Things to Do on Florida’s Gulf Shore
Remote and bleisure workers who spend time in cities along Florida’s southwest shore—which hugs the Gulf of Mexico—are rewarded with laid-back vibes, breathtaking beach scenes and exciting cultural experiences. The region includes Tampa, loved for its museums; Naples, known for its calm waters and swanky shopping and dining; and Sarasota, a white sand paradise also known for its cultural attractions.
Get your blood pumping between long Zoom meetings at the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile pathway that runs along the Hillsborough River. The route is padded with shops, restaurants, and kid-pleasing attractions such as the Tampa Bay History Center and the Florida Aquarium—great for visiting on the weekend. Grab a seafood lunch or snack on the patio at Stones Throw at Armature Works, a waterfront food hall and market. The Riverwalk is also home to a lively nightlife scene, making it an excellent place to grab a brew, glass of wine or cocktail to reward yourself after a long day.
Tampa Riverwalk - Kennedy Boulevard - University of Tampa
Tampa Riverwalk at night, with the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center in the distance, with lights and reflections on the Hillsborough river.
Tampa Riverwalk - Kennedy Boulevard - University of Tampa
Tampa is the home turf of the Super Bowl–winning Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who play at Raymond James stadium in front of a roaring crowd of fans clad in red during the NFL season (early September–early January). Sports fans can get in on the action by purchasing tickets to games, which are available starting in mid-May, when the schedule is released. The Buccaneers are set to square off with the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, and other exciting teams at home in 2022.
In St. Petersburg, use your spare time to connect with your inner beach bum. Bond with your partner over daiquiris and margaritas at an open-air beach bar on the sand at St. Pete Beach, also ideal for swimming and sunbathing. Or go for a walk or run along the water at Pass-A-Grille Beach, a charming, historic community without a high rise in sight.
The new St. Pete Pier in Saint Petersburg, Florida, during its grand opening weekend in July 2020, closeup of building with restaurants at the end.
The new St. Pete Pier in Saint Petersburg, Florida, during its grand opening weekend in July 2020, closeup of building with restaurants at the end.
The aquamarine waters and white sands of Sarasota’s nationally recognized beaches beckon remote workers and their families. There, you can spend your offline hours swimming, sunning and building sandcastles at Siesta Key, Lido Key and Longboat Key—which are often listed as some of the best beaches in the United States by websites like TripAdvisor.
If arts and culture are your forte, the Ringling Museum of Art offers discounted admission from 5–8 p.m. via its Art after 5 program for $15 (usually $25). That gives you three hours to admire the collections, which include 28,000 works of art from the ancient periods to the 21st century. The museum was founded by circus giant and art enthusiast John Ringling, one of five operators of what was known as “The Greatest Show on Earth.”
Hotels in Tampa/St Petersburg and Sarasota
Take a mid-day siesta in relaxed Fort Myers to shop for dinner at the Lakes Park Farmers Market (Wednesdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., October–April) or the River District Farmers Market in Centennial Park (Thursdays, 9 a.m.–1 p.m., year-round). At these bazaars, vendors sell their best local produce, fresh seafood, meats, coffee, sweet treats, baked goodies and other tasty must-haves.
Every March, 15 MLB teams from across the country convene in Florida for Spring Training via the Grapefruit League. While the league is having a delayed start this year, tickets for games hosted at cities across the Sunshine State—including Fort Myers, Sarasota, and Tampa—after March 12 are still available for sale. View a full list of teams and stadiums, along with their schedules, and check for the most current updates on the league’s website.
After you’ve accomplished your #workgoals for the day in Naples, wade into the blue waters at Seagate Beach or Barefoot Beach Preserve County Park. Families enjoy playing volleyball at Lowdermilk Park, while the sunsets from Naples Pier (also a popular dolphin-spotting locale with beach access) are hard to beat.
