Here is another suggestion for a vacation day activity or nice family outing on a Saturday. Head to Ellenton, Florida where you can do a bit of shopping, take a break to drive down the road for a one hour tour of a historical mansion, go back for more shopping, and then head to a terrific seafood restaurant.
If you are in the Tampa-Sarasota-Bradenton area, take a drive to Ellenton, Florida and visit Prime Outlets-Ellenton . It advertises itself as “West Florida’s largest outlet center” and after driving through the parking lot recently, I agree.
After you’ve shopped all morning and the kids begin to get restless, why not add a little bit of Florida history to your day and get away from the crowds. Head west from the mall and take a visit to the Gamble Mansion--South Florida’s only remaining antebellum plantation house.
We saw the historical sign advertising the Gamble Mansion on Interstate 75 many times and always wondered what it’s significance was to Florida history, so we drove down to check it out. There is no fee to tour the grounds or the visitor’s center, but the mansion tour costs $5 for a one hour tour of the house. The day’s last tour starts at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. During this tour, almost nothing is off limits from view. There are no velvet ropes restraining you from entering the room and viewing it’s artifacts from all different angles.
If you are in the Tampa-Sarasota-Bradenton area, take a drive to Ellenton, Florida and visit Prime Outlets-Ellenton . It advertises itself as “West Florida’s largest outlet center” and after driving through the parking lot recently, I agree.
After you’ve shopped all morning and the kids begin to get restless, why not add a little bit of Florida history to your day and get away from the crowds. Head west from the mall and take a visit to the Gamble Mansion--South Florida’s only remaining antebellum plantation house.
We saw the historical sign advertising the Gamble Mansion on Interstate 75 many times and always wondered what it’s significance was to Florida history, so we drove down to check it out. There is no fee to tour the grounds or the visitor’s center, but the mansion tour costs $5 for a one hour tour of the house. The day’s last tour starts at 4:00 p.m. and ends at 5:00 p.m. During this tour, almost nothing is off limits from view. There are no velvet ropes restraining you from entering the room and viewing it’s artifacts from all different angles.
Our tour guide was a wonderful grey-bearded gentleman who worked previously as a school teacher and boy could you tell. His eyes twinkled when he told the history and stories of the home which has been restored by the Daughters of the Confederacy. This home is a significance in Florida history because Confederate Secretary of State, Judah P. Benjamin, took refuge here after the fall of the Confederacy. He later escaped to England where he worked as a prominent lawyer until his dealth.
I will be honest and tell you up front that the Gamble Mansion does not compare to the Edison Summer Residence or the Ca d’zan Mansion of the Ringling’s, but both those tours do carry a higher price tag. The price is right and it fits the bill as a perfect opportunity to take a break from shopping and add an educational element to the family vacation for kids.
Our tour guide at the Gamble mansion recommended we try dinner at the Crab Trap II near the mall. We had guests from Missouri that wanted seafood, but not from a mega chain, so this worked perfectly. Based on the crowd at the outlet mall, I prepared our friends for a wait, but we walked in at 5:00 p.m. and were seated immediately. We were unable to get a table that had a view of the water. I actually faced a giant mirror so I could watch myself and the folks seated at the table behind me eat (wink, wink, lol). Our waitress was efficient and friendly and there was not an outrageous wait time for our food.
I had the crab cakes and a potato puff that made this southern girl’s mouth water. It was excellent. Our friend ordered the chowder and the Bourbon Street Salmon that he enjoyed immensely. He didn’t stop talking about how good they were for the rest of their visit. In fact, I heard the words the “best I have ever eaten” several times. My father-in-law had fried shrimp and steak fries. He seemed to enjoy the shrimp but he hated the steak fries. My husband raved about his blackened Grouper. Because I am not a restaurant critic and couldn’t begin to do it proper justice, I am including this link of reviews of the restaurant that you can add to ours. Our visitors were only sad that they did not get to see a gator!!!
So pack up your car for a day trip and please the entire family. Go home with a car full of shopping bags, learn about one of Florida’s first plantations, and top off an enjoyable day with a full stomach.
I will be honest and tell you up front that the Gamble Mansion does not compare to the Edison Summer Residence or the Ca d’zan Mansion of the Ringling’s, but both those tours do carry a higher price tag. The price is right and it fits the bill as a perfect opportunity to take a break from shopping and add an educational element to the family vacation for kids.
Our tour guide at the Gamble mansion recommended we try dinner at the Crab Trap II near the mall. We had guests from Missouri that wanted seafood, but not from a mega chain, so this worked perfectly. Based on the crowd at the outlet mall, I prepared our friends for a wait, but we walked in at 5:00 p.m. and were seated immediately. We were unable to get a table that had a view of the water. I actually faced a giant mirror so I could watch myself and the folks seated at the table behind me eat (wink, wink, lol). Our waitress was efficient and friendly and there was not an outrageous wait time for our food.
I had the crab cakes and a potato puff that made this southern girl’s mouth water. It was excellent. Our friend ordered the chowder and the Bourbon Street Salmon that he enjoyed immensely. He didn’t stop talking about how good they were for the rest of their visit. In fact, I heard the words the “best I have ever eaten” several times. My father-in-law had fried shrimp and steak fries. He seemed to enjoy the shrimp but he hated the steak fries. My husband raved about his blackened Grouper. Because I am not a restaurant critic and couldn’t begin to do it proper justice, I am including this link of reviews of the restaurant that you can add to ours. Our visitors were only sad that they did not get to see a gator!!!
So pack up your car for a day trip and please the entire family. Go home with a car full of shopping bags, learn about one of Florida’s first plantations, and top off an enjoyable day with a full stomach.
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