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Cities of FloridaRestaurantsSarasotaTravel

Taste the Fusion of England Seafood Cuisine

The Lucky Pelican is a local fish house serving fresh seafood with a New England twist to them. Customers can enjoy fish and chips – England style or choose between the various calamari, scallops, oyster and fish meals on the menu. The restaurant’s ambience is generally lively and the interior is kept bright and open. Lucky Pelican offers both indoor and outdoor dining experiences to diners.

The serving sizes are generous, Items popular on the Lucky Pelican menu include the mahi mahi sandwich, the roasted oysters, the fish tacos and the blackened salmon served with charred cauliflowers and potatoes. The key lime pie on the dessert’s menu is also popular. Customers can order complementing beer and cocktails with their meals. Lucky Pelican also serves a separate kids’ menu and daily fish specials.

At the Lucky Pelican, their chefs put their New England culinary flare into their lunch and dinner selections. Finding new ways to bring out the sweetest flavors from the sea daily, the area’s only local raw bar does not disappoint. Their chefs have the largest selection of fish at their disposal and put all the flavor into their famous Fish Tacos, freshly shucked Lobster Roll and a house favorite twist on the New England Clam Bake. The Lucky Pelican also serves some favorites like sweet potato fries to delight every taste bud.

 

Photo Credit: http://luckypelicanbistro.com/

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Cities of FloridaRestaurantsSarasotaTravel

Who`s Down for Some Crab & Fin?

Sarasota’s celebrated Crab & Fin, located in beautiful St. Armand’s Circle has been a favorite of locals and visitors for years, showcasing the freshest in local seafood, as well as freshly caught fish flown in from the cleanest waters elsewhere. Crab & Fin typically features freshly shucked oysters from at least six locales daily, typically including favorites such as Blue Points, Rhode Island, Cape Cod, Prince Edward Island, Washington State, and British Columbia, among others! The food is so fresh and market-driven that the extensive menus are printed daily! Talk about fresh!

Serving Sarasota since 1978, they are proud to be part of the excitement that is St. Armand’s Circle. Whether you are window shopping at one of the world class shops on the circle or are looking for a special place to dine on the best seafood the world has to offer, the Crab & Fin is the perfect destination.

Crab & Fin is known for the best oyster selection in the Sarasota area, featuring 5-6 varieties from both Atlantic and Pacific coasts each day, as well as sampler platters so diners can try them all! On a recent visit, there were two from Prince Edward Island, two from Maine, one from Rhode Island, and one from Washington State.

They literally search all over the world to find the freshest and most unique seafood available. All of our fish arrives each day by air, and is cut from whole fish in house.

Preparing each meal from scratch is something they take great pride in. Your taste buds will surely notice the difference when tasting our fresh, homemade pasta and bread, made in their kitchen. It is their pleasure to make your experience delicious and memorable.

Whether you live in the Sarasota area or visiting, Crab & Fin is not to be missed–in nice weather.

 

Photo Credit: http://srqreviews.com

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AttractionsCities of FloridaSarasotaTravel

A Good Place to Stroll in Sarasota

Sarasota is host to a number of local attractions, many perfectly-sized for a fun field trip with the entire family including young children and grandparents, too. Located just a few moments from the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport and the world-renowned Ringling Museum, Sarasota Jungle Gardens is a true “Old Florida” attraction. Established in 1939, this tropical oasis is home to Florida alligators, tortoises, dozens of snakes in the Reptile House, parrots, macaws, cockatoos, lemurs, monkeys and flamingos.

Founded in 1939, it is one of the oldest continuously operated attractions in the state. The gardens started with 10 acres of land which were planted with thousands of tropical flowers and trees from all over the world. In the 1970s, the first Exotic Bird Show was created and featured cockatoos and macaws.

The Gardens is a nonprofit organization which acts as a sanctuary for a variety of exotic animals and plants, some of which have been rescued. Here you will find a variety of quaint nature trails, beautiful lake views, dozens of exotic wildlife species, and a few interactive wildlife shows.

The trails here are clean and well-maintained, and also not too long, so everyone can enjoy a healthy, moderate walk in a desirable shady environment. As you navigate the grounds, you will pass a variety of interesting exhibits. Among-st them is the free roaming flamingos, this is one of the few areas where you can see them strolling around at their leisure. You can also feed them, although they seemed to be pretty irritated, likely due to the fact that people feed them on end all day long. The flamingos are absolutely gorgeous!

By visiting Sarasota Jungle Gardens, you will be able to enjoy a leisurely walk around the beautifully landscaped grounds, get in a little exercise, and enjoy an up-close view of some truly beautiful exotic species.

 

Photo Credit: http://floridaattractions.com

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AttractionsCities of FloridaSarasotaTravel

An Alligator Parade!

The Myakka River, flows through miles of wetlands, prairies, hammocks, and pinelands. In my opinion this is one of the best outdoor family experiences in Florida. The rangers at the station are very helpful and they have brochures available that literally plan your day.

You can enjoy various activities from wildlife viewing from a boardwalk that stretches out over the Upper Myakka Lake, or a stroll along the canopy walkway. The park´s river and two lakes provide boating, freshwater fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Kayaking is very enjoyable – lots of alligators, herons, egrets, white pelicans if you are lucky, ospreys, bald eagles, ibis, and maybe even some wild boars.

If this is your first time in the park then the Canopy Walk is a must-do. Canopy Walkways are fairly rare, so when you have the chance to walk on one you should take it! If you’re up for a little bit of a climb definitely be sure to make your way to the top of the observation tower on the end of the Canopy Walk…the views are amazing! For better views either bring binoculars or use their coin-operated viewer at the top. I’m pretty sure we saw the Skyway Bridge way off in the distance once!

For those that are looking for a longer hike and backpacking experience I have to recommend checking out the Myakka Hiking Trail. It’s maintained by volunteers from the Florida Trail Association – Suncoast Chapter. This trail makes a 38.9 mile loop through the park. You will experience everything from hammocks, to prairies, to grasslands, and more.

I could go on and on about this park! There’s so much to do here! Bicycling, fishing, bird watching, geocaching, wildlife, kayaking, concerts, bird walk, the nature center, animals, campfire programs, camping, gift shop, concession stand…too much to list!

 

Photo Credit: http://hikeitflorida.com/

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AttractionsCities of FloridaSarasotaTravel

The Garden of Eve in Florida

If you are planning to visit a botanical garden in Florida, choose Selby, which has the world’s largest scientific collection of orchids and bromeliads, more than 20,000 species. Selby’s genteel outdoor gardens are exceptionally well landscaped and relaxing, with 80-year-old banyan trees, koi ponds and splendid bay views. Art exhibits, a cafe and an enticing plant shop complete the experience.

Located in Sarasota, Selby is just a short drive away from some other well-known gardens – including the private homes of plant aficionados Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Mable Ringling (wife of circus man John). And if you’re a true plant nerd, this may be the strongest argument that you’ll need to hear.

A popular tourist attraction on the Suncoast called Selby`s is gaining national attention. As a matter of fact, USA Today ranks Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota as the number one botanical garden to visit this spring.

The newspaper recently published an article that states there are nearly 600 public and botanical gardens nationwide, according to the American Public Gardens Association. It describes Selby Gardens as a tropical oasis filled with rare and beautiful plants on the Sarasota bayfront. Open 364 days per year, the gardens encompass 15 acres and 12 buildings, including a tropical and subtropical bamboo garden, koi pond, fern garden and a wooden boardwalk through a mangrove forest. No other botanical garden in Florida made this list on USA Today.

It’s a fantastic blend of Florida’s native plants, and tropical gardens focused on sensory experiences. The outer edges of the garden serve as a small-scale nature preserve, while the inner areas showcase unusual specimens and thoughtful design.

 

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

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Cities of FloridaSarasotaTravel

The Birthplace of Circus

When circus maestro John Ringling decided to settle in Sarasota with his wife, Mable, they decided they needed an art museum on their property to house their considerable collection. It took two years to build the Ringling Museum, which opened in 1927. Today, the museum’s holdings represent works both Western and non-Western, spanning ancient times to the 21st century. The museum has become a cultural touchstone for the Sarasota area and the Gulf Coast, including within its purview everything from a Circus Museum to a high-concept playspace, a historic theater and acre upon acre of waterfront gardens.

Synonymous with the must-be-seen-to-be-believed type of entertainment, the name Ringling conjures up images of exotic animals and unique performances. Creating this special allure was John and Mable Ringling, who had a passion for art. This museum is now one of the top attraction here in Sarasota. Visitors will find a fine art museum with 21 galleries of American, Asian, European, and Contemporary art, all maintained by Florida State University. In addition to a world-renowned collection of artwork, visitors will also be enthralled with the Circus Museum where visitors can walk the wire, squeeze into a clown car, and explore memorabilia dedicated to the “Greatest Show on Earth.

The Ringling Museum is divided into two areas; the Circus Museum and the Ringling Museum of Art. but both located on the same estate, with their own selection of buildings and displays.

The Ringling Museum of Art is a diverse and eclectic collection. Some people think that it celebrates the very famous Ringling Circus, but that is a separate museum entirely (also on the grounds and within walking distance). This museum includes exhibitions from around the world, has multiple levels, and has continued to expand in the preceding years.

In the Ringling Circus Museum, clown cars, photos, memorabilia, prints, wardrobes, props, art, the railroad car on which the Ringling family used to travel the country, and other fascinating Ringling circus memorabilia can be seen.

The two combined museums contain a remarkable art collection that celebrates a history of family, art, and creativity in Sarasota. The Circus Museum largely showcases Ringling circus memorabilia while the Ringling Museum of Art is a mix of many genres of art across the world and through many eras.

Both are worthy of at least one or more trips. So, don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to get a firsthand glimpse of fascinating American circus history!

 

Photo Credit: www.tropicalbreezeresort.com

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AttractionsCities of FloridaOrlandoTravel

3 , 2 , 1 …. Anchors Away

SeaWorld Orlando is one of the biggest attractions in town and provides a fun-filled day for the whole family. Known for its massive aquariums, dolphin and whale shows, touch pools, and many exciting rides. Although guests may no longer feed the dolphins, you are still able to reach into the interactive dolphin pool and pet these beautiful, intelligent creatures. Those who want to get even more hands-on can sign up for an up-close tour with the dolphins, killer whales, sea lions, penguins, or sharks.

The SeaWorld franchise started in 1964 in San Diego, California. It was founded by George Millay, Milt Shedd, Ken Norris and David DeMott. The franchise was originally planned as an underwater restaurant, but eventually blossomed into an aquatic amusement park. In 1968 SeaWorld became a publicly traded company, which allowed for expansion into the Ohio and central Florida areas. In 1973 SeaWorld Orlando was established.

Travelers love SeaWorld’s animal experiences, heart-pounding rides and relaxed atmosphere, but some caution that food and merchandise are pricey. Keep in mind: If you want to see the famous “One Ocean” Shamu show at SeaWorld Orlando, be sure to visit soon – all of SeaWorld’s theme parks will stop offering this show by 2019.

Other special tours include a behind-the-scenes look at SeaWorld operations and tours of the manatee rehabilitation center or the dolphin nursery, where the park’s youngest dolphins are cared for. The park’s most popular thrill rides are its roller coasters, including the Mako hyper coaster, the Manta Coaster, and the Kraken Virtual Reality Coaster.

Photo Credit: www.themeparkhipster.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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AttractionsCities of FloridaFloridaTravel

3,2,1 … Blast Off Florida!!

No doubt about it, Florida is a very popular destination for the winter holidays. If you are treating yourself to sun, sand and space this holiday season. The tour starts with a 90-minute bus tour of the entire complex that showed us the actual vehicle assembly building where the rockets are assembled, the launchpad for the shuttles all the while explaining what goes into getting to space. We stopped off first to watch the history of the NASA space program and its progress over the years

The introduction was all about how the ‘man on the moon’ mission came about along with the speech from Kennedy, followed by the actual control room from where the first successful shuttle to the moon was launched, to live the ‘race to the moon’. With a countdown timer running on the side, the relevant controls lighting up in front of us and the realistic sound and light effect of a rocket launch. The exhibit closes with one walking into a large area displaying Saturn V, at 363 feet long, the largest rocket ever built.

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is located in Cape Canaveral. The approach road takes on a deserted appeal as you close in to KSC – security restrictions coupled with the fact that the 3-mile radius of the launch facility is strictly out-of-bounds explains this. Since 1968 to date KSC has been the launch site for all US manned space flights, while its neighbor Cape Canaveral Air Force Station conducts the unmanned civilian launches. Also, KSC is considered as part of the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge which was established by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in its quest for space exploration way back in 1963 and as such it is illegal to kill wildlife within the facility.

A trip to NASA is guaranteed to inspire awe and amazement, it will give you a renewed feeling of wide eyed wonder at really how amazingly expansive the universe is, and how, despite all our breath-taking achievements, we’ve only gone so far…. and the sky calls to us.

 

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

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AttractionsCities of FloridaTravelWest Palm Beach

A Splashing Good Time

For more than 35 years, Rapids Water Park has been one of the best places to go in Florida for exciting water slides. It’s an ideal spot for family fun just outside West Palm Beach. Fort Rapids uses a western theme throughout the complex. The water park has displays and attractions that highlight the wild west.

The enormous park is known for its many water slides – there are 35 in all, from those best suited to adrenaline junkies to some more family-friendly slides and rides. The park calls its most thrilling rides its “Biggest” attractions, including rafting through a Tornado slide in complete darkness and six slide lane`s, excellent for racing.

The water slides start indoors and then twist and turn outside of the side of the building before coming back inside. This makes for more room in the facility and a great advertisement as you drive by the hotel.

Other attractions are designed for all ages, including several that are specifically meant to be kid-friendly. There is a large wave pool, a lazy river, kid-sized slides, and obstacle courses in which guests need to walk on floating objects to cross pools. Also, they have an “Activity pool” which is an area for swimming and water basketball for older kids and the “Rascal Roundup” is a nearby play water structure with water cannons, dumping buckets and water slides for kids as well.

 

Overall, getting away and spending quality time together as a family is what this place is all about.  When you are staying at the hotel, you can swim before your check in time and also enjoy the water park after you check out. It is highly recommended that you bring a hairdryer if you plan on using the pool after you check out. Oh, and there are also lockers available for rent.

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

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