<p>If you’re looking for something casual on St. Pete Beach, the sunset and grouper sandwiches at [The</a> Hurricane](<a href=“http://www.thehurricane.com/]The”>http://www.thehurricane.com/) can’t be beat (service can be spotty when it gets crowded, though). In Tarpon, we usually go to Paul’s Shrimp House (don’t worry, they have things other than shrimp!), Hellas, or Costas. Most of the places by the sponge docks have similar menus and good, inexpensive Greek food. Get the Saganaki appetizer, Opa!</p>
<p>Never had grouper. How would you describe it?</p>
<p>Grouper: tastes like chicken — doesn’t taste fishy</p>
<p>very good choice, it’s a Florida staple.</p>
<p>To use the old SAT analogies: Grouper Sandwich is to Florida’s Gulf Coast as Cheesesteak is to Philadelphia ;)</p>
<p>Wow-you are getting suggestions for practically all over the state! If you want to go snorkeling/diving relatively close to the Ft. Lauderdale area, I’d suggest John Pennekamp state park in Key Largo [John</a> Pennekamp State Park - Snorkeling and Diving in Key Largo, Florida Keys](<a href=“http://www.floridakeys.com/keylargo/pennekamp.htm]John”>Florida Keys vacation | Florida Keys travel information) You can go parasailing right on (off?) the beach in Ft. Lauderdale. That’s pricey but fun!</p>
<p>When you go to St. Pete to the Dali museum, wave hello to my son. He works (literally) practically across the street! He lives just on the northern edge of downtown St. Pete, which has really become a lively place. Keep in mind if you stay on the beach you’ll contend with the drawbridges, which is probably no big deal unless you are on a time crunch. The Fort De Soto State park beach was just named one of the most beautiful beaches in the country. [Fort</a> DeSoto State Park, St. Petersburg, FL](<a href=“http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/Florida/St-Petersburg/blog-225657.html]Fort”>Fort DeSoto State Park, St. Petersburg, FL | Travel Blog)</p>
<p>Look into the Hampton Inn and suites in downtown St. Pete. Its not all that grand, but they were offering free Dali museum tickets with a hotel stay a month or 2 ago. </p>
<p>There are several CC’ers who live in the area who were extremely helpful when my s moved down there a few months ago. I am sure they will be happy to help you as well. Have fun!!
As for meals, audio is right-- Berns in Tampa is definitely a treat- and their wine list is unbelievable.</p>
<p>Almost forgot-- we ate one night at a classic “locals” place in Pass-a-grille (south of St. Pete beach, and much more quaint) called “The Wharf” [The</a> Wharf - Pass-A-Grille, Florida](<a href=“http://www.wharfrestaurant.org/]The”>http://www.wharfrestaurant.org/) Stumbled upon it, but it was a true classic - a rustic, salty ol’ beat up bar on the water (we sat on the back bar with our feet dangling over the boats docked there) and had the absolute best food. Yumm!!!</p>
<p>If you’re going to go north from St. Pete beach, (and the Pier area is kind of fun in St. Pete), you might want to try Frenchy’s on Clearwater Beach for lunch. There are actually four, but this one is right on the beach. Tarpon Springs has some great Greek bakeries and fun shopping. And I second Berns, and the dessert room. It isn’t just a restaurant, the waiters train for two years which includes working on the organic farm, although that may have changed since Bern’s son took over.</p>
<p>Take a boat ride on the intercoastal at night. There is a trip with lots of singing, sailing past huge mansions, your destination is an Island. There you will be served a huge, buffet barbecue and there is live entertainment. Return trip in the dark is more fun.
Trip starts in Miami. Great for music and food lovers.</p>
<p>In Ft. Lauderdale there are manatees in the water by the beach.
You don’t need to go to a Seaworld to see them.</p>
<p>Mom60, may I first compliment your D on her exquisite taste? IMO she has certainly picked two of the best things to see in Florida! :)</p>
<p>Agree with audiophile and jym (::waves:: 
). In addition to the Wharf and the Hurricane, why not check out the restaurants in the Don Cesar, our hulking pink landmark on St. Pete Beach? [Don</a> CeSar Beach Resort | A Loews Hotel | St. Petersburg Beach Hotel](<a href=“http://www.doncesar.com/]Don”>http://www.doncesar.com/) Clink the link on the left for “dining” which will take you to a description of their five restaurants.</p>
<p>If you plan to drive north on US 19 (34th St.) out of St. Pete, hang a left at Gulf-to-Bay (60) to Clearwater. Take it all the way west to Alt. 19, then head north. The drive is very pretty along the coast through Clearwater into Dunedin. If you stay on Alt. 19 north, you’ll end up in downtown Tarpon Springs.</p>
<p>Alt. 19 merges back into US 19 a little north of Tarpon. You can take 19 all the way to Homosassa/Crystal River. Nice little town, a bit of “old Florida.” The peak manatee season is winter into early spring, but you should still see quite a few this time of year.</p>
<p>Agree with toneranger. If you’re staying in Delray and want to do some sightseeing, why not drive a little north up Ocean Blvd. into Palm Beach up as far as the Breakers? South Beach is also good…</p>
<p>Definitely try grouper, a fleshy fish with a delicate flavor. If you don’t see it on the menu, ask; it has a season. We were able to get some last month.</p>
<p>Enjoy and happy b-day to your D!</p>
<p>A little tip we learned the hard way when visiting S at UM, many Miami/SoBe restaurants add a gratuity to the check regardless of the number of persons in the party. Check your bill before leaving a tip.</p>
<p>Hi muddersmudder!! :D</p>
<p>Didn’t want to mention “names” or offer up the assistance of other posters lest they weren’t available right now, but Mudersmudder was extraordinarily helpful to us as we looked for housing in St. Pete, and clearly she is sharing her gifts again here too. Thanks MM!!</p>
<p>Almost forgot–
Another great resource was the travel forum on tripadvisor.com</p>
<p>Great idea to see the Dali museum. It is marvelous. Make sure to take a tour with a docent. We had a funny one who had plenty of fascinating anecdotes about Dali. Took the tour at least 10 years ago, but still remember lots.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone. I looked at the menu’s for a few places in Tarpan Springs and it made me hungry.
Muddersmudder thanks for the driving directions.
I have been looking on tripadvisor for hotels. I love reading different opinions on places.
I have been trying to get my D to sit down for a few minutes and make some decisions. I would like her to at least look into the hotels in St Pete’s and decide what kind of place she wants to stay for her birthday. I don’t mind spending a little more that night since it will be her actual birthday. Plus the prices in Crystal Springs are pretty low so I am justifying it in my mind.</p>
<p>I think you’ll enjoy the Marriott in Delray. It’s on Atlantic Blvd. which has lots of shops and restaurants (do not eat at Boston’s on the Beach though). Make sure you go for a late dinner at Dada…your daughter will love it. </p>
<p>An idea for a day trip is West Palm Beach. They have these funky duck bus (water/land) tours that everyone visiting FL seems to have fun on (about 3 hours). You can have lunch either in City Place or head over to the island (Palm Beach) for lunch. West Palm also has the Norton Museum and the Flagler is in Palm Beach. </p>
<p>The Morikami is nice. If you want to get a feel for the Everglades without having to go far, just continue West on Atlantic Ave. to the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge . They have some lovely boardwalk trails where you can see a variety of birds and gators. I recommend going early in the morning.</p>
<p>You would need more time to do the Keyes properly, but a visit to SoBe (Miami Beach) is a must when traveling with college age kids. Shopping and eating on Lincoln Rd. is trendy, but with better food and in some cases, prices, than Ocean Blvd. If you’re interested in Cuban culture and food, check out Little Havana on Calle Ocho (8th street) in Miami. In most cases the food is reasonable and good anywhere you go.</p>
<p>Agree that for the trip to St. Pete, Bern’s Steakhouse (Tampa) is a must for dinner. Tarpon Springs is ok, but don’t go out of your way. Crystal Springs will be lovely!</p>
<p>So many great ideas. We have one of those land/water boats in our town but of course we have never been on it.
Don’t know if I will fess up to my family where I got all my great information. They already make fun of me.</p>