{"id":193014,"date":"2026-03-16T03:02:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T03:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/193014\/"},"modified":"2026-03-16T03:02:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-16T03:02:07","slug":"brian-and-mika-kleinschmidts-favorite-places-in-florida","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/193014\/","title":{"rendered":"Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt’s Favorite Places in Florida"},"content":{"rendered":"

Brian and Mika both grew up in Tampa, meeting in high school after being accidentally seated next to each other in a chorus class<\/a>. Brian said there was instant chemistry, saying for him, \u201cIt was love at first sight.” Life took them separate ways for several years but they reconnected and eventually married. These days they can be found flipping houses, filming their show and raising their teen daughter, Jade, all while enjoying everything that living in the Southern part of Florida has to offer. We spoke to them in their sun-filled Tampa home where they shared all of their favorite places to eat, play, relax and enjoy.<\/p>\n

Florida is known for their beautiful beaches<\/a>, and Brian and Mika were not about to gatekeep their favorite places to soak up the sun. \u201cDefinitely Siesta Key<\/a>,\u201d Mika shared. Brian agreed: \u201cIt almost feels like you\u2019re in the Caribbean without having to make that travel. It\u2019s like paradise right in our backyard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd then we have a soft spot for Treasure Island,\u201d Mika told us. \u201cIt\u2019s got the soft sand, and also Rock the Block Season 5<\/a> was actually there \u2026 it\u2019s just a really cool place, and it did get hit pretty bad by the hurricane, but we are helping it get rebuilt and we love to support that.\u201d<\/p>\n

This hard-working couple never has to go far to enjoy watching the day turn to dusk. \u201cWe get some of the most beautiful sunsets right in our backyard,\u201d Brian tells us of their lakeside home. \u201cEvery time we\u2019re on vacation we say, \u2018I wish we were at home.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

For those not lucky enough to live with a view like the Kleinschmidt\u2019s (or receive a personal invitation to join them on their dock!), then they also recommend a dolphin sunset cruise, which are offered by lots of different outfitters in the area. \u201cWe take for granted that we see dolphins, but if you don\u2019t live here that\u2019s probably pretty unique to just see dolphins hanging out,\u201d said Mika.<\/p>\n

When it comes to outdoor fun, Brian and Mika agree that the Tampa Riverwalk<\/a> is the place to be. \u201cIn the last five years we\u2019ve really seen it blossom with businesses. It\u2019s just a beautiful two-and-a-half-mile river walk with restaurants, parks, ambiance, you name it \u2026 right in the heart of downtown Tampa, so it\u2019s really pretty,\u201d Mika shares.<\/p>\n

While Brian and Mika certainly have plenty of restaurants to recommend, one of their personal favorites is inside the retirement community where Brian\u2019s grandfather lives. \u201cEvery Saturday we have a tradition and we eat lunch with my grandfather. He’s got a little cafe in the place where he lives and religiously we’re there sitting with him. They’ve got pretty good food too,\u201d he tells us.<\/p>\n

Another one of Brian\u2019s favorite places to enjoy a delicious meal is the Sweet Sage Cafe<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s over in the St. Pete area and it is the quirkiest little place \u2026 but they have the best brunch and every time we\u2019re over there, we pretty much go.\u201d This unique spot, located in North Redington Beach, serves breakfast and lunch, as well as a full menu for your four-legged friends. Featuring dishes like the Cold Nose (yogurt with “Whippet” cream) and Mutt Loaf, it\u2019s a can\u2019t-miss if you are visiting the area with your dogs in tow.<\/p>\n

When it comes to a special occasion dinner, Brian and Mika love to grab reservations at Ulele. This popular local brewery and restaurant has a Native American menu inspired by its location along the banks of the Hillsborough River. \u201cThey have a very eclectic menu,\u201d Mika tells us, referring to dishes like locally harvested oysters, wild boar and alligator.<\/p>\n

Brian, ever the home builder, also loves the building\u2019s history. \u201cWhat’s really cool is the building itself was the public works where they used to pump water for the whole city \u2026 and right next to you, Ulele is a natural spring, which is still bubbling today,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n

Speaking of history, this place holds a very special place in the Kleinschmidts\u2019s hearts as it also happens to be where they hosted their post-elopement wedding reception.<\/p>\n

When it comes to shopping, you can find just about every major retailer in the Tampa area but personally, Mika loves a \u201cgood weekend market.” She says, encouraging visitors to check out Central Avenue in St. Petersberg<\/a>. \u201cAnything that you can shop where it’s going to be local businesses you’re supporting, local vendors \u2026 cool stuff that not everybody has, St. Pete is great for that. It’s very artsy.”<\/p>\n

Central Avenue is also teen-approved according to Brian, explaining that their 17-year-old daughter, Jade, \u201cloves to thrift \u2026 and Central Avenue is great for all of that \u2026 it\u2019s a really cool vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n

When shopping for anything home related, Brian and Mika love to stop in to the Priano<\/a> showroom in Tampa Bay. With over 20,000 square feet of space, Brian calls it their, \u201cone-stop shop where we take our clients to pick up everything.\u201d With tile, plumbing, cabinetry, appliances and more, you really can peruse every part of a home renovation or construction. While open to the public, it is recommended that you make an appointment in advance of your visit.<\/p>\n

For outdoor fun, Brian and Mika suggest spending the day at Julian B Lane Waterfront Park<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s so pretty, and it just sort of meanders through downtown Tampa all the way out to the bay,\u201d Brian says.<\/p>\n

And if you\u2019re looking to burn some calories, the park includes a massive boat house, which is a huge draw for rowing, crewing and paddling aficionados. The Princeton University rowing team even does winter training here. You might even spot Mika on the water: \u201cI’m on a team. So we practice out there three times a week \u2026 it’s kind of the hub for all water sports,\u201d she tells us.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re the kind of die-hard, HGTV fanatic who loves to look at houses while you’re on vacation (No? Just me?), then you will love Brian and Mika\u2019s recommendations on the best places to peruse real estate. \u201cWe fell in love with Winter Park while filming [HGTV] Smart Home 2026<\/a>,\u201d Brian tells us. \u201cSome of the houses on the lake over there are absolutely gorgeous.\u201d<\/p>\n

Closer to Tampa, Brian also recommends Bayshore Boulevard<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s the longest continuous sidewalk in the country. It basically just hugs the whole bay all the way into downtown, and the beautiful houses along Bayshore are just incredible,\u201d he tells us.<\/p>\n

When you live in such a beautiful place, where do the locals like to go when they want to go on vacation? For Brian and Mika, the answer is easy. \u201cAmelia Island<\/a> has a soft spot in our hearts \u2026 that\u2019s where I proposed to Mika\u201d, Brian says. They remember his surprise proposal at the beautiful, oceanfront Omni Resort and Spa<\/a> fondly and the couple is looking forward to spending their next anniversary at the hotel, which boasts three and a half miles of beach stretching along the Atlantic Ocean, 36 holes of championship golf, a full-service spa and salon and ten different dining options.<\/p>\n

When Brian and Mika have guests in town, they love to take them to a few of their favorite places. \u201cI\u2019m a Busch Gardens<\/a> girl. I love Busch Gardens,\u201d Mika tells us of the family-friendly theme park. Here, you can ride roller coasters or trek through their realistic Serengeti exhibit, getting an up-close look at African wildlife.<\/p>\n

For a more local experience, Brian likes to take out-of-towners exploring downtown Tampa, \u201cand then there\u2019s a boat that runs across the Bay from Tampa to St. Pete \u2026 and you get the best of both worlds \u2026 and then you take a sunset trip back to Tampa, so that\u2019s a fun thing to do.\u201d<\/p>\n

Brian and Mika are big supporters of the arts and have been long-time season ticket holders at the Straz Center for Performing Arts<\/a>. \u201cIt\u2019s where the big Broadway shows tour \u2026 but there is so much great theater on the west coast of Florida,\u201d Brian tells us. \u201cThey even do outdoor theatre in the springtime in St. Pete at the park. It’s called American Stage Amphitheatre<\/a>. You take your picnic out there and it’s all lawn seating, and it’s right on the bay right in downtown St. Pete.\u201d<\/p>\n

This fun-loving couple also enjoys hearing live music and Mika recommend local favorite Skipper\u2019s Smokehouse<\/a> for, \u201chole-in-the-wall local bands.\u201d<\/p>\n

or bigger acts, there are several large, outdoor amphitheatres that bring more well-known names to the area and you just never know who you might run into at one of these shows. \u201cWe [saw] Jonathan Knight<\/a> from Farmhouse Fixer<\/a> [perform in New Kids on the Block],\u201d Brian tells us. \u201cBut all these other HGTV talent were there as well \u2026 Bryan<\/a> and Sarah [Baeumler]<\/a> were there, Taniya Nayak<\/a> was there, Alison Victoria<\/a> was there,\u201d he recalls of bumping into fellow Rock the Block<\/a> castmates.<\/p>\n

Florida is home to more than ten professional sports teams, so you can easily find a game to cheer for. As for the Kleinschmidts, \u201cWe love going to Tampa Bay Lightning games<\/a> but I think our favorite sporting event is to go see a Bucs game,\u201d Brian tells us. \u201cThe first date that Mika and I went to was a Tampa Bay Bucs<\/a> game years and years ago \u2026 it was kind of a cold December game, so I brought a blanket and I wanted to snuggle a little bit because it was cold outside, and we sit down in our seats and I get a tap on my shoulder and my aunt and uncle are sitting directly behind us!\u201d he laughs.<\/p>\n

With over 30 Michelin Star-restaurants across the state, finding a place for a romantic date night in Florida isn\u2019t difficult. For Brian and Mika though, there really is no place like home. \u201cWe stay so busy. A favorite date night for us is chilling at home,\u201d Mika admits. Brian agrees, \u201cOur best night out is in.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Brian and Mika both grew up in Tampa, meeting in high school after being accidentally seated next to…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":193015,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[28,30,29],"class_list":{"0":"post-193014","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-florida","8":"tag-florida","9":"tag-florida-headlines","10":"tag-florida-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193014","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=193014"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/193014\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/193015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=193014"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=193014"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=193014"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}