Tampa Bay Experiences

What is Solomon's Castle in Florida?

Answered by Rachel A.

Solomon's Castle in Ona, Florida is a fully functional castle built entirely by artist Howard Solomon from recycled aluminum printing plates — it's bizarre, creative, and completely wonderful. Located about 90 minutes southeast of Valrico, it houses an art gallery, a moat boat shaped like a dragon, and a restaurant inside a full-scale ship replica. Solomon passed away in 2016 but the family keeps it running, and it's the kind of place that feels like it could only exist in Florida.

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With over 23 years of real estate experience, Barrett helps buyers and sellers across Valrico and the Tampa Bay area. Straight talk. Smart strategy.

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Related Questions

What is the Bern's Steak House experience like?

Bern's Steak House in Tampa is one of the most unique restaurant experiences in the country — known for its enormous wine cellar (one of the largest in the world), perfectly aged steaks, and the dessert room upstairs where each couple gets their own private booth. It's the kind of place where service is theatrical and deliberate, and the menu requires reading time. Reservations are essential, dress nicer than you think you need to, and budget for a full evening.

Is the Dali Museum in St. Pete worth visiting?

The Dali Museum in St. Petersburg is one of the finest art museums in the Southeast and absolutely worth the 45-minute drive from Valrico. The building itself is architecturally striking, and the collection — the largest outside of Europe — covers Dali's full creative arc in a way that's accessible even if you're not an art person. Plan two to three hours and take the audio tour.

Can you do a day trip to the Florida Keys from Valrico?

A day trip to the Florida Keys from Valrico is technically possible but not recommended — Key West is roughly 7 to 7.5 hours each way, which makes it a very long day. Key Largo or Islamorada, about 5 hours from Valrico, work better as a day trip if you leave early, though a two-night overnight stay lets you actually enjoy the experience. The Keys are best savored slowly, not rushed.

What is Weeki Wachee mermaids and how do you get there from Valrico?

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is home to live mermaid shows performed in a natural underwater spring theater — it's been running since 1947 and is genuinely one of the most uniquely Floridian experiences you can have. From Valrico, it's about an hour north on US-41 or I-75 and SR-50. The park also has a water slide area and riverboat cruise, making it a full-day family outing.

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What is the Pier 60 sunset festival at Clearwater Beach?

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Tampa's cigar culture runs deep — Ybor City was the cigar manufacturing capital of the world in the late 1800s and early 1900s, and hand-rolled cigars are still made there today. Gonzalez y Martinez Cigar Factory in Ybor City offers live hand-rolling demonstrations and sells quality smokes on site. The Columbia Restaurant courtyard and several Ybor City bars have outdoor smoking areas perfect for enjoying a cigar with a Cuban coffee or a craft cocktail.

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What are the best food festivals in Tampa Bay?

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What are the best sunset spots near Tampa?

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Is Anna Maria Island worth a day trip from Valrico?

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Can you do Sanibel and Captiva as a day trip from Valrico?

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What is Homosassa Springs Wildlife Park?

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What is Bok Tower Gardens and how far is it from Valrico?

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