Our Stay at Treasure Island Part 1 - Orlando / Florida Guide
Florida Guide > Places to Visit
We have always loved the Gulf Coast and over the years had stayed at Naples, Anna Marie Island Sarasota and Clearwater. About 10 years ago when they were staying at our villa on their own my parents went in search of somewhere we could all stay together for a few days yet still be reasonably independent. This was when they discovered Treasure Island.
If you want to seriously shop on the way you can get there by going on the I4 towards Tampa take the 75 towards Naples and stop off at Premium Outlets at Ellenton, but be prepared it may take you several hours to shop! We sometimes do that if the weather is bad. You then get to Treasure Island over the famous Sunshine Bridge which stretches over Tampa Bay and is over 5 miles long but not good for people with no head for heights!
Alternatively from Orlando you head towards Tampa on the I4 then onto the 275 south. If you get off this at 23b you go onto Central Avenue which is the direct road to Treasure Island. As you approach it you go along palm lined Central Avenue over a bridge where you see boats moored by houses on the Bayside, when we see this I know we have arrived. The final short drive takes you past the clock tower that chimes every quarter of an hour and as you slow down for the lights to your right you will see a very large Pirate sitting on a bench. At the T junction the Thunderbird motel is directly ahead of you with the larger Bilmar next door.
We stay at the Thunderbird but often eat or drink at the Bilmar. At Treasure Island there is always some kind of Festival or event happening, when we went in March it was advertising the music of the Spring Fling.
My parents originally chose Treasure Island because of the ease of everyone doing their own thing and it is located on the most beautiful white sand beach for the sun worshippers. If you stay at the Thunderbird there is also a trolley bus than runs all day and you can board this practically outside the motel, there are also lots of options of restaurants nearby. When we are here it gives my Dad a break from driving as we either use the trolley bus or take a taxi to the nearby St Johns Pass where plenty of shopping and dining are available.
More about Treasure Island in Part 2.
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