Chris Hounchell REALTOR

Welcome Home!

Award-winning Florida real estate Broker PROUDLY SELLING IN PINELLAS, HILLSBOROUGH, PASCO, MANATEE & SARASOTA COUNTIES since 2004.

4 Parks and Preserves in Tampa Bay You Need to Visit

By

In addition to all of the attractions that the cities of the Tampa Bay region offer, the area is also home to numerous national and state parks and preserves. With pleasant weather almost year round, any time is a good time to visit the parks and preserves in Tampa Bay. Here are four that we think you should check out sooner rather than later.

DeSoto National Memorial

The National Park system is turning 100 years old this year and national parks are hosting events all year to mark the occasion. This memorial is located in Bradenton and commemorates the quest to settle Florida by Spanish Conquistador Hernando de Soto and the indigenous people who defended their homeland. The park features reenactments, walking tours, and kayaking excursions. | Website | Bradenton, FL

Hillsborough River State Park

This park became one of Florida’s first state parks when it opened in 1938. The park is home to a replica of an original Second Seminole War military fort called Fort Foster. The park features structures that are quintessential of the Civilian Conservation Corps who built many parks and natural preserves during the Great Depression. In addition to enjoying the history of the park, visitors can camp, hike, swim, bike, canoe, and kayak in the park. | Website | Thonotosassa, FL

4 Parks and Preserves in Tampa Bay You Need to Visit

via Flickr user Diane Bourgault

Little Manatee River State Park

The park is home to several unique ecosystems and can be enjoyed by hiking, canoeing, horseback riding, and camping. It highlights the Little Manatee River that is one of the few rivers in Florida that has not be altered by dredging or canals. The park boasts six and a half miles of hiking trails and fifteen miles of equestrian trails. | Website | Wimauma, FL

Egmont Key State Park

This state park is mainly a wildlife preserve and is only accessible by boat as it is an island located in the mouth of the Tampa Bay, southwest of the DeSoto National Memorial. In addition to the natural attractions, the park also highlights the history of the Seminole Indian tribe and activity of the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and Spanish – American War. The lighthouse on the island has stood since 1858. Visitors are reminded that the island is remote and they should bring their own supplies such as water, food, and sunscreen. | Website | St. Petersburg, FL

Editor’s note: This post was originally published April 2016. It has since been updated with the most recent information and edited for clarity & cohesiveness. 

Old Northeast Neighborhood in St. Pete

By Leave a Comment

Old Northeast sign for neighborhood in St. Petersburg, FL

Old Northeast neighborhood in the center of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida

If a centrally located, historically significant and architecturally diverse neighborhood of active, involved residents is what you’re looking for smack dab in the center of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, you need to look no further than Old Northeast. The Old NE, as some call it, has heart, soul, a rich tradition and a location that has never and never will be duplicated.

Bounded on the north by 30th Avenue North, on the west by 4th Street North, on the south by 5th Avenue North/Northeast and on the entire east side by North Shore Park and the entrance to Tampa Bay, Old NE is simply one of the most desirable neighborhoods in the greater Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

Currently home to approximately nine thousand residents, Old NE is the result of visionary developer C. Perry Snell, for whom nearby Snell Isle is named. Old NE has the distinction of being the first established neighborhood in the City of St. Petersburg.

History of Old Northeast

Home construction began in 1911 and hit “build-out” by the late 50’s. Building slowed dramatically in the late 1920’s and 1930’s due to the Great Depression, and the area continued to experience tough times until the 80’s when buyers were once again lured by its central downtown location and rich architectural heritage. Today, Old NE is thriving and real estate values are on the rise.

Old Northeast Today

The City of St. Petersburg named the Grenada Terrace subdivision a Local Historic District in 1988 to help preserve it’s unique architecture. Old Northeast was named to the National Register of Historic Places on February 20, 2003. Preservation efforts in the 1990’s led to the restoration and reopening of the Vinoy Hotel and other local points of interests led to the designation.

Some call Old NE “influential,” due to the who’s who of once and current residents. Others simply call it “charming,” due to its brick streets, lush, mature vegetation and an eclectic mixture of homes ranging from Mediterranean Revival to bungalow-style. You’ll find nothing quite like Old NE anywhere else in the entire Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

 

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in September 2011. It has since been updated and edited for clarity and cohesiveness.

Breweries in Tampa Bay

By

In addition to the amazing beaches, entertainment, history, and culture, the Tampa Bay region is also home to some world class beer. In fact, Tampa and the surrounding area was named the “Best Beer City” by SeriousEats.com in 2016. There are over eighty breweries in the region, each with their own unique and locally crafted brews. Best of all many of these breweries are pet-friendly, kid-friendly, offer foods and tours. We’ve created a quick guide that will help you decide which brewery to stop by and enjoy a cold one.

Kid-Friendly Breweries

Looking to make it a family affair? Try one of these breweries that welcome kids.

3 Daughters Brewing | 222 22nd Street South, St. Petersburg

7venth Sun Brewery | 1012 Broadway, Dunedin

Bells Tap and Tavern | 8552 Gunn Highway, Odessa

Coppertail Brewing Company | 2601 E 2nd Avenue, Ybor City

Motorworks Brewing | 1014 9th Street W, Bradenton

Southern Brewing & Winemaking | 4500 N Nebraska Avenue, Tampa

Pet-Friendly Breweries

If your best friend is of the four legged variety, these breweries encourage you to bring him or her along.

Cage Brewing | 2001 1st Avenue South, St. Petersburg

Crooked Thumb Brewery | 555 10th Avenue S, Safety Harbor

Cycle Brewery | 534 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg

Dunedin Brewery | 937 Doughlas Avenue, Dunedin

In the Loop Brewing | 3338 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes

Six Ten Brewing | 7052 Benjamin Road, Tampa

Tampa Bay Brewing Company | 13933 Monroes Business Park, Westchase

Breweries in Tampa Bay

Tour a Brewery

Want to learn how the beer is made? These breweries will take you behind the scenes.

Big Top Brewing Company | 6111 B Porter Way, Sarasota

Brasserie Saint Somewhere Brewing Company | 312 E Tarpon Avenue, Tarpon Springs

Brew Bus Brewing | 4101 N Florida Avenue, Seminole Heights

Cigar City Brewing | 3924 W Spruce Street, Tampa

Mastry’s Brewing Company | 7701 Blind Pass Road, St. Petersburg

Pair O’ Dice Brewing | 4400 118th Avenue N, Clearwater

Sarasota Brewing Company | 6607 Gateway Avenue, Sarasota

Two Henrys Brewing Company | 5210 W Thonotosassa Road, Plant City

Grab a Beer and Bite

There’s nothing better than a good beer paired with some good food.

3 Keys Brewing & Eatery | 2505 Manatee Avenue E, Bradenton

Brew Hub | 3900 Frontage Road S, Lakeland

Brewer’s Tasting Room | 11270 4th Street N, St Petersburg

Carrollwood Brewing Company | 10019 N Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa

Darwin Brewing Company | 803 W 17th Avenue, Bradenton

LagerHaus Brewery and Grill | 3438 East Lake Road South, Palm Harbor

Mr. Dunderbak’s Beirgarten and Brewery | 14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa

R Bar | 245 108th Avenue, Treasure Island

What’s your favorite local brewery?

6 Campgrounds in Tampa Bay

By

Summer is here, folks, and with it all the joys that season has to offer. Many families plan to take at least one small vacation during the next three months. Florida gets a lot of hype about it’s beaches and amusement parks but there’s a simple and fun family vacation hiding out here. Campgrounds! Camping is the quintessential summer activity. Whether you want to go hardcore camping with nothing but your tent, a fire, and the stars or something more along the lines of “glamping”, there are campgrounds in Tampa Bay for you.

J.B. Starkey Wilderness Park Campground. 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd. New Port Richey, FL (727) 834-3247 | This is a tent-only campground part of a 18,000 acre water-management preserve. There are hiking and bike trails connected to the Suncoast Trail. Rates are $10 per night. Reservations are tricking as you need to make them in person but it allows local residents a better opportunity to enjoy the grounds.

E.G. Simmons Park. 2401 19th Ave NW Ruskin, FL (813) 671-7655 | The campground is located directly on Tampa Bay. Each of the 88 campsites is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and hookups. You can launch small boats from the canal that backs up to each site or access the public beach and boat launch. There is also fishing piers and shore fishing area. Rates are $24 per night with a discounted rate of $18 per night for senior citizens. No reservations are accepted, it’s first come, first serve and cash only.

Edward Medard Park. 6140 Turkey Creek Rd. Plant City, FL (813) 757-3802 | A smaller campground, there are only 44 campsites on this 1,284 acre park. Each site features hookups, picnic tables, and grills. The park has fishing, a boat launch, picnic areas, horse trails, a boardwalk connected to a small island with an observation tower. Rates are $24 per night with a discounted rate of $18 per night for senior citizens. No reservations are accepted and cash only.

6 Campgrounds in Tampa Bay

Alafia River State Park. County Road 39 S., Lithia, FL | Off-roader bicyclists will want to visit this park. It boasts 17 miles of bike trails varying in elevations. Hikers and equestrians will enjoy the 20 miles of trails available to them as well. The park features lakes and access to the river for kayaking and canoeing. Thirty campsites are available with hookups, picnic tables, and fire rings. Rates are $22 per night. Reservations are accepted by phone or online through ReserveAmerica.com

Myakka River State Park. 13208 State Road 72 Sarasota, FL 34241. (800) 326-3521 | This is one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks. It features not one but two campgrounds, each with 76 campsites equipped with fire rings, hookups, and picnic tables. There are paved park roads and backwoods dirt roads for biking. Canoes and kayaks can be launched into a large lake or into the Myakka River. Reservations are accepted by phone or online through ReserveAmerica.com.

MacDill FamCamp. 10303 Marina Bay Dr. MacDill AFB, FL. (813) 840-6919/6920 | Located on MacDill AFB, this campground is open to both tents and RVs/Campers. The campground is open year round with 366 full service sites equipped with hookups, waste disposal, cable TV, and phone serve. There are also 14 partial hookup sites and 60 dry-camp sites. Visitors are able to enjoy the base beach, vollyball courts, picnic areas, horseshoe pits, pet friendly areas, and boat launch into the Tampa Bay. Reservations are required and rates vary. Use of the facilities is limited to active duty military members, retireed military members, Reserves members, National Guard members, 100% DAV military members, and DoD civilians.

 

Top 5 Golf Courses in Tampa Bay

By

With pleasant weather year round and some spectacular views, it’s no wonder Tampa Bay is home to some amazing golf courses.  We’ve compiled a list, in no particular order, of the top five golf courses in Tampa Bay.  Whether you’re looking to for a day on the links or a weekend getaway filled with golf and other activities, the area has something for everyone.

Top 5 Golf Courses in Tampa Bay

  1. Copperhead at Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club, Palm Harbor.  This semi-private course is host to the PGA’s Valspar Tour Championship.  The 18 hole course has a 71 par.  In addition to the golf, it also offers dining, accommodations, a driving range, and a site to host events.  It was also included in Golf Magazine‘s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play.”  Website | (727) 942-2000
  2. TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz.  Not only does TPC Tampa Bay offer 18 holes with a 71 par, it also boasts a world-class practice facility.  The course is a moderate length of 6,898 yards and open to the public.  Rates vary depending on the season. Website | (813) 949-0090
  3. Pine Barrens at World Woods, Brooksville.  Pine Barrens is styled after the famed Pine Valley in New Jersey with a mix of native vegetation and pine trees.  Rank #63 in the world by Golf Digest the course is 6,458 yards with a 71 par and both greens and fairways are covered in Bermuda grass.  The course is open to the public.  Website | (352) 796-5500
  4. Club Renaissance, Sun City Center. This course has two distinctive nines, the front nine offers an open feel with wide fairways and greens; the back nine, however, requires more precision as it was developed through conserved lands and space is at a premium.  The course is semi-private, a moderate length of 6,701 yards with a par 72.  Website | (813) 633-1015
  5. Saddlebrook Resorts, Wesley Chapel.  Saddlebrook offers two courses, the Saddlebrook and the Palmer, the latter designed by Arnold Palmer.  The courses are 6,564 and 6,469 yards respectively appealing to a range of golfers.  The is an array of wildlife to be found on the courses.   In addition to the golf, the resort offers 800 suites ranging from 1 to 3 bedrooms, a spa, 45 tennis courts, and an in-resort village.  Website | (813) 973-1111