Tampa, Miami, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington NC | Syracusefan.com

Tampa, Miami, Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington NC

NateW

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Any recommendations for restaurants, bars, music scenes, fun things to do in these towns?

Leaving in a few weeks on a road trip w the wife.
 
Any recommendations for restaurants, bars, music scenes, fun things to do in these towns?

Leaving in a few weeks on a road trip w the wife.
Savannah. Abe’s on Lincoln. Really cool little hole in the wall bar. Draw a pic of Abe Lincoln and they’ll put it on the ceiling, it’s loaded with them. Then ask the bartender for his favorite bar recommendations. He’ll give you you’re own walking tour and restaurant recommendations. Everything within walking distance, and, it’ll keep you off River Street. Tourist trap.

Charleston. Leon’s for fried chicken and oysters. One of our favorites when visiting our son. King st for the bar scene
 
Any recommendations for restaurants, bars, music scenes, fun things to do in these towns?

Leaving in a few weeks on a road trip w the wife.
You in your 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, ???

Makes a difference what I would recommend
 
30s
Tampa Bay info

Ybor City in Tampa (get your Cuban fix at the Columbia (make reservations))
Busch Gardens if you want to drink beer and ride a few rides and see some animals.
Treasure Island...great smaller Mom and Pop Motels and less crowded beaches (Clearwater is busier and traffic is horrible), quite a few beachy bars within a few miles.
Gulfport...cool, key west like beach town, not too crowded
I really recommend the Southern Pinellas County beaches (St Pete Beach, Ft DeSoto, Treasure Island, Maderia Beach) over the craziness up by Clearwater.
Day Trip from Tampa: Weeki Wachee, Homosassa Springs and Tarpon Springs (See the Sponge Docks, Manatees, mermaids and boat tours of springs)

I would stay one night in Tampa and 2-4 nites in Pinellas County (where the beaches are)
Finally if you are a baseball fan...taking in a spring game is a consideration.
 
Seminole Hard Rock hotel and casino in Tampa if you like to gamble.
 
Went to Alligator Soul in Savannah a couple years ago. One of the better meals I've had ever. Nice romantic space for you and the lady.
 
Rancho Alegre is a really good Cuban restaurant that was really close to our hotel on MLK.
 
It will be our first time in Tampa, Savannah, and Wilmington.

I do find myself being super excited for Savannah. It seems to have a different vibe from anything we’ve previously experienced. We will be on Bay St. at the Indigo for 3 nights. Seems to be right in the heart of the most happening part of town. Supposedly the Indigo has free mimosas!!! My wife will be in heaven and I can save the $5 for the Andre! :cool:

Tampa we’ll be staying w my wife’s cousin for 3ish days.

We’ll be in Charleston for a night staying at Folly Beach.

Wilmington we are getting an Air B & B with two of my college roommates who live in the area.

Miami we will be attending a music festival on a state park on Key Biscayne! Phenomenal area. Last year Miami Dolphins cheerleaders were doing a photo shoot right where my wife and I were talking our morning swim. Beautiful clear water. Most of the participants and followers are from Upstate NY. Ithaca, Binghamton, Rochester. 2 nights the shows will be right in the park. The other 2 shows are in town. There is a place called the Wynnwood that is extremely cool. Courtyard like feel with food trucks parked surrounding the courtyard. There is a restaurant “attached” that has a large garden growing all sorts of veggies and herbs.

Thanks for all the tips guys. My wife and I always fly by the seat of our pants but we are definitely going to utilize a few of these tips!!

I’ll let y’all know how it goes!
 
Tampa Bay info

Ybor City in Tampa (get your Cuban fix at the Columbia (make reservations))
Busch Gardens if you want to drink beer and ride a few rides and see some animals.
Treasure Island...great smaller Mom and Pop Motels and less crowded beaches (Clearwater is busier and traffic is horrible), quite a few beachy bars within a few miles.
Gulfport...cool, key west like beach town, not too crowded
I really recommend the Southern Pinellas County beaches (St Pete Beach, Ft DeSoto, Treasure Island, Maderia Beach) over the craziness up by Clearwater.
Day Trip from Tampa: Weeki Wachee, Homosassa Springs and Tarpon Springs (See the Sponge Docks, Manatees, mermaids and boat tours of springs)

I would stay one night in Tampa and 2-4 nites in Pinellas County (where the beaches are)
Finally if you are a baseball fan...taking in a spring game is a consideration.

Manatees are on my wife’s bucket list! Thank you so much for that tip!

Dying to catch a spring training game. Would be in much better shape to catch one if they were starting a week earlier than the 23rd. Still might just force it anyways. Baseball is probably my wife’s favorite sport. Mostly because I don’t lose my shiz like I do for football and hoops.
 
It will be our first time in Tampa, Savannah, and Wilmington.

I do find myself being super excited for Savannah. It seems to have a different vibe from anything we’ve previously experienced. We will be on Bay St. at the Indigo for 3 nights. Seems to be right in the heart of the most happening part of town. Supposedly the Indigo has free mimosas!!! My wife will be in heaven and I can save the $5 for the Andre! :cool:

Tampa we’ll be staying w my wife’s cousin for 3ish days.

We’ll be in Charleston for a night staying at Folly Beach.

Wilmington we are getting an Air B & B with two of my college roommates who live in the area.

Miami we will be attending a music festival on a state park on Key Biscayne! Phenomenal area. Last year Miami Dolphins cheerleaders were doing a photo shoot right where my wife and I were talking our morning swim. Beautiful clear water. Most of the participants and followers are from Upstate NY. Ithaca, Binghamton, Rochester. 2 nights the shows will be right in the park. The other 2 shows are in town. There is a place called the Wynnwood that is extremely cool. Courtyard like feel with food trucks parked surrounding the courtyard. There is a restaurant “attached” that has a large garden growing all sorts of veggies and herbs.

Thanks for all the tips guys. My wife and I always fly by the seat of our pants but we are definitely going to utilize a few of these tips!!

I’ll let y’all know how it goes!
Take Old Savannah Tours for an excellent ride around the historic district. Well worth it
 
Manatees are on my wife’s bucket list! Thank you so much for that tip!

Dying to catch a spring training game. Would be in much better shape to catch one if they were starting a week earlier than the 23rd. Still might just force it anyways. Baseball is probably my wife’s favorite sport. Mostly because I don’t lose my shiz like I do for football and hoops.
If you don't want to drive up to Crystal River Area...there is a Manatee Center in Tampa Bay

Manatee Viewing Center - Tampa Electric
 
It will be our first time in Tampa, Savannah, and Wilmington.

I do find myself being super excited for Savannah. It seems to have a different vibe from anything we’ve previously experienced. We will be on Bay St. at the Indigo for 3 nights. Seems to be right in the heart of the most happening part of town. Supposedly the Indigo has free mimosas!!! My wife will be in heaven and I can save the $5 for the Andre! :cool:

Tampa we’ll be staying w my wife’s cousin for 3ish days.

We’ll be in Charleston for a night staying at Folly Beach.

Wilmington we are getting an Air B & B with two of my college roommates who live in the area.

Miami we will be attending a music festival on a state park on Key Biscayne! Phenomenal area. Last year Miami Dolphins cheerleaders were doing a photo shoot right where my wife and I were talking our morning swim. Beautiful clear water. Most of the participants and followers are from Upstate NY. Ithaca, Binghamton, Rochester. 2 nights the shows will be right in the park. The other 2 shows are in town. There is a place called the Wynnwood that is extremely cool. Courtyard like feel with food trucks parked surrounding the courtyard. There is a restaurant “attached” that has a large garden growing all sorts of veggies and herbs.

Thanks for all the tips guys. My wife and I always fly by the seat of our pants but we are definitely going to utilize a few of these tips!!

I’ll let y’all know how it goes!
The USS Carolina (allegedly haunted) and the serpentarium are cool to do things in Wilmington
 
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Florida State Parks

Salvador Dali Museum -

There is also Myakka State Park near Sarasota and the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete. You can canoe/kayak with the gators!

Mark mentioned Ybor City area of Tampa. Can’t go wrong with Columbia Restaurant and if you really want to throw down at one of the best steakhouses in the country (with arguably the best wine cellar) go to Bern’s.

Brewery scene is exploding down there. Cigar City, Dunedin, etc., are all fantastic. Can’t go wrong with all of those destinations though.
 
Florida State Parks

Salvador Dali Museum -

There is also Myakka State Park near Sarasota and the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Pete. You can canoe/kayak with the gators!

Mark mentioned Ybor City area of Tampa. Can’t go wrong with Columbia Restaurant and if you really want to throw down at one of the best steakhouses in the country (with arguably the best wine cellar) go to Bern’s.

Brewery scene is exploding down there. Cigar City, Dunedin, etc., are all fantastic. Can’t go wrong with all of those destinations though.

Dunedin was already on our radar. The band we are following back up the coast (to Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington) from the festival in Miami is actually going to be playing at that brewery when we are in Tampa to visit my wife’s cousin.

If you say the beer is good then that should be the cherry on top that seals what we are doing that evening!
 
Dunedin was already on our radar. The band we are following back up the coast (to Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington) from the festival in Miami is actually going to be playing at that brewery when we are in Tampa to visit my wife’s cousin.

If you say the beer is good then that should be the cherry on top that seals what we are doing that evening!

just curious what band...
 
Dunedin was already on our radar. The band we are following back up the coast (to Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington) from the festival in Miami is actually going to be playing at that brewery when we are in Tampa to visit my wife’s cousin.

If you say the beer is good then that should be the cherry on top that seals what we are doing that evening!

Oh yeah. And Cigar City is phenomenal. They are the big boy in the area. They do some crazy barrel aging of stouts, wild ales/sours, and their IPAs are all awesome. 7Venth Son is good. Calusa is a newer small operation in Sarasota my buddy works at. Their ‘Citronious’ IPA is gangster.
 
just curious what band...

Big Mean Sound Machine

I’ve been waiting to see Vermont on their schedule so I could give you a heads up. Through some conversations with them they’ve been to Killington previously and thought they might be up there again. Said they were playing outdoors and it was a pain for the horn section, unsurprisingly. Haha.

It’s an all instrumental group. They have a lot of people that go in and out of the band that play different instruments but their lineup for the past two years or so has been 2 guitars, 2 drum kits (regular & bongo), synth, bass, trombone, trumpet, baritone sax.

My wife and the trombone player have struck up a pretty close friendship and they are all great people with a lot of talent.

If you wanna check out some of their new stuff off of their latest album “Running for the Ghost” the best tunes are “Van Chatter” and “Seeing the Bigger Picture.” They’re on iTunes and YouTube.
 
Dunedin was already on our radar. The band we are following back up the coast (to Savannah, Charleston, Wilmington) from the festival in Miami is actually going to be playing at that brewery when we are in Tampa to visit my wife’s cousin.

If you say the beer is good then that should be the cherry on top that seals what we are doing that evening!
Dunedin is cool...bring your walking shoes and walk the trail for a bit

Pinellas Trail (Dunedin) - All You Need to Know Before You Go (with Photos) - TripAdvisor
 
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Big Mean Sound Machine

I’ve been waiting to see Vermont on their schedule so I could give you a heads up. Through some conversations with them they’ve been to Killington previously and thought they might be up there again. Said they were playing outdoors and it was a pain for the horn section, unsurprisingly. Haha.

It’s an all instrumental group. They have a lot of people that go in and out of the band that play different instruments but their lineup for the past two years or so has been 2 guitars, 2 drum kits (regular & bongo), synth, bass, trombone, trumpet, baritone sax.

My wife and the trombone player have struck up a pretty close friendship and they are all great people with a lot of talent.

If you wanna check out some of their new stuff off of their latest album “Running for the Ghost” the best tunes are “Van Chatter” and “Seeing the Bigger Picture.” They’re on iTunes and YouTube.

Keep me in mind if they keep the tour going over the summer and make their way up here. I like their sound.
 

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