Secret Food Tours run awesome foodie adventures around the world. We loved our Secret Food Tour in Venice Beach, Los Angeles so much. We were really excited to join them once again on our trip to Boston. Now, bear in mind that as this is a review it will contain spoilers. However, not every Secret food Tour goes to the same spot every day. You may discover some places that we didn’t get to. Even if you do end up in all the same spots, this should whet your appetite! Read on for our Boston Secret Food Tour review.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Union Oyster House
Chowder
The Union Oyster House is not only Boston and Massachusetts‘ oldest continuously serving restaurant, but in the whole of the United States. The building was purchased by a couple of oyster mongers back in 1826 & has been serving seafood to locals and tourists like us ever since. Thus, you can be sure that they know how to make a pretty decent clam chowder.
It was great to stop at Union Oyster House as part of our Secret food tour. We had been for dinner here the night before. Foolishly, we had ordered one cup of clam chowder to share. It was just in case we didn’t like it. Turns out it’s super tasty so I was left feeling a little sorry that I had to give up half of it. It was with delight that I tucked into another serving. The creamy stew, as this is technically a stew, is thick and full of potato, celery and sweet clam meat. The creamy element means that it is quite rich.
Beer
There is an upgrade available for the Secret food tour in Boston, which includes alcohol. There were three stops along the way where this applied, and Union Oyster House was the first. The people who had the upgrade were treated to an old-fashioned ale produced by Sam Adams, which they all seem to enjoy very much. of course, when we learned that it was beer that was the upgrade, we decided not to bother as this really isn’t our jam.
Boston Market
Q’s Nuts
We crossed back over the road to Boston market for our next nibble. There is a stool called queues nuts that is run by the most passionate nut guy. I was slightly curious to know what QAnon take on queue would be if they found out that he was just someone who loves finding ways to make nuts, super duper tasty. Each not there has a magical coating, whether it is salted, spicy, or sweet, and in combinations, you’ve probably never tried. Who knew there was such a thing as a piña colada cashew!? we got to try about six different flavours and each was totally unique. We were not allowed to take nuts home to the UK, or I think we have had to pay for excess Baggage.
Red Apple Cider
The next upgrade drink was a hard cider by a company called down east. We had had a chance to visit their taproom the previous day, and so knew that the cider was pretty good. We had also been in Boston market previously and knew that there was another small company called red apple cider just around from the nut stand and so when we were given a little free time to wonder we had straight there. a glass of cider here, and I mean, hard cider (or alcoholic cider) was $10. I did particularly enjoy their Driver variety which wasn’t too sweet but definitely still had some of that red apple taste. We ordered a couple of glasses and took them with us as we made our way around to the next meeting point.
Red’s Best
Red’s Best is the biggest seafood provider in Boston market. They work with lots of small fisherman to ensure sustainable fishing practices and delicious fish. It was from here, that we tried the most magical lobster roll. I thought we knew what a lobster roll tasted like. We’d tried one at a New York street food festival & on one or two other less exciting occasions. However, the shear volume of lobster meat, subtle blend of clarified butter and mayonnaise, and the super buttery sweet brioche roll all combined to make this a transcendent moment. I would return to Boston just to eat this again. I cannot tell you how upset I was that there was the perfect amount of lobster rolls for the whole group, not a morsel more for me to eat.
Into the North End
Polcari’s Coffee
We popped into a corner shop to warm our hands up a bit. Mr Polcari set up his coffee shop almost 100 years ago, way back in the 1932. This Italian coffee shop doesn’t just serve up delicious cups of joe but bags of amazing, coffee blends too. You will also find all kinds of European treats on sale too. This isn’t limited to fancy Italian tomato paste or vine leaves, but also includes obscure British chocolate biscuits more commonly seen in packed lunch boxes.
Dino’s
Dino’s has been on this corner since 1999 and their menu hasn’t really changed. They serve up delicious fresh pastas, made daily and all the classic Italian dishes you would expect in an Italian America joint. There veal parm, fruitti di mare and salads. We were there to try one of their hot sandwiches; 16 inches of fresh bread stuffed with tasty Italian ingredients. We got to try the chicken parm which was breaded chicken slathered in maranara sauce and cheese before being toasted. It was perfect comfort food. Presumeably this is meant to more than one person but that just feels like a challenge.
Rina’s
However, the discovery in Sicily of what Aaron sheeny is meant to be was a revelation. Actual risotto encased in breadcrumbs and stuffed with ham and cheese was a world away from the dry, sad attempts that seem to be the norm in London.
They are engineers at Marinos mini, I think especially for the food. This meant they weren’t quite as creamy as possible as I had to cram an awful lot into a small space.What they did in creamy risotto, however, they made up for in creamy delicious, ooey, gooey mozzarella. I took a bite and it stretched on for forever. It was a scrummy bite.
Boston Wanderings
We spent a little time wandering through the North End, and North Square, home to the Paul Revere House. On the previous day, we had walked the Freedom Trail, Boston’s most popular attraction. This 2.5 miles walking route takes visitors past many important sites related to the War of Independence. By this point of the walk, we were cold and hungry. Therefore, we actually decided to skip the Paul Reveres House in favour of stopping at famous Regina Pizzeria for a takeaway slice/ This made our stop here extra fortuitous. It was fun to learn about Paul Revere in more depth than we would have learnt on the Freedom Trail walk. We knew he rode at midnight to tell someone, “The British Are Coming”…but that was about it.
The North side of North Square is just so picturesque
Modern Bakery
When it comes to Italian bakeries in Boston, there are two main contenders for the cannoli crown. You are either in the mikes tribe or the modern tribe. Now, unfortunately, we weren’t in Boston long enough to compare the two. During our Boston secret food tour we were treated to one of them. Modern bakeries cannoli what is the best I have tried. The case was crisp but quite light and the filling was again rich, but quite light. It’s far outstripped the version I tried it in the lower Eastside. I thought I wasn’t that keen i’m cannolis in general, but it turns out I just hadn’t tried the best kind. can I live our another famous Sicilian delight that have been thoroughly adopted by the USA.
Gotta Run
Sadly, we had to leave Modern Bakery just a few minutes after we arrived. We were dashing straight from the tour to the airport. The tour was running long (usually not a problem at all) but we only had three hours before our flight was due to leave. I was starting to get crazy lady stress and so we had to make a dash for it, picking up our backpacks en route. I am glad we left when we did as the security lane at Logan was a bit of a nightmare. It was so hard to leave though. Everyone was just settling in with their canolli in the bright, bustling bakery. We will be back for sure!
Well, Secret Food Tours did it again. We have had two tours with them and vastly enjoyed both. It is so lovely to be with a guide that is so passionate about their city as well as the food they love within it.
One dish that I wish I’d been included on the photo is a Boston cream pie, or a doughnut. These pastries are synonymous with Boston but the thing about secret photos is they don’t just to serve the classics, and said they include some more unusual food stops. Mind you, it gives me a great reason to return to Boston.
Florida is famous for theme parks. The hub is undoubtadly Orlando but for real thrillseekers, there is one theme park that stands above the others. Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida has a huge selection of rollercoasters and other big rides, some cool themeing, awesome animals and costs considerably less than the the big two brands down the road. It is especially good for childfree adults who just want a crazy day out for themselves. The best day at Busch Gardens has thrill rides, animal encounters and something tasty. Here are our top tips for Busch Gardens Tampa for adults.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
1.) Arrive Early and Know What’s Open
To make the most of a day at Busch Gardens we recommend arriving at the car park around 20 minutes before the gates open. This allows you time to grab your bits fom the car, hop on the trolley busses that take you to the park, and get a spot in line just in time to enter the park.
From here, make your way to the back of the park where you will find three big rides that are open from the very first admission, Kumba, Falcon’s Fury & Tigris. (It might be a good idea to have your breakfast very early, or after this first set of rides so you don’t see your breakfast again halfway over a loop-the-loop). Most people stop at the first few rides so these should all be walk on for you.
2.) Make Your Locker Choice
The locker systems at Busch Gardens are a little confusing. Guests can pay for lockers fall day as a kind of moving prospect. You make one payment and can use the lockers as often as you need for as long as you need, wherever you find them.
Standard (7.5″ h x 13″ w x 18″ d): $10 per day
Large (10.5″ h x 16.5″ w x 18″ d): $15 per day
Jumbo (13.5″ h x 22.5″ w x 18″ d): $20 per day
You can also hire a locker for just one stint but with so many large rollercoasters, you might want to leave your things as you run between them.
Some people just put their belongings on the side as they ride, something familiar to British theme park goers but this is of course, always at your own risk.
3.) Get Your App and Map
Every theme park worth its salt now has an app. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has a great app that is clear, simple to use. You can check park times, show times and really easily upgrade to all kinds of experiences or line skips. The map is good and has wait times on as well as ride closures. Combined with the signs, getting arouond and planning our day was so easy. Download the app before you leave the world of wifi to make sure it’s ready to go when you arrive.
4.) Stay Hydrated
You can bring in a bottle of water to Busch Gardens Tampa, but not your own cooler of drinks.
Soft Drinks – Water
There are free water stations at some of the bathrooms in Busch Gardens which is an immportant thing to remember. If you don’t like sweet soft drinks, want to save some cash or need to hydrate quickly then keep an eye out for them when you pop to the loo.
Soft Drinks – Refills
If you love a fizzy drink/soda/pop then make a beeline for a stall selling the refillable plastic cups early on. You are going to want to make the most of your drink purchase after all. For just $20 you get free refills of Coke products all day. It includes the icy slushy drinks which is quite the relief when you are full of bubbles or insanely hot.
Hard Drinks – The Bars
If you like your drinks to be a little more adult, you have a few options for a quick drink, or lesiurely pint, throughout the park. This makes total sense when you learn that the parks were orignally just a publicity vehicle for the brewery that used to own them, Anheuser-Busch. The Dragon Fire Grill & Pub, Springs Taproom and Garden Gate Cafe all offer different numbers of craft beers, frozen drinks and cocktails. They are all nice in their own way but our favourite spot for a boozy beverage is The Giraffe Bar.
The Giraffe Bar on the side of the Serengeti overlook restaurant complex serves craft beer, cider, wine and tasty cocktsails. That includes margaritas on tap and some fun frozen options too. I can particularly recommend The Hungry Tusker. It has a shot of my favourite South African liqueur; the creamy, and deliious Amarula. Head onto the balcony and as you sip, you can watch animals on the Serengeti area, giraffes in particular.
5.) Know Your Rides
Before you enter the park, if you are at all diminuative, check the height chart. This is meant to be for kids but as a five foot female, I was a little concerned that I might not make the cut. It seems that only a few rides would be out of bound for anyone four and half foot or less.
Once you are in the park, it is good to know what you are in for when you join a ride queue just in case there is a particular aspect you dislike. Here is a quick guide to the big coasters.
Cheetah Hunt– a speed ride with three launches that whip you up to 60mph in a second or two.
Cobra’s Curse– A small coaster that goes forwards, backwards and also involves a spinning ride car.
Montu– An inverted coaster (hanging) which involves seven loops or rolls.
Scorpion– A cute little coaster that has a loop-the-loop. It is from 1980 and has a nice gravity le moment.
Sand Serpent– A small car coaster whipping you around tight corners, jamming the brakes on in a rather alarming way. It is reminicant of the Rattlesnake at Thorpe Park or Indiana Jones at Disneyland Paris.
Kumba– A huge steel coaster with a roaring noise and seven twists or loops.
SheiKra – This rollercoaster has two foward facing drops (90 degrees from the floor).
Iron Gwazi – A hybrid coaster with a 62m hill that turns into a 91° drop. You’ll lose your seat
Tigriss – A small ride that packs a punch with inversions and super speed both forwards and backwards.
Seregeti Flyer – A huge swing ride. Sit on the side away from the queue for animal views, and towards it for park views.
Stanley Falls Flume – A classic log flume with minimal themeing but a nice drop.
Congo River Rapids – A river rapids with jets, waterfalls and those cheeky water guns controlled by other parkgoers.
Here are a few items you won’t want to leave at home when visiting Busch Gardens:
Sun Cream/Sun Block – Florida is hot and sunny much of the time and you don’t want to get caught out and burn. Don’t forget to reapply if you get wet.
Your Phone – Stay connected, play games when you are bored in the queue, take loads of pictures videos and use the Busch Gardens app for getting around etc.
A Portable Charger/Power Bank – This is one option for keeping your phone powered up. There is a charging station located in Panotopia, next to the Scorpion Coaster and Falcon’s Fury drop ride. You will need to bring a plug and cable and can’t move as it charges so the power bank is a better option.
A Waterproof Phone Cover or Pouch – If you want photos or videos from your water rides then you will need to protect your device.
A Poncho – Yup, waterpoof ponchos can look silly but it rains in Florida sometimes and there water rides to contend with. A poncho keeps your bag dry in a way a rain jacket wouldn’t. so if you aren’t utilising the lockers, this is a must have.
Sunglasses – Don’t forget to take them off on the big rides!
A Water Bottle – If you are planning to save on drinks then this is a must.
Plasters and Painkillers – Good for bumps, bruises and blisters that appear throughout the day..
A Fan – I used to think these Mini fans were madness but when you are stood in a line with no breeze they make a world of difference to keep you cool.
Harness – It is possible to wear an action camera on the rides if it is properly secured on a chest or wrist harness.
A Payment Card – Busch Gardens is cashless. You can bring cash and load up a prepaid card but it is much easier to just bring one along with you.
ID – If you are over 21 and want to drink, bring something to prove it!
Of course, you could be one of the cool kids and just have your phone but I wouldn’t cope!
7.) What to Wear to Busch Gardens
This is a little weather dependant but as it is most often warm in Florida, that is what we shall assume:
Clothes – No joke. Shoes, shirts and shorts must remain on…no matter how soaked they get. We recommend light, quick drying fabrics, no jeans or thick cargo shorts.
Comfortable Shoes – You will be walking and running and standing alot so choose your footwear wisely. You will be warm so don’t wear anything super thick or tight and your feet might get wet. love my jellies as we all know but walking sandals is a good bet.
Lanyard – If you have a Quick Queue pass, access pass or Photo Key, this is the easiest way to keep hold of it. Busch Gardens uses printed cardboard passes so they need a little looking after. Don’t forget to tuck it in when riding.
Shorts with Zip Pockets – These allow you to keep an essential or two with you on the rides. If you want to take photos or play games on your phone until you board, this is the most secure way to keep it on you.
A Hat – This is a good way to protext yourself from the sun but remember that a hat is very likely to fly off on rollercoasters so don’t leave it on when you ride.
Dress with Shorts – You can absolutely wear a dress to Busch Gardens Tampa but to preserve your modesty as you clamber on and off ride seats, and prevent chub rub, wear some shorts underneath!
No Costumes or Masks – These are just not allowed and that includes the Halloween events etc as well.
A “Proper” Top with No IP – You can’t wear anything with the park’s IP on so the kiddies don’t get confused. You must also avoid swearing, nudity or offensive slogans on your attire.
No Exposed Undies – Just keep your smalls to yourself.
Avoid Hair Clips and Earrings – Both of these thingscan be ripped off, or jabbed into your head and neither of these is pleasant!
8.) Time to Dine
Dining All Day?
At Busch Gardens Tampa, All Day Dining can be had for just $49.99. This allows you to sit and enjoy a meal every 1.5 hours. “A meal” consists of one main dish (from a small selection at each included eatery), one drink, and one side or dessert. This seems like a great deal BUT how often are you sitting to eat when you have one day in a theme park full of fun rides? Some of the snack spots in the park aren’t included in All Day Dining so unless you are really planning to sit down and eat full meals, or just have tiny bits of everything on offer, it won’t pay for itself. Oh, and there is NO sharing or you’ll get in torule.
We ate breakfast before our visit, had some pizza from Oasis Pizza at lunch which cost us around $14 each, and then ate dinner after the park closed. It is not open until 22:00 like some parks so going for a meal after park hours is quite normal. The food outside of the park was also much better quality so worth the extra effort of driving into town for our evening meal.
Some food spots that are worth trying, especially if you don’t have the dining plan:
Dragon Dogs has some regular hot dogs and a couple of more unusal options. You can mobile order here so it is real quick service option.
Moroccan Delights doesn’t do what it says on the tin. This is actually an ice cream shop with cones and shakes on offer.
Twisted Tail is the popular spot that sells big, soft pretzels in both sweet and savoury varieties along with canned cocktails, seltzers beers and wines.
Chick-fil-A seems to be the most popular option at the park and always has a line. We avoid it as a matter of principle but I hear the chicken burgers are very tasty.
Coaster Coffee is for those that just can’t function without their Starbies.
9.) Meet the Animals
If your main reason for visiting Busch Gardens is to some of the 2,700 resident animals then get to the park early. As the day warms up, the animals slow down. There are plenty of animal enclosures dotted throughout the park (alligators, cheetahs, orangutans and gorillas can all be spotted easily). Some other wonderful ways to see the Busch gardens fauna include:
Animal Connections – This walk through attraction is a building full of smaller animals. The stars have got to be the pink flamingoes and gorgeous sloths. If you visit at the right time you can help feed the animals…just elbow the kids out of the way first. Free.
The Serengeti Express – This is most chilled out way to see the animals. Hop on the train and enjoy a trip along the side of several animal eonclosures, only seen from the train. Free.
Serengeti Safari – This is a 30 minute game drive in the Serengati Plains area. You may get to feed giraffes if you are lucky, and spot soe more of the large animals, like zebra and rhinos out here. Charged.
Keeper Talks – To learn more about some of the animals that live here, check the app for the keeper talks. The people who look after the animals will treat you to some fun facts and special secrets. Free.
10.) Seek the Shade
It is going to be a long day and there isn’t all that much shade when you are walking around the park. If you are sitting for a rest, waiting for a locker or anything else really, take the chance to snag some shade. This isn’t the time to be topping up the tan.
11.) Run for the Train
The Serengeti Train doesn’t come very often. It slowly puffs around the park and takes about 30 minutes to do the full loop, which is nice when you need a sit down, or to see the animals. It is rubbish to wait for it though, so if you hear the whistle, it is worth running for!
12.) Skip the Shows
This is only relevant if you only have one day. If you have longer, then the shows are lovely excuse to sit down in some air conditioning, or out of the rain. The ice skating show is amazing with gravity defying jumps and stunts, cool costumes and a great soundtrack.
13.) Consider the PhotoKey
There are so many big ride in Busch Gardens Florida that you aren’t going to be creating a cute reel of you as you go round (a la content creators for The Mouse). This might actually be one theme park where buying a photo pass is worth it. For $50 you’ll get a whole day’s worth of photos both on the rides and from the photographers that are dotted around the park. In terms of rollr coasters, that makes it around $5 per snap…and that’s pretty good value. You can preview your snaps at one of the PhotoKey kiosks and link hem to your card and/or order some cute phyiscal products (keychains etc).
14.) Parking at Busch Gardens
Parking at Busch Gardens is $30 a day or at least $45 for prefered parking. Prefered is closer to the entrance and has some shade. You can catch the free trams from the regular parking lot or walk…but it isn’t a very nice walk. It is along a hot pavement, under a bridge wth the trams going past (the petrol fumes were quite intense). Try and park near the tram if possibe. The extra steps might not feel that important at the beginning of the day. when you still have plenty of pep in your step. However, 10 hours later, your feet are probably going to be a little sore and suddenly, that extra 300m can feel like 300 miles.
15.) When to Visit Busch Gardens
Visiting Busch Gardens Tampa on a Monday or Tuesday in generally less busy. Less people travel during the week and local kids are at school. It is also affected by the overflow effect from other theme parks in the Orlando. Usually, people will start their week at Disney or Universal and migrate to Busch Gardens on Friday and Saturday.
We would normally suggest avoiding big holidays. I would have expected Spring Break to be included with this but if you play your cards right, this can still be a good time to visit. March has lovely weather, the Food and Wine festival and a buzzy atmosphere. Defintely avoid the winter holidays, any long weekends if you can and the beginning of the school holidays. (If you are from Europe, the end of August is a good time if you handle the heat and humidity as local schools have usually gone back).
16.) Fun for Foodies
The food and Wine festival takes place in March and April with extra tasting stalls and even music concerts. if you want to take part, make sure you check the calendar. However, this also makes the other weekday dates around them less busy as locals like to visit on the special days.
During the festival a whole section of the park is dedicated to delicious treats from around the world. Visitors buy a special tickets that incudes a set number of samples (10-15 usualy). Then you can peruse the stands and pick your tasters. In 2023, this included wines from South America, wine flights with four different European varieties and cocktails on the drinks sides. In terms of food, there were loads of Latin flavours to explore with Cuban tacos, Brazilian saffron chicken, encebollado stew and mole beef & sweet plantains. It all sounded so good!
17.) Question the Quick Queue
Dont’ buy the Quick Queue in advance unless you are here to ride the rides multiple times. We seriously considered purchasing the passes but the queues were all under 30 minutes, with plenty of big rides just a 5-10 minute wait. It woulld NOT have been worth it. If you are planning to visit during a busy time then look into it. If not, turn up at the park and gauge the crowds first, you can purchase them on the day.
18.) Rain, Rain, Go Away…
…you can come another day. If rain ruins your day at Busch Gardens Tampa (and we don’t mean that the drizzle made your frizzy), you will receive a free visit to the park. This ticket must be used within 1 year of your original visit. This is great if you are around for a while or live locally but annoying if you’re visiting from elsewhere.
19.) Park Closure Tips
The park attendants let people join the queues p until about 10 inutes before park close so if there is something you want to ride one last time, aim to get there with 20 minutes before park closure just to be sure. You never know, there might be a chance to go round twice if you’re really, really lucky.
You can refill your drinks cup right up until park closes so don’t forget to load it up as you leave with one last yummy beverge. We took some diet cola with us but saw plenty of people filling theirs with slushies for the road.
20.) Adventure Island
If you have more than one day then consider bundling your ticket with a visit to Adventure Island. This is a waterpark owned by the same group. It has one of the longest lazy rivers in Florida (the perfect place to chill) and ten awesome slides (the perfect place to thrill). Some of the slides are only open at the weekend so check out their website to ensure there is enough to keep you occupied if you are here during the week. From the tiki bar to cabanas that you can pay to rent for the day, you’ll have a super time.
Final Thoughts on Our Tips for Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa is a brilliant theme park with some epic exhilieration and decent cocktails, making it perfect for adults. By following our tips for Busch Gardens, you will hopefully have fun and save money avoiding spending on things that aren’t worth it, and instead focusing on the things that are to you. Do you want a whole lot of photos, a whole lot of food or a whole lot of goes on the rides? Whatever a visit means to you, Busch Gardens Tampa remains a must-visit destination for those seeking an action-packed and memorable getaway in Florida.
Tampa is buzzing! It is a modern city in many ways, with plenty of exciting new things happening all the time, but if you know where to look, you’ll uncover the most marvellous history. So how can you make the most of 48 hours in Tampa. This is our perfect weekend in Tampa, Florida.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Day One
Explore the American Victory
Tucked behind the aquarium sits the night American Victory. This war ship saw action in both WWII and Vietnam. You are free to explore the ship, poking into the Captain’s cabin, listening in on the morse messages and finding out what the navy eats. You can even look down into the engines which still have the distinct whiff of oil. The tour is self guided and there is plenty of information to read around the ship.
Dive Into the Florida Aquarium
Of course you will find the big tanks with sharks, rays and other scary big fish but it’s there are some more unusual offerings too.
The jellyfish section has some seriously beautiful and seriously weird specimens. Have you ever seen upside jellyfish? They are beautiful!
There is a small penguin enclosure with African penguins that are utterly adorable.
You can interact with sealift in two different tanks, one with coral and starfish, the other with rays that are a little trickier to stroke.
The Wetlands of Florida section has both fish and birds in the same biosphere as well as a very playful otter. Then, head upstairs and you can see lemurs!
For the little ones, there is even a mini water park area which is the perfect place for them to blow off steam and satisfy the watery cravings we all get in an aquarium.
A Spot of Lunch at Sparkman Wharf
The recently renovated area of land just west of the aquarium is now know as Sparkman Wharf and it is the perfect place to stop for some food or drink. They have loads of popup food truck type street food joints and some more permanent places too. You could opt for the gourmet hotdogs at JoDog (the Asian inspired Hello Tokyo was a revelation) or grab some excellent fried chicken or tacos. Then, for dessert, you can’t beat Hampton Chocolate Factory which doesn’t just sell boxes of confection. You can get frozen s’mores, waffles, ice cream and milkshakes If it’s sunny, grab a seat and chill, or grab and go!
Continuing east, you will come to the start of the Tampa Riverwalk. This two and a half mile pedestrianised stretch of river is incredibly pleasant to stroll along. It is L-shaped and entirely flat.
As you promenade along (and sometimes over) the Hillsborough River you can do a bit of bar hopping. There are a few bars along the way that will pour you a drink in a special cup and you can take it along with you. This is pretty rare in the USA so make the most of the lovely relaxed feeling.
High Culture at Tampa Museum of Art
Around two thirds of a mile after the walk turns north, on the right hand side is the Tampa Museum of Art. This is your chance to soak up some culture of the highbrow variety. The museum has its own collection of art and hosts several temporary exhibitions throughout the year. The museums permanent collections range from ancient wonders from Greece and the Roman Empire to cutting edge modern art that is bold and beautiful.
A Delicious Dinner at Ulele
Ulele is Tampa’s trendiest restaurant, and it is very cool but it has just as much substance as it has style. Their ethos encompasses local, fresh food with historical roots, all with a modern twist. Ulele was a Native American princess she is the symbol of the area.
Looking across the menu, you will find plenty of familiar southern classics but look a little closer and you will see that the chilli has five different local game meats and the corn bread muffins are spiked with beer and jalapeños. Don’t skip out on the gorgeously fresh seafood, especially if it is swimming in garlic, spices or butter. It is also worth perusing the cocktail menu for some wholly original drinks. If wine and beer are more your thing, the servers are incredibly j knowledgable and can recommend just what you need.
Day Two
Take a JC Newman Cigar Factory Tour
Tampa was once known as cigar city. In 1900 there were over 200 factories at one time, serving the world’s need for big, fancy smokes. JC Newman is one of the only spots to survive, and not just that, but to thrive. The factory is still up and running and daily tours allow you to visit.
The tour starts by the big German clock mechanism which is a beautiful piece of engineering, before grinding you through the history of the company and the factory itself. After this brief introduction you will be guided downstairs to the basement for a more in-depth look at some of JC Newman’s historical collection featuring both cigars, cigar boxes and family memorabilia. There is even a look in the aging room where luxury cigars are aging like fine wines before sale.
Upstairs you will see the factory at work. On one floor are some amazing vintage machines that are still wrapping, sealing and packaging cigars. Some are over 100 years old, they don’t make ‘em like they used to! Then, if you are really lucky, you’ll get to meet one of the incredibly talents handrollers. They have access each leaf and pick them individually for each cigar before wrapping and pressing them to perfection. Honestly, even if you don’t smoke (and we don’t), it is so impressive to see the craft.
A Lovely Lunch at Columbia Restaurant
It is just the worst when you want to try out the coolest restaurant in town isn’t it? Well, that doesn’t happen all that often at Columbia Restaurant as it has multiple dining room, spread across the length of a whole city block. This means, everyone can eat at the most amazing Soanish restaurant in the city (the oldest too, at over 100 years old).
There are couple of dishes that Columbia Restaurant is famous for, and happily you can try both! The classic Cuban sandwich is presented in wonderfully fresh Cuban bread from a bakery (La Sagunda Centrsl) a few doors down (this family are also a Tampa institution). The pork is smoked in house and it is as close to a perfect Cuban as you can get. Then there is the 1905 which has the unusual combo of lettuce, ham, olives, cheese, tomato and a zingy dressing featuring Lea and Perrins! you can order a half and half which allows you to try both. Win! Table service is a big part of the Columbia Restaurant offering and it is fun to watch them finish, dress and toss your salad within reach.
Dessert is iconic with the white chocolate bread and butter pudding a favourite of everyone who dines here. Or, if you prefer to drink your dessert the boozy coffees are pretty special. The Melanie (pictured here) contains four different kinds of tasty liqueur. It packs a real punch.
Discover Ybor City with a Walking Tour
Ybor City is a unique neighbourhood located within Tampa. You could just wander the streets and grab a drink in one the hipster bars or coffee joints but you’d be missing out on so much. Instead, book a spot with Ybor Walking Tours and the excellent Max Herman.
Max is a local who has a wealth of knowledge about the area as well as some lovely personal anecdotes. The tour takes visitors on a short walk through time as he envokes the boom time of the area when it was Cigar City and up until the present day.
Wondering why there are chickens everywhere? You’ll learn all about them. Why are there names ont he bricked streets? Well, I don’t want to give all the secrets away! This social, architectural and personal tour is one of a kind and you can’t miss it.
Time for a Tram
After the tour is the perfect time to hop on the local tram and grab a drink back down at the Riverwalk. There is a stop just opposite where the tour ends.
This team, trolley ir streetcar, (TECO Line Streetcar System) is completely free and another lovely slice of history. The original lines were built in 1892 and it quickly became extremely popular, packed with commuters everyday. It ground to halt after WWII in 1946 but the city reintroduced it in 2022. Hop on and enjoy the traditional wooden seating as well as the ease of travel without having to drive it yourself. That being said, remember it is not air-conditioned so bring a fan for those moments it’s stopped.
Have an Extra Day?
Next to the University District, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is really easy to get to by car or by bus. If you like animals you’ll like Busch Gardens. And if you like thrill rides you’ll love Busch Gardens. If you like both, you’re going to be obsessed!
Busch Gardens began life as a zoo or botanical garden with animals. It has evolved into a fantastic theme park with more awesome thrill rides than Disney and Universal put together. Huge rides of every kind (hanging, 90° drops, swings, death drops, speed coasters and loop the loops abound). There is even a rollercoaster that has a 91° hill, it’s bonkers. Oh, and they still have tons of animals to spot or even to meet if you splash out on one of the animal encounters
Tampa is having a glow up. It expanded in the 1800s with the cigar industry and its booming all over again. It’s a really exciting time to visit with great old and new food to feast upon, history to explore and cool bars sititing amongst it all. We’ll be back soon to see what’s changed and we know you’ll have an amazing time when you visit too.
There is a legend of which the sailors speak, the mermaid. These beautiful creatures live under the sea and wave to those poor deprived men, setting their hearts aflutter. Well, you may not believe in mermaids but have you ever heard that they may actually have been manatees with seaweed on their heads? Either that, or they were synchronised swimmers with incredible breath control. On Florida’s west coast, you can go in search of mermaids and find both. This is the perfect day in Crystal River.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
Wake Up Early for Breakfast at Crystal Manatee
We think it is a great idea to arrive in Crystal River the night before your full day. Driving to Crystal River in the morning would mean being really tired all day Morning tours start at 09:00 and it is best to arrive full of energy.
When choosing your accommodation in Crystal River, pick somewhere clean, cute and well-located. We loved The Retreat at Crystal Manatee. The huge rooms have obviously had a facelift recently with very coastal white walls and blue accents. Each room has a big TV, a bigger bed and a huge sink! The en suite bathrooms are small but have coo showers with an array of knobs and some lovely green tea toiletries. Oh, and speaking of breakfast, every guest gets homemade pasties daily and there is a breakfast selection of coffees, juices, cereals and toastable breads.
Take a Manatee Tour with Explorida
Manatees head for Crystal River and the nearby springs during winter to live in the warmer waters. Manatee season runs from mid March to the end of March so we visited right at the tail end (and what a cute flappy tail it is). During this time there can be thousands of manatees. Don’t worry if you are not due to arrive right in the middle of the season though, there is a population of around 60 .that lives here all years round.
Explorida takes manatee welfare seriously so the first thing you will do when you arrive is to watch a video all about how to observe them without impacting them too much. Basically, you float about being as still as possible and trying to avoid touching, scaring or harassing them. It can be tricky not to surround them when the water is murky as you can’t see them from further away but just thy to stick to the rules and take turns.
To help with buoyancy, and body temperature in the water, everyone changes into wet suits and then hops into a minivan to the quay. The boat ride out to King’s Bay is about 29 minutes. Just before arriving, the group is kitted out with a snorkel and mask set to breathe comfortably underwater. Then it’s time to slide into the water.
Now you are free to float on your pool noodle. This, plus the wetsuit will keep you extremely buoyant. If you stick close to the guide they will show you where to observe the manatee and can answer any questions you have about them. In all, you should get 1.5-2 hours in the water.
Manatees are incredibly gentle. They are big but completely harmless. They are known as sea cows but are much cuter and less scary when you are right next to one. If they come towards you, don’t worry, they are probably just eating along the sea grass and haven’t even noticed you.
Prepare for a few too many pictures of manatees taken through the murky water…
Grab a Latte and Lunch at Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters
After a swim, I am always in the mood for a treat and the drinks at Cattle Dog Roaster are definitely a treat! There seems to be two sides to this local roastery. They both take their coffee very seriously and turn them onto exceedingly naughty, creamy beverages. If you are a purist, you can pick from over 20 different single origin coffees, and have one straight up. You can also buy a bag or two to take with you. However, if you are feeling frivolous, you can have one of their lattes which include options such as raspberry and white chocolate, hazelnut, banana and chocolate or cinnamon, French vanill
Of course, this being lunchtime, you should also have a pastry, sandwich, famous weekend brunch or a delicious lobster roll or bisque (if it’s Friday).
A 40 minute drive south of Crystal River is the Weeki Wachee State Park. This plays host to the iconic mermaid show that has been running since 1947! The show lasts about 30 minutes and involves incredible underwater performers acting and doing acrobatics in a HUGE natural spring. The theatre building was built to observe the spring, not the other way around. There are currently two shows, The Little Mermaid being the one that you might recognise.
Performers demonstrate incredible breath control and they pretend to speak and sing whilst flapping their tails and performing all kinds of tricks throughout the show. You will see hoses around the space from which, they snatch oxygen, allowing them to remain underwater. It is so impressive!
There are only 500 seats and people start queueing early. Aim to arrive at the park 50 minutes before the show and get into the queue at least 30 minutes prior to the show time. Oh, and lots of the queue isn’t covered so make sure to bring a hat or umbrella to create some shade.
After the show, it is your time to take a dip. Sadly, you are not allowed to wear mermaid tails in the spring (I think it is probably to stop people from trying stunts they can’t do and getting in trouble). The water is cool and clear with a couple of water slides int eh summer and a diving platform you can use all year. There is a fake beach to relax on but there are some hidden costs (the deck chairs cost extra so bring a beach throw to sit here without paying). There are also animal shows and a short river cruise to enjoy at no extra cost.
A Few Other Afternoon Ideas
Three Sisters Spring is not only another wonderful place to meet manatees but the most beautiful spot with clear, turquoise water and stunning foliage. You can swim with the manatees again, rent kayaks for a guided paddle or just stroll the raised walkways.
Airboat rides are an amazing way to see more of the local coast. They will take you along those parts you can’t get to by car, spotting dolphins, otters and bird life along the way.
If you are visiting between July and September, you could try your hand at scalloping. As with the manatee encounter, the best way to behave it to float along the surface but the difference is, if you see a jaunty scallop, dive down and get it!
If you are interested in weird wine, craft beer or just enjoy an adult beverage then head to Copp Winery and Brewery for a tasting. They have a few reds and whites but that’s not the interesting part. This winery is famous for their fruity wines like apple and cranberry. They do wine flights that are a total bargain and beer flights for those that are that way inclined.
Enjoy Dinner at Waterfront Social
The most popular spot in town is a wonderfully chilled out restaurant called The Waterfront Social. When the sky is clearer, it has a great sunset view over the water. Before or after dinner, pop into the attached Tiki bar for an abundance of rum-based cocktails.
The main chunk of the menu at Waterfront Social is seafood and plenty of it! On the starters menu you will find a creamy clam chowder and lots of fishy finger food. The coconut shrimp is seriously juicy and the grouper bites a little better than the gator bites (but less exciting). The crab cakes are densely filled with crab and potato so you are definitely getting your money’s worth.
Then, for mains you could opt for a burger or steak but why would you pass up the chance to savour a blackened grouper or grilled salmon? Everything is served with delicious vegetables and potato (chips or mash), rice or salad so there is something for everyone (that eats fish or meat).
Finally, if you have room for dessert, you cannot beat their amazing peanut butter pie. It’s lighter than you might expect but still pretty rich. For something with a little zing to it, the key lime pie is a Florida classic, executed fabulously.
A watermelon cocktail that LOOKS like a watermelon…such fun! Coconut Shrimp (star of the night) Gator bites which are obligatory if you aren’t from around these partsBlackened grouper with chips and lots of veggies. Crab cakesPeanut butter pie
Final Thoughts for Your Perfect Day in Crystal River
Crystal River is quite a sleepy town but you can have a whale of a time (or is that a manatee)? There is plenty of activities, mostly based around the glorious seaside in the waters that surround it, add to that a few rum cocktails and you have a perfect day in Crystal River!
Universal Orlando is probably the best theme park in the world. There, I said it but hear me out. The rides are phenomenal, it is great for kids and adults and even though I actively avoided the Harry Potter films for my entire life, I still LOVE The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It has drawn us back again and again and over those visits, we have learned some tricks for short visits. Here are 16 Universal Orlando tips for your next visit.
This post may contain sponsored content or affiliate links that help support the blog. All opinions are our own.
1.) Dont Hurry to Harry
The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is the most popular area in both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure. People enter the park and head straight there! It is worth doing this if you are staying on property. Getting early access to the parks, you can hotfoot it to Hogsmead and be first on Hagrid’s, or in a wildly short queue. However, by the time the park opens for everyone else, the queue is already long and it’s the busiest area of the park.
By going straight to Hulk Coaster in Islands of Adventure when the park opens instead of Harry Potter, you may well find it a walk on. In Universal Studios Florida, head straight for the area with ET and MIB (our favourite initials) and you won’t be waiting to ride these classic attractions.
2.) Get a Hopper to Hop on the Hogwarts Express
There is only one way to ride the famous Hogwarts Express and that is to have a 2 Park Explorer Ticket ticket. These allow you access to both Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure on the same day. It is not just a mode of transport but a magical experience with a landscape passing by the windows on one side of you and a story unfolding in the corridor on the other. The journey is different in both directions so if you have time (or an Express Pass) then it is worth taking it back again. Oh, and don’t forget to have your moment passing through platform 9 3/4 at King’s Cross Station. To get the best shot, place your buddy a few people behind you in the queue.
3.) All the Single Riders, ALL the Single Riders
Common wisdom suggests joining single-rider lines to save time. This allows you to queue with your theme park buddies but fill in any odd gaps in the ride. This means you will be riding next to a stranger but when you are having that much fun, that doesn’t matter. This method is most popular with younger groups of friends rather than family units or couples. Sure, it can get you through a line quickly but sometimes, it really doesn’t. Some rides, usually newer rollercoasters, are more popular with this demographic in general and so the line can actually be slower. For example, going for single on Velociraptor can result in a longer wait tie. Save your single rider times for older or smaller attractions.
4) Feel the Freestyle
If you want to save some money on beverages throughout your day at Universal Orlando, consider getting a Coke Freestyle, refillable cup. You will get a free refill every ten minutes until the end of the day. This is the same price as about four drinks and trust me, when it is hot and humid, you’ll need more than four! Plus, you can use the Coco-Cola Freestyle machines that provide hundred of fun combinations with things like root beer and still lemonade that we don’t see so commonly in the UK.
You could also bring your own bottle in and refill your water using the fountains and Freestyle machines around the park which is totally free. Of course, that is better value but it’s not half as fun!
5.) Secure a Quiet Spot for Lunch
Finding a table at a busy restaurant at lunchtime can seem like a Herculean effort. We get it, the queues are long and the tables are full. However, there are a couple of tricks:
The first one is, of course, eating at a strange time. Grabbing lunch between 12-2, you are going to find life a little tricky. If you can graze through the day or have a nice, late lunch, you will enjoy a much more leisurely dining experience. However, if you want your lunch at lunchtime (and who would blame you) you could also:
Find a quiet spot by the lake. Both Universal Islands of Adventures and Universal Studios Florida are built around lakes. Nobody spends much time down by the water as there aren’t any attractions there. This means there are plenty of quiet benches to enjoy your dinner al fresco. Just watch the local wildlife that might want to share a bite.
Make sure you are using mobile ordering where possible. This means that you can choose what you want without the pressure of a queue behind you, you can do something else while your food is being prepared (meet a character or find a table) and your queue to pick up the food should be considerably shorter.
Look for tables just outside of the eating spots. One of our favourite places for lunch is Thunder Falls Terrace. Inside is loud and a little unpleasant but if you head through and out the door to your right, you will find a few tables in the shade outside. These give a wonderful view of the Jurassic Park River Dventure’s splash zone. The spray cools the air without getting you wet and you can watch the kids getting drenched and screaming with delight as you chomp on your ribs and chicken.
6.) Skip the Queue to Skip the Queue
Universal Olrando’s Express Passes are sold on a demand-based pricing structure. This means you should not wait until you are in the park to purchase them as the price will be higher. If you know you are short on time, or you are visiting during a busy period, then get those passes early. This can be done on the app or the website. You can choose between Express Pass which gives you line-cutting ability to all attractions once, or Express Unlimited where you can run around and around and around for your favourite rollercoaster. It also gives early access to the shows meaning you can snag the best seats. If you do one day at the park and decide that you fancy a pass for the following day, you can purchase them at the concierge desk in City Walk on your way out, saving you a little time in the morning.
(But Not Always)
There are two rides where skipping the queue is a bit of a shame. Universal really upped their line game when they built The Wizarding World of Harry Potter. There is so much to see in the queues for Escape from Gringotts and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey that using the Express Pass might be a bit of a shame. Escape from Gringotts takes you through an elaborate Gringotts set with goblins galore. Further down, you will see moving newspapers that it’s nice to stop and read.
Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey’s queue goes through Hogwarts School. The Express Pass skips a few rooms (the greenhouses for example) and doesn’t really give you time to stop and enjoy the presentations as you storm through. If you do choose to Express Pass it, ask one of the Hogwarts students if they are offering tours and you may get lucky enough to have a guided journey through the different sets.
7.) Don’t Skip the Shows
Universal started as a film studio, and you can tell when it comes to the way they put on a show! On our last visit, we decided to split up and take in a show each.
The Universal Orlando’s Horror Make-Up Show is a fun blend of film make-up magic and comedy. The lobby is stacked full of information and memorabilia of the golden age of YUniversal Horrror and the actors that pioneered amazing make-up tricks. Where would we be without Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff and Bela Lagosi!?
The Bourne Stuntacular is an astonishing mix of live action stunts, practical special effects and film integration Think James Bond film but with a dose of rough, mixed with Indiana Jones stunt show (from that other park) but with a dose of cool. It is quite hard to describe so make time to go and see it.
Animal Actors on Location! is a really fun family show. This is especially good for small kids that need a break (and the adults who want to see cool animals too). The show consists of clever creatures performing funny stunts and interacting with the set. We are talking dogs, a raccoon, birds, rats, you name it, they got it!
The Raptor Encounter is something we didn’t bother with on our first three trips to Universal. However, we decided to join in with the fun this time and it was so worth it. You know it’s a puppet, you are telling yourself it’s a puppet but as soon as you are a metre away Bue becomes entirely real. “Look scared”, says the handler so you over-act…and then she roars and you jump out of your skin for real. So funny!
Finally, make sure you head back to Hogsmeade for the Night Time Lights show. Using music, projection mapping and fireworks, the castle is brought to life. The show changes with the season so expect it to be extra darks arty at Halloween, full of Christmas magic in winter and a little more generic for easter.
8.) Allow Extra Time in the Morning
Your plan may be to get to the park when it opens. That doesn’t mean arriving on site at that time. You will need time to park and then to walk the long route from the car park (parking lot) and through security. This is an airport style security with x-ray machine and metal detector gates. Then, there is another 10-15 minutes of walking through City Walk until you reach the park. We would recommend giving yourself a good half hour to get this all done (plus another 10 minutes if you are coming by taxi/uber/lyft to allow a driver or two to cancel on you.
9.) Water Ride Warning!
How to deal with water rides is an intensely personal thing. Are you the kind of person that goes on in minimal clothing and then just dries out over the next hour or two? Or are you, a poncho princess, hanging on to the hood for dear life as you hurtle towards the splash zone? However you choose to del with this conundrum, it is good to be aware that there are three rides which will get you soggy, wet, and soaking wet.
Jurassic Park River Adventure is the water ride with the least dramatic drenching. There is one drop and if you are in the middle of the boat you should remain relatively dry, a little like five minutes in a London drizzle (frizzy hair but dry quickly).
Dudley Do-Right’s Ripsaw Falls is deceptively wet. You descend one main drop which you will see from the bridge but there are a couple more. These don’t get your hair wet but there is a substantial slosh which will get your bottom half soggy.
Popeye and Bluto’s Bilge-Rat Barges will leave you entirely wet through, soaked, soggy and sopping. There are the usual bumps along these river rapids which splash plenty of water into the boat but there are also HUGE waterfall buckets that, if they don’t land straight on your head, may well hit the centre section of the boat and disperse into everyone’s faces. It is so much fun but you are kidding yourself if you think you can stay dry whatsoever.
The best thing about the water rides at Universal Orlando is that they are all in the same park, Islands of Adventure. This means you can tackle all three before continuing on with your day. Either dispose of your poncho, change your clothes and wipe down with towe for a totally dry new start or dry slowly, steaming gently in the Florida sun as you wait for your next attraction. Just avoid the air con if you are going with this option or you might catch a cold. There are lockers available for delicate electronics/dry clothes/towels etc by each of the water rides. Unlike many of the other ride lockers these are not free as technically, you could keep your things with you. Instead, they charge $4 for the small ones and $5 for large for 90 minutes then $3 per 30. This should cover the three rides. You could also opt to pay £20 for the whole day meaning you don’t have to carry your wet things around with you but remember they empty these earlier than the park shuts so give yourself time to grab your things before your last ride or two.
10.) Tips for Visiting Universal With Children
If you are coming with children, it is good to do some research ahead of time. These are for your benefit, not theirs:
It would be heartbreaking to queue for something or get the kids excited for something that they are not tall enough to ride. Measure them before you leave for the trip and have a plan to escort them to those attractions they can handle.
You can take advantage of the child swap rules. This means the family can line up together, one adult and maybe a bigger child can ride while the other looks after the smaller child. Then, once the ride is done, you swap over and the other adult can enjoy the ride without having to queue again.
Everything in Suess Landing is kid-friendly and so kooky. You can accompany them on everything and reward yourself with yummy plate of Green Eggs and Ham or Who Hash at the Green Eggs and Ham cafe or something tasty in the very cool Circus McGurkus Cafe Stoo-pendous!
Little ones under 3 get in for free.
There can be a lot of walking at Universal so bring a stroller/buggy/push chair. It gives them a place to crash and you a place to stash your bags. Even if you think your child is getting a little too big for a buggy, you will be happy to have one when everyone is getting tired.
Sadly the Woody Woodpecker play area has now shut for good but we are in no doubt that something even cooler will be created in its place.
11.) Know When to Visit
When it comes to visiting Orlando’s theme parks, there are definitely seasons. If you don’t like queueing, and you don’t like queues, you will want to avoid these times. Key dates to avoid include:
Spring Break and the Easter holidays – Spring break in the USAA goes on for bout a month as different areas of the country have a week or two off. It usually falls around mid-March to mid-April and so often covers the UK easter school holidays two. When these two collide, the crowds can be bonkers! It is better to come in early February to miss this peak.
The Summer Holidays – Here we mean the USA’s summer holidays. These start in mid-June and end mid-Augut. The UK is still on holiday for a couple f weeks afterwards so the crowds do die down. This is also because the weather gets unbearably hot and really quite rainy.
Thanksgiving – The week around Thanksgiving (the third Thursday in November) is always a busy one.
Christmas and New Year – Everybody, everywhere is off work and come to Florida for some sun and fun! This starts in mid-Deceber and extends for about a week into January.
Weekends – Easy enough if you are only coming for a couple of days.
That being said, it can be a lot of fun to be at Universal during special events. Christmas means extra decorations, lots of goodwill and a healthy dose of The Grinch. Halloween is amazing at Universal. You should absolutely come and absolutely buy an extra ticket to the Fright Nights for a night full of jumpscares and a lot of laughs. During Mardi Gras, extra food and drinks are on offer, there are popup performances from professional acts and marching bands from across the country and there is a parade.
12.) Packing Your Park Bag
If you are staying on property or live locally, yo won#t need tocarry much. You could be one of the cool kids with just a little bumbag (fanny pack) that you can take on most rides, saving time on lockers. However, for most of us, we need a few more kits and this is always in my park bag (and it is always a rucksack so I don’t get one sore shoulder)..
Suncream. Sunburn is miserable and dangerous
A poncho. Yes, I know they look silly but it rains and there are log flumes so it gets used. It keeps your bag dry in a way a rain jacket wouldn’t.
A small microfibre towel and extra undies if I plan to do water rides.
My phone. This is for communication, games for the lines, taking far too many videos and using the Universal Orlando app for planning, ordering food etc
A portable charger/power bank to keep that phone alive.
A ziplock bag for the phone if I am taking it on a wet ride.
Sunglasses, even though I often forget I have them on until I’m climbing on to a ride and then panic and put them in my bra.
A lanyard. OK, technically I don’t have one yet but as I often have an Express Pass of some description and then have to carry it on to the rides, I am going to invest in one for next time.
A water bottle. Sometimes I use it but most of the time I get the refillable drinks and it gets ignored.
Plasters and painkillers for any dreadful blisters that appear halfway through the day.
My Harry Potter wand…obviously.
13.) Don’t Always Go Left
There are a million blogs about theme parks that suggest you go left when you enter. That may work for most parks in the world but the design of Universal Orlando’s parks, and the Harry potter difference means that it doesn’t always work here.
At Islands of Adventure, those who aren’t going straight to HP will turn left on entry because there are lots more attractions. Instead, head right through Suess Landing and storm up to Velocity Coaster for a shorter queue than you’ll find for the rest of the day. This is also the quickest way to Hogsmeade if you are Potter-bound.
At Universal Studios Florida, the “go left” option takes you again, to Harry potter and so most people will do this. instead, go right and make straight for The Simpsons Ride, ET and Men in Black to have them all to yourself.
14.) Save Some Pennies and Shop Before You Go
They probably won’t like me saying this but it is a great idea to pic up some gear before you leave for the parks. There is an awful lot of Harry Potter merchandise available at shops like Primark in the UK and Walmart or Target in the USA. Buying these bits with the family can heighten the excitement for the trip. You can also give them as little gifts as a hint for a surprise trip. Finally, it is great to give them to people on the morning of your park day as a final hurrah! It is such fun to walk in already sporting your Hogwarts robe that you got from the local toy shop, Marauder’s Map dress from Vinted or Thing 1 & Thing 2 tops you found on eBay at £10 for two.
15.) The End of the Day
When it gets dark (or not in summer) the park will start to empty. The queues for the big rides won’t diminish too much as it is the older crowd that is still around. If you fancy doing some of the kiddy rides hop on in the early evening when they have no line and there are fewer people around wondering why two grown ups are laughing so hard on a Cat in the Hat ride. Then, head to your last couple of big rides for the day or the show at Hogwarts.
It is also good to know that the ride queues shut at the park closing time. This means you have until then to join the back of the line and they will let you ride.
It is after the last ride that you have to leave and make your way into City Walk. You may have some very sore feet by now and want to sit for a drink or some food. Bear in mind that several of the quick service spots shut very soon after the park so if you want dinner, make a reservation at a full service restaurant ahead of time to guarantee your seats.
16. ) A Few Bonus Tips for Harry Potter
We love a bit of Harry Potter but we know the whole area can get really busy and a little overwhelming, here are a couple more tips to make your journey to this magical realm a little more enjoyable.
Don’t miss Knocturn Alley. You can find your way in on the right of the Leaky Cauldron in Diagon Alley. The other way in is past the toilets around the corner from Gringotts. It is usually quiet in here, it is airconditioned so a good place to take a breather and Borgin and Burke’s is full of cool dark arts gear you can’t find anywhere else.
Dial MAGIC (that’s 62442) at the telephone box outside Diagon Alley. We won’t tell you what happens but be sure to listen to the phone.
If you want a butter beer but don’t fancy the queues at Fountain of Fair Fortune or the Hopping Pot then make your way to the back of the Three Broomsticks to the Hog’s Head. At this quiet bar, you can get butter beer, pumpkin juice and some fun craft beers.
Keep your eyes peeled at 12 Grimmauld Place and you might see a familiar face at the window.
If you want a more intense experience on Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure then queue in front of the person you are riding with. You will get the seat on the bike if you board first.
If Ollivander’s is swamped, you can pick up a wand around the corner at the much quieter, Wands by Gregorivtch.
Wherever you pick up your wand, keep it for your next visit. The magic (battery) should last as long as the technology doesn’t change and so you can play with it again!
The Dragon that sits atop Gingott’s goes off every ten minutes (on the hour, ten past, twenty past etc). She grumbles and roars and little and then goes quiet, this is your time to prep for your photo. She will then grumble again and release the fireball we all love so much!
Final Thoughts
I started by saying that Universal Orlando is probably the best theme park in the world. Looking back on all of our visits (and our trip to Universal Studios Hollywood) I can’t think of a moment that I didn’t enjoy. Yes, there was queueing and yes my feet were aching by the time we found our taxi at the end of the day but I still enjoy it all! Amazing thrill rides, fun shows and IP that makes me smile, what more could you want from a theme park? We will be back and we will love it all over again. I hope these Universal Orlando tips help you to have the best time possible and we might see you there!
St Augustine is Florida’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement. In fact, it is St Augustine is the USA’s oldest continuously inhabited settlement! This beautiful town has been here in some form or other since way back in 1565. Naturally, this gives it tons of history, bags of personality and a unique charm. If you are planning a trip to this area, here are 20 fun things to do in St Augustine.
Oh, and just in case you don’t know…because I didn’t…the town is pronounced St OR-gus-teen rather than St or-GUST-in.
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1 – Step Back in Time at Lightner Museum
The Lightner Museum is housed in the former Alcazar Hotel, The Spanish Renaissance revival building was built in 1887 by Henry Flagler (the railway tycoon that put St Augustine on the map in a big way) and was one of the two main hotels in the town. The museum shut in the 1930s and was bought by Lightner who opened it as a hobbies museum, leaving his collections to the city along with the building. It is one of those eclectic private collections full of beautiful and interesting things.
Some highlights include:
A room stuffed with glittering crystal tableware. It calls to mind many fabulous dinner dances with the gentle clink of glass and a live band playing.
The giant pool at the back of the building that was once the largest public pool in the USA. This notoriously leaky swimming pool has to be drained and now plays host to brunch every weekend.
The original hotel steam room. This was known as the Senate due to its neat marble seats. The hammam is accompanied by a room for of alarmingly Victorian water therapy contraptions. The thought of those freezing jets still gives you shivers.
2 – Cute, Creative Cocktails at Tipsy Duck Parlour
The Tipsy Duck Parlor is attached to a bathroom shop which can be a little confusing but once you enter the room, you will be in no doubt you’re in the right spot. One wall is stocked with rubber docks and the duck leg bar stools really add to the mallard mood. Behind the bar, you’ll see shelves of flavoured syrups. Customers can create their own cocktails (or mocktails) by blending up to three of these with soda or hard seltzer. Options range from the fruity (passionfruit or strawberry) to the unusual (butter rum, lavender and habanero). You can also pick from their range of curated cocktails, all of which are based on wine. The Tipsy Duck comes served in a bathtub which is fun but it is not the best tasting of the bunch. The Fizzy Duck and Duck Bubbles both come on dry ice, bubbling merrily and taste great.
3 – Get Your Sea Legs at St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum
The Pirate Museum is brilliantly done. It has a great blend of interactive exhibits, loads of information and some genuine pirate paraphernalia. Honestly, you could be tempted to think this will be gimmicky, or just for kids, but this museum pulls no punches. You will hear the grizzly details of pirates’ lives, their plundering and sticky ends. There is loads of information about the areas of the world these pirates operated in and the treasure hunters that are still uncovering their booty. There is actual pirate treasure and even a real Jolly Rodger (skull and crossbones flag) which is one of only two that survive in the world. The last room is dedicated to pirates of stage and screen. Be prepared to covet your own piece of cursed Aztec gold…or at least a prop from the Pirates of the Caribbean film.
The Pirate Museum stays open a little later than many of the other attractions in town so it is good to hit up once everything else starts to close.
4 – Try to Escape from the Old Jail Museum
The Old Jail is unexpectedly pretty. Passing by, you might never know it was a jail but head inside and you will see it in a whole new light. This jail was built in 1891 by request of Henry Flagler who didn’t want the jail right in the centre of town. It served as the town’s jail and prison for 62 years, only closing in the 1950s.
The Old Jail experience is guided by an enthusiastic tour guide who is a font of knowledge and will keep you totally engaged. The tour is mostly light-hearted but there are some poignant moments that are dealt with sensitively. Visitors discover jail life, where prisoners ate, slept and died as well as the lives of the sheriff and his family.
A genuine Scotland Yard fingerprint kitA lifesize model of the sheriffGetting an extra dose of torturePretty in pinkSee if you can guess how many people were kept in here
Just next door, you’ll also find the St Augustine Museum which is a cool little museum which gives you a great overview of the city’s history. You can also visit The Oldest Store Museum Experience which takes visitors back in time to 1908, complete with old products, machines and antiques from the time.
5 – Enjoy Some Southern Seafood at Catch 27
The best spot for seafood in town is Catch 27. The menu is crammed with fresh fish and southern flavours, all served with flair and class. The cocktail list has very grown up flavours, no sugar bombs here. The Wanderlust conjures up the joys of a tropical Thai island and the Swedish punch spiked Suite 302 keeps your tastebuds intrigued to the last sip.
The vibe at Catch 27 is somewhere between fine dining and a lovely meal in a friend’s garden with service that comes at a slower rate than the usual in the USA. Nobody is rushed outso you can take your time to enjoy the food. Sit outside if you can for a jovial atmosphere. The dishes are quite large so if you want to make it to dessert (and the creme brulee is worth it) then pace yourself. The Catch 27 take on shrimp and grits has plenty of fans so it may well be one to try.
6 – Drink From the Fountain of Youth
Juan Ponce de Leon was a Spanish explorer (conquistador) who travelled across the Atlantic with Christopher Colombus’ second expedition. He spent years searching (successfully) for gold and (unsuccessfully) for the mythical fountain of youth. Eventually, he head north through the Bahamas, landing in a new place that he called La Florida (the land of flowers). This was just down the coast from St Augustine. From there, he began continued his search for the precious metals and precious waters. Rumour was, the spring he found in St Augustine was thought to be that Fountain of Youth. But sadly, its not true and was probably just a good place to fill his cantina.
The water that flows from the ground at the Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth Archaeological may not have magical properties but it is always worth a sip just in case. (Yes, it does have that slightly swampy Florida taste). There is so much more to this park than just the well though. There are historical demonstrations of blacksmithing, canon firing and you can climb the watchtower for a nice view over to the ocean. You will also find reproductions of the native Timucuan village the Spanish would have discovered here, and the first church they erected. Finally, there are the famous residents of the park. Big, beautiful peacocks strut the paths, calling out to the peahens and showing off their stunning plumage.
7 – Grab Some Grub at Grilled Cheese Gallery
The humble grilled cheese (or cheese toasty if you’re British) is a thing of beauty.; comfort food at its best. At Grilled Cheese Gallery, they believe this ooey, gooey treat should be celebrated and elevated. They have created some seriously delicious combos which are surprisingly filling. The Duchess has lobster and four kinds of cheese. The Asian Cowboy features short rib and kimchee. The Country Boy is a combo of pulled pork, mac and cheese which is a marvellously, messy mashup. Every sandwich comes with a little side of tomato soup to dip into. Oh, and they have a selection of gravy-laden poutines too! It is enough to send you into a happy lunch coma. But there are plenty more fun things to do in St Augustine so push through!
8 – Savour a Sip at San Sebastian Winery
We love a winery that isn’t stuffy or bound up in pretension. San Sebastian Winery is just the kind of spot which lets you enjoy your love of wine without feeling like you haven’t studied enough beforehand. Plus, their selection of wines is local and rather lovely. You will especially enjoy it if you have a sweet tooth. Your experience is described as a self-guided tasting. Guests pass through three rooms with tasting areas. The staff will pour a little of each wine in turn into your little plastic glass and leave you to savour it without any scary “So tell me what you can taste” moments. There are about nine tastes to try ranging from crisp whites to sun sweetened port. It all adds up to a couple of glasses so make sure your designated driver (if you have one) only has a couple of the sips they will like most.
If you want to continue the experience, there is a paid tasting area and the sommelier will curate a tasting for you. We opted for the sweet wines as we have very much enjoyed the semi-sweet offering offered already and it did not disappoint.
9 – Lick a Hyppo Ice Lolly
Ice lollies (popsicles) are taken up a notch at Hyppo. This gourmet iced confectionary spot combines fresh fruit, real booze and delicious creamy ingredients to create the most delectable desserts. There is a huge selection which will make choosing rather difficult. Are you a blackberry ginger fan, a tangerine cream gal or a peanut butter pie guy? Well, you are all covered. For grown ups, there is is the over 21’s selection which are like frozen cocktails (yes, the prosecco pear is genuinely bubbly wine). But for something really grown up, the espresso will put some pep in your step.
10 – Hop On (and Hop Off) the Tram
If you are short on time, enjoy a leisurely mode of transport or aren’t able to walk for long periods, the hop on, hop off Old Town Trolley Tours tram service is ideal. It is especially good if you are planning to park your car up at the Old Jail (where parking is much easier) and then hit some of the attractions in the town. As you travel around St Augustine to most of our fun things to do list you will have a live commentary from the driver with lots of interesting town history. Sit near a speaker if you are particularly keen to hear this. As you board, you’ll be given a map and you can plan your day according to the tram’s route or just pick it up as and when you need a rest.
11 – Ease Your Cocoa Cravings at Whetstone Chocolate
The story of Whetstone is an intriguing one. This family run company has done it all from tiny artisan producer to giant warehous4es and back again. The tour begins with a little tasting so the group can relax and enjoy the story of the company. It eases the desperation you feel on the way into a chocolate shop when you know there might be samples. There is a short explanation about how chocolate is made, and then the group is escorted through the factory with exciting machines but sadly, no obvious Oompa Loompas.
In all there are 6 – 9 nibbles which is pretty good. To the European palate this chocolate is going to taste a little unusual as American chocolate has an acidic quality that is added in. If you are going to pick anything up from the shop at the end of the tour (and we recommend that you do) opt for for something with a fun flavour. There are so many options and it is a great excuse to try something new.
In the 1920s, a bridge was built between St Augustine and Anastasia Island. Cars become popular and they needed a way to get their vehicles to the lovely new homes on the island. This blocked the shipping lane and so the bridge was designed with a centre that could be opened up. The drawbridge still goes up almost every half an hour from 07:00 – 18:00 so there is good chance you’ll catch it up at some point. Just don’t book a cab to cross to the island around these times or you’ll have some waiting fees! At the start of the bridge you will find two lions, copies of the Roman Medici lions. These have been the subject of many, many a selfie.
13 – Get Spooky on a Ghost Tour
St Augustine has almost 500 years of history so it’s to be expected there there a few spirits haunting it. The coolest way to learn about these ghouls is with one of the many ghost tours. The original Ghost Tours of St Augustine runs a tour every night. The guide is fun, engaging and has plenty of personal haunting stories alongside the more well known local legends. From Henry Flagler’s third wife to the jilted bride in the graveyard, each story is intriguing and a little scary if you think about them too hard. Whether you believe it or not, it is always cool to hear a well-told tale in the location it is based and to have your spooky senses tickled a little.
14 – Dinner and Drinks at Prohibition Kitchen
Located right at the centre of St George Street, St Augustine’s short pedestrianised road, Prohibition Kitchen is the coolest place in town for dinner, or drinks…or both. Their boozy milkshakes are legendary and their drinks selection features a huge number of rums, bourbons and tequilas. There’s even a “Create Your Own Old Fashioned” section of the menu if you really know what you like. Instead you’ll find some grown up drinks and a great selection of food options. Particularly recommended is their devilled eggs dish. These change regularly so ask what the special is when you visit. Plus, if you time your visit right, there is likely to be live music too.
15 – Pop Into Flagler College
There aren’t too many places in the world that you can freely wander into a university but luckily, the lobby of Flagler College is open to the public.
Henry Flagler, the railway magnate, built this fine Spanish Renaissance Revival building in 1888 as an invite-only hotel called the Ponce de Leon (what else?). IUt was a masterpiece of architecture being one of the first poured concrete buildings of its kind. It paved the way for famous buildings created by the same architects, John Carrére and Thomas Hastings, like the New York Public Library. Edison lit the building with 4000 lightbulbs and the whole thing was steam heated. It was all rather modern. The hotel remained open for 79 years, briefly taken over by the coast guard during WWII but then finishing life as a hotel in 1967. The next year, it became the centrepiece of the newly established liberal arts university, Flagler College.
As you pass the fountain, take a look up the grand solarium. This glass dome was the favourite spot of one of Flagler’s wives who used its giant circle as the perfect spot for her Ouija board sessions. Then, as you enter the lobby, keep your head skywards to admire the magnificent ceiling, bedecked in beautiful murals.
16 – Treat Yourself to Tastings at St Augustine Distillery
St Augustine Distillery has been brewing spirits (liquor) in an old ice plant since 2013. It’s fitting that they chose somewhere that produced commercial ice, as they now produce some whiskey to pour over it.
Visitors come and try, not only the delicious liquor but also the perfect cocktail mixes they have created to do with each one. There are five or six tastings featuring rum, vodka and bourbon. The coolest thig is that after your last tipple, you can request to taste anything on the shop shelves. We rarely buy anything as souvenirs but we did take home a bottle of the passionfruit laden Tiki mix (just add rum and bubbly water). However, the Florida Mule is most people’s favourite and it was a close run thing for us!
17 – Experience a Touch of Exotic at the Villa Zorayda Museum
Local rich guy Franklin Smith built himself the most fabulous mansion. During construction a brand new method of mixing concrete and the local coquina stone was developed, making the large scale house possible in the humid Florida climate. Henry Flagler loved the place so much that he asked to buy it for his wife, but Frankin refused and taught Flagler how to use his techniques. (The Ponce de Leon and Alcazar Hotels were made with this method).
These days, Villa Zorayda is a slice of the exotic which is hinted at by the beautiful Moorish revival exterior. Grab an audioguide on your way in to bring the unusual collection and designs to life. The interior of the house is designed as a Moroccan Riad. Inside is a wild collection of genuine antiquities, commissioned pieces and cool gilded-age innovations. Marvel at the stunning stucco walls and intricate tiling. You may well forget you are in Florida entirely!
18 – Take in the View From St Augustine Lighthouse and Maritime Museum
The St Augustine Lighthouse is located on Anastasia Island and the current tower has been warning ships since 1874. There’s some wonderful views you really earn by climbing the 219 steps to the top of the 50m (165ft) tower. Luckily, there are plenty of landings to stop and catch your breath. Not only that, but each landing has some fun and interesting information boards that are worth stopping to read. For example, you will hear the story of the 15 women of the Junior Service League of St. Augustine that fought to retain and restore the lighthouse.
Surrounding the lighthouse are several museum buildings that discuss general maritime history, the troubles of navigating the local waters and marine archaeology. There are some cool first person accounts of nearby shipwrecks. Plus, you get to see how the lighthouse keeper and his family used to live. It’s all so interesting and you can spend a couple of hours here with a quick drink in the cafe.
19 – Try Some Practically Perfect Pizza
Another St George’s Street hot spot is Pizza Time. This has been ranked as the USA’s second-best pizza by Tripadvisor. In this place the pizza is already prepared, just pick a slice (or three) and they will warm it up. The slices are big, you will need two hands) but priced accordingly (it is not NY £0.99 territory). The ingredients are premium (a whole burrata on your slice for example) and the sauce is clearly handmade and done with love. Now, second best pizza in the USA is a big claim. You would have to eat a lot of pizza to compare it, but I’ll let you be the judge.
20 – Get Your Golden Girls on at The Local
There are plenty of guesthouses in St Augustine. Many have long histories, which is coo…BUT…our votes for the coolest accommodation in St Augustine has to be The Local! If you love 1980s Miami, pastel coral, poops of pink and palm leaf motifs galore, you will adore it here.
This motel has embraced its retro vibes and run with them creating an extremely instaworthy spot with modern touches. The Local is contactless which means guests use their phones to enter their rooms and gain access to the pool and tea and coffee station. It is perfect for Millennials! Of course, free car parking is included but guests can also rent bikes to get around as there is a dedicated station just outside the front door. The Local is located on Anastasia Island, not in the Historic District. So you will have to factor in the 30 minute walk to the main attractions, or the cost of taxis ($9-$11).
Final Thoughts
St Augustine is a fantastic place to take a weekend break. There is something about historical spots in the USA. Sometimes they can have an abundance of twee, or a disturbing presence of familiar chains. However, St Augustine is a thriving town with an abundance of historical, fascinating sights and a flourishing independent business scene. Whether you have one day, or four, you will fill it and have an amazing time.
If you are wondering what a successful day in St Augustine looks like, here it is:
You’ve booked your flight to New York City and you probably have an idea of what you’d like to see, eat and do. To make your trip a little smoother, here are 25 top tips for visiting New York City for the first time (especially if you want to save a little bit of money).
If your time in Los Angeles is short and/or you want to cram in a day full of fun at Universal Studios Hollywood, then you are going to need our top ten tips for Universal Studio Hollywood. Here is everything you need to know to make the most of one day at Universal Studios Hollywood including what to pack, what to see and how to maximise your time.
Venice Beach is a suburb of Los Angeles but it feels like a totally different place. Eclectic shopping, relaxed pedestrian strolling and delicious tastes abound. To learn all about this chilled out spot, and to have rather a fabulous selection of dishes for lunch, we went on a Venice Beach Secret Food Tour.
NB: As we wenr on the Venice Beach Secret Food Tour, I won’t be revealing the names of the places we visited, but I’ll tell you a little bit about them and you can join the tour to discover the locations.
Venice Beach Pier
When we arrived and met our guide, John, we thought our group was going to be huge. A big group of South African guys were also taking the tour but happily, they had their own guide. They were visiting the same spots as us, but going a little slower and indulging in the additional boozy add-on.
For our Venice Beach Secret Food tour, it was just John, and a nice couple from Hawaii.
Venice Beach
Venice Beach was the brainchild of Abbott Kinney. He was a wealthy developer who drained the marshy land by creating canals in this new seaside resort. He also built long streets inspired by the colonnades of Venice, Italy. You can still see a few of these original frontages on Windward Avenue. Grand Canal is a fine stretch of water with some very cool properties.
Venice Kenesis mural (2010) by Rip Cronk, on a building in Venice Beach, Los AngelesTouch of Venice (2012) by Jonas Never mural on a building in Venice Beach, Los Angeles
But, we are here to eat so let’s get on with it…
Munching on Mexican
Los Angeles is famous for its excellent Mexican food. Immigration from the south, and early settlers brought the flavours of Mexico with them and it is wholeheartedly celebrated. In LA, you should forgo Chilis, Taco Bell and Chipotle and instead, hunt out the best local spots.
In this beautifully muralled restaurant, they make their own salsa which is served with tortilla chips produced locally. This is not your average salted, triangular chip, but a proper tortilla crisped to perfection. The salsa is an unusual flavour, with lots of red pepper.
After nibbling on these savoury treats for five minutes, out came the enchiladas. Our enchiladas were cheese, but not as I had known them previously. The filling was exclusively cheese with no meat or vegetables. It was like the best cheese pancake smothered in mildly spicy, slow-cooked tomato sauce and topped with loads more cheese. I have a theory that states melted cheese makes most food at least 30% better, and this certainly proved to be the case!
John told us the story of Jody, a sausage connoisseur who hit the big time when his sausages were sold at LA Dodger’s baseball games. He creates exciting, interesting and unique links packed full of flavour and we got to try some of his chicken sausage. This guy popularised the chicken sausage in LA (who knew that was a thing?!). It was stuffed with herbs and paired with sweet, American mustard, was delicious.
The samples were cut into pieces which meant some of mine was a little burnt, which was a shame. I prefer a whole sausage so that it’s still packed with juice, but with chicken sausage being poultry and naturally dryer, I don’t know if it would have been moister that way anyway.
Picking at Poke
I honestly have no idea where the poke came from, but we did pass a few places offering this Hawaiian dish. LA was one of the first places to embrace poke in mainland USA, before it spread across the country. Fish is combined in a bowl with a mixture of other ingredients. Originally it was a fisherman’s offcuts and pre-marinated, but now it is more commonly combined in a variation picked out by the diner. In the version we tried, we had sushi rice and sesame, as well as some pesky onions. I really like poke so I couldn’t fault it, other than the small size.
Tucking into Tacos
When I think of LA cuisine, the first thing springs to mind is taco trucks (well, tacos and In-N-Out Burger). People drive all over the city to reach their favourite taco truck. and when the best ones find a permanent home, fans can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they can always satisfy their cravings.
The tacos we got to try have a pretty cool USP. The soft tacos are dipped in the meaty marinade sauce, giving them a distinctive red colour. They are little flavour bombs and this extra dip only boosts their umami appeal.
On the table was a red chilli sauce. I gingerly tried some on the end of my tongue, which was seriously unfortunate. I subsequently learned that the main spice kick was concentrated at this spot for everyone, so I freaked myself out thinking it was the hottest of hot sauces. Turns out that when thrown in with the taco, the whole thing was warming but not horrifically overpowering as I first thought.
Savouring Ceviche
Venice Beach is wonderfully eclectic, which we discovered at our next stop. We were presented with a Peruvian dish, a huge bowl of white fish ceviche accompanied by lupine beans, sweet potato and salad.
For those who don’t know, I HATE onion and so I have long avoided ceviche. Even during our Peruvian honeymoon, I didn’t feel brave enough to try it as onion is one of the principal ingredients. However, at this place, it was served in a pleasingly segregated fashion. I could enjoy the fish, the beans and sweet potato without going anywhere near those nasty alliums. It was fresh and healthy, as well as fiery with tigers milk (a punchy lime, fish sauce and chilli concoction that “cooks” the fish).
The dish was too big to finish after all the other samples we had eaten but I will absolutely be returning if I am ever back in Venice Beach!
Devouring Doughnuts
Fresh, warm doughnuts, straight from a clever automated machine conjures up such happy childhood memories for me. Brighton Pier has a couple of shops who sell doughnuts just like this and clutching them to me whilst braving cold and/or drizzly summer days was a rare and special treat. I must admit, trying this version in 24°C heat was a little odd but they were incredibly tasty and more-ish.
At home, the doughnuts are coated in white sugar, a very sweet treat, but in Venice Beach they were rolled in brown sugar and cinnamon, a warming and rich flavour that didn’t leave the sweetness grimace after three eaten in quick succession.
Sadly, at this point we had to dash off to LAX for our flight home. Mr Fluskey kept his doughnuts for the airport and when he pulled them out, a delightful waft of cinnamon sugar aroma made me hungry all over again.
Information
If you are thinking of joining Secret Food Tours, here is some information you might like to know:
Secret Food Tours runs tours in over 50 cities worldwide.
Every tour has a surprise dish so there is always something extra to look forward to.
Tours are packed with lots of history and information about the locations visited as well as the chance to try lots of lovely food.
Final Thoughts on our Venice Beach Secret Food Tour
Originally, we booked for an LA downtown tour, but it had to be rearranged which was a blessing in disguise. Venice Beach is friendly, relaxed and the most like a holiday spot I have experienced in the States. The beach was lovely and soft, the muscles nice and hard, and the food fun and flavourful. John was a great guide who was super cheery and clearly passionate about this area. I can see why!
For years I have wanted to visit a fright night at a theme park. Scary fun in a nice, safe environment…awesome! The king of the after-hours scares is undoubtedly Universal Studios and so for Halloween 2019, we spent all day (and night) at Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights.
New Orleans is a culinary wonder. Influences have poured in from France, the Caribbean, the British and more recently, the Vietnamese. It has led to a city that is rightly known for its unique flavours. Creole meets Cajun, meets American, meets European. It’s quite the melting pot. So what better way to get under the skin of New Orleans, than with a French Quarter Food Tour with Sidewalk Food Tours!? Especially if you only have 24 hours in New Orleans! Join us as we discover these 8 foods you must try in New Orleans.
New Orleans is famous, or is that infamous, being a bit different. The only way to experience such a kooky city is to find accommodation that is equally cool. That is why we chose The Quisby. Part-hostel, part-boutique hotel and part-y spot. Here is our full review of The Quisby.
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