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!

It's been a little over a month since I drove across the country and moved to Florida for a new job. You will be seeing me post a lot about the most magical place on earth, as I have a new pass that allows me entrance anytime I want... and I will admit I've been going just to eat some of the wonderful gluten-free food sometimes!

Today I visited the Magic Kingdom, despite the forecast calling for a rainy day. Yes, it rained. It's Florida in the middle of summer - it happens. EVERYDAY.

But I know there are many families who save up - sometimes for years! - to go to Walt Disney World and no one wants the weather to spoil their plans. So I'm here to help reassure you that there are a lot of fun things you can do here on a rainy day!

It's a Small World
Yes, the song plays the entire ride... however I was more mesmerized by the colorful representations of countries from around the world that I tuned it out after a few continents! It was my first time getting to take in this iconic Disney experience! The mellow boat ride takes you across the globe and gives you some time to dry off. Be sure to get a FastPass+ set up for this ride to avoid the long wait line (some of it is under cover but not the very end... and it can get to be a long wait!) The FastPass+ line will get you indoors for shelter from the rain quicker.

The Liberty Belle
All aboard for a relaxing ride along the riverway, passing the route of the Festival of Fantasy parade, Big Thunder Mountain's rollercoaster ride, as well as some other hidden gems along the way - things you wouldn't otherwise see walking through the park. There's plenty of shelter on this lovely old steamboat - mostly standing room, but there are several areas where you can sit down as well. The only parts that aren't really covered are the back of the top deck and the front of the bottom deck.

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Take a winding ride with Pooh and pals on a blustery day - there will be a lot of twists and turns, bumps and twirls, just so you are warned! (I was expecting a calm ride and it definitely was not relaxing!) There is a refreshing blast of air here and there on the ride to dry you off too!

Haunted Mansion
I'll admit that going on this ride was a first for me because I typically don't like anything creepy, scary, or dark. But I am slowly conquering some fears that had given me anxiety over the years - including large crowds and traveling on my own - which I've also been able to calm my nerves with these trips to Walt Disney World so far. I wandered the dark hallways of the mansion with the group of mortals in the FastPass+ line (also highly recommended to avoid the wait, even though the majority of this standby line waits under awnings) and was almost ready to grab the arm of a nearby dad when they put you in a room and all the doors close and the lights go out... but I restrained myself... and lived to tell about the experience at the end of the ride! Yes it's dark and creepy so I am not sure I would take small children on it (though there were plenty on my ride and no one screamed!) but that's just my personal opinion - you can base it on your child's personality and perceptions! Again, this is a longer ride so you can abandon the rainfall and enjoy the dry indoors on a stormy day!

Along with the activities above, there are plenty of other rides, character meet & greets, shops, and restaurants that will allow you to duck inside and stay out of the elements. Enjoy your Disney vacation - rain or shine - and stay dry! Have a magical day!