida in 2003 and now enjoys the Tampa area with his wife and 2 boys. He started the private facebook group, "Official Moving to Florida", to help others do the same. The group is a thriving community allowing members to discuss any issues related to moving to Florida.

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