Tampa Bay Vacation Guide: My Top Picks
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31. Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
Safety Harbor’s claim to fame is being the location where the Fountain of Youth was discovered. At the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, you can soak in these healing mineral waters which are known to hold restorative properties. The spa is said to be a place “where the healing water flows.” In the mid 1500’s, Spanish explorer DeSota discovered the waters and named them “Espiritu Santo Springs” which means “Springs of the Holy Spirit.”
A relaxing day soaking in the spa’s natural healing waters is the perfect staycation idea for Bay residents. Mike and I have bought daypasses here on multiple occassions. I’m not sure if the waters truly have magical powers, but my joint and muscles always felt good after a morning of relaxing in the sauna and steam rooms and soaking in the mineral tubs. A lap pool, dozens of massage treatments, tennis courts, and several on site restaurants are available to compliment your day out. And if you wish, you can stay overnight at the resort, which is situated on 22 acres of waterfront property. Bonus – the restaurant serves amazing holiday buffets and a decent breakfast buffet.
Address: 105 N Bayshore Dr, Safety Harbor
32. Madeira Beach
Madeira is a quiet little beach which tends to receive less tourist traffic than neighboring beaches like Clearwater and St. Pete. Here you will get to experience a similar spectacular setting, with the added bonus of being able to easily find your own spot to relax for the day. When you tire of the sun, you can stroll over to John’s Boardwalk for food, fun, and shopping!
Tip: Head over to Slyce for amazing pizza and even better views! This is hands down the best local pizza shop and the views are fabulous.
Address: 12901 Gulf Ln Madeira Beach
33. Sawgrass Lake Park
Sawgrass, a small shady park in St. Petersburg, is the perfect choice for early morning strolls. Lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of a gator or 2, especially during the winter season. A mile long walk along a boardwalk leads you to an observation tower offering great views of the lake. The wooden boardwalks will take you across one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast. The Great Florida Birding Trail has included it on the list of the best places for bird watching in Florida. I’ve seen a lot of unique birds here, but surprisingly few gators compared to other parks.
Address: 7400 25th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33702
34. Sunset Cruises
Besides the beach, Clearwater is the spot to go to take a cruise. When it is too hot to sunbathe, a breezy cruise is always a great back up option. A sunset cruise is always a great romantic date choice. Tropics Cruise lines offer an excellent affordable sunset cruise, which is perfect for date night. I loved the views and we did see a few dolphins which was a nice bonus. It was nice to enjoy the scenery for once without the sun beating down on us. Unfortunately, I didn’t appreciate that they allowed smoking outside, otherwise it was a great time.
Address: 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767
35. St. Pete Art Walk
On the second Saturday of every month, more than 40 galleries take part in the St. Pete Art Walk, opening their doors free to anyone interested in exploring the local culture. To get around the many different districts of the city, a comfortable, breezy open air trolley ride is available. An interesting alternative to the traditional date night.
Learn more about St. Pete’s art scene
36. Brooker Creek Preserve
I often take a quick walk at this park anytime I am visiting Tarpon for the day. It’s not too far from the downtown and the trails here are pretty easy (more of a nature stroll). Due to the abundance of tall shady trees, it’s the perfect park to visit year-round. Whether you feel like hiking, taking an easy jog, or enjoying some nature photography, I recommend a visit just to get back to nature in a quiet setting for a bit. You will find 5 miles of trails for hikers (through beautiful pine flatwoods and oak hammocks) and 9 miles of trails for equestrians.
Address: 3940 Keystone Rd, Tarpon Springs
37. Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto is an 1136 acre park on 5 interconnected islands. The beaches here are often ranked amongst the best in the country. Beautiful white sand, soft waves, and a quiet setting place Fort De Soto’s beaches on many “best of” beach lists. I thought the beaches were alright (not my personal favorite), but I do love the biking path.
This beautiful 6.5 mile recreation trail is the highlight of the park to me. Rentals are available if you don’t have your own bike but definitely bring it with if you are a local to save a few bucks. Other amenities here include: kayaking opportunities, a large dog park, camping sites, fishing piers, and picnic shelters. Overall, a great daytrip for locals and visitors willing to shell out a few bucks.
Address: 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St Petersburg
38. Sand Key Park
If peace and quiet is what you seek, skip Clearwater Beach and head over to neighboring Sand Key Park. As you can tell in this pic, this beach does not see nearly as many crowds. We were basically one of just a few people the day we took this pic. This tranquil beach is almost never too crowded. Not only are the views gorgeous, but it’s one of my top picks for collecting seashells. While this means that this beach lacks the trademark “soft white sand” it is a great place to find a coveted sand dollar. Be aware that it is illegal to collect a live sand dollar, but you can have fun collections all sorts of colorful shells of every size and shape.
Tip – Pack a lunch. There is a gorgeous picnicking area.
Address: 1060 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater
39. John S. Taylor Park
John S. Taylor Park is a little hidden gem in the Largo region. This quiet park lies far away from the beaches, so you can enjoy a peaceful day of fun-in-the-sun without battling crowds. Highlights include a large disc golf course, picnic shelters, and a multi purpose trail which circles the lake. This is one of my favorite parks for a quick bike ride/run (circle around a few times for a full workout!). This was my park of choice when I wanted to get in a workout, but not go all out. Fortunately, there is plenty of shade here so you can enjoy the park on all but the hottest of days.
Bonus – you can connect to the Pinellas trail here for a longer ride.
Address: 1100 8th Ave SW, Largo
40. Sunken Gardens
This tropical oasis in busy St. Petersburg provides a relaxed setting for those looking to avoid the beach crowds. At this 100 year old natural treasure (the gardens were formed in 1903 when gardener George Turner purchased the land, including a lake 10 feet below sea level), you will find various species of palm trees, relaxing waterfalls, flamingos, beautiful Koi ponds, and even a few exotic birds (pictured above is the Australian Cockatoo).
Walking around is like taking a mini tropical vacation. I’ve always loved palm trees, so this is one of my favorite destinations near the beach. Also, I really love seeing all the exotic birds and beautiful waterfalls. Due to the picturesque setting, the Gardens has become a popular wedding venue.
Tip: Be sure to look into the calendar of events which includes weekly yoga sessions.
Address: 1825 4th St N, St Petersburg
