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Some roads less traveled
[Photos: Times files]
Withlacoochee State Forest |
If the typical theme parks and popular museums are too obvious for your holiday getaway tastes, take a trip to some alternative destinations.
By PAMELA DAVIS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published December 20, 2001
This holiday season, give your out-of-town guests the present of your presence, and take them on a different kind of Tampa Bay area adventure.
You (and your guests) already know about such big-name places as Busch Gardens, Weeki Wachee, Florida Aquarium, the Salvador Dali Museum and, of course, the beaches. But here are some often overlooked, and often more economical, destinations for you and yours.
We've highlighted just a few of our favorite places. For a complete listing of attractions, museums, aquariums/zoos, nature parks, and other recreational opportunities, refer to the listings found throughout the Weekend section.
FOR THE OUTDOORS ADVENTURER
1. Flatwoods Adventures, 12959 State Road 54, Odessa -- Get a taste of real Florida by touring a working cattle ranch. The tours take place on the Anclote River Ranch, the property of J.B. Starkey Jr., who owns more than 1,000 head of cattle and 3,400 acres. Visitors ride a customized open-air "range buggy" on a two-hour trip through saw palmetto and longleaf pine flatwoods, pasture and oak hammocks. Tours are by reservation only, Monday through Saturday. Call (877) 734-9453 for times. Prices are $16.70 for adults, $15.64 for seniors and $9.28 for children 3 to 12. For information visit www.flatwoodsadventures.com.
2. Sunsets at Pier 60, Clearwater Beach at the west end of the Memorial Causeway -- Key West isn't the only Florida city that celebrates sunset. Every day people flock to Pier 60 to partake in the sunset festival, listen to live music and watch the big ball go down. About 50 artisans show up nightly to sell their handmade wares. The celebration starts two hours before sunset and goes on for two hours after sunset. For information, call (727) 449-1036 or visit www.sunsetsatpier60.com.
3. Bayshore Boulevard, South Tampa along Hillsborough Bay -- Known as one of the best places to jog, walk and skate in the Tampa Bay area, Tampa's Bayshore Boulevard has a real claim to fame: At 6 miles, it's the world's longest continuous sidewalk. Park along any of the side streets where it's legal; jump on anywhere you like. In addition to the water view, you'll also see some of the finest old mansions around. But remember; Bayshore is heavily traveled by commuters, so avoid rush hour if you'd rather not breathe in the exhaust.
4. Fort DeSoto Park, Pinellas County: Among the 900-acre park's many attractions (7 miles of waterfront, 3 miles of white sand beach, camping, boating, the historic site) is a 4.2-mile recreation trail that connects the campground with the North and East Beach Swim Centers and the historic fort. Take exit 5 off I-275 (Pinellas Bayway) and follow the signs. Call the park office at (727) 866-2484, or check www.fortdesoto.com.
5. Pinellas Trail, along the west side of Pinellas County. -- This 34-mile linear park and recreation trail extends from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg to near U.S. 19 east of Tarpon Springs, with plenty of entrance points with free parking in between. It's a perfect place for biking, skating, jogging or walking. If the day is hot, you'll find the most shade along the northern stretches of the trail. Free admission. For information, call (727) 549-6099 or visit www.co.pinellas.fl.us/bcc/park/pinellas_trail.htm.
6. Withlacoochee State Forest, covers about 163,000 acres in Pasco, Hernando, Citrus, Lake and Sumter counties. -- The park is home to various endangered and threatened species, and offers lots of opportunities for campers, hikers, boaters and cyclists on the new trail and on the many dirt tracks within the forest. The paved, 46-mile Withlacoochee State Trail begins at SR 50, a mile east of I-75, in Ridge Manor. It runs 6 miles south to Trilby and 40 miles north, past the Silver Lake Campground, through forest, then north through Floral City, Inverness and Citrus Springs. It ends at Gulf Junction just south of Dunnellon.
For information, call (352) 394-2280, or check www.trailsfromrails.com.
FOR ANIMAL LOVERS:
7. Lettuce Lake Park, 6920 Fletcher Ave., Tampa -- Now is a great time to bird watch in Tampa Bay, with so many varieties here for the winter. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday at 5 p.m. a member of the Audubon Society conducts a tour along the boardwalk, identifying birds and habitats. The walk lasts about 45 minutes. The tour is free, but donations are encouraged. Meet at Lettuce Lake's Nature Center. For information call (813) 983-0258.
8. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, 4150 S Suncoast Blvd., Homosassa -- Just getting to the park from the visitor center is an adventure. Chances are you'll see wading birds or turtles on your boat or tram ride to the park's entrance. Inside the park is a showcase of native Florida wildlife and endangered species. Visitors will see manatees, birds, deer, alligators, a black bear, a bobcat and even a hippopotamus. Entrance fees are $7.95 for adults and $4.95 for children. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day (including Christmas). For information call (352) 628-5343 or visit www.citrusdirectory.com/hsswp.
9. Tampa Electric Co.'s Manatee Viewing Center, south of Tampa off I-75 and U.S. 41 near Apollo Beach. -- They come to this spot every year to swim in the warm water discharge canal. It's not a zoo or animal park, so the manatees come and go as they please. But when they do come, you can get a good look at them from the observation platform. After watching manatees roll on their backs and stick their noses out of the water, take the self-guided tour of the tidal flat walkway nature trail. Admission is free. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information call (813) 228-4289 or visit www.manatee-teco.com.
FOR HISTORY BUFFS:
10. Florida International Museum, 100 Second St. N, St. Petersburg -- The rocking chair with its padded arms and worn-out cushions is a haunting reminder of the life of John F. Kennedy. Now part of the museum's permanent collection, the exhibit shows many sides of the 35th president and his family. Admission is $12 for adults, $11 for seniors and $6 for kids 6 to 18. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. For information call (727) 822-3693 or visit www.floridamuseum.org/.
11. Henry B. Plant Museum, 401 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa -- Though the railroad magnate considered Tampa to be nothing more than a "sand heap," that didn't stop him from pouring millions into the city. Plant created the Port of Tampa and built the Tampa Bay Hotel -- a landmark example of Arabic-Moorish-Turkish-Colonial American architecture. The hotel is now the University of Tampa, and the museum is on the first floor. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. For information call (813) 254-1891 or visit www.plantmuseum.com.
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Historic Walking Tour of Ybor City
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12. Historic Walking Tour of Ybor City, 1818 Ninth Ave., Ybor City -- There's a lot more to the place than bars and restaurants. Ybor City was founded by Spanish cigar manufacturers Vicente Martinez Ybor and Ignacio Haya, who moved their cigar factories from Key West to this area near Tampa in 1886. Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark. Walking tours are given Saturdays at 10:30 a.m. starting at the Ybor City State Museum. It's $4 per person; children under 6 are free. Included is a guided tour of the Ybor City State Museum, which features displays illustrating the Latin cigar industry. For information, call (813) 247-6323 or visit www.ybormuseum.org.
13. Crystal River Archaeological State Park, 3400 North Museum Point, Crystal River -- The site is home to burial, temple and midden mounds built by American Indians between 200 B.C. and 1400 A.D. In addition to the mounds, visitors will see important stones thought to have been used in ceremonies. Admission is $2 per vehicle, including eight people; $1 for each additional person. Hours are 8 a.m. to sunset on the grounds and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the visitor center/museum. For information call (352) 795-3817 or visit www.citruscounty-fl.com/CrysRiv.html.
14. Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, along Dodecanese Boulevard west of Alt. U.S. 19, Tarpon Springs -- Ever wonder where those wonderful natural sponges that are all the rage these days come from? Here you will find authentic commercial sponging operations, dinner cruises, rental boat rides up the Anclote River, fishing trips, authentic Greek restaurants and many retail shops.
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Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame
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15. Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame, 2455 N Citrus Hills Blvd., Hernando -- Williams, one of the game's greatest hitters and the last man to bat over .400 in a season, lives in Hernando (the town in Citrus County), so that's why the museum is here. In addition to paying homage to Williams' career, there's a collection of memorabilia of other great players, much of it donated by fans: scrapbooks, clippings and photos, a library filled with baseball books, computer reference materials. Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Admission: $9 for adults, $1 for children. For information call (352) 527-6566 or visit www.twmuseum.com
FOR SHOWBIZ FANS
16. Tampa Theatre Tour, 711 Franklin St., Tampa -- This is what a movie palace was all about back in the Golden Age of cinema. Gaze at the ceiling of this 1920s treasure, and you'll see rolling clouds created by an antique Brenograph. The 11/2-hour, balcony-to-backstage tour highlights the theater's history, architecture and restoration and includes a demonstration of the Mighty Wurlitzer theater organ, which rises from beneath the stage. The next tour is Dec. 30 at noon. Admission is $5. For information call (813) 274-8981 or visit www.tampatheatre.org.
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Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
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17. Backstage tour of the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, 101 N MacInnes Place, Tampa -- You may know what it's like facing the stage, but now you can find out what happens behind it. The TBPAC tour highlights everything from the dressing rooms and loading docks to the acoustics and architectural elements. It lasts up to 11/2 hours and is given every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 a.m. Meet outside the box office. Admission is free. For information, call (813) 229-7827 or visit www.tbpac.org
FOR THE SHOPAHOLIC
If the weather's too fine to stay inside the mall, here are other options:
18. Downtown St. Petersburg. Once derided as "God's waiting room," St. Petersburg has staged a comeback that will amaze those who haven't visited in a few years. Shoppers have a wide range of options, from the new shops, movie theaters and restaurants in and around BayWalk, to the elegant and funky art galleries on and around Central Avenue, and the eclectic mix of antiques shops a little farther west on Central. With the museums (Holocaust, Dali, Fine Arts), you can easily make a day of it.
19. Downtown Dade City. The magazine Where to Retire recently raved: "This five-star small town evokes memories of a slower-paced, quieter, friendlier America of a half century ago . . . The cool shade of moss-hung oaks and brick-paved streets draw strollers young and old, while casual shoppers browse through antique shops."
20. Hyde Park Village, Swann and Dakota avenues, Tampa -- This outdoor shopping enclave, tucked into South Tampa's tony Hyde Park neighborhood, offers a mix of retailers including Anthropology, Williams-Sonoma and Crabtree & Evelyn, and plenty of restaurants, some with outdoor seating.
21. Rogers' Christmas House, 103 S Saxon Ave., Brooksville -- Features five turn-of-the-century houses filled with more Christmas merchandise than you can possibly imagine -- unless you've been there. Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Closed Christmas Day. Call (352) 796-2415 or visit www.rogerschristmashouse.com.
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