If we’ve been friends for longer than three minutes, I’ve probably tried to get you to visit Longboat Key with me.
Located a hair south of Anna Maria Island — and 1.5 hours from Tampa — the barrier island feels so much calmer than its northern neighbor but still boasts plenty of top-notch restaurants + beaches.
Head out early, and grab brunch and a frosé when you get there at Whitney’s — an absolutely adorable spot owned by the Chillura family (of Chill Bros. fame) — and spend the next few hours clomping down paths + taking pics of seabirds at Quick Point Nature Preserve or cooling off at one of the public beaches.
Cap off the day trip with dinner at my favorite place to eat on island: Mar Vista. Opt for a table under the canopy of century-old Buttonwood trees, look out at the water, and sink your fork into jalapeno-glazed grouper or grilled swordfish risotto.
Asked
Asked
How often do you take day trips?
A. All the time B. A few times a year C. Rarely D. They’re not my style
Happy Birthday Tampa! Drunk (Tampa) History | 5 p.m. | Shuffle, Tampa | Free entry | Listen to a local historian regale you with completely true tales of Tampa Town from the venue’s backyard — tickets to sit inside are sold out.
Circuit Training with Body Fit Tampa | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Sculpt your body and elevate your mind with this class blending weight lifting and circuit training — BYO-mat and water bottle.
Epic Chef: Week One | 6 p.m. | Elevage and the Lobby Bar at the Epicurean Hotel | $400 | It’s like “Chopped” but with the chefs behind TBAY’s Rooster & the Till and Wild Child vying for the crown — the price includes two tickets.
Preserving Tampa’s Black History: Boots on the Ground Campaign | 6-7 p.m. | Tampa Bay History Center | Free with registration | Celebrate Tampa’s birthday and discover how your personal artifacts can help preserve the stories of Tampa’s Black heritage.
Wednesday, July 16
Ocean Alley | 7 p.m. | Jannus Live | $76 | Pack the outdoor venue to watch the Australian alternative psychedelic rock band from the Northern Beaches on their “North America 2025 Tour.”
Thursday, July 17
Sunrise Sale 2025 | 6:43 a.m. | Downtown St. Pete | Free entry | Keep the the pajamas on — really, you get a discount if you do — and shop the Burg’s downtown boutiques, snack on breakfast bites, and get those early morning steps in.
DigiMarCon Tampa Bay 2025: Digital Marketing Conference | Thursday, July 17-Friday, July 18 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay | $330 | Join fellow industry pros to learn more about digital marketing best practices, latest trends, practical solutions, strategy, and innovations.
$400 million. That’s how much Brightline is trying to raise to finance its expansion into the Big Guava. The high speed train operator hopes to score tax-exempt bonds for the project. If approved, the commuter service would one day extend from Orlando. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Weather
The recent devastating floods in the Texas Hill Country have forced new conversations about storm alerts. But Tampa Bay emergency management leaders say they’re confident in our local alert systems. Here’s an in depth look at the current situation. (Tampa Bay Times)
Health
Add it to the record books. Surgeons at Tampa General Hospital recently pulled off the first-ever bloodless heart and liver transplant. The nine-hour surgery allowed a 67-year-old man to get the organs he needed without a blood transfusion. (Tampa Bay Times)
Mansion Monday
Live in the heart of it all, while looking out at it all. A 3,851-sqft unit at Penthouse Collection at Art House St Pete unit just hit the market. The 3-bed, 4.5 bath space boasts a massive wrap-around terrace, 11-ft ceilings, and access to the bevy of building amenities. Take a tour.
Try This
We love a BOGO around here. This summer, Suncoast Credit Union members get buy one get one tickets to both ZooTampa and the Museum of Science and Industry. The deal runs through September. Check out more deets. (That’s So Tampa)
Sports
Is Junior Caminero ready for the big stage? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
The Don CeSar offers scenic terraces with a view of the coast — and a backdrop of the iconic pink hotel. | Photo by TBAYtoday
Whether you’re getting a jump start on your holiday party planning or preparing for an upcoming wedding reception or family reunion, check out this list of rentable venues in Tampa Bay.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
I obviously have a lot more to say on LBK — you can always drop me a line. But here’s one more quick suggestion.
The drive back from LBK can stretch on a bit depending on how clogged the drive out of Anna Maria Island gets. I recommend chopping up the drive with a stop at Paleteria Y Neveria La Mexicana. The Bradenton spot serves wonderful Mexican-style ice cream pops.
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