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Where In Florida do I go for a
8trackdisco Offline
#1 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
Week long vacation?
-Beach
-some warmth
-cigar friendly
-two 50 year olds traveling, no kids
-decent food and drink
-walk friendly
-safe

Thoughts?
Whistlebritches Offline
#2 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
My first choice would be Tampa/Ybor City...…..then a hop skip and jump on down to Sanibel Island for those gorgeous sunsets
MACS Offline
#3 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,584
Wife and I very much enjoyed St. Augustine. Plenty of nice pubs, plenty of souvenir shopping, good restaurants... beaches... alligator farm...and an old military fort.
fishinguitarman Offline
#4 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2006
Posts: 69,148
Destin
fishinguitarman Offline
#5 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2006
Posts: 69,148
Destin
USNGunner Offline
#6 Posted:
Joined: 05-17-2019
Posts: 4,402
MACS wrote:
Wife and I very much enjoyed St. Augustine. Plenty of nice pubs, plenty of souvenir shopping, good restaurants... beaches... alligator farm...and an old military fort.


St. Augustine rocks. The UDT/SEAL museum in Fort Pierce is a must hit also. For the squid types anyway. Beer
rfenst Offline
#7 Posted:
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,096
8trackdisco wrote:
Week long vacation?
-Beach
-some warmth
-cigar friendly
-two 50 year olds traveling, no kids
-decent food and drink
-walk friendly
-safe

Thoughts?

When? The time of year matters.
pacman357 Offline
#8 Posted:
Joined: 02-27-2006
Posts: 42,596
To keep with a big city, it's hard to beat South Beach. Close to Little Havana and a couple hundred other cool things. Plus, there are these trams that are pretty neat that can take you to a few locations. Great food at tons of places. I would NOT go out at night, however. Got lost a couple times in some neighborhoods that seriously worried me. Ft. Lauderdale a bit up the coast is also nice. For maximum fun, my wife and I love Key West. If I had the money and health, I'd move there. Spent our first anniversary there and have been back twice since. Couple of very nice beaches on the Atlantic side, great snorkeling offshore and if you buy a ride on a dive boat, it's even more amazing. You can spend a ton or go cheap(ish). Even the graveyard is interesting and fun (seek out a Park Ranger for a map, even better). Tons of historic stuff, great places to walk (even the main streets in the heart of town). The island is the polar opposite of uptight, and plenty of good food (especially seafood). You can fly or boat from Miami, but if you have the time, drive it. Amazing drive (day time...night driving there sucks...idiot drivers and tiny deer, plus you'll miss the view). IIRC, it's about a half day drive from Miami if traffic is OK and you take a couple breaks. Google says 165 miles. Motels on the north end are usually cheaper, and it's really not far to the south end (although you'll want to ride/drive, not walk that entire way). For return, my wife and I came back the night before flight to stay at the airport hotel in Miami. Expensive, but how many times do you get to jet out the door and take an elevator down to TSA lines? Pay the extra, sleep more.
8trackdisco Offline
#9 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
rfenst wrote:
When? The time of year matters.


End of February. Good call out. Imagining Destin would be a little nippy.
fishinguitarman Offline
#10 Posted:
Joined: 07-29-2006
Posts: 69,148
Yeah prolly will. Didn’t know it would be in Feb.
DrafterX Offline
#11 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,506
If tou make it to St Petersburg stop by the Undertow for a couple beers... very nice scenery when I was there.. there's a cool fort there too... Beer
teedubbya Offline
#12 Posted:
Joined: 08-14-2003
Posts: 95,637
I thought tampa also but the keys are pretty nice
MACS Offline
#13 Posted:
Joined: 02-26-2004
Posts: 79,584
Yep... Key West is pretty damn nice. Took my wife there for her birthday in 2015. We went to a fancy restaurant on Sunset Key; we had to take a boat to get to it.

Or maybe it was so I could go charter fishing for Mahi? Whatever. We had fun. I caught a bunch of Mahi and we cooked Mahi burgers in our hotel room. The Navy Lodge has full kitchens, pots, pans, dishes, utensils, etc. Commissary/exchange right across the street.
deadeyedick Offline
#14 Posted:
Joined: 03-13-2003
Posts: 16,952
Loved Key West and the Duval Crawl.
DrafterX Offline
#15 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,506
Lots of chikens running around Key West... Mellow
izonfire Offline
#16 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
8trackdisco wrote:
End of February. Good call out. Imagining Destin would be a little nippy.


Yes, Destin is a vacation destination for the Japanese in February, but there's nothing wrong with that.
No need to get vulgar...
tamapatom Offline
#17 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
34 craft breweries in Tampa Bay Area........just sayin'.

For the recluse looking for remote quiet beaches - search south of Bay along Gulf. Google Earth gives you a good idea of concrete to nature ratio.
tonygraz Offline
#18 Posted:
Joined: 08-11-2008
Posts: 20,173
I heard Drafter is thinking about moving to Key West.
dstieger Offline
#19 Posted:
Joined: 06-22-2007
Posts: 10,889
Destin is more Lower Alabama than Florida
clintCigar Offline
#20 Posted:
Joined: 05-14-2019
Posts: 4,682
The Keys are nice. I was there for a week back in 2016 and had a blast.
Cereal City Cigar Smoker Offline
#21 Posted:
Joined: 03-30-2006
Posts: 14,587
Went to Fort Meyers last January - enjoyed it and the golf was excellent!

Herfing
Krazeehorse Offline
#22 Posted:
Joined: 04-09-2010
Posts: 1,958
I love Daytona. We go there regularly for Biketoberfest. I would like to buy a small condo there. Love the beach. Short drive to St. Augustine. Take the trolley tour there if you go. Get on early so you can hop off at places that interest you and get back on. The distillery has a nice free tour with samples.
tamapatom Offline
#23 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
Avoid Orlando / Kissimee and the epicenter of Touristaville - International Boulevard.

In fact, avoid all the top destinations and discover off the beaten path location.

Yes there are some things everyone has to do at least once but after that...
8trackdisco Offline
#24 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
Destin too cold.
Orlando out due to all the tourists.
Key West wouldn't be my wife's thing, she was there about 15 years ago. Too.. diverse.


Early Leaders:
Daytona
Tampa
Fort Meyers

TampaTom,
We are off the beaten path, quieter vacation people.

Cigars are a priority near the top.
DrafterX Offline
#25 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,506
If you head to Tampa take the highway along the gulf.. don't remember the name... go thru Clearwater and head south... you'll pass thru st Petersburg on the way to Tampa.. or you might just stay on da island.. lots of cool stuff.. . Mellow
8trackdisco Offline
#26 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
[quote=DrafterX]If you head to Tampa take the highway along the gulf.. don't remember the name... go thru Clearwater and head south... you'll pass thru st Petersburg on the way to Tampa.. or you might just stay on da island.. lots of cool stuff.. . Mellow[/quote

Cool
DrafterX Offline
#27 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,506
Hit da Undertow... ThumpUp
8trackdisco Offline
#28 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
DrafterX wrote:
Hit da Undertow... ThumpUp


Maybe the riptides will save me from the sharks.
rfenst Offline
#29 Posted:
Joined: 06-23-2007
Posts: 39,096
8trackdisco wrote:
End of February. Good call out. Imagining Destin would be a little nippy.


Yes. Your best bet for warmer weather that time of year will be South Florida, the Keys and southwest Florida.
DrafterX Offline
#30 Posted:
Joined: 10-18-2005
Posts: 98,506
I remember walking the beach in St Petersburg one New Years eve in shorts, tank top and flip flops watching the locals all wrapped up in hoodies and jackets... they'd say, 'you're not from here are you?'.... Laugh
pacman357 Offline
#31 Posted:
Joined: 02-27-2006
Posts: 42,596
Off the beaten path, room to smoke...Cape Canaveral? If they are launching that day, you could probably even get a free light on your smoke.

I hear you about KW. It's not for everyone. First time there, wife and I had no clue. We're driving down a narrow road, and a woman on a scooter is heading towards us. I remarked about how tall she was. Then she got closer. Then I realized it was a dude, dressed as a woman. Then the clues sunk in (we had a free RT anywhere in the 48 from my credit card, and I had suggested Miami, since that was as far as we could go...got a map out, and decided Key West). We didn't care about the very colorful lifestyle. I find it amusing, and it adds flavor to the place, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. Just love the IDGAF attitude there.

Wherever you go, hope you have a blast. Sneak in a trip to Little Havana if you can. Tons of cigar places around there, and a few not too far away (Padron, Perdomo).
8trackdisco Offline
#32 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
Tampa on the inside track, as vacation in November is on track.
delta1 Offline
#33 Posted:
Joined: 11-23-2011
Posts: 28,753
DrafterX wrote:
I remember walking the beach in St Petersburg one New Years eve in shorts, tank top and flip flops watching the locals all wrapped up in hoodies and jackets... they'd say, 'you're not from here are you?'.... Laugh


betcha you get that everywhere....
tamapatom Offline
#34 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
Quieter off the beaten track? The Clearwater St Pete Beaches can be fun for bar hopping and crowds but I prefer more laid back beaches to the south. However dont ignore the non beach and non Disney areas. If you are west coasting it - Check out places like Dunedin, Gulfport, Pass a Grille, Anna Maria, Venice, Englewood, Boca Grande, Matlacha.
Mr. Jones Offline
#35 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,357
The entire St. Petersburg area is nice....
The SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM is right on the waterfront and a SUPER COOL DESTINATION.

RIGHT UP THE COAST is tarpon springs...nice beaches around there...the best SLOW ROASTED LEG OF LAMB in the world is in tarpon springs at PAPPAS RESTAURANT!!!

THAT BUSCH GARDENS is near st.pete?..tour the brewery and eat German food in the park, has a zoo too I think?
Sunken Gardens botonical park is in northeast old town St Pete...

Museum of FINE ARTS IS A 5 STAR COLLECTION ( NOT THE SAME AS SALVADOR DALI MUSEUM)
AND THE CHIHULY Glass collection is 4.7 stars...
Fort DeSoto park and Beaches are GREAT...
THAT LONG AZZ BRIDGE IS VERY COOL TOO...
Numismaniac Offline
#36 Posted:
Joined: 01-13-2012
Posts: 12,222
8trackdisco wrote:
[quote=DrafterX]If you head to Tampa take the highway along the gulf.. don't remember the name... go thru Clearwater and head south... you'll pass thru st Petersburg on the way to Tampa.. or you might just stay on da island.. lots of cool stuff.. . Mellow[/quote

Cool




Drafter and others here are correct. We go to wife's fall work trip to St. Pete Beach every fall. They put us up in the fancy Tradewinds resort. You will be on the beach as the sun sets and the weather is usually wonderful now. You are also just a 40 minute commute from Ybor City, which is actually hidden in Tampa. That's gonna send you across the bay, next to St. Petersburg. Nice drive and if you have a phone that can navigate, just choose avoid tolls and you will be there just as fast, just AVOID work commute times!! It can get crazy trying to get across that Bay Area sometimes, as well as in certain choke points in Tampa and St Pete. Jonesie is correct if you desire to see a nice Salvador Dali museum, it's right there along the beach as well, it's just a short commute across from Traseure Island to the St Pete Sid of the Bay.

Ybor City was one of the first multi block places put on the Historic Registry and along 8th street, I think, you will find a handful of shops and a couple will have rollers whipping up fresh stuff daily. There's also a pretty cool museum area a few blocks away. I'm lucky and can park for free with my handicap hanger, but prices are still not as bad as most city areas.

The guys mention bars in a couple of areas and there's a stretch between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island called John's Pass, they have a "Village and Bordwalk" area and I think that's where they have the floating "Tiki Bars" just fancy Tiki style pontoons that noodle out in the Pass as you drink. We normally hit Gator's cafe and Saloon and sit outside and watch the Pass, nice boats, a draw bridge over the Pass and those floating Tiki bars, etc. You can do some Hotels.com and find some cheaper motels, but think 70's style and redone at that, there's actually still an old Thuderbird motel/hotel with the GIANT neon light out front. I advise folks to go to Treasure Island and hit Caddy's for a sunset meal, it's on Treasure Island and right on the beach, then on a different evening we normally go to that same stretch and park in the public parking area (costs a few buck per hour, I think) and that's one of the quiet areas of beaches and they have a few spots where you will find shells if you enjoy the "Sanibel Stoop" LMAO! Wife enjoys collecting shells. I actually paid for the Pontoon ride over to Shell Key Island one year and we hung out on the outer edge of the beach, locals will sometimes show up there with their nicer boats and just sit there under anchor. Might even see a few dolphins or Manatees.

St Augustine is a bit chilly sometimes during this time of the year and a couple of hours Northeast, on the Atlantic side. But is a great area during the fall. You might run into Busa in St Augustine, LMAO! I'm actually planning on going over this fall and meeting up with him for a meal and visit. Then we will likely hit the older spots from the Spanish Colonial days.






Numismaniac Offline
#37 Posted:
Joined: 01-13-2012
Posts: 12,222
8trackdisco wrote:
Tampa on the inside track, as vacation in November is on track.



We will be there in November as well, The 4th through the 8th at least, maybe a little longer. I have a HS classmate that lives in St Petersburg, so we often stay a few extra days and hang out with them. Not sure if w will go early or stay late and visit St Augustine and Anthony/Busa.
ZRX1200 Offline
#38 Posted:
Joined: 07-08-2007
Posts: 60,473
Tampa/Ybor, Naples.

Do not leave without a visit to The Honeypot, you meet the nicest people there.
Whistlebritches Offline
#39 Posted:
Joined: 04-23-2006
Posts: 22,127
Tampa Sweethearts in Ybor is a must...…..Fuente heaven
Abrignac Offline
#40 Posted:
Joined: 02-24-2012
Posts: 17,216
Whistlebritches wrote:
Tampa Sweethearts in Ybor is a must...…..Fuente heaven


This

I went there last year. Met Auturo’s grandson. Great cigars, great swag, great people and a great atmosphere.
tamapatom Offline
#41 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
And Ybor is a place where people dont sneer at you for smoking a cigar. Tabernero has a nice little party with food and live music in their little cigar factory on certain days. Zydeco Brew works is a cool place for beer and music. Carmine's for deviled crabs.
Burner02 Offline
#42 Posted:
Joined: 12-21-2010
Posts: 12,861
fishinguitarman wrote:
Destin



+1
Burner02 Offline
#43 Posted:
Joined: 12-21-2010
Posts: 12,861
dstieger wrote:
Destin is more Lower Alabama than Florida


And that is a bad thing?

More to do in Destin but more tourist traps in Destin.

izonfire Offline
#44 Posted:
Joined: 12-09-2013
Posts: 8,642
Burner02 wrote:
And that is a bad thing?

More to do in Destin but more tourist traps in Destin.


Only passed through the main drag, and it looks like a friggin nightmare.
I imagine it might get interesting off the beaten path though...
8trackdisco Offline
#45 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
tamapatom wrote:
Quieter off the beaten track? The Clearwater St Pete Beaches can be fun for bar hopping and crowds but I prefer more laid back beaches to the south. However dont ignore the non beach and non Disney areas. If you are west coasting it - Check out places like Dunedin, Gulfport, Pass a Grille, Anna Maria, Venice, Englewood, Boca Grande, Matlacha.


It all seems to be a balancing act. Priorities in order are ...
-cigar friendly
-beach
-easy walking distance to stores, restaurants, cafes etc

It feels like Tampa itself is the most cigar friendly & easy walking distance.
Further south on the coast is beachier, calm and casual which is great. My hesitation is about the cigar friendliness factor.

Can a guy simply smoke a cigar on the beach or has that basic right been abolished in Florida?

Thanks Tom for the additional locations to review. If we are talking mid November I'd imagine going north of a line stretching from Tampa to Orlando would be cooler than we would like (sub 75 degrees). Yes?
8trackdisco Offline
#46 Posted:
Joined: 11-06-2004
Posts: 59,987
Numismaniac wrote:
Drafter and others here are correct. We go to wife's fall work trip to St. Pete Beach every fall. They put us up in the fancy Tradewinds resort. You will be on the beach as the sun sets and the weather is usually wonderful now. You are also just a 40 minute commute from Ybor City, which is actually hidden in Tampa. That's gonna send you across the bay, next to St. Petersburg. Nice drive and if you have a phone that can navigate, just choose avoid tolls and you will be there just as fast, just AVOID work commute times!! It can get crazy trying to get across that Bay Area sometimes, as well as in certain choke points in Tampa and St Pete. Jonesie is correct if you desire to see a nice Salvador Dali museum, it's right there along the beach as well, it's just a short commute across from Traseure Island to the St Pete Sid of the Bay.

Ybor City was one of the first multi block places put on the Historic Registry and along 8th street, I think, you will find a handful of shops and a couple will have rollers whipping up fresh stuff daily. There's also a pretty cool museum area a few blocks away. I'm lucky and can park for free with my handicap hanger, but prices are still not as bad as most city areas.

The guys mention bars in a couple of areas and there's a stretch between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island called John's Pass, they have a "Village and Bordwalk" area and I think that's where they have the floating "Tiki Bars" just fancy Tiki style pontoons that noodle out in the Pass as you drink. We normally hit Gator's cafe and Saloon and sit outside and watch the Pass, nice boats, a draw bridge over the Pass and those floating Tiki bars, etc. You can do some Hotels.com and find some cheaper motels, but think 70's style and redone at that, there's actually still an old Thuderbird motel/hotel with the GIANT neon light out front. I advise folks to go to Treasure Island and hit Caddy's for a sunset meal, it's on Treasure Island and right on the beach, then on a different evening we normally go to that same stretch and park in the public parking area (costs a few buck per hour, I think) and that's one of the quiet areas of beaches and they have a few spots where you will find shells if you enjoy the "Sanibel Stoop" LMAO! Wife enjoys collecting shells. I actually paid for the Pontoon ride over to Shell Key Island one year and we hung out on the outer edge of the beach, locals will sometimes show up there with their nicer boats and just sit there under anchor. Might even see a few dolphins or Manatees.

St Augustine is a bit chilly sometimes during this time of the year and a couple of hours Northeast, on the Atlantic side. But is a great area during the fall. You might run into Busa in St Augustine, LMAO! I'm actually planning on going over this fall and meeting up with him for a meal and visit. Then we will likely hit the older spots from the Spanish Colonial days.



You should write for the chamber of commerce. Great info, Numi. Thanks.
jjanecka Offline
#47 Posted:
Joined: 12-08-2015
Posts: 4,334
Go to miami little havana
Numismaniac Offline
#48 Posted:
Joined: 01-13-2012
Posts: 12,222
8trackdisco wrote:
You should write for the chamber of commerce. Great info, Numi. Thanks.



You are quite welcome. I have been so many years in a row that I've become pretty acquainted with that area and the daily going ons. I'm just sort of hanging out on Friday until she gets out of meetings and then the two half days of meetings on Sat. and Sunday. The Tradewinds resort is the bomb, but I'm a cheapskate most of the time, LOL, So, I find those easy, cheaper and as close to free spots as possible. We have stayed at a few of the older motels on Madeira and Redington Shores spots. There's a handful of "islands" that are all south of Clearwater.

I can do the same thing for the Gulf Shores, Orange Beach area. Ex had a step Grandpa that gave us a week free for quite a few summers, unless you get more recent details from Burner. He's basically living almost in Orange Beach.

I have to agree that at that time of the year, not only is Destin more tourist traps, but you will be too cold to enjoy it as much. In November it can be pretty cold just from the wind off the Gulf-stream. BRRRRR, better to go to at least the Tampa/St. Pete area and that's right after the overwhelming humidity is gone. We normally have "Chamber of Commerce" type days from the last couple weeks of October to 1st week of November at St. Pete Beach.

It's hard to beat goin to Ybor City if you are a cigar person. Miami is nice, don't get me wrong, but MUCH more traffic, higher prices and just not the same type of history as the Ybor City area. And, yes, you can hit Tampa Sweethearts and Arturo Jr is a great guy, normally is there and will treat you like family. Plus that 10-14 square block area has a handful of historic buildings from the cigar heydays. Tampa Sweethearts is in a LARGE building that he renovated with the entire downstairs as a storage/humidified Warehouse. The area he has next to his offices was still under construction the I was there and I can't say if he's still buzzing you into the office/humidor area, or has expanded. DrMaddVibe is the local expert as well as TampaTom.

Need to get another group meet-up/herf again with those two.
Mr. Jones Offline
#49 Posted:
Joined: 06-12-2005
Posts: 19,357
Go GOTRA GO to tarpon springs...

TO PAPPAS RESTAURANT!!!

BEST SLOW ROASTED LEG OF LAMB IN THE WORLD...
AND TRIPLE SHOT WELL DRINKS AT HAPPY HOUR FOR CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP ...ONLY $3.00...YOU CAN GET BLASTED AND A VERY FULL STOMACH...

If you go to Tampa/ St. Pete area
tamapatom Offline
#50 Posted:
Joined: 03-19-2015
Posts: 7,381
TAMPA sweethearts is in a little shotgun house south of seventh not in factory anymore. Trolley between ybor and downtown is free. Downtown Riverwalk scene is pretty cool.
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