Visit Florida - Visit Florida 2025

For a detailed state map, see pages 20-21.

CULTURAL HUBS MEET HIDDEN GEMS

Contrast the historic architecture and heritage flavors of Ybor City with the cosmopolitan culture of Tampa and St. Petersburg, where art will inspire your itinerary. Make time to escape to off-the-beaten-path preserves and beaches—including some accessible only by boat.

ATTRACTIONS

Interact with rescued dolphins, sea turtles, and otters at Clearwater Marine Aquarium, an eco-friendly facility dedicated to marine life rescue and rehabilitation. Flock to historic Johns Pass Village and Boardwalk in Madeira Beach, a hub for watersports outfitters and charters for fishing, parasailing, and dolphin-watching. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a family-favorite that blends thrilling roller coasters with educational wildlife encounters in one of North America’s largest zoos. Chill out at Tampa’s Adventure Island, a tropical oasis with water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools. Stroll St. Pete Pier in downtown St. Petersburg to enjoy delicious food, quaint shops, recreational activities, and panoramic views of Tampa Bay.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Scan the QR code to discover places to stay in Central West Florida: VISITFLORIDA.com/places-to-stay

DINING

Molly Goodhead’s Raw Bar and Restaurant in Dunedin is known for its fresh seafood and casual waterfront dining atmosphere. As part of the Gulp Coast Craft Brewery Passport Trail that showcases the region’s brewing culture, Gulfport Brewery and Eatery is a hotspot for craft beer enthusiasts in the coastal community of Gulfport. Cassis American Brasserie in St. Petersburg exudes French-inspired elegance with bistro-style cuisine and sidewalk seating. At any of the Louis Pappas Fresh Greek locations around the region, the “famous” salad, gyros, and other specialties reflect a cultural heritage that is especially rich in the community of Tarpon Springs. Michelin-starred Lilac in Tampa’s Channel District delivers an urban-chic dining experience with a menu of contemporary American cuisine and craft cocktails.

OUTDOORS

Croom Trail in Withlacoochee State Forest near Brooksville is a premier destination for mountain bikers, providing 50 miles of challenging trails through pine forests. Enjoy a quintessential beach day at Clearwater Beach, lauded for its soft, powdery sand—just right for building sandcastles. Salty Siren Tours in Crystal River provides experiences including manatee encounters, scalloping excursions, and fishing and boating trips that showcase the area’s marine biodiversity. Swim with manatees, or take a dolphin-watching or pub-crawl cruise, at the Homosassa Manatee Snorkeling Center along scenic Homosassa River. Novice and experienced skydivers can consider Skydive City in Zephyrhills, which attracts thrill-seekers from around the world with its excellent facilities and aerial views.

EVENTS To shop fresh produce, prepared foods, plants, and crafts with a backdrop of live music, visit St. Petersburg’s Saturday Morning Market in downtown Williams Park. For evening plans, check the calendar of the elegant Cuban Club in Ybor City, featuring lively cultural and musical events.

Scan the QR code for a current list of some major events: VISITFLORIDA.com/things-to-do/events

CULTURE

Get a glimpse into history at Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City. The open-air museum includes preserved buildings, exhibits on pioneer life, and vintage agricultural equipment. Nurture your creativity at Dunedin Fine Art Center and Children’s Art Museum, which offers artistic experiences for all ages through galleries, workshops, and interactive programs. The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art in St. Petersburg celebrates the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West, and wildlife of the world. Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa plays host to Broadway shows, Opera Tampa productions, and a calendar full of stand-up comedians. Ybor City Museum State Park in Tampa celebrates this historic district’s multinational origins and cigar-making heritage with exhibits housed inside a former bakery.