Best Day Trips from Tampa, FL

Tampa is a modern and lively city situated on the Gulf of Mexico and is a perfect starting point for the exploration of some of the most interesting and diverse places in the state of Florida. If you are a history lover, an adventurer or a nature lover, there are many Tampa day trips that will interest you. There are many interesting places to visit in Florida and the nearby attractions. Welcome to the Tampa best adventures and learn more about Floridas nearby trips that are worth taking and worth remembering.

Best Tampa Adventures for Culture and History

St. Augustine Day Trip

A trip to St. Augustine from Tampa is an interesting one that takes a day and is a history lovers delight. Take a walk on St. George Street that is filled with small shops, cafes, and buildings with colonial architecture. For art lovers, the Lightner Museum located in the historic Alcazar Hotel has an interesting collection of art and curiosities. This trip is a great insight into the American history and therefore ranks among the top things to do in Tampa for history lovers.

Tarpon Springs Excursion

Tarpon Springs is located just a little outside of Tampa and is a very culturally rich city with a rich history of sponge diving and a large Greek population. Begin your tour at the Sponge Docks where you can find out how sponges are collected and find shops selling natural sponges and other souvenirs. Stroll around the area of the Historic District with its charming houses and great restaurants that serve delicious Greek food. The Tarpon Springs Aquarium is also worth a visit where you can learn about the local fauna and flora and interact with the exhibits. This trip is a perfect day trip for those who want to explore the history and heritage of the country as well as the small town beauty.

Adventure-Packed Florida Nearby Trips

Crystal River Manatee Tour

Wildlife lovers should not miss a Crystal River Manatee Tour. Crystal River is approximately 90 minutes drive away from Tampa and is famous for its clear waters and swimming with manatees. To start with, the clients are taken on a guided kayaking or boating trip to the manatee areas to snorkel and interact with the manatee in their natural environment. Go to Three Sisters Springs, an attractive place with clear water and a large number of manatees. These make it one of the best Tampa day trips because of the rare opportunity of getting close to these gentle giants.

Everglades Airboat Ride

If you seek a more thrilling experience, you should take an Everglades Airboat Ride. Located just a couple of hours away from Tampa, Everglades National Park is the best place to experience the famous Florida swamps in style. Ride an airboat and glide through the mangrove tunnels and grassy waters at rather high speeds. During this trip, you will be able to observe various kinds of animals such as alligators, turtles and different kinds of birds. The guides are well informed and give interesting information about the area and the inhabitants of the environment. This exciting tour through the special territory of Everglades is a must-see for any Florida nearby tour.

Scenic Tampa Day Trips for Nature Lovers

Caladesi Island State Park

This park is famous for its white sandy beaches and the best place for shell collecting and sunbathing. Tourists can take nature trails that are available in the island and they pass through coastal hammocks and are ideal for bird watching. The water around the island is crystal clear and thus ideal for kayaking and there are options for renting kayaks for the mangroves and the bay. Being one of the most beautiful and quiet islands, Caladesi Island is perfect for a one-day Tampa tour for those who want to spend time in the nature.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park

The park provides fun and recreation to the people as well as physical activities. See mermaid shows in the underwater theatre, and then take a kayak or paddle through the Weeki Wachee River. The riverbank has a lot of vegetation cover and there are many animals around making the paddling more enjoyable and quiet. Also, Buccaneer Bay, the water park in the park has slides and a natural river that flows through the park. Weeki Wachee Springs State Park gives a good day out with natural sights and novelties to watch.

Relaxing Excursions Near Tampa

Anna Maria Island Beach Day

Floridas Gulf Coast is home to Anna Maria Island, a beautiful barrier island that is perfect for a day spent at the beach. Only a few miles away from Tampa, the island has beautiful, white sandy beaches ideal for sunbathing, swimming and collecting seashells. Begin your day at Holmes Beach, which is perfect for relaxing and swimming in the calm Gulf. Stroll along Pine Avenue for some great independent shopping and some lovely cafes. End your day with a seafood dinner by the water, watching the sun set over the water. Without a doubt, Anna Maria Island is one of the most beautiful and quiet places to visit for a day trip from Tampa.

Bok Tower Gardens Visit

Located in the picturesque countryside of Central Florida, Bok Tower Gardens is a great place to relax and enjoy the view after the noisy Tampa. This National Historic Landmark comprises of beautiful gardens, pathways, and the large Singing Tower carillon. The tourists can stroll around the beautiful gardens, and listen to the beautiful ringing of the carillon. The Pine Ridge Nature Trail is a nature trail that offers a good hike through the natural Florida environment. Bok Tower Gardens is a perfect place for a day trip from Tampa as it is a combination of nature and history.

Conclusion

Tampa is a starting point to numerous and various interesting and diverse day excursions for everyone. Whether you are interested in the historical side of St. Augustine and Tarpon Springs, an adrenaline rush in Crystal River and Everglades, or just a beautiful sightseeing in Caladesi Island and Weeki Wachee Springs, there is something for everyone. For the tourists seeking leisure, there is Anna Maria Island and Bok Tower Gardens. These nearby adventures hold the potential of creating some of the most memorable experiences and therefore, Tampa is a perfect place to begin the discovery of the best of what Florida has to offer.