So yeah, woke up yesterday morning buzzing about vacation ideas near 500 Palm Ave in Boca Grande. Figured, why not just head out and actually see what’s cool nearby? Grabbed my trusty worn backpack – always pack light, just sunscreen, water bottle, my beat-up camera, and a crumpled map. Dumb me forgot the bug spray, huge regret later. Walked right outta 500 Palm Ave, sun already beating down pretty good.
First Stop: That Gasparilla Inn & Club Beach
Took maybe five minutes walking south. Place is seriously pretty right away. Soft white sand, water clear blue-green like a postcard. Saw families kicking around, kids building sandcastles, couples just chilling under umbrellas. Best part? Super calm water, barely any waves. Perfect for little ones or folks like me who just wanna float. Snapped some pics of the old-school hotel buildings too – fancy lookin’. Spent a good hour just soaking it in and dipping my feet.
Then: Boca Grande Lighthouse Museum
Headed north next, following the main road. Took maybe 15 minutes walking kinda slow. Can’t miss this place – big old white lighthouse poking up near the water. Went inside the little museum part. Cool finds:
- Lots of old black-and-white photos showing pirates? Fishermen? Kinda blurry but neat.
- Fishing rods and nets looking ancient and kinda stinky.
- Learnin’ about the Tarpon fishery history – way more important than I thought!
Climbed up the lighthouse steps – legs burned a little, gotta warn ya – but wow! Killer views of the whole bay up top. Worth every step.
Lunch Pit Stop & Shell Madness
Got hungry then. Walked back towards the village center near 500 Palm. Found a tiny spot selling fish tacos. Sat outside, messy eating but totally hit the spot. Afterwards, just wandered the public beaches near the access points. So. Many. Shells. Seriously, gotta watch your step. Saw people bending down every few feet collecting unique ones. Found one big intact conch myself – felt like a treasure! Sand squishin’ between my toes… nice.
Later: Banyan Street Weirdness
Heard whispers about this “haunted” or just creepy fig tree spot. Followed the signs towards downtown. Wow. Trees twisted everywhere, roots dropping down from branches lookin’ like giant spider legs. Light barely got through. Felt kinda eerie and cool at the same time. Definitely stopped here for a minute just staring up, wondering how long these things took to grow like that.
Sunset & Calling it a Day
By late afternoon, tired feet started complaining. Headed back towards 500 Palm Ave, but took the long way along the shore. Sun started dipping low – painted the sky orange and pink right over the water. Just sat on a bench near the pier, watched folks packin’ up their fishing stuff. Total peace right there. Walked back as the bugs finally remembered my bare arms… ouch.
All in all? Packed a ton right around 500 Palm Ave without drivin’ anywhere. Got sunburnt a little, feet ache today, but the shell collection and lighthouse view? Solid day. Next time: gotta remember that bug spray.
