St. Petersburg • Clearwater 2008 - (Page 41) : TRAVEL TIPS Follow Jennifer’s top tips to make your family’s week or two away less of an “aggra-vacation…” • Bring quarters for beach parking. You don’t want to find your dream spot, only to » Peerless Pier The Pier on the St. Petersburg waterfront is another great place to take the kids to avoid sandy sneakers. There have been seven piers since 1889. This one is open 365 days a year. The natural surroundings are a great place to catch a fish – or watch someone else hook a big one in Tampa Bay. My six-year-old and I ride the trolley from the Dolphin Parking Lot to the end of the pier, where we rent a Deuce Coupe at Wheel Fun Rentals. They rent bikes and surreys too, but once my son saw this fancy cruiser, he had made up his mind. As he learns how to steer this car-shaped bicycle-built-for-two and avoid strolling pedestrians, he says, “Mommy, this is the best day of my life!” I am sure the only thing better would be a Segway tour around the pier when he’s older. But, for now, this experience is heaven for the under-10 set. While inside the pier’s upside-down pyramid building, we see a candle-maker, fire-eater, face-painter and eat some retro candy cigarettes (not so politically correct, but I give in). I feel as if we’ve entered a time warp; I ate chocolate-chip mint ice cream with my grandparents at the same pier in the 1970s. Since we are in a nostalgic mood, we browse through D.D. Collectibles, where they sell signed celebrity guitar picks, Grateful Dead and sports memorabilia. It’s quite clear, as I play tourist in my hometown, that both Clearwater and St. Petersburg are filled with kid-friendly activities. I may have traded in the tanning oil for sunscreen and the bikini for a cover-up, but I still love a good day at the beach - and beyond. To learn more about the adventures families can have, see the Activities & Attractions section beginning on page 62, or visit www.FloridasBeach.com. discover you need change. And walkie-talkies. You can reconnect with your group after separating for meals or naps. • Make gourmet meals-to-go for your vacation condo at Let's Eat! St. Petersburg. You’ll save money and calories! • Dress your kids in bright clothing so you can spot them in the water, pools and theme parks. Adults will need nothing dressier than resort casual for a night out. • Pack beach bags the night before and head out early. You’ll beat the traffic; Clearwater 1 6 32 Beach Clearwater Sand Key singles and couples generally don’t head out until later. Old Tampa Bay : MAP IT Clearwater Sand Key Old Tampa Bay 5 St. Petersburg St. Petersburg Tampa Bay Lake Maggiore 4 1 Pier 60, Clearwater Beach 2 Clearwater Lake Maggiore Tampa Bay FIND it on the interactive map at www.FloridasBeach.com 4 The St. Petersburg Pier 5 Sunken Gardens/ Municipal Marina 3 Mandalay Surf & Sport Great Explorations 6 Clearwater Marine Aquarium : KID CUISINE You’re on vacation, and the last thing you want to worry about is where to take your kids for lunch or dinner. Here are three kid-friendly restaurants to get you started: Lenny’s Restaurant – This familyowned Clearwater restaurant, open 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, serves up a great breakfast, complete with a magician, balloon-maker and chocolate chip pancakes. If you go during Spring Training, you might catch a glimpse of a famous Phillies baseball player. 727-799-0402 P .J.s Oyster Bar – P the restau.J., rant’s live resident parrot, may entertain the kids with a word or two. This fun seafood restaurant in Indian Rocks Beach is known for its oysters and crab claws, as well as the ribs. Check out the dollar bills pinned to the walls. Visitors return years later to see if their autographed note remains. 727-596-5898 Vinny’s Little Italy Restaurant and Pizzeria – This off-the-beaten-path pizza joint is around the corner from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium just before Clearwater Beach. My kids loved watching the chef through the serving window as our delicious salads, pizza and spaghetti lunch was made. For $4.50, the lunch special includes two straight-fromthe-oven slices and an ice-cold drink. 727-441-1100 www. F loridas Beach. com 41 http://www.FloridasBeach.com http://www.FloridasBeach.com http://www.FloridasBeach.com
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