You might spot Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, John Travolta, or any of the other Hollywood-famous Scientologists across the bay in Clearwater, where the organization is headquartered. Many of them have homes here.
We take “slower cars keep right” seriously. There’s actually a state law against driving 10 miles under the speed limit in the left lane.
They’re just warmer than most. Although rare, it’s snowed here in the winter.
When we spot a moving fin in the water, we can tell friend from foe. Sharks swim side to side in a zig-zag. Dolphins move up and down in a bobbing pattern.
This historic district packed with restaurants and bars in Tampa is anything but boring.
We’re not the Sunshine State for nothing. We spot tourists by their pink skin. The sun is fierce here, and us locals know not to mess with it.
The rescued dolphins starring in the Dolphin Tale movies are at our Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
The Ybor city location is the oldest restaurant in Florida and a symbol of Tampa’s history. Their Spanish-inspired cuisine is the best meal in Tampa. Locals know to reserve the famous flamenco dinner show in advance.
Do not be alarmed. You may not be able to see her head, but there is a short older lady behind the wheel.
Tampa Cubans are hot sandwiches with roast pork, ham, salami, pickles, swiss cheese, and mustard pressed on Cuban bread, preferably from La Segunda Bakery.
Harmless to admire from afar, we avoid approaching them and take a drop if our golf ball lands near one. They bite.
Between the Tampa Museum of Art, the Dalí Museum, the Museum of Fine Arts in St. Petersburg, The Chihuly Collection, and other numerous galleries nearby, there’s plenty of opportunities to get an art fix here.
Flip-flops are acceptable almost everywhere you need to have shoes on. 