SOUTHSHORE, FLORIDA
Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine is a national PBS travel series exploring the food, culture, people, and unforgettable experiences that make destinations worth discovering.
In this adventure-packed episode of Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine, Michelle explores SouthShore, Florida, a vibrant Tampa Bay region encompassing the communities of Apollo Beach, Riverview, Ruskin, Gibsonton, and Wimauma. Known for its remarkable wildlife, conservation efforts, colorful history, and fresh Florida seafood, SouthShore reveals a side of the Sunshine State filled with unexpected discoveries. Michelle gets an up-close look at manatees while learning about efforts to protect them, meets rescued wildlife including Stanley the bear and exotic birds at a local sanctuary, digs for prehistoric fossils and explores a fascinating fossil museum, enjoys fresh seafood and a tropical cocktail along the waterfront, and steps into the colorful history of America’s traveling carnival culture at a one-of-a-kind museum.
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WATCH THE FULL EPISODE
Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine airs on PBS member stations across the country and is available to stream on PBS.org.
Missed the broadcast or want to watch again? Enjoy the full episode below.
Watch Love Eat Travel with Michelle Valentine on PBS member stations or stream the series on PBS.org.
EPISODE LOCATIONS
Tampa Electric Company TECO Manatee Viewing Center
Experience one of Florida’s most beloved wildlife encounters at Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. Michelle Valentine discovers how the warm waters surrounding the power station provide a winter refuge for manatees while learning more about these gentle marine mammals, their habitat and ongoing conservation efforts.
Tampa Electric Company TECO Manatee Viewing Center
6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach, Florida 33572
(813) 228-4289
Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary
Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary provides a permanent home for rescued exotic and wild animals that cannot be returned to the wild. Michelle Valentine meets some of the sanctuary’s remarkable residents, including Stanley the black bear, while discovering the dedication involved in providing lifelong care and a safe haven for animals in need.
Elmira’s Wildlife Sanctuary
13910 Seminole Trail, Wimauma, Florida 33598
(813) 634-4115
Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum
Journey millions of years into Florida’s prehistoric past at the Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum in Ruskin. Michelle Valentine explores the museum’s fascinating collection before heading outside for a hands-on fossil dig, searching ancient sediment for shark teeth, shells, bones and other clues to the creatures that once inhabited Florida.
Paleo Preserve Fossil Museum
4140 24th Street SE, Ruskin, Florida 33570
Circles Waterfront Restaurant
Set along the waters of Apollo Beach, Circles Waterfront Restaurant combines fresh Florida seafood with the relaxed atmosphere of coastal living. Michelle Valentine enjoys locally inspired seafood and a tropical cocktail while taking in the waterfront views and experiencing the flavors that reflect SouthShore’s connection to Tampa Bay.
Circles Waterfront Restaurant
1212 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach, Florida 33572
(813) 641-3275
International Independent Showmen’s Museum
Step inside the colorful history of America’s traveling carnivals at the International Independent Showmen’s Museum in Riverview. Michelle Valentine explores an extraordinary collection of historic wagons, midway attractions, costumes, photographs and memorabilia while discovering the fascinating lives of the showmen and performers who traveled the country entertaining generations of Americans.
International Independent Showmen’s Museum
6938 Riverview Drive, Riverview, Florida 33578
(813) 671-3503
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