Things to Do

Dating can be expensive, but you don't have to spend a ton of money to have a good time.

• Whether you're on a first date or have been together for years, here are some date ideas under $30.

Summer is almost here, which means it's time to escape Tampa's humidity and loads of tourists.

These three Airbnbs are near Pine Mountain, a town in Georgia about 6.5 hours from Tampa that has tons of hiking and small-town charm.

• Hike your way through FDR state park or head to the resort area of Callaway Gardens, which has walking and bike trails, a lakefront beach, golf and other outdoor activities.

Indie Bookstore Day celebrations will have you turning pages all over Tampa Bay this week.

• The official day is Saturday, April 30.

Festival season is in full swing and we are booked and busy in 2022, folks.

Here are the top seven events happening in Tampa Bay starting this spring.

1. 98ROCKFEST

What: Rock 'n' roll with fan-favorite bands including Godsmack, Three Days Grace and Black Veil Brides.

Details: 5:30pm on April 22 at Amalie Arena

C0st: Tickets start at $35. Get them here.

2. Tampa Bay Balloon Festival

What: Enjoy hot air balloon rides, local food vendors and an after-dark balloon glow experience.

Details: April 29 through May 1 at 11553 Knights Griffin Road. Gates open at 5pm.

C0st: Admission starts at $20 per car. Buy ride tickets here.

3. Sunset Music Festival

What: This electronic dance music festival features house and techno.

Details: Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-29, at Raymond James Stadium

C0st: Three-day tickets start at about $200. Buy them here.

4. FORD Cuban Sandwich Festival

What: Join the hunt to find the best Cuban sandwich in Central Florida at this event featuring food, art and live music.

Details: May 1 at Kissimmee Lakefront Park from noon to 6pm

C0st: General entry is free

5. Tampa Bay Juneteenth Festival

What: Celebrate at this block party with live DJ music, food trucks, shopping and a job fair.

Details: June 18 at Raymond James Stadium

C0st: Tickets start at $10. Get them here.

6. Tampa Bay Comic Con

What: Geek out with celebrity photo ops, panel programming and a cosplay contest.

Details: July 29-31 at the Tampa Bay Convention Center

C0st: Passes start at $94. Buy them here.

7. ViVa Tampa Bay Festival

What: Celebrate Hispanic heritage at this fall fest.

Details: The event is scheduled for October at Perry Harvey Sr. Park. Check here for updates.

Cathy Salustri knows Florida like few others.

For her master's thesis under her advisor, the great Gary Mormino, Salustri logged almost 5,000 miles retracing driving tours from the WPA Federal Writer's Project Guide in search of Florida's forgotten destinations, which became a travel book called "Backroads of Paradise."

The New Yorker's Nick Paumgarten has found the "Bitcoin for boomers," and it's right here in Florida. In fact, it's the next big thing in retirement: Latitude Margaritaville.

• In "Retirement the Margaritaville Way," Paumgarten hangs out in the booming active-living communities for Jimmy Buffett enthusiasts aged "55 and better" that are now open in Daytona Beach and Watersound, near Panama City Beach.

Whether you want to embrace the warmer temps with outdoor adventure or escape the humidity indoors, here's your guide to springtime in Tampa Bay.

1. Spring for brunch

Now's the time to don your best spring attire for a picture-perfect brunch. Here are a few of our favorite spots:

March is Florida Bike Month and we've got a half-dozen bicycle events for your radar.

Thursday, March 17

Quick, Tampa! Throw on some green, grab your bike and join Mayor Jane Castor for a St. Patrick's Day ride from Ybor City to Lykes Gaslight Park.