Guide to Tampa Bay

Michelle and Phil have made the Tampa Bay area their home for the past 10 years, from Tampa to Pinellas County and now Manatee County. There are lots of ways to spend your time in each of these places. Here are their suggestions, if you find yourself with some free time.

Bradenton

Distance from venue: 10 minutes

Eat: Derek's Rustic Coastal Cuisine

Drink: Motorworks Brewing Company

Play: On Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., check out the Bradenton Farmers' Market. If you're looking for a beach, head to Anna Maria Island on the west coast. Our venue, Mixon's in the Grove, offers tours daily and a gift shop that showcases the best of Old Florida.

St. Petersburg

Distance from venue: 30 minutes

Eat: For lunch or brunch, try Red Mesa Cantina, Bella Brava or La V. For dinner, Brick and Mortar and The Mill are a must. Check out Locale Market, a large food market with a restaurant on the top floor.

Drink: St. Pete is known for its many breweries. Our favorites are 3 Daughters Brewing, Cycle Brewing and Green Bench Brewing. For cocktails, try the Mandarin Hide and the rooftop of the Birchwood.

Play: If it's nice out, you can't go wrong with a stroll along the waterfront of Beach Drive. Also worth seeing are the Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts.

Tampa

Distance from venue: 1 hour

Eat: Some of our favorites include Edison, Rooster and the Till and Ava. For brunch, try Oxford Exchange and Datz.

Drink: Cigar City Brewing is known around the world for its brews. 

Play: Catch a vintage or indie flick at the Tampa Theatre. Or walk along the riverfront in Curtis Hixon Park, where you can also check out the Tampa Museum of Art.