off topic; where to go on the Gulf from Orlando?

[Fluffysmom]

Hi, I asked before where the best place to go to the Atlantic Ocean from Orlando is; now I'm curious about where on the Gulf Coast side of the state.

I'm tagging along on my roommate's business trip, and she has decided that she will have plenty of time for us to drive both ways (on different days, of course!)  I think she wants some of those Gulf shrimp!  I love being able to see new places and try new things.

So, those of you that live in or visit that area of Florida, where would you suggest we go?  

Or any parks or points of interest that shouldn't be missed?  How about great places to eat (for reasonable prices)?

I think we'll skip the amusement parks and enjoy the other things the state has to offer.  Our hotel is within walking distance of Universal Studios; I think you can see in the park from some of the rooms.

This is going to be fun, if the heat and humidity aren't overwhelming.  We're taking a collapsible cooler so we can have cold drinks and snacks in the car while we're driving.  My roommate has this attachement thing so we can hook our I-pods up to the rental car, so we can have tons of music we like if we can't find a good radio station.  Sorry if I'm running on, I'm starting to get excited about this trip.

I leave on the 6th and return on the 13th; both days mostly taken up with travel; flying across the country takes time.  We change planes in Phoenix on the way over and Denver on the way back; luckily with fairly short lay-overs; last trip I spent 3+ hours in the Nashville airport.

Thanks for any ideas and suggestions!

Kathy

[Eyesnlegs]

If you ever get chance to go further south - Englewood Beach on Lemon Bay is just heaven on earth - especially watching the sun go down sitting under a tree with a nice cold drink - Hows that from a UK'er.

Have a great time I am really jealous!!!

Pat
x

[Fluffysmom]

Thank you all so much; I'll come back to this all tomorrow and take notes; maybe I'll just print it all out.  

You're awesome!

Kathy

[Kara423]

There is a great little hole in the wall restaurant just outside of Orlando in Sanford. The restaurant is the Blue Dahlia and they sell the best crab cakes I have ever had anywhere!  The Higgin's house is a wonderful little B&B just a few blocks over too.

I was born in Pensacola and have been many locations in Florida. You can't beat the beaches between Ft Walton and Pensacola. Of course the Original Oyster House is always a favorite for tourist.

[Lulu54]

I agree with Ess - if you are a fan or even not a fan but interested in Salvador Dali and his work, don't miss the Dali museum in St Pete, out by the pier.  

I know you are an animal lover so here is my list of suggestions at that end of the state -

Since the heat can be a factor, if you can visit either coast at night do so.  Find a local pier, St Pete's is great, and go out and watch the night time fishing and enjoy the sounds of the ocean in the dark.  It is totally different.  

For fish and water life up close, check out the Mote Aquarium and Marine Center in Sarasota.

If you go a bit south of Tampa, you can go out on Anna Marie Island - the beach is quiet and peaceful and often you will find sea turtle  nests on the beach (well marked by volunteers, of course).  It was in the gulf here at Anna Marie that I first encountered a very mature and large sea turtle in the surf- it just came up out of the water and looked me in the eye and then disappeared.  Amazing encounter and very humbling.


Head south to Sarasota and visit Pelican Man's bird sanctuary if you want to see these funny birds up close.  

Head north to see the Manatees if you are lucky at Homassassa Springs.

For grins and giggles, the Mermaids at Weeki Wachee Springs are always fun - a real throw back to roadside tourist attractions from the 1950's. ... as far as I know this is the only place in the US you can see the mermaids perform.  

Kathy, whatever you do and wherever you go, keep the water handy and drink a lot.  Enjoy the beaches and sunshine but don't overdo it.  It is much hotter than what you had in Hawaii.

Have fun and send us a postcard!
Lulu

[essdipity]

Depends on what you'd like to experience. If it's gorgeous gulf and beach, try St. Pete Beach. An interesting Dali museum is not too far away.

ess

[cindy903]

If you can get to Sarasota, it's heaven on earth. There's a restaurant I used to go to with my ex -- now I'm tearing up -- but I digress ... It's called Shell's. If it's still there, go and have some gulf shrimp on me.