Caladesi Island State Park is again named one of the best beaches — #3 in America. The island off Dunedin is a perfect kayak destination too.
Tampa Bay Getaways
This channel features more than 40 articles about things to do in the Tampa Bay region, including state and county parks, wilderness areas and beaches near St. Petersburg, Tampa, Clearwater, Dunedin, Tarpon Springs, Ruskin and Bradenton.
Anclote Key: Camping on a remote tropical isle
If pitching a tent on a dreamy tropical island is your thing, then add Anclote Key to your bucket list.
Pass-a-Grille, one of Florida’s best beaches in a charming historic town
The beach is spectacular here — wide white sand, clear blue-green water. But the Old Florida charm of Pass-a-Grille, a community within St. Pete Beach, is what makes it stand out.
Fort DeSoto Park: Tampa Bay treasure delivers top beaches, camping, historic site, more
There are few parks in Florida with as much to offer as Pinellas County’s Fort DeSoto Park: Camping, beaches, kayaking, biking, a dog beach and a history lesson too.
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park: Kayak to stilt houses, hike to small springs
Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park in New Port Richey is not well known outside its area. But it’s a good place to kayak both to see springs in the park and to paddle into the Gulf to see historic stilt houses.
Dunedin: Delightful biking, breweries, beaches and historic downtown
In Dunedin, we love bicycling the Pinellas Trail, but this charming Tampa Bay area town has more to offer, with eight breweries plus great restaurants and coffee shops in its walkable historic downtown. Twenty minutes away are two excellent state parks with award-winning beaches. Plus it’s a great place to catch a Spring Training game.
Florida Strawberry Festival, March 4-14, 2027
The big draw to the state’s most popular festival is a stellar entertainment lineup on the Wish Farms Stage.
Florida State Fair: Feb. 4-15, 2027
Who doesn’t love the Florida State Fair, its magical midway, and food that is not very good for you — which, of course, is the appeal of a state fair!
Pinellas Trail: Treasured bike trail from St. Pete north
The Pinellas Trail is a long, well-marked paved bicycle trail that connects St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs along Florida’s Gulf coast.
Anna Maria Island is a delightful Old Florida beach town
Visiting here, I found myself happy that places like Anna Maria Island survive — a low-rise beach town with quaint cottages and a spectacular beach. Daytrippers will be happy to learn they can skip the weekend traffic and parking hassles with an affordable ferry service from Bradenton.
Tampa Thai temple: Exceptional Sunday market & brunch
An open-air Thai brunch and market draws throngs every Sunday morning to this beautiful waterfront temple in Tampa. The food is very good and moderately priced. The exotic gold-trimmed temple is worth visiting just because it’s beautiful, set among shady live oak trees decorated with orchids.
Camping at Myakka River State Park brings out the nature in you
Myakka River State Park is one of Florida’s oldest and largest state parks with three main campgrounds, backcountry campsites, endless hiking and biking trails, kayaking and canoeing, and, oh, the wildlife.