This is a wonderful observation deck which gives an incredible 360 degree view over Myakka State Park and the surrounding nature/hiking trails. The wooden structure was build by volunteers and is very well-made, although you can feel a slight sway at the top of the structure. There is also a nice suspension/wooden bridge that you can cross. This is great for kids and adults of all ages. There is a short trail that leads to the observation deck from the nearby parking area.

An inexpensive day trip. $6 for a carload. The 75 ft tower was worth the 'climb'. Lots of level of stairs. But easy to go up & down. Nice walkpath for a nature walk

This is a good but quite short experience definitely worth seeing. It is just a quick stop and short walk as you gett in the park from the south end. There are a lot of stairs to climb but the view is impressive.

Great place to bike or walk around. A fun walking bridge and a hike up many steps to the canopy view. We saw many alligators and birds. The boat tour was closed this season as the water is down 3 feet. Overall, a great family place to go.

Came with our children and our parents, ages 6 to 72 and we had a great time! We drove through the park end to end first checking out the wildlife. We saw a wide variety of birds, several deer, and even a few alligators. After our "self led safari" our party of 6 walked the canopy walkway. The structure is very well maintained and easy to navigate. The six year old was the first to reach the top of the canopy, but you do feel the sway of the structure in the wind. The views from the peak observation platform are breathtaking, and worth the climb. We spent about 4 hours total exploring. For the $6 entrance fee (per vehicle) we highly recommend, it's worth the stop.

Beautiful and gators were active. I think this would be a place to bike, which we seen lots doing it. At the same time they need a bike lane because kids were in the middle with their parents and cars were trying to get around.

Beautiful park full of wildlife and great views! Loved the canopy walkway and tower overlook. Peaceful, scenic, and totally worth the visit.

Mom and daughter are continuing the family legacy started in the 1940's with lots of volunteer support. It's well worth the $20 pp to watch these elegant horses go thru their steps, which takes years of training to accomplish.

Lipizzans perform several times a week from January to April. The last show this year on April 26 was the 80th anniversary of the 400 Lipizzans rescued after WWII by American and allied troops. They may have become extinct and are still considered an endangered species. Beautiful horses that can perform amazing moves including levade and pesade and other incredible moves. The show is 2 hours with a short break to get something from the snack bar and visit the horses in the barn. Plenty of parking and you can bring your own chair or sit on the bleachers.

I went to the Lipizzan show for the first time last year on a vacation from Chicago. I was Uber impressed by the performances and learning opportunity that I purposely made a trip back this year before the show ends for the season. The thing I love most about this show is that it’s so interactive. Rebecca, Sydney, and Julie clearly care for the horses. Each horse has a unique personality and they show it! I also love that they’re constantly changing/updating performances. This years show had a ton of new moves than last year! I highly encourage you to take the family and attend the show!

A lovely way to spend an afternoon. The horses are beautiful and the family clearly cares about them. For $5, which helps offset the cost of their care, you can watch them rehearse and bleacher seats are provided (just get there early if you want seats in the shade). Remember that this doesn't mean you're getting to see one of their shows, but it's truly charming to see the interaction and what goes on behind the scenes.

This place was a great experience. We went right after Christmas so it would probably be 5 stars when all the riders are on-site. (Many were on vacation.) The horses are beautiful! The family/staff/volunteers take good care of the horses, let us tour the barn, and answered questions. Very nice people. The cost is $5 per person but they appreciate donations. They have grandstands for seating. A lady sold us an information booklet for $5 that was helpful. Parking was free. Show was at 3 pm on a Friday and gates opened at 2 pm. We learned about the history of the horses too.

We thought we were going to see a dress rehearsal - with all the flowing costumes that accompanies a horse show- but we were pretty disappointed. The lady who owned the horse farm was pretty much the show- demonstrating her different Lippizan horses and their talents. She spoke quite a bit about the history of the Lippizans which was quite interesting but not enough of a horse show. Since the hirses no longer perform shows, I didn’t consider these shows to be dress rehearsals. I felt there was a lot more that could have been added.

What an amazing way to spend a Saturday morning. We were blown away by everything about our time there. The horses were amazing, you were able to go into the barn and visit with the horses before and after the show. Myakka was our daughters favorite. He was stunning. The people there were friendly and knowledgeable about the horses and their history. Being able to watch these horses and their training up close and personal was a treat. We drove 2 hours each way and it was well worth the trip. Lots of things to do nearby. Will definitely be going back.

Absolutely breathtaking! The beach is a true paradise warm, crystal-clear waters that are so inviting, and perfectly shallow for wading or just relaxing. The scenery is stunning, and the peaceful atmosphere makes it the ideal spot to unwind and soak up the sun.”

— Siesta Key Beach Florida Review — I’ve been here 5 weeks ago. It is the best beaches I have ever been to. I definitely recommend going to this exact beach in Florida if you want Jacuzzi style relaxation. The water is really hot! When it’s sunny and humid, you will have to handle it going into the water will make it worse since it’s really hot. 5 star beach and definitely the best beaches I ever went to. Highly recommend!

5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️!! Siesta Beach is ranked among the top 10 best beaches in the U.S. every year — and of course, our family wanted to see if it really deserves the title. It absolutely does! All the photos online are real — not exaggerated at all. Parking: there are plenty of spots, though I imagine it might be tricky to find one during the busy season. There are also designated spaces for people with disabilities. Before reaching the main beach area, there’s a large shaded zone with a playground, picnic shelters, and showers. It takes about 5–7 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the beach. The sandy area is divided by a small service road where you can easily set up a tent or have a picnic. The sand is truly amazing — pure white, very fine, soft, and cool even on hot days. The ocean is a paradise for the eyes! The water color is stunning, even when there are waves. The entry into the water is smooth and safe, perfect for kids. There are lifeguards on duty and sheriff patrols, which makes you feel even safer. Highly recommend this beach for everyone — families, groups of friends, or couples looking for a beautiful and relaxing spot to enjoy the day. 💙

The sand is truly unique — pure white, incredibly soft, and as fine as powder. The best part is that it never gets too hot, so you can walk barefoot along the entire shoreline without a problem. The water is stunningly clear, with a gorgeous turquoise color and a perfect temperature of around 30°C, making it ideal for swimming or simply relaxing in the shallows. The beach is also very well equipped. At the entrance, you’ll find places to buy drinks, snacks, and light meals, which is super convenient if you want to spend the whole day there. There are free parking areas — although when I visited on a Wednesday, they were almost full, so I can imagine weekends get quite busy. Another big plus is the excellent facilities: there are showers and restrooms available, all very well maintained and clean, adding to the comfort of your visit. On top of that, a pleasant breeze keeps the heat from feeling overwhelming, making the whole experience even more enjoyable. The atmosphere is lively yet relaxed, with families, couples, and friends all enjoying the sun, the sand, and the beautiful surroundings without it feeling too crowded. It’s the perfect blend of natural beauty, comfort, and good vibes — a place you’ll want to return to again and again.

Best beaches in the Sarasota area. Get there early if you want to find a parking spot. It is a very popular beach and people flock here. Food is available and there are ample public bathrooms and foot washing station. The beach is a bit of a hike from the parking lot but well worth the walk. Great place to take your family. Plenty of space for grilling, a playground for the kids, and a few covered areas for large parties and to stay out of the sun.

The sand at Siesta Key is unbelievably soft — it literally feels like walking on flour. The beach is spotless, the water is clear, and the sunsets are unbeatable.

Visiting Siesta Beach was one of the best beach experiences I’ve ever had. The moment I stepped onto the sand, I understood why it’s consistently ranked one of the best beaches in the country—and even the world. The sand is unbelievably soft and cool to the touch, even on a hot day. It’s not your typical beach sand either—this is pure white quartz that feels like walking on velvet. It made just being there feel relaxing and refreshing, before I even reached the water. The beach itself is massive, so even when there are a lot of people, it doesn’t feel crowded. I liked how easy it was to find a spot to settle in without being too close to anyone. The water was calm, crystal clear, and perfect for swimming or just floating around. You could really tell the area is well-maintained, from the clean restrooms and outdoor showers to the lifeguards stationed throughout, giving you a real sense of safety and care. But what really made it special for me was the atmosphere. It’s peaceful, family-friendly, and full of people enjoying themselves without the chaos or noise of more commercial beaches. I even got to stay long enough to catch the drum circle at sunset, which was an incredible experience. Watching the sun dip into the Gulf while listening to live drumming and seeing people dance freely in the sand—it just had this beautiful energy that stays with you. Siesta Beach isn’t just another beach—it’s a destination that feels like a perfect mix of nature, relaxation, and good vibes. Whether you want to play, unwind, take a long walk, or just sit and watch the waves, this place has it all. I would absolutely come back again and again. It’s a true gem of Sarasota and easily one of my favorite spots in all of Florida.

Beautiful place to be. The parking is easy to navigate and there is a small gift shop below the garage. I explored the gardens and there were many butterflies out. There was a little cafe on the property and the women working the counter was very kind. There is a beautiful banyan tree with bridges and things for children to play with like musical instruments. There is a lovely gazebo where it looks as though wedding as held inside with stained glass above which was very pretty. A peaceful place to walk 🌺.

We went to see the orchids and were duly impressed. The display was very nicely done. When my wife and I went to the intriguing exhibit by Rebecca Louise Law unfortunately, being sensitive to fragrances, I could not enjoy the display. We toured the rest of the grounds at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the shade and cool ocean breezes. Absolutely amazing place. The flora is exceptional.

Beautiful way to spend the afternoon! Guided tour was very interesting. Gift shop and Orchids for sale were stunning. We were offered a reduced admission fee due to the museum was closed. Parking garage

So the grounds were beautiful, not up exactly to par with the Naples botanical garden. But a lot of great photo opportunities! The staff, I’m not sure if they are paid or volunteer but they were definitely not very friendly, not rude, but short which I felt was odd given the midday, early afternoon crowd was non existent.

What an amazing experience!!! The orchids were gorgeous and the at show was breathtaking. The ground are well kept and the staff is friendly and willing to answer questions. I had a wonderful time. There was ample benches to rest when I got tired. I'm so impressed!!

Absolutely beautiful gardens! The orchids and bromeliads were outstanding—some of the most stunning displays I’ve ever seen. The entire property is peaceful, well-kept, and perfect for a relaxing stroll. A must-visit!

Absolutely beautiful! I ended up getting an annual pass because I know I will go back. There are beautiful areas to walk around and sit quietly and enjoy the scenery!

Very nice aquarium! Loved the renovation. The food court had an excellent range of food options. The manatee, penguins and otters were my kid's favorite.

I had a really great time at this aquarium, and I definitely would come again. There are two main buildings, the building with fish and other attractions like a preserved giant squid and a virtual reality experience, and a building with mammals like manatees and turtles. Once you pay for a ticket, you can enter both of these buildings. I suggest starting at the main building, and when you finish, follow the path marked with paintings of fish, and you can find your way to the mammal building. There's also a bird sanctuary, which is free entry. You can spend a decent amount of time there, so if you don't want to spend any money, it's a great option. This place is great for anyone of any age, and the elevators for accessibility make it a very open experience for anyone of any demographic. I highly recommend this place if you want to learn about marine life or just enjoy your day viewing interesting sea creatures.

Super cute little aquarium, I heard they're expanding recently as well? (I went a few years ago). Have a focus on sea turtles and rescue/rehabilitation of them. Can also see dolphins, manatees, a variety of fish and marine life, and a VERY NICE otter exhibit, the otters have a nice waterfall, clear clean water and lots of toys!

I’m very happy to know they are moving to newer and nicer / larger building soon! This will be amazing for them since you always have to walk to the building across the street. People are so friendly and so nice, we Love the people working and volunteering here! There was an older gentleman who took the time to explain to us how their giant squid ( found dead and now being preserved ) came to the facility. He was an amazing story telling and so knowledgeable about these creatures! We can’t wait to come back but now to the new facilities!

Was hoping to see the new aquarium. However, this one open til July 6th. It is inside and out and allows us to see some amazing sea life. Worth a visit. However, the new place should be awesome. This takes a good 2 1/2 to 3 hours. Does have a café.

Aquarium and marine animal rescue were great. Not crowded on a June afternoon, and docents were terrific. We used our hometown zoo membership to help get a discounted ticket price. We arrived around 3, but wish we had had more time to read about everything and check out the bird rescue, which closed at 4:30, too.

We took our grandchildren here during a vacation. We enjoyed the educational experience. It is kid friendly and a great place for them to explore the wonders of the sea. Staff are knowledgeable and approachable. They enjoy educating the visitors, especially the children. There are hands-on activities for the littles. It is not overwhelming big, the perfect size for the children. The bird sanctuary and manatees are a short walk and worth it.

Thinking this is just a museum dedicated to the circus wrong. of course there is circus memorabilia in two buildings that take you back to your childhood, but there is also the mansion from John and Mabel Ringling, and there is also an art museum with some of the most incredible paintings You have seen in the most amazing building. The property is lush and beautiful. I highly recommend a visit.

My husband and I visited here earlier in the year it was such a cool experience. So much beautiful art, history, lovely gardens, and so much more. This is the kind of place you wander around all day long. The banyan trees are the largest we’ve ever seen in FL. It was kind of disappointing that the rose garden was under construction but I guess we’ll just have to come back again. The staff were all helpful and shared lots of cool information. The cafe was cute but a little over priced so we decided not to eat there. Thank you for an amazing time. This is a great spot to take cool pictures. We were very impressed by the miniature circus.

This place has so much richness to offer! Ensure to leave yourself ample time to enjoy the entire 65 acres of this Museum. The garden is beautiful and so is the 🎭 🖼️ building. The circus 🎪 history. Great place if you're an arts enthusiast. Bonus: catch the sunset on Thursdays they close at 8PM last photo!

Ringling mansion was a wonderful look back to the gilded age. The collection of was magnificent! What was showing was only 20% of the collection. I could NOT believe that there was a Rembrandt on display. This is a must see. The circus portion of the museum was also very interesting.

Loved this place. There is a lot to do here. We ran out of time. It is set in a beautiful garden but there is a lot of renovation going on at the moment. Our favourite bit was the circus. It was fun to learn about the history and the miniature circus was just amazing.

Beautiful 66 acre property with museum, art gallery, castle and manicured grounds. Bring your walking shoes because you will definitely get all of your steps in for the day. To see it all plan to spend at least 5 or more hours here. Highly recommended. 👍🏽 🤡 🎪🤹🎠

This place is definitely worth the hype and the drive. The cadzan was so beautifully and intentionally built, the intricate designs, the detailing in every part of the house! It made me miss the way we used to build things not the modern very bland and very plain we build things now. The house is a work of art, I wonder just how majestic it was back in the days. We couldn’t do a full exploration off the ringling but I’d definitely go again

It's typically packed weekdays/weekends regardless of when you go. Good selection of stores. A little tiny area for kids to play by the food court which was nice to spend a few minutes at with my kiddo.

We went on a weekend and it was not crowded and it had different shopping options with great discounts available for buyers. Along with different shopping lots present in Ellenton, there is also plenty of parking options available, which makes it easier for buyers to shop and park easily.

very clean and well maintained, lots of parking, lots of shops, clean restaurants and restrooms. The benches outdoors to sit on are nice and shaded. We just so happen to go on a day that the fighter jets were flying for the bucs game, that was cool to watch in the sky

It's a nice place and big, there are clothes of all brands and good deals, and it has a dining area, the only detail is that there's not a technology store, only clothes stores

Terrific mall! Absolutely love the Lucky Brand store. Overall a great place to find some decent deals with a variety of stores. Biggest issues: 1. You have to Pay to park closer to the front. Feels very nickel and dime for an already failing industry. 2. Food court needs a heavy overhaul. It is dark and dingy with not a lot of great nor healthy options.

Ellington. Premium Mount. It’s always has a wide variety of amazing deals that I find extraordinarily unbeatable. Come to see them today. Find the shoes. You need the clothes you don’t and everything from here to their in between and all around. Come see us today at Ellington outlet malls. Enjoy the minion shops here, and you will find a great deal. I guarantee you. If nothing else you have a beautiful time, enjoying the lovely scenery and ladies.

Love this place!!! To start it has great stores, the prices and deals are great, the design of the place is beautiful, open and modern, plenty of space to seat and rest, food court, huge parking all around the stores. It’s definitely worth the driving!!!

I took my five year old grandson, thoroughly enjoyed the park. There’s no cost to ride the railroad, but they do ask for a donation since everyone who works there is a volunteer. Check out the website to pre-register, or you could register while standing in line. I recommend getting there early, as a line forms quickly.

I absolutely love that this place exists and will happily take my kids, the whole family, and extended family to their events any chance I get. We love it more each year. This year we experienced the pumpkin patch and the train ride alone is so special, let alone all the activities once you get there. Hayride, bounce houses, kids cart ride (the kids all wanted to keep going on that), games. Their team really goes above and beyond to make this a great experience and are so friendly. It is so well run and put together! We were spoiled with extra knowledge and insight into the trains and their cool local history and restoration work by Bobby. He is the best! Kids had the best day, food was great, lots of options for everyone.. we can’t wait to keep experiencing these events. We brought kids ages 17, 12, 11, 7, and 4. Everyone loved it.

Facility is not an indoor museum. The museum is found within the train itself and is only available in Saturdays and Sundays. Christina is a great time to visit. Parking available and set up well for the disabled, but parking for regular vehicles is not well delineated. Good for families with kids. Lots of fun train related stuff in the gift shop for kids 3+ Only downside is the train rides are only Saturdays and Sundays; it is not open during the week.

Went with my grandfather in law to the WW2 reenactment and they treated him with such respect and even had him in the show! My grandfather in law is a Purple Heart recipient and Vietnam war veteran so it meant a lot to him and I how above and beyond they went to thank him for his service and to accommodate him. They put on a great performance and I’ll definitely be back. It was my first time going to something like this and they definitely made a great first impression.

The volunteers who run this place are amazing and are incredibly passionate about the upkeep of the museum. Debbie, Edward, Clayton, and Dakota (and the rest of the team!) were great and made the ride and the museum at Willow pleasant. Everyone seemed happy and the crew did a great job entertaining everyone. It’s a volunteer-operated railroad so they rely solely on revenue from guests to maintain the property, but tickets are priced well and are absolutely worth the price. I arrived at about 1:30 and there were still a few tickets for the 90-minute round trip at 2:00, which was almost at capacity. There’s also a small model railroad opposite from the ticket office and gift shop. As cool as the actual equipment and displays are, it’s the volunteers that make it a 5-star attraction!

This museum is one of the best places in all of Florida to spend time with the family. It's super fun. Everyone there is super nice and you get to ride a train. Their North Pole Express is an awesome time and experience they also get Thomas the train once a year which is a great time for the little ones.

I wanted to share some feedback regarding our recent visit to your fall festival. We were very much looking forward to this trip after having such a magical and memorable experience last year with the Polar Express event. Unfortunately, this visit fell far short of expectations. We understand that things can go wrong — the mechanical issue that led to us switching trains wasn’t a problem at all. What was difficult to overlook, however, was the tone and attitude from several volunteers and staff. Rather than being welcomed aboard, we were immediately met with a stern and condescending reading of rules — repeated by multiple individuals and targeted to folks with small kids — in a tone that felt condescending and unfriendly. As a family of educators, we deeply understand the importance of rules, especially for children’s safety, but the delivery truly set an awkward and negative tone before the experience even began. A warm welcome followed by necessary guidelines would have gone a long way. After arriving at the festival area, things unfortunately got worse. My two-year-old was stung by a yellow jacket almost immediately upon sitting down to eat. When I alerted the staff in the dining tent, the response was, “Yeah, they’re bad right now,” and that was it. I later found out there was a nest under the table — something that clearly should have been addressed beforehand, or at the very least, clearly marked or roped off. When I brought this to the attention of a staff member who had been on the train with us (white long sleeve shirt, who had read the rules), he said he would tell “the big managers” and walked away. No one followed up. There was no offer of first aid, no help in finding ice or cream, and no gesture to allow us to re-enter the train car a bit early to regroup. A little compassion would have gone a long way. These are basic expectations, especially at a family-focused event. It’s disheartening to say this, but some volunteers we encountered did not seem well-suited for a role centered around children and families. We’re not writing this out of anger, but in the hopes that you’ll take this feedback seriously and consider what kind of experience you want families to walk away with. A little more warmth, some proactive safety measures (especially around stinging insects), and a reminder to your team that families — with small children — are your core audience, could make a huge difference going forward. Thankfully we discovered that day our daughter was not allergic to yellow jackets. One of the younger volunteers working the tent by the cornhole and connect 4 actually mentioned she was stung the weekend before and it wasn’t pleasant. Thank you for your time and for taking this into consideration.

So.... BE ADVISED, take your hard earned money and vacation time where you get much more bang for it... EVERYTHING in Anna Maria Island is in RUINS and the municipality is DRAGGING their feet to redo it... Not fix it(its gone with the wind/HURRICANES) Now then, the spaces for parking are extremely limited and if you step out of their line you get a (drummer roll pls) A TICKET, $50.00 and after a few days it creeps up to $65.00 and then $150.00😳areas shown in tbe photos are areas that could it been turn into parking spaces but they decided not too. There's also nice places like Caladesi(plenty of parking for a nominal small fee all day) and from there you can take the small ferry and jump to Honey moon Island, and thats a better area and no traffic ENFORCERS playing ninja behind a tree watching you🤔🤣

This was the perfect spot to chill out and enjoy a bite to eat. You feel as if you are on private Island . Because of the location and the open structure of the venue. They also had karaoke. It was a great experience.

The pier is no longer there because of the hurricane. Standing at the shore and looking out to where it had been, was a beautiful memorial.

One of the highlights of our trip. Amazing pier walk to the restaurant (we saw a fever of stingrays on our second visit and several up close pelican experiences). Grouper bites were delicious and they have the most amazing Hibiscus Iced Tea. Cashier on 4/18 was so nice and friendly (cashier on return visit [blonde female] was sitting down and acted like I was bothering her with my order). Servers were extremely friendly. There was a local artist playing guitar and singing that just sealed the deal on making an AMAZING atmosphere.

At first, I was skeptical because there is just a fast food order station and no restaurant and limited beer/wine options. However, if you are looking for SIMPLE, the live music on Saturday, the fried shrimp and fries were some of the best I’ve ever had! Seriously, the breading on the shrimp was a little peppery and super yummy. Plus, the view is amazing! And the fisher people fishing for shark - YES SHARK - are fun entertainment 😁

Beautiful place! Wished we could have tried the food! We arrived at 9 to find out they stopped serving food other than drinks and desserts at 9pm but online it said open until 10pm, but didn't specify food stopped at 9pm. Also a bit nerve wracking for that long of a pier to a restaurant with no railings!!! I have kids that cannot swim and I was a bit nervous for there safety with so many people crossing at once.

Had a great lunch at the City Pier Grill and Bait. The tacos for taco Tuesday were good! Pork was a tad dry but the ingredients were fresh. The hush puppies were excellent and the orange butter served with it is phenomenal. Chowder is very tasty and fried clams were tasty and not overly greasy. Friendly employees and a great view to top it off.

We love this spot. The water is emerald colored and clear. You don't have trash or the amount of people like what you would find at a public beach. The people are friendly and polite. It is a very family oriented beach. I highly recommend giving it a visit.

We absolutely love Anna Maria! Bean Point Beach is absolutely stunning! It’s a family friendly beach… quiet, clean and so much great things to do on the island. The waters are crystal clear on good days and great for family with small kids since there aren’t really big waves (at least when we’ve gone). We’ve been to many beaches on the west coast of the Gulf, and AMI is our #1 fave. Take the trip… so worth it!

Absolutely gorgeous, only downside the parking is horrendous. Lots of beautiful shells and the water were gorgeous. I took engagement photos here, and they're beautiful. We spent about 5 hours at the beach. It was pretty packed, especially for a Tuesday afternoon. I recommend being there early for decent parking and spots on the shore.

Beautiful beach with easy access. The weather obviously can be very sporadic and reflects the water conditions. Parking can be easy to find if you come out early in the morning

An absolutely perfect beach with sand dollars and shells galore! Also a really big part of the sea turtle protection program! Come prepared though because there are no restrooms on the beach.

Bean Point Beach is absolutely stunning. Peaceful, crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views. A perfect spot to relax and connect with nature.

First time to this beach. Loved it! Gotta know where to park to gain walking access to beach.

This park was interesting. It's set next to a busy county road with trucks barrelling down all day and night long and you can hear them while camping and hiking in the park. The campground itself is very nice. They have some spots with more shade than others but most of the spots were nice. The bathrooms are clean and have well cared for showers. They have plenty of hiking, biking, and equestrian trails to choose from. The bugs are relentless though but it is late April in Florida so I'd assume it's better in the cooler months. Firewood has to be purchased off site which you can get about a mile down 39 from a roadside stand or a mile or so further at the Lithia hardware store. Lots of wildlife. Ospreys nest on top of the giant power lines (that for whatever reason pipeline through the middle of park). You can rent bikes on site. The camp price was a little steep considering the noise level. Overall it was a park I'd like to revisit sometime.

I have camped at Alafia River SP several times now and it is fun for me, my wife, and our 2 kids. The bike trails are amazing and range from relatively easy, to extremely challenging. The walking trails are beautiful and adventurous. It is hot here in the summer but still worth hiking or biking. The camp sites are generously sized and most are shaded. The paved loop does need some attention, but the restrooms/showers are kept clean and in great condition. Very pet friendly and there are horse trails and a barn to put them at night that is near the camp sites. There is no place to swim at the park that I know of, but there are places along the hiking paths to play in the creeks. It's a great place to camp for physically active families, couples, or groups. There are farm markets near by and Hillsborough County parks that are very nice as well. We will definitely return for another adventure.

Definitely hiking and mountain biking place to be! I love the opportunity for different trails that meet your individual needs (easy to very challenging)! Marked trails very clear. Also, there is a bike cleaning station as well as a place to air your bike tires.

Such a vibe out at Alafia. The trail head has a great hang out spot, rent bikes, grab a drink, and hit the trails. Great maintained trails!

The best bike park in Florida, for all levels and very family-friendly. We always go. The campground is great.

This place is a blast for mountain biking. It has a really good mix of greens, blues and black trails. There are really challenging features that will keep you on your toes, including a practice drop zone and a jump loop. It's pretty well marked and easy to navigate. It's a 'must do' when we are in the area.

One of the most beautiful places I have visited in Florida, all trails hiking, bike and horseback riding are gorgeous and well identified.

Driving across country was a goal of mine.I have seen many great sights and experienced many things. But the Sunset Skyway Bridge tops the cake. Beautiful all around and worth paying to go down the piers and see the sights.

I don't think I'll ever get tired of those views... I used to do the commute from Bradenton to St. Pete back in the day... I was always appreciative of my commute. That was probably the only time in my life were I was in awe of my commute... lol. It was one of those rare occasions where I was thankful for everything! I got to drive across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge on a regular basis! Occasionally I'd exit the rest stops just to admire the scenic views, especially the Sunsets and sometimes the Sunrise as well. Driving over the bridge was SO surreal....

We visited the bridge after 8 PM, excited by many reviews recommending the night view for the lighting effects. From about a mile or two away, the bridge looked stunning lit up and full of promise. But as we got closer, we were disappointed to find that the lights were only underneath the bridge on the pillars, not along the top or on the iconic cables. It didn’t match what we had imagined. We wish we had visited during the daytime or around sunset, which probably would’ve became a memorable day of our life. Still, an impressive piece of engineering worth seeing, just time your visit right!

The lady on the plane told us about this bridge. Going across it I didn’t really see what the whole hype was about. There are two really unique fishing piers ,one when you start and when we end, I guess that’s where the old bridge was. Looks like a nice bridge.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge 6-26-25 Every time I drive over this bridge I get a thrill. Traffic moves over this bridge fast and you’re going up what feels like a large hill. It feels like you’re in an Airplane by the time you get to the peak of the bridge as you can see forever. At night it looks amazing all lit up. I can’t wait to get up that way again just to cross this bridge. I must give this bridge a 5 out of 5 stars because of the true awesomeness of it. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Follow Me On FB For More Reviews & Fun. Gulf Coast Terry

Must-see attraction. One of a kind bridge and the scenery doesn’t get any better. There are tons of places to pull off and hang with the family. You can swim, grill out, fish, and more! 10/10

We have driven over this bridge during the day and night many times and it can be kind of terrifying, especially if it's windy, but we cruised UNDER it on the Margaritaville at Sea Islander for tree first time last month and it was a whole different experience! Especially on the way back to Tampa seeing it all lit up at 3:30 AM!

A lovely outing to learn about Manatee migration at Big Bend. We always go in January when it is relatively cold, it makes the trip to the concession stand for Hot Cocoa worth it. We get to see so many Sea Cows and their babies playing around, flapping their large tails and huddling together to stay warm. The museum, sting ray pool and souvenir shop are all very nice. I enjoyed it as much as my little one.

This was our first time here and it was opening day. Very well maintained ,Not too crowded on the viewing docks . A very nice place to relax and watch nature, plus it’s free. Beautiful views. We saw 3-4 Manatees, shark swimming in circles, fish jumping out of the water and some tarpons.

We really enjoyed our time here and could have easily spent another hour or two to see everything! Best of all it is free. They have light food on site and a nice gift shop as well. Everything was reasonably priced. They also offer a free golf cart shuttle for those that do. It want to walk from the overflow lot!

It was really cool with so many manatees to see! A nice little boardwalk so a lot of people can look at one time. There nature trail was kinda neat too. I recommend checking the first parking lot, or waiting for the free golf cart ride to save yourself a long walk

Nice view of the Manitees from the platform, a few huddled directly below, they are so docile and slow moving, rarely surface for air. Free to get in, parking was adequate.

This was a really cool free thing to do! We had some time to kill before going to the Tampa airport and decided to check it out. We had a party of 9 people with us, so to be able to kill time here free was a win in my book. So many manatees, sting rays, sharks, and fish! They do have a cafe that looked good and we did buy some things from the gift shop. Overall for a free activity 10/10!

What a great free fun family adventure! A great area to view manatees, other fish species. Very clean

This park is stunning! Especially the view from the Observation Tower. I was blown away by how absolutely gorgeous Florida is. We are so lucky to have this beautiful park near FishHawk! Edward Medard Park is a hidden gem! Great place for frisbee golf too.

We didn't spend a lot of time here. Just drove through mostly to show my sister the area. We walked up the observation tower, but the spiders were so bad we just couldn't make it to the top lol. We did get out of the car to enjoy these amazing trees. I don't know what kind they are, but they are a great photo op!!!!

Surprised to see kayaking as an option. There's a boat dock. Heard the waters are infested with gator. So , be careful. Bathroom was clean. Maybe a little more obvious numbering of the pavilions. Nice park. Well maintained.

Great Park, many recent upgrades and nice trails. The Campground is very nice, but many rule breakers there (Quiet hour violators) and the rules are not enforced. Campground needs host for after hours monitoring.

Really good park to spend a quality time. Entrance fees is $2 per vehicle with 8 passengers. There are lot of picnic areas. Trails to walk but have to be careful of alligators. Wish the Playground could be updated. But there are spaces to ride bikes for little kids. The park also has overnight RV stays with extra charge. Overall it's a good park for picnic and also to do photoshoots.

This is one of the most beautiful, fabulous, peaceful parks I have ever visited in Florida

My husband and I visit this park everyday. The hiking trail Singing bluffs is a great trail for maximum fitness and beautiful scenery with lots if wildlife. The park has a great Disc Golf course. We play daily and the park Rangers keep the course well maintained. Love this park for all of it's amenities and wonderful friendly staff and visitors.

The Dali Museum completely exceeded expectations — surreal, inspiring, and so well presented. You can feel the creativity in every corner, and the staff are super knowledgeable. The building itself is a work of art. Highly recommend taking your time to explore!

Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg was an excellent tribute to a fascinating, perhaps controversial artist. Staff were friendly and helpful, there was plenty of parking during our visit on a Sunday, art displays were neat, and the using the app for the narrated tour is highly recommended. At the time of our visit, there was a very well done tribute to van Gogh which we opted to watch as opposed to the Salvador Dali screening, which I'm sure would have been quite good as well. The snack / coffee bar was perfect for the visit. The murals section was an interesting addition, and the interactive street art photo booths were fun. Highly recommended overall.

The Dali Museum was so artsy and amazing — like walking straight into someone’s wild, beautiful dream (and possibly their subconscious). I only had a couple of hours to explore, which is basically a crime against art, so I’m 100% going back before I leave. Also… that espresso? Life-changing. I’m not saying Dali himself whispered inspiration into my cup, but I’m also not not saying that. Next visit: slower pace, more surrealism, and definitely another magical espresso.

Spent the afternoon here and was lucky enough to catch a tour. The docent was so knowledgeable and pointed out all of the symbolism and facts about the pieces and what they meant. There are so many obscure facts and tid bits that I had no idea about before the tour. The pieces were very thought provoking, and after visiting, would love to read his autobiography and go back to revisit

Dalis work is very interesting. You go through the first floor where there’s a cafe, straight to the third floor using the elevator or the stairs. The art gallery is on the third floor, you’re greeted with Dalis most famous panting as soon as you go in, after that it’s his earlier up to his later works. There’s also a VR experience which I thought was pretty cool. To watch the 360° experiences you need to pay extra than the general admission. Overall a good experience

I've been wanting to come here every since they opened, Dali had been my favorite artist since I was 10. I absolutely loved it! All the staff were extremely kind and my husband & I had a wonderful time!

My overall experience at the Salvador Dalí Museum was… okay. I’m not judging Dalí’s work here, just the museum itself. The first thing that stood out was the price: the entrance fee is very high, and on top of that you also have to pay for parking. For a place that’s already expensive, this felt a bit excessive. Another issue is the storage system. You’re required to leave your bags in outdoor, non-secured lockers or simply keep your things in the car. The idea behind it is supposedly to reduce theft inside the museum if you have a backpack with shoulder straps, they make you leave it behind. But they don’t seem very concerned about whether something gets stolen from those lockers or from your car, which is pretty ironic. On the positive side, the guides and staff were excellent. They were helpful, knowledgeable, and made the visit more enjoyable. So overall: great people working there, but the logistics, pricing, and lack of secure storage definitely took away from the experience.

I feel the exhibits are under-maintained. Many of the larger pieces had dust all over the glass which takes away from the artworks’ color and beauty. Otherwise it’s a nice visit, smaller than the collection in Seattle but representative of some of the works there but I think there are more vases on display here. If you buy tickets in advance you’re prioritized and get access to the glass blowing demonstration which was my favorite part.

Incredible experience exploring the work by a visionary artist. The collection of glass art reflect several of his major series of work. Not a very large collection, but you really have the opportunity to examine the finer details of these spectacular pieces.

Oh what a delight, in St. Pete by the bay, The Chihuly Collection will brighten your day! With glass that goes swirly, all twisty and tall, Colors exploding, it dazzles us all. Each gallery whispers, each sculpture will sing, From chandeliers glowing to glass birds that wing. It’s magic and marvel, a rainbow parade, A wonderland shining that Chihuly has made. So if you love beauty, unique, bold, and new, This museum’s a treasure, it’s waiting for you. A feast for the eyes, such a joy to behold, Five shining stars for this glass made of gold!

The Chihuly Collection was definitely worth seeing! Went there with my coworker friends and it did not disappoint. The art is very eye catching. The place is clean and staff are friendly, helpful, and professional. I highly recommend you stop here as part of your sight seeing adventure if you're from out of town. It's enjoyable if you're a local like me too! Warning: Not for little hands or impulsive wanderers unless you want to pay heavily for broken things you can't take home. Also space is wheel chair friendly and parking was simple.

Nice exhibit. May I suggest you start with the video vs. Ending with it. I was disappointed in the gift shop. I thought it was very high end and didn't have any momento type items. Even earrings were not less than $150.

Absolutely worth walking through this collection. We learned so much about this amazing artist. We were also treated to a glass blowing demonstration at the end! Well worth the stop!

Amazing! This collection was so vibrant and colorful. I was amazed at every turn. The live demonstration of glass blowing was fantastic. It's a must see in St Petersburg Florida

If you want ACTION ♦️ Look no further... Plenty of tournaments. The Cash games here 1/2NLH. Are like 2/5 anywhere else. Lots of regulars and real players. The $1/3 Cash NLH. I highly recommend. Excellent players and games get loose!!High hand promos of course. Friendly room. Ehhhh for the most part, If YOU WANT TO PLAY CARDS SERIOUSLY SKIP HARD ROCK. This is a REAL CARD ROOM... BRING your A game..

Upon entering for our event did nor see any signs for a place to eat. All we saw was addicted worn out people that looked as if they had been there for several days. Employees did not help or speak much. They just stood there in there assigned area waiting to get off of their shift. Unenthusiastic and lack of caring or wanting to actually be there. People looked dismal and therefore we left as quickly as possible and did not play games or decide to eat there! Why would you want to when no one seems to care?

My wife and I started coming here a couple of months ago. We love playing poker—and it just feels like a better fit for us than Hard Rock. Overall, we really enjoy the place! However, a few times when we’ve arrived or were leaving for the night, we noticed something that made us uncomfortable. There’s a blonde girl we’ve seen a couple of times—she walks out, gets into another vehicle, then hops out again a few minutes later. We even heard someone inside call her name, something like Joann or Joni—it wasn’t a common name. It just gave off a strange vibe, almost like something wasn’t right, so we decided to stay away for a bit. Also, while the food is generally good, we’ve had it come out cold a few times. We don’t like to complain, but it’s happened enough to mention. Maybe we’ll give it another try in a month or so—once we’ve recovered a little from the money we lost

Best Payouts for Table Games in All Southwest FL! Yes! Even Seminole 👎👎 Jackpots are Always At or Close to Six Figures and That's Betting the Table Minimums, Which are Usually $5! Dealers are Engaging, Knowledgeable, Lively and Always Willing to Help or Explain Whatever Questions Pop Up!! Remember Players 🤔 Dealers are Only the Messengers! Being Nasty to Them Will Never Get You Anything Good (Karma 😝) Blame the 'Poker Gods' for Your Ill Fated Bad Cards or Deals! If I Had One Bad Thing to Say About Derby Lane, It Would Be My Experience with Their So Called and Advertised 'Free Drinks While Playing Table Games'. I've Visited at Vary Days and Times of the Week and Encountered a Lack of Cocktail Service (1 or 2 Servers), Delayed Service (5 or 10 Min Wait) and Sporadic Service (15 to 30 Mins to Return). And, I Know Your Going to Ask If the Dealers Called for Cocktail Service When Requested and the Answer was Always. But in My Experience and Opinion, It Made Absolutely No Difference 😒 Most of the Time I Just Give Up, Go to the Bar and Get It Myself 🙃 The Bar Service Isn't A Whole Lot Better (No the Drinks Are Great 🥴), But Because Unfortunately the Bartenders I've Had the Pleasure of Serving Me Always Look Miserable 😖 When I'm Standing at the Bar for 5 Minutes (Making Eye Contact with the Bartenders), Common Courtesy Dictates that the Bartenders at Least Acknowledge Your Presence (Even If It's to Say "I'll Be With You As Soon As Possible"). With Regards to the Bar/Bartenders Service, I Noticed What Seemed to Me as 'Regulars' Received Quicker Service Than Those Who Would Just Walk Up to Request a Drink. To Finalize My Review I'll Rank the Poker Rooms and Casino I Visit Often From #1 to #3. -Table Game Payouts (Ultimate Texas Holdem, Deuces Wild, Three Card Poker, Etc): 1. Derby Lane 2. Seminole Hard Rock 3. One Eyed Jacks (Sarasota) -Texas Holdem ($1/$2 No Limit - Game Action/Play) 1. One Eyed Jacks (Sarasota) 2. Derby Lane 3. Seminole Hard Rock -Dealers (All Games) 1. One Eyed Jacks 2. Derby Lane 3. Seminole Hard Rock -Bar/Bartenders/Cocktail Service (Free, Paid & Cost) 1. One Eyed Jacks 2. Seminole Hard Rock 3. Derby Lane -Availability (Days & Times) 1. Seminole Hard Rock (Always 24 Hours) 2. Derby Lane (24 Hours Thursday - Sunday) 3. One Eyed Jacks (3am Thursday - Sunday) I Highly Recommend Derby Lane for Table Games Listed Above, Before Going to Seminole Hard Rock Especially If You're in the Tampa Bay Area. My Drive to Derby Lane is Usually An Hour and a Half from Sarasota with Minimal Traffic But Well Worth It!

While the food is typically good here their system of bringing out the food, letting it sit on the counter u til the one waiter/waitress see it is horrible. Food sits and gets cold!!! Not a good system!

I recently played over 30 hours of poker in June for a chance to be entered in the raffle tomorrow to win 15k. I have been to Derby Poker every night this week and though they can and have confirmed I completed the 30 hours I am not on the list for an entry to this raffle. They keep telling me they are working on it but tomorrow is the drawing. I would definitely make sure if you played these hours you are on the list to be entered into the drawing. I mean I don't know how much they made of my rakes but at this point it seems like a bit of a scam to me

It's a super cool spot to check out, not just for the history, but it's also a blast. They always have events with awesome entertainment and great food along with top-notch service. You should totally go.. Check them out.

This place is awesome! Easy to navigate, cool to look at, pretty educational if you take the time to read. It's also located on a port or something where cruise ships arrive and depart, which was neat to watch. All of the wildlife appears well taken care of, which is a huge plus. Tickets on a Saturday were pretty expensive, nearly $50 each, but if you think of it like a means to offer the care and attention for these animals, it's not so bad. The only real negatives, to me, were the gift shop (not much in the way of interesting merch for an adult), and the food. The food was abysmal. I paid almost $20 bucks for a burger that was unbelievably overcooked and dry, I couldn't even finish it even though I was starving. Good thing you don't go to an aquarium for the burgers! I still highly recommend visiting, it was a great experience. Just make sure you eat first and you'll be fine. Take your time to sit and observe the wildlife instead of trying to rush to the next thing. It really is something special.

Such a beautiful aquarium! I loved all of the exhibits. They have cool enclosures for all of the birds and where the lemurs are at. The big tank had lots of cool fish and sharks! They also have an octopus which I thought was pretty cool. It was a fun experience and was not too crazy busy for a Saturday. Definitely glad they had the trolley that brought us right to it too, very convenient!

The aquarium was beautiful. So many fun fish to see. It was interactive and the employees are all very kind. I only wish there was more to see!! I love the outside area for the kids to run around and the adults to grab a drink. Our tickets also got us a discount on the warship right around the corner which was also an amazing experience. Highly recommend!

Lovely experience visiting the aquarium. Fun thing to do if your visiting. It took us alittle less than 2hrs to get through it all. My kiddos are tweens so they were able to get through it quicker. We were disappointed in not being able to see penguins because of the repairs being done to their exhibit but we did confirm they do have them and that they supposedly bring them out a few times a day. I do think for the size of the aquarium tickets should have been a little less. Overall we enjoyed our visit.

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa completely exceeded my expectations! 🐠 From the moment I walked in, I was amazed by how beautifully everything is designed — it’s clean, spacious, and full of life. The exhibits are stunning, especially the coral reef tunnel and the huge ocean tank with sharks, rays, and sea turtles. What I loved most was how interactive it is — you can touch stingrays, watch playful otters, and see penguins up close. It’s not only fun but also very educational, with lots of information about marine conservation and Florida’s unique ecosystems. Perfect for families, couples, or solo travelers. Whether you spend an hour or half a day, it’s a peaceful and inspiring place to visit. Definitely one of Tampa’s top attractions!

The Florida Aquarium was a wicked awesome surprise. From the minute we walked in, it was wall-to-wall incredible exhibits and hands-on stuff that made you feel like a kid again. They’ve got interactive activities everywhere, so you’re not just staring at fish — you’re actually part of the whole experience. The shark tank? Bub… unreal. Those things glide by you like they own the ocean, and honestly, they kinda do. One of the coolest tanks I’ve ever seen, and I’ve looked at a lot of fish in my day. Everything was clean, the animals looked healthy, and the staff was as friendly as a Mainer handing you a whoopie pie at a potluck. You can tell they really care about the place. We had a wicked good time and would go back in a heartbeat. If you’re anywhere near Tampa, don’t be a chowderhead — go check it out. Totally worth it!

Bro. This aquarium is awesome. I live near the Baltimore aquarium and this aquarium blows the Baltimore aquarium out of the water. Very clean and super friendly staff. The only regret I have is that I was only able to spend one day here. If you go, please tell Saaba I said hi and give him a pet on the head for me. Also , i recommend putting a live camera in the cypress swamp pointing at the bottom of the stairs.

Great and large rooms. Shower big enough for 2 people with 2 shower heads and a bench. No tub. The bathroom has a separate space for the toilet with a shielded slided door for privacy. Only complaint was the coffee situation- no real creamer- only powdered and we didn't get it refilled when we asked. We also asked for towels and a room cleaning and never got it. The upper casino is extremely tight and the bottom one was tight but not as bad as the non-smoking section. Park in the Lucky parking lot if staying with lots of luggage. You'll be closer to the main entrance. You'll need to scan your room key to even get the room tower elevators. If you sign up for Unity- you get 50% off the buffet for one person. Buffet was decent. The Cafe was actually better. If you're signature status with Royal Caribbean you will be comped 3 nights and $300 room credit. Kids are allowed with adults but not on the casino floor (only along the pathways). Very fun to see history lining the hallways. We'll be back!

Nice place to hang out to kill time. They Definitely did a good job with the inside and the location of the establishment. I gave it 4 stars vs 5 because this place is very cheap with drinks and water. Be prepared to bring your own water or just don't stay too long. All drinking water faucet by bathroom doesn't work either or doesn't exist in certain restrooms. The staff told us to go to the bar for water but bar was closed so that didn't help. Only have a few servers bringing drinks around and we couldn't catch one after a few hours so we left because of thirst.

I visit and have fun for the past couple of years! Jayden at the rise and shine coffee is the best and makes our coffee perfect! One person in particular makes me so upset. Destiny. Not friendly, very rude and always has an attitude. I won't let her make my drink and has very poor people skills. Dana the bartender at the floor stands is also fantastic, always smiling and friendly.

After finally having a free day off, the wife and I decided to venture and have a go at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino - Tampa. Having moved to the Tampa Bay area recently, the travel from Lutz to the Tampa Hard Rock was short relative to our previous casino trips. My outlook on the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino franchise completely changed (for the better) after this visit. Hopefully this review will give some reasons why. As an MGM member and one who dabbles in casinos, my profiling of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino grouped the franchise along with the likes of the Caesars, Tropicana, Showboat, Ballys - in other words, casinos that are old and outdated. My ignorance in this regard also stemmed from the few quick stops at the Hard Rocks in Malta and Atlantic City, only to eat on both occasions. Again, my whole view of the Hard Rock franchise completely changed after this visit to the Tampa location. Travel and parking. Located just south of New Tampa and Temple Terrace, the Seminole Hard Rock - Tampa sits conveniently off of the I-4; while not the best of highways, it is arguably the quickest way to get to the venue. As you drive in, there are essentially three parking decks to choose from - Winner's Way and Lucky Street are the two main ones meant for resort visitors, while Orient Road and Draper Place puts you closer with respect to the actual hotel rooms. Either way, there is more than enough safe parking spaces with ease of access to the casino floor. The first thing that stands out is that smoking is permitted on the venue. While most casinos still allow smoking on their premises, it doesn't tend to be a problem. With Hard Rock Tampa - it seems a bit more noticeable. This may be a game changer for some. However, if you want some what of the casino experience without the smoking, they have a designated smoke-free area on the second floor. The casino floor is rather sizeable (larger than Parx Casino in Pennsylvania and can be compared to the Borgata in Atlantic City). The slot machine areas appear to be arranged and organized better than most casinos where other casinos seem like an elaborate maze. Navigating the floor here is easy and not as frustrating. Between the slot areas are a variety of tables. Overall, the casino floor is well maintained, neat, and clean. Meanwhile, the areas and functionality thereof around the casino floor are beautiful. There are a set of marvelous curving escalators that connect the second floor to the first, putting you right by the hotel-check in desk. There are distinguishable arcs that cast over the hall access to the hotel's East and West towers respectively, which offers a sense of elegance and class. If you are an avid casino player, you'll want to sign up at the Player's Club. The Hard Rock's rewards program is called Unity. Like the MGM, there is an app for this. The Hard Rock will also tier-match with MGM if you have the program. The ladies working the Player's Club were great and thorough. They explained the benefits and perks of the Unity program, along with giving us a brief introduction to the hotel and casino itself. The unique thing about the Unity rewards program compared to the MGM is that it applies to all Hard Rock franchise locations, which has a greater international reach compared to the mainly U.S.-based MGM. There is not much for kids - unless of course you are staying at the hotel, in which case there are amenities such as the pool. However, like most other casino resorts, there is not much for kids to do here (the Sugar Factory is more of a restaurant than a candy story itself), while the retail stores are catered toward the adult demographic. It was a fun experience overall, and we are definitely going to venture here a bit more often. I would highly recommend the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa for any casino player and as a resort hotel in general.

honestly I have tried to like this casino. playing slots its fun. If I tell you no one seems to win anything. All the people around me just losing money left and right upset and complaining. This casino used to pay out better years before the renovation. it is pretty big. Don't go with the expectation to win. Just go for the fun that way you MIGHT not leave disappointed. win the late evening hours the crowd becomes a bit sketchy so be careful in the parking lots and driving around surrounding area at night. Maybe one day I will go and actually win something lol...or maybe just save my money and do something else thats rewarding lol...

Went to watch a comedy show. The show room is average and the chairs are amateurish. Kind of like a school or conference room rather than event style. Hope they decide to upgrade the room and seating. They have upgraded the events and acts that come in which is great! Nice hotel and Casino with good food options. Parking was easy and safe.

We came on a company trip. The most important part to me is being able to eat. I have a severe soy allergy which includes soy lecithin, which is in almost all foods. I was able to eat at the buffet. I would like to give a special shout out to JOSE he checked a lot of items for me. I was pretty sure I could have some of the food items, but he took the time to make sure that I could. Gambling is easy, making sure a hotel is clean as easy, but making sure your guests are taking care of is the hard part and Jose and the managers were on point with help.

I love animals and my husband, and I decided to pop in the zoo for a little day date! It wasn’t packed and we got to see lots of animals! The staff was very friendly and helpful. We got some souvenirs from the gift shop and it wasn’t too overpriced. It’s about average. It would be a great place to go on a date or to take your children!

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS ZOO!!!!We came here during the week on a Wednesday in October during the day time and it was not crowded at all we had the time of our lives, i went up on to 6 or 7 different zoo keepers and asked tons of questions about the animals we were near and every single one of them answered my questions with ease and were super friendly. There was one zookeeper named Joe who was near the Orangutans and he was so knowledgeable and kind talked to for almost 15 minutes and knew every single question i had to ask. Plenty of water fountains and shady areas to cool off in. Safari Ride was a must! Devin was our guide on the ride .He was awesome very informative and super personable.There wasn’t a single question i asked that he could not answer with additional information on top of it. Every animal was active and visible but with the exception of one or two and if you go to lots of zoos you know that’s just apart of it but it was nice to see how the zoo made sure the animals could be comfortable and visible at the same time. Loved the Free Encounters they do with the Manatees and the Other Animals.We watched the one with the Orangutan and you HAVE to do this when you come!!You get to see them up close and have a great view and it’s a surreal experience being so close to them and we didn’t have to pay anything extra to do so.You also HAVE TO FEED THE LORIKEETS!!!! Since it was slow that day the Kind Lady who worked the Enclosure gave us a bit extra food when feeding since there was no one waiting behind us. It’s little things like that make It feel so personable and enjoyable. We also went thru the Dinosaur area And OH MY GOSH WAS IT SO COOL. They have life size dinosaurs you can get right up next too that are animatronic and so life like.Im an adult and felt like i was 10 years old again it was amazing! 10/10 Would recommend visiting here. I didn’t meet a single staff member who wasn’t friendly as can be and Also SUPER KNOWLEDGEABLE.Food and drinks are widely avaible everywhere. We had A Pizzafor lunch in the africa area that tasted great! Overall 10/10 i got my moneys worth and can’t wait to come back!!!

What a fantastic zoo!! My family is in town visiting from out of state. We used our reciprocal zoo membership to visit. I told my husband about halfway thru the day that if we didn’t have our membership and had paid full price it would’ve still been worth visiting. The kids and us had a blast! The zoo was very clean, the exhibits seemed spacious and the animals seemed happy and well cared for. The rides throughout the park, water play area and playground were an unexpected added bonus! We will definitely be back the next time we’re in town.

This zoo is awesome. I was visiting from Miami for a concert and decided to extend my trip to enjoy the zoo. It’s not as big as ZooMiami, but it makes up for it with a lot of heart and some great theming. I’m particularly fond of the Animal Kingdom style safari ride they have here. It’s great and super informative. The Africa and Florida sections are really good but the Australia section leaves a LOT to be desired. That being said, I highly recommend coming here either by yourself, as a couple, or as a family. It really is fun for all ages.

I have been to a few different cities Zoos but this is one of the better ones for sure. They got a great selection of animals and activities for all ages. They got a show on Disney + called Secrets of the Zoo: Tampa, if you want to check it out before going to ZooTampa. There are a ton of food options and different animal experiences as well. I would recommend signing up for the experiences in advance to make sure there is availability the day you want to go. They have added a dinosaur exhibit and they also do theme events during the holidays. If you live in the Tampa Bay Area, I would recommend buying the pay for the day pass because you can come back as much as you want for a year.

Was really looking forward to this visit at they claim its a top zoo. Its got a lot of unique activities, unfortuantely all of them seem to be closed or abandoned. The water slide was not running, and most of the booths and other quick service stands had no employees running them. Was hard to find anything to eat or drink The zoo was dead, as in it felt like a ghost town which in a way is nice because some animals were closer due to the low noise of bigger crowds it just felt very very. We tried to go into the African resteraunt and they said the kitchen was closed, the water slide in florida was not running, there were no handlers out to talk to us about the animals, no encounters, or really any sort of event other than the Halloween event which takes place after normal business hours. Very quiet but hard to find any events to do. Really like the australia area which had lots of play items for kids to burn energy out on while also getting see animals. Feels like an educational but fun place to visit, would really enjoy coming back still even with the setbacks experienced. Feels like a blend between a amusement park and zoo. Good value.

Amazing zoo so many animals the staff is so nice and amazing we bought passes and go there all the time went with friends they loved it too! ❤️ The rides are fun and they have so many activities to try! This is one of the best zoos I've been to 11/10 recommend!

We had such a great time at Busch Gardens Tampa! The park was super quiet when we visited, which made the experience even better - we were able to go on all the rides multiple times without waiting in long lines. It felt like we had the park almost to ourselves. The highlight of the day was definitely the newest coaster, Iron Gwazi. It’s an absolute must-ride - fast, smooth, and full of thrills from start to finish. We couldn’t get enough of it and rode it several times! Overall, the park was clean, well-run, and offered a perfect mix of excitement and relaxation. If you get the chance to visit on a quieter day, you’re in for an unforgettable experience.

A great place for families, with plenty of entertainment options even for very young children, and many places to eat. I recommend getting a pass; the annual pass is very convenient. The integration of the animals and their habitats within the park is incredible. It's all one cohesive whole, and the animals are truly thriving and are treated very, very well.

Oct 2025 We visited busch gardens while holidaying in Orlando for 2 weeks ..It's been 6 years since we last visited, so were very much looking forward to it and the weather was also a lot better than last time...We used the free transport service supplied from SeaWorld Orlando👍. As it was free can't complain .we did have a couple of pic ups on the way , which slowed the journey a bit..We arrived there about 45mins after park open ...The main thing I liked was the coach didn't leave till after park closed , so we were able to make a good full day of it ... Only 2 rides were not operational on the day , cobras curse and the log flume which is now permanently close ...The main attraction for us was going to be iron gwasi ..!!🫣 They hadn't finished it on our last visit,so was very much looking forward to it and it didn't disappoint..The ride is mental from start to finish , Awesome..😁 Apart from a couple of new additions to the park, everything was exactly the same . Although it was a Tuesday and the park was quiet..we didn't have time to check out the animal parts ..But everything else we managed to do more than once...We did have the all day dine , which was ok..kids got more from it than mum and dad did..Food was ok ..Only down side was I couldn't find open and closing times for restaurants on the app (same as SeaWorld)..so a restaurant I did fancy was closed 1 hour before park closed ..Which was disappointing...Overal we had a great day and would return again if we came back to Florida 👍👍

I had a blast at Howl o scream!!! I went to all the haunted houses and loved them. There was also a live show that I caught a part of. Lots of drinks and refreshments available, ample restroom access, and I only waited in line for quite a while for 2 of 5 haunted houses, which was fine because its not like I had someplace to be lol. Overall really enjoyed the scare zones in between the haunted houses and will go again.

Busch Gardens Tampa is absolutely amazing! The experience was incredible I managed to ride almost every attraction in a single day, and each one was thrilling in its own way. The park is clean, well-organized, and full of energy. September was the perfect time to visit, great weather and shorter lines. I totally recommend it for anyone looking for an unforgettable adventure!

I'm writing this review after just leaving Busch Gardens in Tampa. I didn't want to wait since it is still fresh on my mind. For the short version, WOW! The Holw-O- Scream was done awesome. I would like to say I haven't visited Busch Gardens since I was real little and I didn't remember it being anything like this. Every single ride we rode was absolutely amazing. And they all felt completely unique. The twist and turns are insane! I highly recommend this event and this park. I didn't do any research prior to attending so I really didn't know what to expect. I am glad I came. I am truly blown away. Unfortunately I didn't get to ride everything but I will be back! Great job Busch Gardens! I will definitely make a vlog about my experience. Keep up the great work!

Hard to rate. Good start with getting a quick parking place and getting a nice ride to the entrance. Tickets also got quick an easy, for my taste is the regular price quied too high. We were lucky and got black Friday tickets, but also this ones too high. Rides are fine in the park, the Zoo is for my taste to old school and not state of the art. Fore every single service like animals food some rides you have to pay. It feels very commercial and not fair espescialy with the current ticket price. I understand tickets for animal visits but not for the safari However some people like Mathew who made the tortoise tour with us are very great.

Absolutely stunning! 🏖️ This beach is a slice of paradise — soft white sand, crystal-clear water, and beautifully clean all around. It’s the perfect spot to relax, soak up the sun, and just breathe. Great for families, couples, or solo beach days. Truly a hidden gem . Play structure for kiddos available, restrooms, umbrellas and a little food truck.

Sand Key park is an absolutely beautiful beach! Soft white sand, gentle surf, crystal clear water...it's a gorgeous slice of God's creation!!! There is also plenty of parking, and only $6 for the whole day! Showers, bathrooms and concession makes this a perfect place to relax and spend some time. Highly recommend!!!

This park is a must-visit! It has a great pet playground (though pets aren’t allowed on the beach). The trails take you through beautiful nature filled with native plants, and there are convenient picnic areas and restrooms. A perfect spot to relax and explore.

Wonderful park with ample parking and less crowded than neighboring Clearwater beach. Great place to take photos by the beach or rocks. Lots of white sand and beach area. Wonderful for sunset.

Nice beach and path. Too bad fishing isn't allowed but the view is great. Plenty of parking (paid) for a Saturday.

As a photographer/videographer, I absolutely adore this beach for the variety it gives. From the rocks to sea oats and then ending with a perfect sunset, it’s definitely top on my recommendations to clients!

Great place that’s usually not too crowded. Parking is around $8, and the spots are big enough for trucks and SUVs. Plenty of trash cans are nearby, and the bathrooms are clean and well kept. The sand between parking lot and the beach have more shells than most the surrounding beaches so wear sandals.

Very informative. Helpful and friendly staff and interns. They showed how much they cared about conservation and about the plight of the animals they are trying to protect.

Great big cats! Go in the morning while it's cool outside. Bring a zoom lens.

Love everything about big cat rescue!

I just delivered mobile homes to the property

Had a great time!!!

Beautiful tigers

FREE JOE EXOTIC

Had a great time at this aquarium. At first I was a little disappointed to find out that feeding dolphins and stingrays would be an extra cost, but was then QUICKLY pleased with how many animal interactions we were able to have!! First coming in I got to pet a starfish which was super cool, got to see lots of dolphin tricks, pet a stingray!!!! I would do this again for sure. They also had such beautiful memorials all over the building for baby Winter, and props from the movie as well.

We had a great time here. I will say, there weren’t quite as many exhibits as I had hoped for the price we paid. We did see a great quality dolphin presentation, though, that was quite close and I felt was almost worth the whole cost of admission. I just didn’t think it took as long for us to get through as I had thought. Overall, though, a great and VERY educational experience. They clearly spend a lot of their time and money on rehabilitation work for their animals, and I felt great that my money went towards that work.

Loved it! I took my granddaughter and the new addition is great! Love the new dolphin area with all the viewing areas up and down and around the tank.They are still working on upgrading the older areas and repairing hurricane damage.

Best aquarium I've been to! Loved the many dolphin viewing portals, and the various animals that they had in their care. Admission was a little pricey compared to other aquariums I've been to, but considering everything that they had to offer, and the fact that they are a hospital aquarium, the money goes to the care and possible eventual release of the special needs animals. Highly recommend the safari boat tour. For the price, it was well worth just riding on the boat, but also included seeing multiple wild dolphins, and a show and tell of marine life that they pulled from the bay. Very cool!

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is such a special place to visit, especially for families. It’s not your typical aquarium—it’s more focused on marine rescue, rehabilitation, and education, which makes the experience really meaningful. You get to see rescued dolphins, sea turtles, otters, and other animals up close, and learn their unique stories. The facility is well laid out, with interactive exhibits, educational presentations, and a great view of the rehabilitation areas. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. Kids especially love the dolphin encounters and the hands-on learning zones. There’s so much to see and do that you can easily spend the majority of a day here, taking your time with the exhibits and enjoying the different experiences. You also leave knowing your visit helps support rescue and conservation efforts. Overall, a must-visit if you’re in Clearwater—both fun and inspiring!

A marine that rescues and rehabilitates dolphins, sea turtles and more. Giving the public lots of educational opportunities. The only issue we ran across were the guys with the sea turtles … unfortunately, they were quite unfriendly and when asked a question, the one was very short and rude. Even at times was on his phone. Not saying it wasn’t work related but it was a bit disappointing. An awkward moment that passed as just that … a moment! Definitely not a deal breaker! Especially being, everyone else was friendly, helpful, polite and present!! I still highly recommend taking the opportunity to visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium! I believe it’s good to familiarize and educate yourself with what is going on and what prevention is needed for a better outcome for all!

Had a great time at this Aquarium. Focused on rehabilitation of marine life, we were able to see their rescued dolphins, sea turtles, as well as many other animals. You can tell the team of staff and volunteers care so much about their animals. A special shout out to our new friend Nelson who told us all about their dolphins, as well as the turtle rehabilitation specialist we spoke to in their completely public hospital (we never got her name). Highly recommend visiting this aquarium, you will not be disappointed.

Intriguing store from the outside, and loaded from front to back with merchandise! A life size Hulk Hogan in front of the store draws attention! Once your in the store, it's all Hulk Hogan!!! Upon entering, the arrogant bald gentleman at the cash register won't even speak to you when asking a question to his face, but, the young lady workers will answer for him! What a face for a business, what an embarrassment!!! My biggest issue was, there's no prices listed on any of the merchandise which most of it is signed by Hulk Hogan! I definitely would've purchased a signed belt at the least, but, it was a struggle with the manager up front and they became busy rather quickly being such a small store! It just wasn't worth the time! A lot of merchandise is hanging higher than a normal person could reach! If you're a Hulk Hogan fan, you're in the right place, if not, walk on by! 🚶‍♂️💪

Buyer beware of the “surf shop”. The name they advertise is from a previous shop that closed months ago. They do not have another name listed, therefore cannot add a google review for the business. The receipt says the business name is “Bahama Mia” which also cannot be found online. The shop is a scam and the service is terrible. Not sure how the mall management is allowing this store to operate/advertise under the previous name. When asked why we were charged a tip and what service we were tipping on, he said it was “the machine” and laughed and said they make thousands of dollars in “tips”.

I love visiting clear water beautiful place to vacation and work. The plaza got affected by all the hurricanes in 2023 and it shows. But it takes time to heal and know in the near future it will return to its beautiful appearance.

Able to walk along all these shops during our stay. Great coffee, bars and shopping. Hurricane Eddies, Blessed Coffee were two of our favorites

It's beautiful out there. I did loose my wallet though. But still had a great time at the Hogan hang out and the Clearwater comedy club.

Go get an awesome burgers and cold beers at Hogan's Hangout! RIP Hulk Hogan ✝💛🇺🇲

Lots to see and beach is literally right there.