Things to do in Pasco County, Florida: “The Nature Coast”
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Indulge in authentic Greek fare at The Hungry Greek
Despite being a Florida chain, The Hungry Greek is one of the best Greek dining choices in the Tampa region. For affordable, quickly prepared, and delicious Greek cuisine, you will not find a better choice. This gem serves tasty Greek salads, Greek bowls, pita, traditional Greek entrees like spanakopita, and delicious Greek desserts like baklava and rice pudding. Their Greek salad is amongst the best in the area. The Grilled Veggie bowl topped with falafel is a real treat – healthy and delicious!
The Wesley Chapel location features a nice patio which you can enjoy when the weather is not too atrociously humid. As a bonus, there is a great little local coffee roaster next door which serves top notch artisan coffee plus a bunch of specialty pastries which are gluten-free and vegan! Love their homemade poptarts and vegan donuts!
Get back to nature at Key Vista Nature Park
Key Vista is a quaint little nature park featuring a boardwalk, a nature trail, and an observation tower overlooking the Gulf. The trail is only a mile long, however, a great spot to enjoy local wildlife. This is a park where you can truly relax and rejuvenate in nature as foot traffic is limited to a few locals at any given time.
Featuring over 220 bird species, Key Vista is considered one of Pasco’s top birding sites. Be on the lookout for brown pelican, osprey, and bald eagle. A full species list can be found on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife trail website.
Enjoy an expertly prepared espresso drink at Mountaineer Coffee
Mountaineer is by far the best choice in the New Port Richey area for specialty coffee. Beans are roasted daily at their flagship location in Brooksville. Along with great coffee, they also serve tasty homemade poptarts. The vibe is local with friendly baristas. It’s not rare to see repeat customers picking up their drinks each morning. It is always great to support small business.
The seating is a bit cramped, however, they do offer an attractive patio which overlooks New Port Richey’s small, yet charming Main Street. Bonus, there is a nice little riverfront park right across the street. After your cup of joe, you can conveniently squeeze in your morning walk/jog.
Take a hike at Hillsborough River State Park
This beautiful large park is quite popular as it offers numerous attractive amenities. First off, there are 7 miles of hiking trails to explore. Second, it is an excellent wildlife and bird watching destination. Most importantly, the park is home to class II rapids, which are a rarity in Florida.
Enjoy a relaxing hike, picnic in beautiful natural surroundings, or challenge yourself to a kayaking trip down the river (rentals not available). No matter what type of recreational experience you are seeking, there is plenty to do here to justify the $6 entrance fee.
Visit secluded Anclote Key Preserve State Park
This small island (located 3 miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs) is accessible only via boat. If you do not have your own boat, you can still enjoy the beauty of Anclote via a ferry ride. Highlights on the island include a historic lighthouse and excellent shelling opportunities. Anclote is a prime bird watching destination (to date, 43 species have been identified).
Odyssey cruises in Tarpon Springs is your best bet for accessing the island. On this entertaining 2 hour cruise, you will get to explore this secluded Gulf beach, collect a big bag of beautiful seashells, and learn more about the history of the sponge industry of Tarpon Springs. On your way out to the island you will see lots of dolphins and possibly manatee and sea turtles. After your cruise, you will definitely want to treat yourself to some authentic Greek food at Hellas, conveniently located just across the street.
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