Angela DiLoreto
Nestled into the northwest corner of Tampa Bay sits Safety Harbor. While the name originates from the time pirates ruled the Gulf of Mexico you will find a deeper history along its shores. Including the mounds of the Tocobaga, healing mineral springs, and a vibrant art community today.
Traveling to view the amazing colors of autumn makes a great start to the fall season. But where do you go to see the best colors? We asked 22 travel writers for their suggestions. Get out your calendar and start booking trips because you won’t want to miss these views!
The 1950s were a time of innocence, post-war booms, moving to the suburbs and free beer. Well, free beer at Busch Gardens. The gardens were opened in 1959 as an admission-free hospitality center for the Tampa Anheuser-Busch brewery. Visitors were welcomed for their brewery tour with bird shows in a tropical setting and beer.
This fictional town had it all. But what if it wasn’t purely fictional? What if Mayberry did exist? At least, in some capacity. Well, it does. Mt. Airy, North Carolina. Hometown to Andy Griffith, the star of The Andy Griffith Show and the inspiration for Mayberry.
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast is the picturesque town of Dunedin. This hidden gem of Florida should be on your must-see list. The wooded sub-tropical setting offers nearly four waterfront miles. Nearly weekly celebrations fill the delightful downtown. The surrounding streets are filled with sherbet-colored houses and a typical relaxed Florida lifestyle. Dunedin’s 29 city parks offer the community 270 acres of green space. While support for the locally-owned shops and restaurants offers a welcome reprieve from the all too common large chain stores with their commercial signs.
Wandering the streets of Dunedin you will find smiles everywhere while its residents enjoy the outdoors. Golf carts are a common sight. The golf carts are decorated for the closest holiday or favorite team. The trees of homes often display handmade “chandeliers” of solar lights. This delightful town is filled with personality!
Embrace or relive your childhood dreams at Kennedy Space Center. Home to space exploration’s history and future. Experience the missions and heroes of space exploration’s past, present, and future with various exhibits and a docent-led bus tour to launch pads.
