A Few Of Our Favorite Places Around Tampa Bay
On the western side of Tampa Bay is a peninsula that encompasses four cities. St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo and Dunedin. In addition to spectacular beaches, the area has a lot more to experience.
Starting in the north is the city of Dunedin famous for a daily sunset celebration. It features a great downtown area with good shopping, restaurants, a wine café and every evening people gather for a sunset celebration on the towns main pier.
In addition to a couple of great tropical gardens the area has a world-class aquarium, a major art museum and a couple of often overlooked gems.
Florida Botanical Gardens
“Our Urban Oasis” Bring the family and spend the day. The Gardens are open almost every day of the year and admission is free!
Sunken Gardens
A botanical paradise in the midst of a bustling city. As St. Petersburg’s oldest living museum, this 100-year-old garden is home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region.
Unwind as you stroll through meandering paths, lush with exotic plants from around the world. Explore cascading waterfalls, beautiful demonstration gardens, more than 50,000 tropical plants, and flowers.
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Maybe other cities have an Italian deli like this one but I doubt it. If you have the time look this one up. From fresh roasted coffee to delicious deli selections, gourmet baked goods to handmade pastas and specialty cheeses, Mazzaro’s is more than a one-of-a-kind Italian gourmet market – it’s one of the Tampa Bay areas favorite culinary destinations.
Tampa Bay is an area where land and water create a maze of amazing places to visit. West of St. Petersburg is the city of Tampa with its own attractions worthy of your time. From Busch Gardens requires a full day, on the Tampa waterfront is one of America’s best aquariums and don’t miss the Cuban flavor of Ybor City known for its lively nightlife, diverse dining options, and unique character. The neighborhood is home to numerous restaurants, bars, clubs, and live music venues. It also hosts several famous annual events, such as the Gasparilla Pirate Festival and the Sant’Yago Knight Parade.
The Florida Aquarium
Come experience Florida’s Best Aquarium and one of the “top 5 kid-friendly aquariums in the country”! Whether exploring “the great outdoors” while inside a cool, air-conditioned facility or coming face to beak with penguins, The Florida Aquarium is a fabulous destination in the Tampa Bay area.
The American Victory
Located on a pier right next to The Florida Aquarium make time to visit a real piece of WWII history. Welcome aboard the American Victory Ship and Museum, a non-profit 501(c)3 organiztion! As one of only 4 fully-operational WWII ships in the country, the American Victory Ship is a true American icon and is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places. Come aboard and witness virtually the entire ship including cavernous three-level cargo holds, radio and gyro rooms, hospital, galley, weaponry, steering stations, flying bridge, signaling equipment, wheelhouse, mess halls, crew cabins, lifeboats, the Captain’s quarters, cargo equipment and the engine. Learn more about the American Victory HERE.
The Dali Museum
This modern marvel celebrates the life and work of Salvador Dali (1904-1989) and features works from the artist’s entire career. The collection includes over 2,000 works from every moment and in every medium of his artistic activity including 96 oil paintings, many original drawings, book illustrations, prints, sculpture, photos, manuscripts and an extensive archive of documents. Founded with the works collected by Reynolds and Eleanor Morse, the Museum has made significant additions to its collection over the years.
If you have a car don’t miss an opportunity for an evening drive over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It spans Tampa Bay, connecting St. Petersburg to the southern west coast. The bridge is a major landmark opened in 1987. The bridge is 4 miles long and hits a height of 430 feet offering stunning views of the bay.
Come for the beaches but be sure to spend a little extra time exploring this vibrant area.
The Intentional Travelers 