A Local's Guide to Central Florida, Courtesy of Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt

Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt both grew up in Tampa, Florida, meeting in high school after being accidentally seated next to each other in a chorus class. Brian said there was instant chemistry, for him, “It 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.

Soak Up the Sun and Surf

Florida is known for its beautiful beaches, and Brian and Mika were not about to gatekeep their favorite places to soak up the sun. “Definitely Siesta Key,” Mika shares. Brian agrees: “It almost feels like you’re in the Caribbean without having to make that travel. It’s like paradise right in our backyard.”

“And then we have a soft spot for Treasure Island,” Mika tells us. “It’s got the soft sand, and also Rock the Block Season 5 was actually there … it’s 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.”

Enjoy a Florida Sunset

This hard-working couple never has to go far to enjoy watching the day turn to dusk. “We get some of the most beautiful sunsets right in our backyard,” Brian tells us of their lakeside home. “Every time we’re on vacation, we say, ‘I wish we were at home.’”

For those not lucky enough to live with a view like the Kleinschmidts (or receive a personal invitation to join them on their dock!), they also recommend a dolphin sunset cruise, which is offered by lots of different outfitters in the area. “We take for granted that we see dolphins, but if you don’t live here, that’s probably pretty unique to just see dolphins hanging out,” says Mika.

Go for a City Stroll

When it comes to outdoor fun, Brian and Mika agree that the Tampa Riverwalk is the place to be. “In the last five years, we’ve really seen it blossom with businesses. It’s just a beautiful two-and-a-half-mile river walk with restaurants, parks, ambiance, you name it … right in the heart of downtown Tampa, so it’s really pretty,” Mika shares.

Grab Grub With Grandpa

While Brian and Mika certainly have plenty of restaurants to recommend, one of their personal favorites is inside the retirement community where Brian’s grandfather lives. “Every 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,” he tells us.

Brunch With Your Pup

Another one of Brian’s favorite places to enjoy a delicious meal is the Sweet Sage Cafe. “It’s over in the St. Pete area, and it is the quirkiest little place … but they have the best brunch, and every time we’re over there, we pretty much go.” 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’s a can’t-miss if you are visiting the area with your dogs in tow.

Dine by the River

When it comes to a special occasion dinner, Brian and Mika love to grab reservations at Ulele. This popular local brewery and restaurant has an American Indian menu inspired by its location along the banks of the Hillsborough River. “They have a very eclectic menu,” Mika tells us, referring to dishes like locally harvested oysters, wild boar and alligator.

Brian, ever the home builder, also loves the building’s history. “What's really cool is the building itself was the public works where they used to pump water for the whole city … and right next to you, Ulele is a natural spring, which is still bubbling today,” he explains.

Speaking of history, this place holds a very special place in the Kleinschmidts’ hearts as it also happens to be where they hosted their post-elopement wedding reception.

Shop 'Til You Drop

When it comes to shopping, you can find just about every major retailer in the Tampa area, but personally, Mika loves a “good weekend market," she says, encouraging visitors to check out Central Avenue in St. Petersburg. “Anything that you can shop where it's going to be local businesses you're supporting, local vendors … cool stuff that not everybody has, St. Pete is great for that. It's very artsy."

Central Avenue is also teen-approved, according to Brian, explaining that their 17-year-old daughter, Jade, “loves to thrift … and Central Avenue is great for all of that … it’s a really cool vibe.”

Design Like the Pros

When shopping for anything home-related, Brian and Mika love to stop in at the Priano showroom in Tampa Bay. With over 20,000 square feet of space, Brian calls it their “one-stop shop where we take our clients to pick up everything.” 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.

Row Your Boat

For outdoor fun, Brian and Mika suggest spending the day at Julian B. Lane Waterfront Park. “It’s so pretty, and it just sort of meanders through downtown Tampa all the way out to the bay,” Brian says.

And if you’re looking to burn some calories, the park includes a massive boathouse, 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: “I'm on a team. So we practice out there three times a week … it's kind of the hub for all water sports,” she tells us.

Take a Neighborhood Stroll

If you’re 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’s recommendations on the best places to peruse real estate. “We fell in love with Winter Park while filming [HGTV] Smart Home 2026,” Brian tells us. “Some of the houses on the lake over there are absolutely gorgeous.”

Closer to Tampa, Brian also recommends Bayshore Boulevard. “It’s 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,” he tells us.

Take a Staycation in the Land of Vacations

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. “Amelia Island has a soft spot in our hearts … that’s where I proposed to Mika”, Brian says. They remember his surprise proposal at the beautiful, oceanfront Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa fondly. 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 10 different dining options.

Give Guests a Memorable Visit

When Brian and Mika have guests in town, they love to take them to a few of their favorite places. “I’m a Busch Gardens girl. I love Busch Gardens,” 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.

For a more local experience, Brian likes to take out-of-towners to explore downtown Tampa, “and then there’s a boat that runs across the Bay from Tampa to St. Pete … and you get the best of both worlds … and then you take a sunset trip back to Tampa, so that’s a fun thing to do.”

Get Cultured

Brian and Mika are big supporters of the arts and have been longtime season ticket holders at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. “It’s where the big Broadway shows tour … but there is so much great theater on the west coast of Florida,” Brian tells us. “They even do outdoor theatre in the springtime in St. Pete at the park. It's called American Stage Amphitheatre. You take your picnic out there, and it's all lawn seating, and it's right on the bay right in downtown St. Pete.”

Rock (the Block) Out

This fun-loving couple also enjoys hearing live music, and Mika recommends local favorite Skipper’s Smokehouse for “hole-in-the-wall local bands.”

For 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. “We [saw] Jonathan Knight from Farmhouse Fixer [perform in New Kids on the Block],” Brian tells us. “But all these other HGTV talent were there as well … Bryan and Sarah [Baeumler] were there, Taniya Nayak was there, Alison Victoria was there,” he recalls of bumping into fellow Rock the Block castmates.

Play Ball!

Florida is home to more than 10 professional sports teams, so you can easily find a game to cheer for. As for the Kleinschmidts, “We love going to Tampa Bay Lightning games, but I think our favorite sporting event is to go see a Bucs game,” Brian tells us. “The first date that Mika and I went to was a Tampa Bay Bucs game years and years ago … 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!” he laughs.

Plan a Date Night

With more than 30 Michelin-starred restaurants across the state, finding a place for a romantic date night in Florida isn’t difficult. For Brian and Mika, though, there really is no place like home. “We stay so busy. A favorite date night for us is chilling at home,” Mika admits. Brian agrees: “Our best night out is in."