DINING Slide out of your beach chair and stroll over to Badfins Food + Brew , where bold Mexican flavors and fresh seafood shine just steps from the sand on Clearwater Beach. Begin the day fortified with an espresso, sweet baked goods, and tasty toast concoctions at the trendy Grove Surf Café in Indian Rocks Beach. Enjoy a bright and breezy lunch at RumFish Grill in the heart of St. Petersburg, where a 33,500-gallon fish tank is the star of the dining room. Graze on Spanish garlic shrimp or freshly caught snapper at Tampeno Fish & Meat Market in Tampa. Explore the lofty warehouse vibes and innovative eateries of an indoor-outdoor food hall at Armature Works along the riverfront of downtown Tampa. CENTRAL WES T BADFINS FOOD + BREW, CLEARWATER Badfins Food + Brew OUTDOORS Venture to Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa to see manatees graze on seagrass and tour areas that wolves, black bears, flamingos, and even a hippo call home. In Largo, tropical fruit gardens and native palms await at Florida Botanical Gardens , a lush oasis where nature puts on a show. Mountain bikers flock to the 20-plus miles of single-track trails and jumps— with steeps and slopes unusual in flat Florida—at Alafia River State Park in Lithia. Soar over the treetops and take in the breathtaking terrain of Tampa Bay’s Mobbly Bayou Wilderness by ziplining with Empower Adventures in Oldsmar. Pitch a tent or park your RV at Fort de Soto State Park in St. Petersburg, then fish the shoreline and spot hundreds of species of birds. ALAFIA RIVER STATE PARK, LITHIA Rarefolks EVENTS Unleash your inner buccaneer at Tampa’s legendary Gasparilla Pirate Festival , where bayfront parades and high seas revelry turn the city into a swashbuckling spectacle each January. Discover the heartbeat of St. Petersburg’s creative community at Mezzo Market , a monthly outdoor market of trendy makers and creators, October–May. GASPARILLA PIRATE FESTIVAL, TAMPA Visit Tampa Bay Scan the QR code for a list of upcoming events: VISITFLORIDA.com/things-to-do/events 64 • VISITFLORIDA.COM
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