The Most Beautiful Places in Tampa Bay
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.
North Redington Beach
Like Indian Rocks, nearby North Redington Beach (located just 6 miles down the Gulf) is a desirable beach destination for anyone seeking to avoid rowdy crowds. As the town is more residential in tone, there is not much business in sight. And thus, tourists tend to skip right over this one. Nevertheless, it’s still easy to access restaurants and shopping in nearby beach towns. So, enjoy a hassle free day at the beach and then take a simple drive down the Gulf to enjoy great dining and shopping.
This is the best beach near Tampa for a long relaxing beach walk. The sand is super soft and smooth and shells are limited compared to others. Lots of shorebirds and dolphins to watch along the walk. Get out here early in the morning to avoid the intense afternoon heat and enjoy the tranquil ambiance of one of the Gulf’s more relaxing beaches.
Lake Seminole Park
This suburban park in quiet Largo offers a peaceful setting for a nice day out in nature. As one of the shadiest parks in Pinellas, this park is the best place to escape the sun, even during the harshest months. If you want to get in a great workout without feeling totally annihilated by the heat and sunshine, Lake Seminole Park is the perfect place to do so.
A beautiful 2 mile long tree-lined biking/walking path winds its way around the park. The course is super scenic with lots of leafy trees proving a picture perfect setting. Lake Seminole is a beautiful destination for jet skiing, water skiing, and boating. Most importantly, the park is a dedicated wildlife sanctuary. Keep your eyes peeled for alligators, tortoises, and bald eagles. This park is my preferred choice for a day away from the beach: I love flat bike paths and this trail is so lush and beautiful!
Weedon Island Preserve
The most scenic preserve in St. Petersburg offers a tranquil change of pace from the noisy beaches. A variety of quiet nature trails will allow you to decompress and enjoy the more natural side of Florida. Weedon is a perfect place to grab your binoculars and check out the variety of bird species which call Florida home.
As soon as you enter the park, you will immediately reap the benefits of nature. This park is very secluded – a far cry from the congested beaches of St. Pete. Boardwalk trails pass over mangrove forests with views of salt water ponds. Best of all is the observation tower which affords a magnificent view of the Bay area. Weedon is also a fabulous destination for animal lovers. While on the trails, be on the lookout for armadillos and gopher tortoises.
Pass-A-Grille Beach
This quiet narrow beach is located on the less busy side of St. Pete. As all the tourists head to famous St. Pete Municipal Beach, you can take the less traveled alternative route and spend a lazy day at gorgeous Pass-A-Grille. This beach has won many awards due to its’ laidback, old time “Old Florida vibe.”
Near the beach is a charming historical village where you can browse boutique shops, eat at mom and pop shops, enjoy an ice cream cone, and browse small art galleries.
Eureka Springs Park
Eureka was once home to a botanical garden, and thus, this park is much more lush than most. Although there is a small fee to get in, it’s worth it for the tropical ambiance. Quite small at just 31 acres, although the preserve is jam packed with much beauty. Also on-site is a seasonal rose garden, a boardwalk which winds through a forest of maples and cypress, and a greenhouse.
