Road Trips from Tampa

After checking into my hotel in downtown St. Pete, it was time to take a stroll. Much of the downtown area was constructed in the 1920s. I loved taking a stroll past all the historic, art deco and Mediterranean-Revival  style buildings. 

Photo Ops: 

Downtown St. Pete has some great photo ops! Bring your favorite outfit and get some beautiful photos in these 3 unique spots: 

-The Vinoy Hotel: 

One of St. Pete’s 2 famous pink hotels, (the other, the Don Cesar, is located on the beach) The Vinoy Hotel is a stunning work of art deco era architecture. The beautiful oak trees nearby also add a very whimsical and unique element to the scene. It’s the perfect spot for a beautiful solo photo in your favorite dress, a romantic couples’ photo, or a nice family picture. 

-The Post Office:

I know it sounds a little crazy, but the downtown St. Pete post office is a gorgeous historic building. Built in 1917, the Mediterranean-Revival style structure instantly transports you to a summer holiday in Italy. 

-Street Art: 

My favorite thing about downtown St. Pete is the amount of colorful murals you see just about everywhere. Make sure to stroll down some of the back alleys as well, most of the street art has been painted on the rear facades of restaurants and shops. 

Dozens of Central Florida’s stunning natural springs are just over an hour’s drive from the Tampa area. We visited Rainbow Springs State Park, and if the rain didn’t stop us, we would have made a stop at Silver Springs State Park as well. 

The area is pretty remote without many options for food, so it’s best to come prepared and pack a picnic for the day. On your way out of Tampa, make a stop at La Segunda Bakery for some guava and cheese pastries and coffee.  While you’re there grab some Cuban sandwiches to pack for lunch. I am obsessed with Cuban sandwiches, and Tampa’s version is a little different with the addition of salami to the ham and pulled pork found in the south Florida classic version. 

You’ll want to get an early start, especially in the summer months, as parking capacity at the state park and the local park access to Rainbow River both fill up fast. Rainbow River is a spring fed river that remains a constant 72 degrees year round!  

There are two public access points to Rainbow River: Rainbow Springs State Park and a local municipal park; however the state park offers more amenities. Admission to Rainbow Springs State Park is $2 per person. 

Tubing in Rainbow Springs State Park: 

Floating down the crystal clear waters of Rainbow River is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day! Tubing is available from April-September. 

Kayaking and Canoeing Rainbow Springs State Park: 

Kayak, SUP, and canoe rentals are available in the state park by the hour or for the day. You can paddle the Rainbow River year round. It’s a great way to explore the area in the winter months. 

Silver Springs State Park

Unfortunately, after enjoying the morning paddling Rainbow River, storm clouds started rolling in when we planned to drive over to Silver Springs State Park so we decided to head back. If you are able, I definitely recommend making a stop there as well. 

What makes Silver Springs State Park so special are its inhabitants–the park is home to a population of wild monkeys! Of course, the monkeys are not native to the area.  Theirs is an interesting history. In the 1930s, a glass bottom boat operator thought having an island of monkeys would be a fun addition to his attraction. What he did not know was that monkeys can swim. The monkeys escaped the island and have been roaming the area that encompasses what is now the state park ever since. 

Swimming with the manatees was such a magical experience! You can swim with manatees year round, but in the winter months especially, the manatees migrate inland to the spring fed rivers when the waters of the Gulf of Mexico are colder. 

The Crystal River area offers an array of different tour operators.  We went with Fun 2 Dive. 

Here’s what to expect on a manatee tour: 

Because the water can be pretty chilly, the tour operator provides a wetsuit along with the snorkel gear. We watched a safety video explaining the rules for swimming with manatees. Manatees are protected by Florida law and it is illegal to touch or harass them in any way. Licensed tour operators ensure that these rules are closely followed.

 After watching the video, we rode to the marina and took a short boat ride to the swimming area.  There is a roped off section of the river in which we were permitted to swim. People are not allowed to swim outside of this area. This protects the manatees and gives them the choice to interact with humans.  Once they’re tired of us, they can swim away and be left alone. 

Swimming with these gentle giants was such a magical experience! Many manatees are curious about humans. There were several swimming in our area, and a few of them came up and gave us a gentle nudge. Our tour guide captured those memories on camera for us, and we were able to purchase the photos after the tour.

No trip to Florida is complete without a beach day, especially if you’re visiting in the warmer months! 

St Pete Beach has miles of long, white sandy beaches, however, parking is very limited and spaces fill up fast on weekends. We drove around for nearly an hour trying to find parking to no avail. 

Not to worry, Fort De Soto State Park located just a short drive from downtown St Pete has plenty of parking! Even on a Saturday afternoon, we were able to park right by the beach. 

Visiting the beach via the state park, we were able to enjoy views of the beach uninterrupted by high rise condos or the noise of traffic. 

 Of course, being in the state park, there are not as many amenities or restaurants nearby, so you’ll need to pack some drinks, snacks, and maybe a few more of those delicious sandwiches from La Segunda Bakery!