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Florida’s Sun Coast

Florida’s Sun Coast lies on the Gulf of Mexico where there are countless things to see and do. Do you like to visit historical places? Are you looking for entertainment or a good beach? You can find all of this and more on the Sun Coast.

For a fun time visit Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay. The biggest inverted roller coaster in the world calls that amusement park home. The Florida and Clearwater Marine Aquariums will give you fascinating insights into the eco-systems in the area. The Lowry Park Zoo features eight different habitats with animals from around the world. With advance notice, they will accommodate folks with special needs.
Clearwater Beach, Sun Coast Florida
People who live on the Sun Coast claim that the sun shines 361 days a year there. If you do hit one of those rainy days, the Tampa Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) has something for everyone. Numerous exhibits allow for hands on exploration. In nearby St. Petersburg you can visit the Florida International Museum that hosts treasures from around the world. If you have time, you might like to visit the Salvador Dali Museum and browse the large collection of Dali’s paintings.

The Sarasota beaches are exceptional but once you’ve had your daily dose of vitamin D there are many other things to keep you entertained. The Sarasota Classic Car Museum is home to over 100 vintage and classic automobiles. If you are a gamer, Livingston’s Amusement Center has a variety of ways for you to indulge yourself. The video and arcade games are kept updated, and they have pool tables and go-karts. Circus enthusiasts may enjoy an afternoon at the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus located near Sarasota. Do you need some quiet time alone? Consider a visit to the St. Boniface Labyrinth where you can walk and meditate.

 

If you are heading further north along the coast, plan to spend some quality time at Tarpon Springs. This village was settled by Greek sponge divers. Visit the free sponge diving museum, and take a ride one of the boats. Stroll around this charming town and then head for a restaurant where you can sample Greek food and sweets. Twenty-five miles further north you can see the famed mermaids at Weeki Wachee, and play at the Buccaneer Bay Water Park.

Florida’s Sun Coast has something for everyone. Come and see. Accommodations of all kinds are available.

 

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Filed Under: Clearwater, Florida, Sarasota, Siesta Key, St. Petersburg, Sun Coast, Tampa, United States

St. Petersburg, Florida

St. Petersburg, Florida is an international tourist destination with a vibrant arts community and some of the best beaches in the United States. "The Sunshine City," as it is sometimes called due to its many consecutive days of sunny weather, is also a popular retirement spot.

The city is located on the Tampa Bay Peninsula, with the Gulf of Mexico to the west and Tampa Bay to the east. It's smaller and more subdued than its neighbor Tampa and has a population around 250,000.

Pier in St. Petersburg, FloridaThe city shares its name with the boyhood home of one of its founders, Peter Demens, who arranged in 1888 for an important railway terminus to be placed there. His co-founder, John C. Williams, purchased the land in 1876 and named the city's first hotel after his hometown of Detroit. The hotel survives today as condominiums.

Water sports such as boating and jet skiing are very popular in the area. The waterfront, with gorgeous views of Tampa Bay, is bustling with parks, shops, restaurants and museums, including the Dali Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, which is located within Straub Park. There is an IMAX theater downtown in the BayWalk shopping complex, and Grand Central, the part of town known for its artistic and LGBT communities, lies just to the west. The St. Petersburg Pier is another popular and lively area that includes fishing, boat rentals and an aquarium alongside shopping, dining and nightlife. Just on the edge and outside of the city, visitors can enjoy the undeveloped beaches and wilderness of such areas as Fort DeSoto Park.

The humid subtropical climate means that St. Petersburg is warm year-round. Summer is the rainy season. Even in January and February, the average low temperature does not fall below the 50s. Although tropical storms and hurricanes occur throughout the area, the town itself has not been struck by a hurricane since 1921.

The city can be reached by Amtrak or plane as well as by car. Two separate trolley lines run through the central part of the city, connecting many of the most popular destinations. The downtown area is also the starting point for the Pinellas Trail, a cycling and recreation trail which runs throughout the entire county.

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Filed Under: featured, Florida, North America, St. Petersburg, United States