One of our favorite places to take a Day Trip from Tampa is Sarasota. It is only an hour away and offers many different activities and amazing restaurants. Three of my favorite Sarasota attractions are The Ringling, Marie Selby Gardens, and Siesta Key Beach. I would also never leave the city without stopping by Yoder’s Amish Restaurant for a piece of pie!
I just love the historic riverfront town of Tarpon Springs! It’s only 20 minutes north of Clearwater and provides a local look into Greek culture. After the discovery of natural sponge beds in the early 1900s, Greek sponge divers arrived in Tarpon Springs to grow the now-famous sponge industry. [Read more…]
Bok Tower Gardens
is a National Historic Landmark, contemplative garden, and bird sanctuary located north of Lake Wales, Florida. It is named after the founder Edward W. Bok, a humanitarian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author who immigrated to America from the Netherlands.
We started our visit at the information center, which is a good way to get a lay of the land and learn the history of these gardens. They have a 15-minute film that is played continuously throughout the day. For those who aren’t familiar with Edward W. Bok, the Singing Tower, or Pinewood Estate, this film is a great way to find out everything about what Bok Tower Gardens has to offer. The exhibit hall has historical displays on Edward W. Bok’s life , as well as the history behind the Singing Tower and Gardens. You can also see the original carillon keyboard.
