Florida Discoveries! September/October
Fall in the Sunshine State gives way to cool breezes, but the fun never stops on the white sand beaches! Plan your next Autumn getaway with a trip to a historic city inside of Tampa, a magical island vacation, a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife experience in crystal clear waters, a luxury stay in a coastal hotel, and more!
Explore a city with a rich history!
VIBRANT YBOR CITY. Named after Don Vincent Martinez Ybor, a Cuban cigar factory owner, Ybor City is the heart of Cuban, Italian, and Latin American culture in Tampa. Ride the bright yellow TECO electric heritage streetcar for an easy way to get around the city, and discover everything Ybor has to offer. Sip coffee at one of the sidewalk cafes, visit the Ybor City Museum to learn about the city’s culture, and see cigars being hand-rolled from scratch at one of the small cigar shops like Tabanero Cigars. If you’re feeling hungry, there is a plethora of delicious food options! You can find traditional Cuban and Spanish dishes at the Columbia, enjoy a filling Greek salad at the Acropolis, taste a delicious skirt steak with Argentinian flair at El Puerto, or indulge in local blue crabs and Cuban sandwiches at Carmine’s, which has been a local favorite since the 1940s. Can’t decide? Purchase a food tasting pass to try a variety of tasty flavors at restaurants throughout Ybor. Go shopping at one of the many unique and eclectic boutiques around the city, and make your way to Centro Ybor, which contains a variety of shops, restaurants, art galleries, comedy clubs, and a movie theater. Ybor city also has a vibrant nightlife and club scene to hear internationally-known DJs, ska, reggae, fusion jazz, and rock music. Don’t be surprised if you see a chicken or two as you explore the city. The wild chickens that roam Ybor’s streets are direct descendants of the chickens that lived in the backyards of the earliest neighborhood residents more than 100 years ago! A Tampa ordinance gives protection to these curious birds, and the Ybor City Chicken Society helps ensure the birds are in good health.
yborcityonline.com/
ybormuseum.org/
tabanerocigars.com/
columbiarestaurant.com/ybor-city-tampa
acropolistaverna.com/locations/ybor-city/
elpuertoybor.com/
carminesybor.com/
Relax and Unwind on the Paradise Coast!
MAGICAL MARCO ISLAND. When you want to truly get away from it all, look no further than Marco Island. The largest of Florida’s Ten Thousand Islands is located just south of Naples, where the Everglades meet the Gulf of Mexico. This relaxed fishing village has tranquil, white sand beaches and unspoiled nature, as well as oceanfront hotels, culinary delights, and plenty of activities on the water. Dine with an ocean view with some of the best local cuisine, which includes mahi-mahi tacos, honey Sriracha snapper, Key lime pie, and fresh, locally-caught seafood like grouper and stone crab. There’s also a fall wine festival, which showcases a variety of wines from local and international vintners. Get away from the crowds for a stroll on Tigertail beach and enjoy the calm waters of Tigertail Lagoon, which is perfect for paddle boarding and bird-watching. The beach is part of the Great Florida Birding Trail because of the endless variety of birds that visit the area, such as osprey, pelicans, bald eagles, falcons, spoonbills, and red knots. Cross the lagoon for sightings of fiddler crabs, horseshoe crabs, sea turtles, manatees, and dolphins. Take a sight-seeing cruise through the mangrove-line estuaries to see even more dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, rays, and sharks, and go on a treasure hunt for some of the most exotic sea shells you will find on the Gulf Coast. As the sun sets, the beach comes alive with beating drums and fire dancers as they perform a spectacular show with their fire batons. Be sure to bring your camera to capture this amazing show!
paradisecoast.com/marco-island
Swim with the manatees in these crystal-clear waters!
UNSPOILED PARADISE. Getting in touch with nature is the order of the day in beautiful Crystal River. Known as the “Manatee Capital of the World,” Crystal River is home to the only National Wildlife Refuge in the United States specifically created to protect habitats for the beloved West Indian manatees. With warm waters all year long, manatees migrate to Kings Bay and Three Sisters Springs every winter. Let an experienced guide take you through these crystal-clear waters where you can swim alongside these gentle giants. In addition to manatees, the wildlife refuge is also home to river otters, bald eagles, swallowtail kites, dolphins, and much more. Visitors can also dive for scallops, go fishing, stroll the King’s Bay Riverwalk, and kayak, canoe or paddleboard along the river. There is also a paved trail where you can bike or walk your way around Crystal River. Several mountain bike trails are also available for more adventurous types. The nearby Chassahowitzka River Campground and Recreation Area lets you stay close to the park and features a variety of amenities like RV hookups, grills, laundry facilities, and a bath house along with recreation areas like the shuffleboard court and picnic pavilion.
discovercrystalriverfl.com/
chassahowitzkaflorida.com/
Pamper yourself at this beautiful luxury hotel!
RELAX IN STYLE. Plan the ultimate relaxing getaway at The Pearl hotel, located in Rosemary Beach. With breathtaking architecture featuring a peaked clocked tower, pointed turrets, sunny terraces, and signature black-and-white striped awnings set in a West Indies-style community of cobblestone streets, The Pearl will charm you before you even step inside! From the cocktail greeting at check-in and the hand-delivered freshly baked treat at bedtime, every detail is made to pamper you in luxury. The rooms are wonderfully decorated in an elegant coastal style, and many rooms include a private balcony with views of the Gulf of Mexico, the pool and Havana Beach Rooftop, or the charming town of Rosemary Beach. Traditional Suites feature spacious sitting areas, and the Rotunda Suites have a parlor room and a separate entrance. Maximize your stay by booking The Pearl Suite, which is located at the top of the clock tower and features double vanities, a rainfall shower, a soaking tub, a private rooftop balcony with stunning views of the Gulf, and an observatory sitting room overlooking the town. Amenities included with your stay at The Pearl include complimentary bicycles for exploring Rosemary Beach, signature bath amenities, access to the luxurious Spa Pearl, and complimentary beach chairs with oversized umbrellas for lounging on the private white sand beach just steps from the hotel. Visit the poolside Spa Pearl for signature treatments using the healing powers of the pearl gemstone, including facials, body treatments, massages, and waxing services. Spend your days shopping, playing a round of golf, fishing, and visiting the nearby butterfly garden, or simply lounge by the pool with a good book and a sweet cocktail. Dine at The Pearl’s AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, the Havana Beach Bar & Grill, which features Cuban-inspired cocktails and a delectable cuisine with Caribbean and American influences. A stay at The Pearl is truly an experience like no other!
thepearlrb.com/
Discover your slice of paradise in this village of islands!
ENCHANTING ISLAMORADA. The village of Islamorada consists of six different islands and has been dubbed the “Sport Fishing Capital of the World.” But there’s so much more to Islamorada than fishing. There’s activities, fun, and relaxation for the whole family! A favorite activity among visitors is feeding the hungry tarpons from the docks of Robbie’s Marina. While you’re there, visit the Hungry Tarpon restaurant, where you can enjoy scenic views while dining on one of the eatery’s signature dishes like the Mahi Reuben or Pan Seared Salmon. Relax on the deck and enjoy the restaurant’s famous loaded Trailer Trash Bloody Mary, which was voted as the best Bloody Mary’s in the Upper Keys. Get a bird’s eye view of the pristine waters as you parasail above the islands, or plan a fun day of watersports like paddle boarding or windsurfing. Or, truly relax in a hammock on the beach and let all of your cares melt away in the Florida sun. For a real adventure, visit the Theater of the Sea, where you can swim with dolphins, or catch one of the sea lion, dolphin, or parrot shows presented throughout the day. A visit to Islamorada is one you’ll never forget!
islamoradachamber.com/
hungrytarpon.com/#home
theaterofthesea.com/
