Paradise Adventures By Nanette Wiser
In my head, this earworm tune plays non-stop -“We gotta get out of this place” – so I decided to hit the road and explore Paradise for some delightful day trips, a mix of culture and cocktails, sun and fun. Gas up and go!
CULTURE & COCKTAILS
Trip 1: Sarasota
Off to The Ringling we go, to explore the Museum of Art, Circus Museum, Bayfront Gardens and Ca’ d’Zan, the winter residence of John and Mable Ringling. John believed Sarasota would become a world-class tourist destination so they hired acclaimed NYC architect Dwight James Baum to create a Venetian Gothic-style mansion. With a new restaurant on the Ringling campus and an amazing museum store (holiday gifts!). Tuesday acoustic sunsets run Nov. 9-Dec. 14 @ 5pm on the Ca’ d’Zan Terrace. This socially distanced event features live music with food and drink for purchase. www.ringling.org/events/type/exhibitions
Heading North thru Sarasota and historic St. Armands Circle, we shopped till we dropped at Foxy Lady, then drove through Longboat Key to Mar Vista, the sister restaurant to Anna Marie’s Sandbar. The outdoor patio overlooking the bay was the perfect setting for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc, scallop wrapped with bacon and plum sauce, fish dip with Teddy’s hemp crackers, crab cakes and Bradley Store cheddar grits and the Nashville Hot Fish, Tampa Bay Spanish mackerel served with Texas toast, spicy bacon-butter and bread and butter pickles. For evening repast, we recommend Euphemia Haye; reservations required. If we had more time, we would have stopped at The Marie Selby Gardens for the dazzling 45th Anniversary Orchid Show – Women Breaking the Glasshouse Ceiling celebrating the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote.
Trip 2: Venice
I wanted to search for shark teeth, and Venice is the perfect shelling spot to find dozens. Once a month, on Thursdays, the town hosts a classic car show if you plan to daytrip there. There is no shortage of culture, from the Clyde Butcher Fine Art Black & White Photography Gallery to the Venice Art Center. Eat like a local at Cedar Reef Fish Camp, Blu’ Island Bistro or Fins at Sharky’s.
WILD WORLD
Trip 3: Wildlife Viewing
Locally, you can hike Sawgrass and see alligators lolling in the sun. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park adjacent to Gainesville is one of Florida’s best spots to view the gators as you walk the La Chua Trail. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge is a winter habitat for migratory birds with exceptional viewing locations from the trails on 70,000 Gulf Coast acres. The 53,000-acre Lower Suwanee National Wildlife Refuge is 16 miles southwest of Chiefland on County Road 347, great for canoeing and kayaking.
Trip 4: Brooker Creek Preserve
I like to pair a drive to Tarpon Spring for Greek food with a morning hike at Brooker Creek Preserve, largest natural area in Pinellas County. Here you can explore forested wetlands and pine flatwoods, multiple ecosystems, lush flora and abundant fauna. You can hike or horseback ride, visit the Educational Center designed in old Florida pioneer-style architecture and enjoy outdoor classes.
After your hike, head over to the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs for delicious Greek cuisine and unique shopping along Dodecanese Blvd. for art, antiques, clothes and toys. The historic Train Depot Museum and St. Michael’s Shrine and St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral pay homage to Greek culture and tradition. Your biggest dilemma? Where to eat! We recommend Mama’s Greek Cuisine, Dimitri’s On The Water, Hellas, Costa’s Restaurant and ice cream at Sweeties. PN
Tarpon Springs images courtesy of DestinationMainStreets.com.