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Tampa / St. Petersburg, FL — Staycation Inspiration
10 Things To Do In Town
- St. Pete Pier + Waterfront Walk
- Vibe: Modern and coastal
- Description: Explore this massive waterfront space with art, green space, a market, and bay views.
- Special Events: Pier concerts and markets
- Best Time: Spring and fall evenings
- Tampa Riverwalk
- Vibe: Scenic and social
- Description: Walk, scooter, or hop a water taxi along this 2.6-mile path linking top attractions and bars.
- Special Events: Riverfest (May), holiday boat parades
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Salvador Dalí Museum
- Vibe: Surreal and world-class
- Description: See the largest Dalí collection outside of Spain in a dreamy, glass-curved museum.
- Special Events: Surrealist masquerades and themed yoga
- Best Time: Year-round
- Ybor City Historic District
- Vibe: Gritty and cultural
- Description: Stroll past cigar shops, visit the Ybor Museum, and catch flamenco or live jazz.
- Special Events: Guavaween (Halloween), Fiesta Day
- Best Time: Evenings, spring and fall
- Hyde Park Village
- Vibe: Stylish and upscale
- Description: Shop indie boutiques, sip craft coffee, or catch an outdoor film in this chic neighborhood.
- Special Events: Fresh Market (1st Sundays)
- Best Time: Year-round
- Glazer Children’s Museum + Curtis Hixon Park
- Vibe: Family-friendly and riverside
- Description: Great for solo travelers with kids or strolls through public art and green space.
- Special Events: Yoga in the Park, Food Truck Fiesta
- Best Time: Spring and early summer
- Sunken Gardens (St. Pete)
- Vibe: Lush and tropical
- Description: Meander through century-old gardens filled with flamingos, waterfalls, and palms.
- Special Events: Guided garden walks
- Best Time: Spring and early fall
- Sparkman Wharf
- Vibe: Waterfront and fun
- Description: Eat from shipping container kitchens, watch the game on the lawn, or grab a craft brew.
- Special Events: Night markets and DJ sets
- Best Time: Spring and summer evenings
- Tampa Museum of Art + Julian B. Lane Park
- Vibe: Modern and serene
- Description: Check out contemporary exhibitions, then relax across the river at a peaceful park.
- Special Events: Art on the House (Friday evenings)
- Best Time: Year-round
- Sunset at Pass-a-Grille Beach
- Vibe: Quiet and beautiful
- Description: End the day with one of the best Gulf sunsets, minus the big crowds.
- Special Events: Sunset drum circles (select nights)
- Best Time: Spring through fall
10 Things To Do Within 30 Miles
- Clearwater Beach Day
- Vibe: Classic and sun-soaked
- Description: Swim, parasail, or sip tropical drinks on this soft white-sand favorite.
- Special Events: Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival (nightly)
- Best Time: Spring and summer
- Caladesi Island State Park
- Vibe: Remote and natural
- Description: Kayak or ferry to this undeveloped beach for a chill, shell-filled escape.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Late spring to early fall
- Egmont Key + Fort Dade
- Vibe: Hidden and historic
- Description: Take a boat to this secluded island with snorkeling, ruins, and dolphin sightings.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Summer
- Weedon Island Preserve
- Vibe: Peaceful and paddle-friendly
- Description: Explore mangrove tunnels via kayak or walk elevated boardwalks through marshland.
- Special Events: Guided paddles and nature talks
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Downtown Dunedin Day Trip
- Vibe: Cute and creative
- Description: Visit this walkable, artsy town for craft breweries, boutiques, and waterfront views.
- Special Events: Dunedin Mardi Gras, art fests
- Best Time: Fall and spring
- Madeira Beach + John’s Pass Village
- Vibe: Beachy and touristy
- Description: Great for people-watching, dolphin tours, and kitschy shopping near the water.
- Special Events: Seafood Festival (October)
- Best Time: Summer and early fall
- Boyd Hill Nature Preserve
- Vibe: Wild and under-the-radar
- Description: Walk among pines, wetlands, and boardwalks — maybe spot an alligator or owl.
- Special Events: Night hikes and birdwatching
- Best Time: Winter and early spring
- Indian Rocks Beach
- Vibe: Low-key and local
- Description: Less crowded than Clearwater — ideal for solo beach reading or collecting shells.
- Special Events: Food fests and art walks
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Gulfport Art Walk + Beach
- Vibe: Funky and LGBTQ-friendly
- Description: Browse art stalls, enjoy Gulf breezes, and eat your way through this colorful community.
- Special Events: First Friday & Third Saturday Art Walks
- Best Time: Year-round
- Picnic Island Park (South Tampa)
- Vibe: Chill and undiscovered
- Description: Watch the sunset, launch a kayak, or have a quiet solo picnic with skyline views.
- Special Events: None
- Best Time: Weeknights, spring to early summer
10 Things To Do Within 60 Miles
- Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
- Vibe: Greek and coastal
- Description: Browse sponge shops, eat baklava, and soak up the charm of this historic fishing village.
- Special Events: Epiphany celebration (January), seafood festivals
- Best Time: Fall through spring
- Honeymoon Island State Park
- Vibe: Natural and breezy
- Description: Walk beach trails, spot ospreys, or relax on one of Florida’s most peaceful shores.
- Special Events: Ranger tours and wildlife viewing
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Crystal River Manatee Paddle
- Vibe: Magical and eco-friendly
- Description: Kayak or snorkel alongside gentle manatees in clear spring-fed water.
- Special Events: Manatee Festival (Jan)
- Best Time: Winter (Nov–Mar)
- Weeki Wachee Springs Mermaid Show
- Vibe: Retro and family-friendly
- Description: Watch mermaids perform underwater and float the spring-fed river nearby.
- Special Events: Summer river float season
- Best Time: Spring and summer
- Little Manatee River State Park
- Vibe: Quiet and woodsy
- Description: Hike, camp, or paddle this shady, peaceful preserve south of the city.
- Special Events: Guided nature walks
- Best Time: Fall and winter
- Lakeland Mural Tour + Coffee
- Vibe: Artsy and unexpected
- Description: Explore local street art, indie cafés, and swan-filled lakes in this growing city.
- Special Events: First Friday events
- Best Time: Spring and fall
- Plant City Strawberry Festival (seasonal)
- Vibe: Sweet and classic
- Description: Celebrate Florida’s strawberry season with rides, music, and lots of pie.
- Special Events: Annual festival (late Feb–early Mar)
- Best Time: Spring
- Egmont Key Snorkeling + Shelling
- Vibe: Remote and relaxing
- Description: Book a boat tour to this barrier island for peaceful sunbathing and sea life spotting.
- Special Events: Shelling tours
- Best Time: Summer and fall
- Sun City Center Day Trip
- Vibe: Quirky and chill
- Description: Explore this retiree town’s golf cart life, community events, and surprisingly good thrift finds.
- Special Events: Spring market events
- Best Time: Winter
- Ellenton Premium Outlets
- Vibe: Shopper’s fix
- Description: Score discounts on top brands for a chill half-day retail therapy session.
- Special Events: Holiday sales
- Best Time: Weekdays, year-round
