There are a lot of quirky roadside stops on I-4 between Orlando and Tampa. When I take visitors along this route, especially with little ones, I play a little "I Spy" with some distinct landmarks to pass the time. Play along!

Exit 44: Fantasy of Flight
It's not everyday you get to see an airplane that looks like it's about to take off from the shoulder of the highway as you drive by. Be on the lookout for a few oil pumps nearby too!

Exit 41: Florida Polytechnic University
This futuristic structure, seemingly in the middle of nowhere, is actually quite familiar to me and holds a little piece of "home" in my heart.

This clean white building for Florida Polytechnic University is unmistakably a Calatrava masterpiece, by the talented architect and engineer, Santiago Calatrava.

I know this because another structure from my last home of Milwaukee WI - the Milwaukee Art Museum (MAM) - is also one of his creations. (New Yorkers might recognize his work from the new World Trade Center transit hub.) Each building has a roof that opens and changes shapes. The MAM has two "wings" that open and close throughout the day, like a bird greeting the morning sun. Florida Polytech's roof raises different cantilevers based on the intensity and position of the sun.

Exit 17: Dinosaur World
Stop and play on some life-sized plastic dinosaurs! Some friends of mine have an inside joke that they tag themselves here when they are coming home from a long trip out-of-town. Watch out for the TRex!

RIP Airstream Ranch, the RV Stonehenge of Florida
When I first moved to Florida, the trip to Orlando was always dotted with 7 (and a half) shining silver Airstreams planted in the ground off Exit 14 - "RV-henge" or "Airstream Cemetery" I fondly nicknamed it.

I later found out that it had a real name and that it was originally built in honor of the 75th anniversary of Airstream trailers. Unfortunately, I found this out when it was announced that the infamous landmark was going to be removed!

Thankfully, about 2 months before, I had caught this immaculate glimpse of the "Airstream Ranch" on one of my trips home to Tampa. I will not tell you how fast I was going when I rolled down my window, pointed my phone camera without looking to the side, avoiding ANY oncoming traffic in the frame, and this perfect horizon shot - a single ray of sunshine lighting the monument, centered in the photo - was captured! It was just meant to be.

The Tampa/St Petersburg metro area is a great place to visit on the Gulf Coast in central Florida. I have lived here for several years now and enjoy taking visitors to a lot of fun places in the area - I've always loved being a tourist in my own city!

Fine Dining

• Bern's Steakhouse - Tampa
• Oystercatchers at Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay

Casual Dining

• Crabby Bill's - Indian Rocks Beach
• Hott Mess Cafe & Food Truck
• Nico's Arepas Grill & Food Truck
• O'Maddy's Bar & Grille - Gulfport
• The Refinery

Tacos, Tacos, and MORE TACOS!

• California Tacos
• Chronic Tacos
• Don Julio's Mexican
• ​Fuzzy's Tacos
• Loli's Mexican Cravings
• Rocco's Tacos
• Taco Bus - check out the original Bus in Tampa!
• Tijuana Flats

Sweet Treats

• ​Haze Ice Cream including allergy friendly options, like dairy free/sugar free/gluten free ice cream and gluten free cones!
• Strachan's Ice Cream
• Sweet Divas Chocolates

Have more places you love to visit in the area? Comment below and be added to the list!

Austin greeted us with a warm, sunny, 70-degree January weekend - quite different from the cold and snow that we left at home in Milwaukee. It's amazing what some sunshine can do to transform a person's mood and soul!

FULL DISCLOSURE: Admittedly, I have always had a "thing" for Capitol buildings. I grew up in Madison WI, which boasts a beautiful replica of the nation's Capitol in DC. (Fun fact: It is ALMOST as large, with each wing just 1" shorter than the original!) As an impressionable 3rd grader, touring that grandiose building hits you straight in the heart, as you gaze up at the dome in awe. My love only grew when I came back to Madison for college a decade later, where the campus is nestled in the shadow of the Capitol Square. I even took a shortcut through the gorgeous building every day when my senior internship and apartment were on direct opposite corners of the Square.

Texas is one of the more impressive Capitol buildings I have visited - I would rank it in my Top 5 (I've seen a lot!) Wandering the grounds, you will find gorgeous sculptures, including a miniature Statue of Liberty, a below-ground plaza, as well as dedications to the Pioneer Woman and Pearl Harbor survivors.

Inside, Texas dresses to impress. From doorknobs to hinges, from the mosaic tile floors to the star in the top of the dome, there are so many great details to admire as you wander the halls. 

Austin offers a laid-back buzz of energy for locals and tourists alike. On the glorious Sunday afternoon we spent in town, everyone and their dogs hit the park - Zilker Park, to be exact. Trails meander between the large open green space and the Colorado River, welcoming walkers, runners, dogs, bikes, and more. Kayaks float alongside ducks and turtles, while heron and double-crested cormorants watch from the shores. The Zilker Zephyr, a miniature green train transports excited families around the park's perimeter, slowing down as it goes under the Barton Springs bridge. Kids of all ages played games, while some couples relaxed on blankets with their books. Dogs ran around and happily played fetch. All with a fantastic view of the downtown Austin skyline. 

Another spot for a little workout and great views is Covert Park at Mount Bonnell. Take advantage of the natural stairs from the lower entrance and climb up to the summit. From the edge of the path, there are many open spots to look out over the Colorado River and the expensive homes with manicured lawns along its banks below. Just stay behind the barriers - it's a long way down!

 There's a platform at the top where you can see the skyline of downtown Austin to the left and the river to the right. Take the stairs down from this end of the trail to the parking area below, a quicker route than the way up. 

FREE. That is always a great way to get someone's attention! 

I love that the Milwaukee metro area boasts some great farmer's markets in the summer... but when they all combine and move inside for the winter months, it's like a farmer's market on steroids! (Though the Dane County Farmer's Market during the summer around the Capitol Square in Madison WI still has the #1 spot in my heart!) 

EVERYONE can enjoy FREE parking and FREE admission to the Mitchell Park Domes from 9am-1pm on Saturday mornings (November to mid-April, excluding holidays) to attend the Milwaukee County Winter Farmer's Market, which is spread out through the main corridors and inside one of the domes! 

This is a great time for families - and anyone else - to get out of the house, shake off some cabin fever, and take a lovely stroll through the gardens without having to be bundled up in bulky winter gear. 

And while you're there, pick out some fresh produce, honey, soups, baked goods, cheeses, meats, elk antlers for your dogs... and more!