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Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa
25 Belleview Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33757
Built in 1897 by railroad magnate and West Central Florida pioneer Henry Plant, the 292-room Belleview Biltmore Resort & Spa holds an honored position on the National Register of Historic Places. Situated on a high coastal bluff near the Gulf of Mexico, the resort is reputed to be the largest continuously occupied wooden structure in the world. The Biltmore is also the oldest major resort in Florida. History tours are offered daily.
727-442-6171
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Don CeSar Beach Resort & Spa
400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
A longtime point of reference on maritime navigation charts, this "pink palace" features Mediterranean and Moorish architecture and includes numerous balconies and terraces. Original owner Thomas Rowe named the 340-room property after a character in the opera Maritana. The "Don" was a favorite of high society including F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife, Zelda, attorney Clarence Darrow, baseball great Lou Gehrig and even gangster Al Capone. Originally opened in 1928, the property was appropriated by the Military during World War II and eventually abandoned. It was restored to its original glory and reopened in 1973. A member of the Historic Hotels of North America and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Don CeSar has also been named a historical monument by the National Archives. History tours are available by appointment. 727-363-1881 www.doncesar.com
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Philippe Park
2525 Philippe Parkway, Safety Harbor, FL 34695. (N. of Safety Harbor off Hwy. 590)
Philippe Park is a historical site that overlooks Old Tampa Bay. The park is named for Odet Philippe, who claimed to be a surgeon for Napoleon. Philippe settled there in the 1830s and introduced the New World,s first successful grapefruit trees. Before Philippe, the area was a significant Native American settlement. Listed as a National Historic Landmark, a sizable ancient ceremonial mound exists today. The park also features an excellent picnic area, playground and nature trail.
727-669-1947
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St. Nicholas Boat Line
693 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, Fl 34689
This 30-minute boat cruise passes through the historic sponge docks and includes a narration on the history of sponge diving, the different types of sponges and a sponge-diving demonstration. Rates are $5 for adults, $2 for children 6-12 and free for kids under six. Specialty cruises are also offered. 727-942-6425
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Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
Built by Pennsylvania oilman Aymer Vinoy Laughner in 1925, the $3.5 million Vinoy Park Hotel was the largest construction project in Florida's history. In its heyday, the Mediterranean Revival-style hotel was frequented by Calvin Coolidge, Babe Ruth, Herbert Hoover and numerous celebrities and entertainers. In the early 1940s the property was converted to a military facility, reopening as a hotel in 1945 and continuing operations until it fell into a state of disrepair and was closed in 1974. The Vinoy re-opened in 1992 after a $93 million restoration and expansion that added a guest tower and complete recreational facilities, including an 18-hole golf course designed by Ron Garl. The property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a member of the Historic Hotels of America. History tours are offered daily. 727-894-1000 www.renaissancehotels.com/TPASR
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The Pier The landmark Pier in the heart of St. Petersburg is a unique piece of Florida architecture that offers visitors a chance to experience the waterfront along Tampa Bay. Located at the end of a mile-long approach, this five story inverted pyramid features shops, restaurants, its own aquarium, live music and even boat docks. The top floor of The Pier combines both the tropical dining of Cha Cha Coconuts with a huge observation deck, giving the visitor a truly unique observation point on Tampa Bay. The Pier features plenty of parking, complete with trolley service linking the Pier to the rest of downtown. No admission fee charged except for the aquarium which has a donation of $2.00, however, on Sundays there is no admission charge.
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