Florida offers many different things and this is evident in particular along the shores of the Gulf coast. Quiet stretches of beach, fun filled shores, museums, galleries and the untamed wilderness can all be found here. In fact Florida’s Gulf coast can offer you everything you’re looking for in a sunny holiday.
Clearwater
A peninsular on the west coast bordered by the gulf of Mexico and Tampa Bay, Clearwater is home to warm sands and clear waters. Popular for active holidays it has plenty of beach activities, golf, shopping, great places to eat and a diverse cultural heritage. Moccasin Lake Nature park is a particularly great showcase of native plant and animal species, and the 35 miles of award winning beaches here are a great place to relax.
St Petersburg
Sometimes called St Pete, this neighbour to Clearwater is famous for sun – in fact a few decades ago it took the world record for most consecutive sunny days, and averages a full 360 days of sunshine each year. Museums, performing arts centres and galleries make this the cultural hub of Florida. Specific museums not to miss include the Salvador Dali museum and the powerful Holocaust museum.
Tampa
Water, sun, sports, arts and lots of amusement parks – what more could you want! Take a visit to Busch Gardens or the Florida Aquarium, do a little shopping, catch a few rays on the beach and then head into the entertainment district for a spot of dinner and some music and dancing. Ybor city is one of the prime locations here and is designated a National Historic Landmark.
Bradenton
A less well known area than its neighbours, Bradenton is nevertheless a great place to explore art and history as well as the sunshine and beaches of course. There’s also the South Florida Museum, the Manatee Village historical park telling all about the early pioneers and how they lived, and the Pittsburg Pirates train here in the spring too.
Sarasota
Home of the Ringling Brothers circus, Sarasota has a rich and distinct cultural identity. There are educational museums, opera, ballets and plays to see here, and the Siesta village is rather a funky noisy beach where many writers and artisans hang out.
Englewood
If you want to avoid the spring break scene and experience a bit of ‘old Florida’ then come to Englewood. This intimate community has acres of parks and miles of unspoilt beaches as well as world famous fishing, and excellent boating opportunities.
Everglades National Park
A truly unique and amazing place, the Everglades is a subtropical landscape of over one million acres in size. There are some 600 plus species of birds and animals and literally thousands of plant varieties. It is also home to a number of endangered species including the American Crocodile. There are many things to do here including bird watching, camping, hiking, eco tours and boat tours.