We find Downtown Clearwater creapy because of the invasion of Scientologists. St Pete is great. Can’t help with condos, but I have recommendations on things to do.
We loved the Heritage Village at the Florida Botsnical Gardens in Largo just south of Clearwater. They moved a dozen historic homes to one location to teach about the past. Don’t miss the old general store with attached garage. Get free tickets for the House of Seven Gables. This place is lovingly tended by volunteers. We were really impressed.
Don’t miss the Dali Museum. Make sure to take a tour so you can understand Salvador Dali’s strange work so you can see they are masterpieces of science and math and not just bizarre.
St. Pete also has Sunken Gardens, a raised boardwalk for walking at Weedon Preserve and Chiluly Art installations.
Just to the north are Tarpon Springs with their long history of sponge diving and Crystal River with their manatees.
Tampa has much to offer at their waterfront. Ybor City offers a history of Cuban culture and awesome bbq at Al’s Finger Lickin BBQ. The Sunday morning Thai market at Wat Thai Temple is not to be missed. The food is fantastic, but get there by 11 since they start to sell out shortly after that.
Our favorite Tampa activity is Busch Gardens. Forget the coasters an spend a leisurely day attending keeper talks and seeing the animals. Where else can you feed and pet kangaroos, see a young orangutan play with its parents or watch a hippo swim? The shows are also good.
We love the science museum in Bradenton. They often have exceptional special exhibits. We enjoy their planetarium shows and watching the manatees eat.
