Bucket List Jax 2015 | 5 Things You Must Do | Amy on News 4 Jax

In the last twenty plus years that I've lived in Jax, I've seen some pretty cool things. However over the years it's typical to kind of stick to the usual and stay in your neighborhood or avoid large events due to traffic. As I've begun to cover more of what makes the River City so special these last few years, I have fallen more in love with our great city. There is so much to do here and every year new great attractions and events make North FL their home. Here are some stand out things I think you need to put on your bucket list for 2015 if you live in or are visiting Jacksonville. 

Chatting with Tarik on News 4 Jax Morning Show

One Spark

https://onespark.com/festival/2015

One Spark Named Top 300 Festival in the World by Fest300 Magazine
One Spark continues to be a FREE and family-friendly event taking up over 20 sq blocks of downtown Jax and including 80 venues
One Spark 2015 has DOUBLED the size of our Food Village
New this year - contributors can receive rewards for their contributions, just like on kickstarter.com and indiegogo.com
Sweet Pete's will be a new venue for creators
New Categories Education, and Social Good

Go Sailing - Now and Zen Sailing

http://nowandzensailingcharters.com

42 Foot Manta Catamaran Cruising the St. Johns River and Atlantic Ocean
Starting at $400 for 4 hours and up to 4 people. 

Great for parties of up to 12 people
Bring your own food and beverages or order from Now and Zen
Cruise to St. Augustine, Fernandina, Amelia Island, Cumberland Island
2 and 3 day trips available as well

Hot Air Balloon Ride  

http://www.ahotairballoonride.com

Award winning Pilot David Fuller takes you on the adventure of a lifetime

A three to four hour adventure aloft with a special balloonists’ prayer, toasting the occasion with champagne mimosas or other special drink.

Flights take off an hour before sunset and launch sites as well as flight pattern are dependent on the weather. 

$350 for individuals

$650 for pairs

Experience the New Sweet Pete's 

http://www.sweetpetescandy.com 

The "Sweetest Destination on Earth"
Tour the 3 Story "larger than life" location
Eat at the Dessert Bar
Take the Tour and learn more about Sweet Pete's, See the factory
Take a Class

Jax Ale Trail 

 www.JaxAleTrail.com

A self guided tour of the seven craft breweries across Jax including 

Aardwolf Brewing Company, Bold City Brewery, Engine 15 Brewing Co., Green Room Brewing, Intuition Ale Works, Pinglehead Brewing Company, and Veterans United Craft Brewery

Visitors Receive a passport which they will have stamped at each location, free gifts await for completing the passport including cozies' and t-shirts

Passports can be picked up at the breweries or the Visit Jax Visitor Center

Full tours are available through  Jax Brew Bus and Play Harder Tours

A great way to explore Jax and her attractions

Get out there and see the city, Jacksonville is full of surprises and great memories are to be had! 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Watch Amy discuss the bucket list on News 4 Jax here. 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@amywesttravel.com.

Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.

Top 10 things you "Must Do" at the Epicurean Hotel | Epicurean Hotel Part 1

Get a Drink at the EDGE

There is so much to explore and get involved with at the Epicurean Hotel and it's surrounding SoHo neighborhood. During our recent three night stay, we tried pretty much everything. Here are our "Top 10 things you Must Do" while visiting this chic Tampa getaway.

Top 10 Things You "Must Do" 
at 
The Epicurean Hotel

1. Dine at Élevage

At the Epicurean's restaurant Élevage executive chef Chad Johnson has prepared an exceptional menu, elevating some of your favorite dishes into culinary masterpieces. The list includes some southern specialties, inspirations from his Kentucky roots, and even a nod to Tampa's Legendary Bern's Steak House's famous aged steaks. At the top of my list were the Cedar Plank Salmon, Fried Green Tomatoes, and the Epicurean Salad. Make sure to order the Blackened Blue Crab Deviled Eggs for a special treat! The cocktail list includes great staples like the Epicurean Old Fashioned, which was so great my husband ordered it three days in a row. I started off my stay with a Strawberry Clover Club at the bar, and wish I had one one in front of me now.  Yum!

Fried Green Tomatoes

Cedar Plank Salmon

The Epicurean Old Fashioned 

2. Wet Your Whistle on the Rooftop at the EDGE

At dusk, make your way to the rooftop lounge appropriately named the EDGE. While a bit warm in the summer, spring and fall see swarms of socialites pack in the elevators to mingle and rub shoulders at this trendy hang out. Mixologists create new specials each week of small batch private label liquors. If you are looking for a fashionable escape for drinks and laughter, the EDGE is your spot. 

Mixologists prepare hand crafted cocktails at the EDGE

3. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth at Chocolate Pi

Privately owned by Bern's Steak house's Executive Pastry Chef Kim Yelvington, this French Patisserie showcases tasty macarons, and tempting pastries. Enjoy a specialty soda, coffee, or hot chocolate with made from scratch marshmallows. Tip! Check in at Chocolate Pi on your Yelp App and see what you earn. No I'm not telling, you will have to see for yourself:)

Perfectly crafted Macarons melt in your mouth and beg to be taken home to share with your favs. 

4. Unwind at Evangeline Spa

Named after a figure in a famous poem Bern Laxer cherished, Evangeline Spa is a culinary inspired escape. Food and Wine based skin and body care melt away the cares of the world. We enjoyed a couples package including a soak in the light therapy jacuzzi tub and massage. For me a great spa experience is almost spiritual. Evangeline, nailed it!

I enjoyed the jacuzzi tub with light therapy followed by a couples massage. 

Food and Wine based products abound in the retail space of the spa.

Fresh herbs used in spa treatments are also a complimentary art installation amidst thousands of wine corks. 

5. Bike Bayshore Blvd

Get outdoors and enjoy Tampa's sunny weather. Ride one of the Epicurean's bikes (at no charge) a short distance to famous Bayshore Blvd and see Tampa's skyline at it's best. Grab a picnic to go or stop at the local shops for some retail therapy. 

Order a picnic to go and bike along Bayshore

6. Make a Splash Poolside 

Cool down after your ride at the pool. While it's relatively quiet during the week, during the summer weekends feature a neighborhood party complete with DJ and specialty poolside menu. 

Cool off poolside

7. Tour Bern's Steak House

Put your visit to the Epicurean in context by visiting the legendary Bern's Steak House and requesting a tour. Located directly across the street, you will be enlightened as you travel through this well oiled machine. The vastness of the operation is astounding. I think you will agree there is nothing quite like Bern's. Learn about the transformation from burger joint to world class steakhouse, and find out just how many bottles of wine (including extremely rare vintages) are housed in Bern's private collection (Hint: The answer might blow your mind). Bern's Steak House's partnership with Mainsail Lodging and Development turned into the foodie destination that is the Epicurean. Seeing where it all began will really open your eyes. 

Take notes at Bern's Steak House and be amazed at what you'll discover.

8. The Epicurean Theatre

Meet famous chefs and hear them discuss their favorite recipes, and personal anecdotes in this state of the art cooking theatre. Multiple cameras capture the live action and display on the big screens as you inhale the aromas of fresh ingredients coming together in front of you to create world class plates. Then enjoy them for yourselves while trading stories with like minded enthusiasts. A guaranteed night to remember. 

Watch wold class Chefs perform exquisite technique live in front of you.

9. Explore the Art

A tremendous amount of time, thought, and effort went into the curation of the Epicurean. While you are tasting and drinking all the delicious fare, make sure to take a good look around and meander through the halls to appreciate the details. Light fixtures inspired by whisks, giant replicas of forks, knives, and meat tenderizers, Tampa memorabilia, antiques discovered in Bern's personal collection on display for your to touch and feel, and wine crates turned into walls... you will be delighted at the character. 

Whisk inspired light fixtures illuminate the foyer. 

Warmth and texture contrast with tile and cement. 

Wine crates are turned into wall art. 

10. Peruse the Library

Though much of the hotel is quite modern, take a walk back in time to the library where you can cozy up with vintage cook books, and a glass of wine. 

Get comfy in the library.

You are only limited by your imagination at the Epicurean. Seek out this iconic destination and engage with birds of a feather who flock together to indulge in the joys of the culinary universe. 

For truly at the Epicurean Hotel "Pleasure is the Greatest Good". 

Until then...

Enjoy the Journey!

xo- Amy West

www.amywesttravel.com

Read my full review of the Epicurean Hotel - "A Standing O for the Epicurean"

See more images from my Epicurean experience on facebook here. 

Want to be featured on Amy West Travel? Contact us today at info@likelovewantneed.com.
Copyright © Amy West Travel. All rights reserved. Photography by Journey Productions Media.