Headed to Florida, where to go?

M

Mark C

Lowland Gorilla
I'm leaving for Florida tomorrow, will be there through Sunday. It's for a family wedding (I'll be there with my wife, in-laws, brother-in-law and his wife) so I can't really go too far out of my way, hopefully you guys can point me towards a good cigar shop, or any other good way to spend a few days.

I'm staying in Haines City, the wedding's on Sat in St Petersburg. I know there's a Rum Festival in Ybor City Sat night but the wife already nixed that idea (even though it's on the way home! :mad:). On the other hand, Ybor City looked kinda neat from the few websites I saw, and there seemed to be plenty of cigar shops, maybe I could swing a day trip. Any place in particular I should try out? Any good shopping nearby to help appease the women?
 
Ybor was the cigar capitol of the US at one time. If thats what you are closest to,I wouldn't waste too much time.
Its easy to spend a few hours or a day there...Have a Blast!
 
Will let the west coast guys chime in as they know the area best.

Ybor City can be fun.
Lots to do in the area.
Make sure you stop at Columbia for some great Spanish/Cuban food.
Right across from them is a great small B&M that has a very impressive collection of cigars, including many of my favorite Padron Annis.

Not too far from Ybor City is a great shop in the heart of downtown St. Pete called Central Cigars.
They have a bar, great wines, great smokes, all in a very nice setting.
 
Ybor City has Tampa Sweethearts if you want to grab a few rare Fuente products for MSRP.

It's a huge place that looks like it would be cool but is really nothing but a tiny waiting room like area at a Drs. office where you tell them the cigars you want and they go get htem for you.
 
In Ybor, there are cigar shops on every block. The best are Tampa Sweethearts for the prices and King Corona (show up during the day and get a straight razor shave) for environment. You can also smoke (DO NOT BUY MUCHO $$$$) in the Hard Rock Casino if you travel 6 more miles down I-4.

If you are looking low key hit up the Tinderbox in Lakeland on your way to Haines City...good prices and they have employees that actually know a little about cigars (Mike or McKinney)

Let us know how it goes.
 
Here's a pre welcome to Florida. You are going to love it down here. The weather is perfect this time of year. I went to the Univ of Tampa and spent a lot of money at The Columbia Restaurant. Try the Black beans and rice.
Tampa Sweethearts is another must stop. Then just check out the other shops. Hope you have a lot of good times and remember to take pictures to pot on the site when you return. I'm living in Jax or I would meet you and have a herf, but there are some CS members there in the St. Pete and Tampa area. Good Luck and ya'll come back now ya hear.:ss
 
Thanks for the tips guys, I'm definitely looking forward to my trip. I found a website for Columbia Restaurant, that definitely looks worthy of a visit. I'm hoping to find a roller or two while I'm in the area, never seen a hand rolled cigar being made, I think that'd be pretty neat. Sounds like I'm heading in the right direction for that!
 
Blueface said:
Will let the west coast guys chime in as they know the area best.

Ybor City can be fun.
Lots to do in the area.
Make sure you stop at Columbia for some great Spanish/Cuban food.
Right across from them is a great small B&M that has a very impressive collection of cigars, including many of my favorite Padron Annis.

Not too far from Ybor City is a great shop in the heart of downtown St. Pete called Central Cigars.
They have a bar, great wines, great smokes, all in a very nice setting.
Click to expand...

Carlos beat me to it.
Definitely, try the Columbia. A beautiful resturant that has been around since like 1905. I go there every time I'm in Tampa
 
the columbia does rock...if you have some more time look into Bern's Steakhouse. its the best restaurant I have ever been to. and if you go ask for Drew to be your waiter.
 
carni said:
the columbia does rock...if you have some more time look into Bern's Steakhouse. its the best restaurant I have ever been to. and if you go ask for Drew to be your waiter.
Click to expand...

:r
I love Bern's but can't help but laugh.
It is the kind of place that would frighten me if someone were to turn on the lights.:r

However, good time there and nice tour of kitchen and wine cellar.
The upstairs for desert is pretty cool too.
 
up the street from the resturant on seventh is a place called havana dreams. they hand roll some cigars there that are good. right across from the bar coyote ugly. tell the owner tim from st. augustine told you about it.
 
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