Offering a fantastic peek of the gulf of Mexico, Fred Howard Park is a popular public beach park along the famous one-mile causeway. Featuring a white sandy beach, biking, and hiking trail-the park boasts amenities like picnic shelters, clean restrooms, showers, and visitor parking. The beach park attracts thousands of tourists each year. Ideal for windsurfing and swimming, the beach also has launch pads for kayaking and canoeing. The park also attracts endangered animals like eagles, gopher tortoises, fox squirrels, and a variety of butterflies in the garden.
Take a 10-minute boat ride to Shell Key Preserve to spend the day having fun in the Florida sun. Bring provisions and enjoy all the key has to offer. Stroll along the beach, take a refreshing dip in the Gulf, gather an assortment of seashells, or relax soaking up some sun. The shuttle departs three times each day at 10a, 12p, and at 2p with return trips at 12:15p, 2:15p, and the last trip at 4:15p. Guests are provided with snorkels, masks, bags for shells, and umbrellas at no charge. Sunset cruises lasting over an hour around the barrier islands are also available, however reservations are required. Schedules may vary throughout the year and no pets are allowed on the preserve. - Vickie Ferguson
This serene patch of green, jutting out from the mainland into the waters, offers a refreshing escape from the bustle of the city. From canoeing and kayaking to fishing and hiking, the park has excellent recreation opportunities for outdoor as well as nature enthusiasts. Flanked on three sides by the Mobbly Bay, Upper Tampa Bay Regional Park boasts of a spectacular setting for picnics.
Florida's subtropical climate makes it an ideal place for outdoor activities. Bayshore Boulevard is touted as the lengthiest, extended footway of the globe. Stretching across three miles (4.83 kilometers), it is a scenic road overlooking the Hillsborough Bay. It won't be surprising to see people walking, jogging, cycling or skating at this popular spot. Dotting this beautiful path are many historic homes, giving it a certain vintage charm. It is also home to the annual Gasparilla Parade, where citizens turn into pirates, trying to invade the city.
The John B. Sargeant Park encircles the confluence of Flint Creek and Hillsborough River. This 23-acre (9.3-hecatre) woodland is replete with green and golden vegetation, a swampy terrain, and trails, boardwalks and bridges veiled by thick foliage. Some of their pathways connect to famous parks in the neighborhood. Visitors can also canoe, paddle or kayak along the river, which again leads to surrounding gardens. Other activities include hiking, fishing and spotting birds like the egret and ibis. This park also offers extensive picnic areas for relaxation.
The city of Clearwater is home to numerous resorts that offer an amazing view of this stunning beach. Water sport lovers can engage in parasailing and jet skis are also available for rent. Boat tours, fishing charters as well as cruises are also operated on this waterfront. Pier 60 by the beach is the venue for musicians as well as street performers and offers excellent entertainment. A snack bar is also available to grab a quick bite while enjoying the gorgeous sunset on the bay.