By Caron Schwartz
FERRIES, STREETCARS AND AUTOMOBILES
We Gulfportians rarely leave our enclave, much less venture off the Pinellas peninsula. So, when visiting sister and brother-in-law wanted to take in the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts in Tampa, the drive seemed daunting. “Ooh, we could take the ferry,” said Sis, looking up from her phone. Next thing I knew I was parking in the Sundial garage, where the Cross Bay Ferry validates parking.
A five-minute walk later we were boarding the Provincetown III at the Vinoy Basin. Sis had pre-booked the tickets online, a must, since the 149-seat vessel usually sells out. We explored a bit, checking out the seating, restrooms, and full-service bar. Sis and Bro sat in the stern to watch St. Pete fade into the distance while Boyfriend and I ventured to the bow to better enjoy the “bounding main.” Hardly. Tampa Bay was calm, and the catamaran provided a smooth ride.
Ninety minutes later we disembarked at the Tampa Ferry Terminal, adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center. After stopping for sustenance at a nearby Starbucks, we enjoyed a half-hour stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk to the museum. Once inside, however, Boyfriend and I decided it was too nice a day to spend it inside. We had noticed the TECO Streetcar stop near the terminal and thoughts turned to lunch in Ybor city. We caught the free ride on Whiting St. prepared for another transportation adventure.
When technical difficulties caused an indeterminant stop at Publix Station, however, lunch in Ybor became a search for food in the Channel District. Google provided directions to the nearby Pour House where we shared a craft brew and nachos. Then Lyft got us to the terminal on time. Safely back in St. Pete, we meandered to the Vinoy for drinks on the veranda.
If you go:
Cross Bay Ferry: www.thecrossbayferry.com
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts: 400 N Ashley Drive,
Cube 200, Tampa www.fmopa.org
Sundial Parking Garage: 117 2nd St. N., St. Petersburg
Tampa Riverwalk: thetampariverwalk.cm
TECO Streetcar: www.tecolinestreetcar.org
Pour House: 1208 E Kennedy Blvd. #112, Tampa
www.pourhousetampa.com
Vinoy Hotel: 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg