It’s a beautiful park. Well maintained with so many spectacular views. You can walk, run , meditate or simply enjoy being there. Check out weather forecasts and time as it gets close by 5pm.

Very calming and quiet environment. It’s a big property to walk around, their zen garden is fantastic for meditating, specially with the raking of the rocks. Great place for a picnic, frisbee and a quiet calm moment by yourself or someone. Bring a book if you’re a reader and some change to feed the koi fish with your children.

This was my first time visiting a park like this, and it was absolutely amazing! The park is beautifully maintained and incredibly peaceful — the perfect spot to get recentered, pray, meditate, and gather your thoughts. Whether you prefer walking to clear your mind, sitting quietly to relax, or simply enjoying the calm of nature, this park offers it all. I especially loved taking a moment to feed the fish and enjoy the outdoors without the hustle and bustle of the crowds. As an added bonus, there’s even a lovely Zen Garden that enhances the overall sense of serenity. A hidden gem worth visiting again!

Beautiful park. Quiet and Peaceful. There is a zen garden in this park. Tons of beautiful flowers! If you’re looking for a place to walk or spending quality time. This would be a great place!

Found this by mistake. This park was so beautiful and peaceful. My 8 yr.old grandson, loved watching the fish and the turtles in the pond.

Absolutely beautiful, well cared for, quite, wonderful place to relax and take a breath.

Shalom Park is more than a park, it’s a spiritual sanctuary made for slowing down and taking time to look around you and see why we are all here on this earth. Every time I am at Shalom I find a sense of peace in the beautiful nature surrounding me. I come here multiple times a week to get some exercise in while smelling all of the beautiful wildlife and enjoying one of Gods greatest creations. I love the concept behind Slalom, there are quotes and poems all around the park and different themes like the Japanese Garden. The amount of effort and creativity behind Shalom is something I have never experienced before and I feel blessed to be able to visit every week without paying a dime. Shalom is by far the most beautiful and artistic park I have been to filled with culture and knowledge. The park is privately owned and open to the public, they close fairly early around 5pm and no pets are allowed.

Very nice place to visit and experience the great Gypsy Gold Horses. They have 2 tours. The short one is good with little kids and it’s about an hour long. If you are really interested in knowing the history then other longer tour is good which last around 2.5 hours. The location is beautiful and staff is super friendly. They will feel you like you are home. Do visit if you are near Ocala.

Spending some time in Ocala all the way from Australia. This tour was such a fun morning, my husband and enjoyed it so so much! I could listen to Dennis’ stories forever ! The history behind it all is sooo very intriguing, you can truly tell Dennis is a very wonderful man that has such passion for what he does. I would recommend this to all! Bring along some carrots and apples and the horses will love ya! The donkeys and birds are an added bonus as well. Again, love your work yall, keep it up ❤️

We really enjoyed the history that started the Gypsy Vanner's journey to the US. Eileen shared her love of these majestic horses during the tour. Don't miss the opportunity to visit the farm. It was a pleasure to meet the owners and see their beautiful farm.

The two hour history and farm tour was a highlight of my trip in this area. The beauty of the Gypsy Vanners is magnificent! The owner’s passion for his horses, their cultural history and helping others is so genuine. I loved meeting the special donkeys he has as well. It was a unique and heartwarming experience.

Gypsy Gold is a treasure. Dennis is so passionate about his life's work. The places he has been and his travels were amazing to hear. I truly hinged on his every word. I hope this treasure of a place continues forever. It is his labor of loved and should be honored. He is a tue visionary. His sister inlaw gave us a tour and she is just as passionate about these magnificent horses. I can't wait to visit again.

Karen and Shannon took great care of us on our tour today. We had VIP tickets that included meeting a Clydesdale foal. Our tour included all kinds of great information about what the Cobbs do with their horses, how they breed the horses, how they pick individuals for jobs, and how they spearheaded competitions for their horses in Florida. The horses we met were sweet and curious. It was a treat to meet your gentle giants and learn about the job that these amazing horses do. Thank you for sharing your horses with us!

We had a great time learning all about the horse breed and the people who own the farm. The horses were beautiful. I also enjoyed the other great animals ( mules, donkeys, macaws). I would recommend this to anyone that loves horses.

This place is historic. Every artifact is genuine to its time and place. Worn racing attire, actual dragsters driven, real engines, trophies, endless amounts of photos. Every step taken in this wonderful museum tells a story. There is so much to see and learn here and Don Garlits has given everyone the opportunity if they just take time to listen. 11 out of 10 recommend this fantastic experience. Thank you, Don Garlits and your great museum staff members.

This place is amazing. I couldnt believe how many drag cars were on display plus the vintage automotive museum. Both were out of this world.. Thank you Don Garlitz for your service to the racing community and giving everyone the opportunity to recognise your fantastic achievements.

I have beenn3 times now. This last trip was the ultimate. November 1st was the date for the Mopars at the Museum show. Awseome show with dozens of beautiful Mopars. After the show, Big Daddy hosted a tour of the museum. To hear him tell the stories about the cars sitting there and the people that built and drove them is simply amazing. He hosts tours of the museum throughout the year. I highly recommend taking one.

This place was awesome! So much history and so much to see. Well worth the admission fee. This place brought back so many memories. If you love Drag Racing this is a must see place. The antique car museum next door (included with admission to Drag Racing museum) had so much nostalgia not car related and was great as well. All the stories behind each vehicle was a treat to read.

I was born in the 60’s. I remember a lot of these events and vehicles. Definitely wore very penny and hour I spent there. I’ll be glad to visit again the future. This place was so clean. I didn’t see any dust on the cars, eccentric the black ones.i left in amazement!

An absolutely underrated place. So much history and cool stuff for kids and adults. You could spend hours in there if you don’t have small children. Lots of reading to do and videos to watch. Some cool interactive things to do as well. We almost met Don Garlit, but he came and went without us, knowing. He seems like a great guy and wow, has he achieved a lot. Super grateful for him putting this together for the younger generation to experience.

I had seen this museum from I-75 so many times, I finally got to stop in. There's SO many cars! Lots of history, stories, feats and memorabilia. Stop and visit! Support this great museum!

I usually come here in the afternoons to ride my bike after a day of work. It’s a very quiet and cozy place in the middle of town. It’s friendly, and there’s a surprising number of squirrels—they tend to be very friendly. There aren’t many places to buy food, but it’s a great place to find peace.

Took my grandchildren here to see the native American dancers. This will teach them about other cultures. They really enjoyed it. This is the first time we have gone. Of course, the fair rides were nearby, so we went on some rides. My granddaughter loved the face paint, but it will cost you $20.

A peaceful park that sits basically connected to historic downtown New Port Richey. It's a great park to relax or stroll through after eating or shopping. Plenty of wildlife to view. The park holds various events for all ages and demographics. An amazing place to catch a sunset as well!

This is such a cute park! I love that it's covered! There is a nice small toddler park area too! Lots of seating areas. The little sprinkler pad is so nice to be able to cool down! The bathrooms are close by and clean! Easy walk down to the water to watch some boats and then a quick walk to get some ice cream!

We’ve been going to Sims since before they were a year old! It’s only a few minutes from where we live which makes it very convenient! There’s so much to do here, the playground has a bunch of different activities for all ages, it’s very interactive. There’s a smaller playground for the little ones and big playground that’s really for all ages, tons of swings to choose from, a water park/splash pad, and it’s right on main so you can hit up Mountaineer for some coffee or one of the two ice cream shops, there’s a pizza place with a bar that lets you take alcohol to go which is awesome for parents haha. There’s a walking trail where you can walk on he bridge to look at the lake or near the boat ramp to look at the river and other scenery, ducks are all over the place and the kids love it! We still take them here all the time. They have many different events here, parades, Chasco Fiesta which is coming up, motorcycle events, etc etc. which a lot of vendors set up and sell some cool stuff, there’s food trucks and bouncy houses. It’s really fun and I advise you to look up some of the events which I believe is posted on the sims park website or maybe downtown new port Richey website, if you just type it into Google or Facebook you’ll see! It gets crowded here on weekends and after school gets out but that’s to be expected. There is public bathrooms and water fountains as well! Love it here!

Great park in New Port Richey. Music, Independence Day observance, food trucks, ice cream, and drinks. Plus, around Orchid Lake, a fantastic fireworks display. All well attended Regular concerts and activities.

Lovely park....loads of ducks and squirrels. Beautiful lake. A great playground for the kids and a water park. Heavily used for various events. A real winner.

A wonderful wilderness preserve in Pasco county. Free entry and plenty of parking throughout the park. There are picnic pavilions that you can reserve, beautiful hiking trails, a lovely multi-use paved trail that runs through the park and takes you out to the Suncoast Trail. There are 19 miles of single track mountain bike trails maintained by volunteers. The staff are friendly and helpful.

Such a privilege to have such a wonderful place so close to home. The trails and facilities are well maintained and of course going off the trails is always an amazing adventure.

May 24, 2025 we took the dogs on a walk here in the morning but was still too hot, 1.8 mile trail, some shaded areas, saw a turtle as well! Grew up going camping here 20 years ago as a teenager!

I just moved here from South Florida and read reviews on this park. In the very beginning you’ll find mountain bike trails. Nothing aggressive. Beginner friendly. I rode all the dirt trails and didn’t see not one other rider on these trails. It was a very nice ride. Not many roots. And here’s my only issue with this park. These trails lacked directional signs and several spots where I was hoping I was riding in the right direction. Trail took be as a whole about 30 minutes. There were also a few trees that had fallen on the trails that needed to be picked up. Once I ended that ride I stick to straight pavement. It’s very wide and smooth. I was riding around noon and saw about 60% e bikers. Many elderly riders. Great views, lots of trees, trail was clear and clean of any debris. I only rode about 10 miles. There is a rest area with a rest room. There’s also water at a couple of locations so you could refill and take a rest or snack break in the shade. I spoke with a few locals there. Apparently at the end of the trail you can make a right and ride about 40 more miles or go left and do 60 miles. I was stunned!!! This park is higa and amazing. Very beautiful and very light flow of people. I would of given it 5 stars if the mountain bike trails were maintained a bit more.

Absolutely the best park in Tampa bay area. Very large supports an abundance of wildlife. Miles and miles of biking trails, paved and unsaved. Hiking is also great here, take off on one of several trails and the views are amazing. Onsite camping is available along with multiple shelters to use for a picnic or birthday party.

Saw lots of animals 2 deer gopher and a wild turkey while driving thru. Was awesome

this park is great for hiking, biking, and walking your dog. One thing I would like to let people know about the Duke energy Trail if you ride your bike under the power lines you are going to get shock, so if you have any medical device implant be aware about this are around the towers area.

This is a really nice park. I wish I wouldn't have waited so long to visit it. The campground was clean with nice facilities. Laundry, dish washing sink, clean showers, vending machine for laundry soaps, electric and water hook ups. The sites are close together but each one is spacious. There are lots of nice trails to hike and walk along the river. The only downsides really were that 2 of the main trails were still closed from the hurricanes. Seems like it's been long enough that they would have them reopened by now. The two trails on the south side of the park, which could be connected by walk into a neighboring park to form a nice 6 mile loop, were opened. However, the connecting park and the adjoining road to it is also closed. So you end up doing two out and back hikes instead and never actually make it to the river. You can walk along the river in the north part of the park, but this is more of an easy public walking trail and it's not very long. Also they have a little store and you can rent kayaks and canoes, but unfortunately, not on Tuesday or Wednesday, as they are closed these days. Which seemed odd but I guess they are cutting costs and those are likely their slowest days(which is exactly why it a better to go on these days, but I guess the trade off is you won't be able to rent a canoe or kayak). So just a few minor issues but overall a beautiful park. Hopefully the trails will open up soon.

Beautiful park. One bridge along with a restroom and half of the playground but still very enjoyable. Love walking hikes along the river!

I had an amazing time visiting Hillsborough River State Park. The entire experience was refreshing and full of natural beauty. The trails were well-maintained and perfect for hiking, with just the right mix of challenge and ease. Walking through the park felt like stepping into another world, surrounded by tall trees, winding river paths, and the peaceful sounds of nature. The people we met along the way were incredibly kind and friendly. Everyone, from fellow hikers to park staff, had smiles on their faces and were always willing to help or say a warm hello. It made the whole atmosphere feel safe and welcoming. I went with Sunny, and we both had a great time exploring the park together. We saw so many interesting animals, birds, and even a few turtles near the water. It’s a perfect place for nature lovers or anyone who just wants to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors. The signboards were clear and helpful, and everything was very well organized. From the parking to the restrooms to the picnic spots, it felt like the park was designed with care and thought for visitors. Even though I’m usually in Noida, this park in Florida gave me an experience I won’t forget. It’s a beautiful spot with so much to offer, and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone visiting the area. Whether you’re hiking, taking pictures, or just relaxing under the trees, Hillsborough River State Park is truly worth the visit.

I went for hiking on 09/14/25. As of then, both Baynard and Seminole trails are still not in use due to hurricane Milton from picture 2024. The bathrooms by the former pool are unusable, and taped off with caution tape. Both playgrounds have elements blocked with caution tape. I have grown up in this park: camping, hiking, birthday parties, etc. This is not the fault of the rangers, they are doing their best; but it's sad too see so much not in use nearly a year later. Hiking on the River Rapids trail was lovely though. This park is a piece of authentic old Florida and I hope it comes back fully.

Was a beautiful and relaxing place to hike and get some fresh air. Our dogs enjoyed walking the trails with us and the river was beautiful even saw a little gator and of course many birds. A ranger was even kind enough to lead us to the right area and give us a mini tour and interesting history lesson on the land and indigenous tribes that called this area home. He even shared a tip for a hidden gem along the path that we were happy to find. Would def be back with probably a pack lunch to enjoy 😉

We really enjoyed the trails at Hillsboro River State Park. The river Rapids Trail was nice. The suspension bridge trail was very cool. It was nice to take our little dog with us. We also were Glamping this weekend at Hillsboro River State Park

BEAUTIFUL trails at this park!!!! There was so much to stop and admire, like the rapids, the suspension bridge, the wonky trees, etc. My only complaint is that the trails could’ve been marked more clearly. I appreciated the gator sighting!!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

Dinosaur World FL was a fun experience for our family. Decorated for Halloween made it even more fun. Dinosaur World has Twenty two acres of dinosaurs, along with a splash pad, play grounds, and a museum. I think it would appeal mostly to families with smaller children. General admissions is a good deal however if you want to do any of the activities like fossil hunting, the tram or dino cars its extra. There is no cafe though they do have vending machines and snacks in a few locations so bring your own food or eat before coming. The park overall is clean and staff friendly with a large gift shop and clean bathrooms. We had a great time.

Great place for the younger and older dinosaur lover! We took our grandson who is 3 and there was so much for him to do! There is a splash pad, 2 playground areas, a train ride, a fossil dig, gem mining and so much more! It is very well shaded all throughout the park and there are plenty of rest areas, picnic areas and misting fans around to keep everyone happy. It was also well decorated for Halloween with a trunk or treat and other Halloween festivities going on all around the park. This is a must do activity for toddlers!

Dinosaur World has lots of cool dinosaur statues to look at, and my little ones really enjoyed seeing them up close. The staff was friendly and helpful, which we really appreciated. However, for the full price (even after paying for extras), it didn’t feel like there was enough to do. There were limits on how many times you could ride the train, and there weren’t many activities to keep the kids busy beyond looking at the dinosaurs. Overall, a nice visit for dinosaur fans, but the experience could definitely be improved — especially considering the cost.

Way overpriced for what it was! our 5 and 7 year old were very bored. Staff was pleasant and the park was clean. Nice murals and the trees were pretty to look at . Many dogs there, looks like people brought their pets .

This is a great park. A lot bigger than it looks. A lot of life sized dinosaurs with great kid activities: train ride, fossil dig, and mini golf to name a few. Great museum, gift shop, and info placards along the way for adults also. Conviently located right off I4.

Definitely needs some TLC!! Beautiful foliage all around the park but really needs to be cleaned up. If it weren't for all the Halloween decoration there really wouldn't be much too look at and do. But we had a good time walking around and checking it out.

We went to the Halloween event. Very fun! There was face painting and fake tattoos. Very decorated for Halloween. During the day would be nice because they have a splash pad and a part of the park I wasn’t able to see due to it being closed for the event. We will be back! Also they have a whole crystal/rock collection for sale in the front.

Everything was fresh, colorful, and full of character — even if you’re just passing through, it’s worth stopping to browse. The strawberry sundaes were absolutely delicious and a definite highlight! Unfortunately, the shortcakes weren’t available this time, but we still had a wonderful visit. My dad came here years ago and had such fond memories, so we just had to come back — and it was every bit as special as he remembered.

Farmers Market ( and then some ) What a cute little gem found in plant city with more than fruits to offer as you walk through ever so green picnic area where you can also purchase local plants, gardening decor and much more. We also enjoyed their local treats that they offer from ice cream to cookies and parfaits. 10/10 highly recommended for a little family trip or day date.

Such a nostalgic visit of fresh fruits and veggies plants and other memorabilia that bring me back to the country scene. Such a variety of things to explore eat and experience. Plenty of outside seating and don't forget your sweet treat before leaving. I would highly recommend to visit with family or just a nice quick getaway.

Parfait smaller than photo. I got the peach told it was fresh i don't believe it was. Most peach slices were dark had no flavor and the fruit was tough. Could not cut into slices with my spoon. My friend shared her pineapple parfait. It was good.

It’s charming throwback to a simpler time lots of fresh fruits and vegetables . And abundant array of jellies,jams,dressings,hot sauces and trinkets.how ever, the best part of the day was the outstanding strawberry milk shake, its pricey,small the best I’ve ever had .a great place to visit and spend

Been stopping there for over 5 years. Usually buy around $300 per season. A trip I made today I filled up my basket with close to $200 of various veggie plants at $2.99. On group had no sign and I actually found a employee that spoke English. I asked how much where the veggies on the table without a sign. She said they all are $2.99. I said even the ones next to the hurbs and see said yes. So I got my purchase together and went up front to pay. I saw on the register that 8 of mine said $5.99. I told her your employee said $2.99 a she said no she didn't. I asked to speak to the manager. A older lady came out and refused to ever consider my side. I said if you dont have a price on them and your worker says $2.99, you should honor that. She said why dont you just get out of here before I call the police. She would lose a sale close to $200 rather than consider what I said. I told her you would lose a $200 sale rather than just ajudt the price of 8 plants $3.00? She said im going to call the police. My wife is 75 years old and im not far behind. Never been treated that way ever by any business. This is no way to to treat a customer of over 5 years that has always gave great reviews! Not any more, this place dont deserves anyone business. If I can get hold of Mr. Meeks or one of the owners I would like to speak to them. Anyone else had issues with them please let me know.

Lovely Market with various vegetables and fruits. Prices are nominal than other places. Strawberries are yummy and delicious to see. Strawberry Shortcake with ice cream and topping & Strawberry Milkshake are must before leaving the place. Also, Leisure area to sit and enjoy the desserts is great with lot of history and many plants. Even though parking gets occupied in the front, there is ample parking at the back.

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.

It’s a nice green space with some interesting plants, flowing water features, and a nice retreat similar to other places of that era. If you want some beautiful scenery and wildlife, it’s a nice choice as a regular retreat if you live in the Bay Area. We got a good deal for a family membership so it’s nice to pop over and walk around for an hour or two as one of the few places to get some green around here. There are a couple of shady open areas with astroturf that are good for the kiddos to play. Otherwise there’s not much going on other than looking at things and relaxing. A nice option if you have visitors who love plants, or want something sedate, but mostly just a stroll and relaxing kind of spot.

This was a lovely experience and a great look at old Florida! The plants were beautiful and there was a great amount of information. Plenty of opportunities for cute pictures and we got to see a fair amount of wildlife as well. I felt tickets were well priced for the amount of time we spent and what we got to see. I also thought the gift shop was great. There were lots of cute things for someone looking for a souvenir from St Petersburg!

Escape the city without leaving the city. This garden transports you into a lush tropical oasis. Surrounded by vibrant colors, calming sounds, and layered textures of cascading landscapes, you can meander the blissfully winding trails for hours. Stop by the flamingos to see them dance in delight at feeding time. The Macaws and Tuscan show off their vivid colors at their own exhibits throughout the property. Other special sightings include butterflies, a kookaburra, tortoises, and turtle. The garden also provides ample opportunities for photo ops and has a gift shop as well.

A nice afternoon activity if you need to get out of the house. The place is huge so you will still find quiet corners even with a lot of people in the garden. Personal favorites/ highlights - Koi pond - Flamingo’s - A rainbow tree - If you are wondering what in the world resulted in this huge garden, there is a history center to give context If traveling with kids or older people- The only restrooms are in the visitor center. There is also a kids exploration center which seemed interesting. The ticket to this place for adults is $15, (note that they are raising it to $18 from oct 1,2025) which I felt was steep. They offer discounts if you are AAA member or VA. Overall, it’s a good afternoon activity if you want to get out of the house Plenty of parking is available at this place.

I'm so glad we finally got a chance to go. This place is breathtaking 😍. Trying to navigate with the map is kinda tricky. There are not a lot of restroom. I liked that we could pack our own lunch, so we had a nice picnic on the lawn. They were also setting up for wla wedding which looked very beautiful. I actually got to see the stunning bride. They also have birds.

What a wonderful place to visit. If you have any interest at all in exotic trees, please visit this place. Sunken Gardens has been around for a long time and has some great history. Beautiful blooms and natural architecture of the plants and trees will WOW you. They also have some birds and turtles on site. With a nice little gift shop. For those who are interested for the kids also attached to Great Explorations.

We spent two hours walking the trails. The historic building describes the family that created the gardens, and how the city voted to purchase it and save it for posterity. Lot's of beautiful plants from Central and South America and Asian countries. Free parking!

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

The team wonderfully plays. Their nachos are yummy and a perfect baseball food. I am very excited receiving a ball signed by the Major League Baseball commoner. I enjoy eating Nestle dibs crunch ice cream bites. I wish to find baseball earrings. I enjoy petting the sting rays. ⚾️ 🎉

I’m a baseball fanatic and I’m going to every stadium. This journey was a little disappointing but had some good points. The game itself was exciting but the stadium is old and showing its signs of needing to be replaced. It’s very outdated, instead of walking around a stadium I felt like I was in a hallway of a school or something. The vending area had the best feature and worst feature both, best feature is you get your souvenir cup and fill it yourself, refills and everything, that is super great. The worst feature is the ordering process. No humans just little kiosk pads, you get the ticket out of it after you order with your number but then you wait in another line to hand your ticket in to a person then wait even longer for your stuff. It’s horrible, people waiting on food block the kiosk pad so people can’t order and it’s simply a mess, if I returned I would eat before and get nothing except walk around stuff because of the lines. Keep in mind there is not many fans at the games so I couldn’t imagine a sold out game or large crowd the place would be a mess. Anyway still great experience and the stingray tank in centerfield is a must, hopefully 2028 brings a new stadium.

The field is really nice. They just replaced the turf. The stadium is awesome too. It's a shame they want to replace it because it is very well cared for. Staff is friendly but word of advice, do not bring any backpack or bags at all to the security point. I misunderstood the bag rule because I thought it meant they could not be over a certain size so I brought a very small backpack for my kids things. This was not ok. I guess a reusable grocery sack is OK though. The stadium had a lot of restaurants and bars, but be prepared to spend $8 on a 20oz smart water and $15-18 for a beer. Very expensive. Overall we enjoyed the game and our seats were great behind the first base dugout.

I am on a quest to visit all MLB ballparks and this place, although pretty empty and not a lot of attendees, it's a great park. This was a great little ballpark with lots of things to see and explore. They have a great rotunda when you walk in and nice team store. They even have a sting ray touch tank in the outfield. Some of the food selections are not the best compared to other parks.......⚾️

We’ve been to the field a few times for games. It’s always clean and well organized. The team throws out at least 200+ baseballs to the kids in the stand every single game. The a/c is kicking and the lights in the dome are fun to watch. 10/10 will be going to more games.

This past weekend my son and I went to the "Trop" to see the Rays/Yankees games on Saturday and Sunday (Yes we are Yankees fans first but support the Rays when not playing the Yankees). I have some history of visiting Tropicana Field beginning in 2020 when I worked in St Pete less than a 1/2 mile from the Stadium and would walk over for games. After moving to the Orlando area I have attended several games over the past two decades. My experience this past weekend is consistent with all my previous experiences as a fan. (I have never played there so I cannot speak to the areas such as locker room/training facilities, catching pop-ups, or previous turf selections). I think the Stadium is very fan friendly - easy to navigate, lots of food options, good viewing from most areas, entertainment, activity areas for kids, plenty of rest rooms, and extremely well maintained and clean! We parked in lot 6 and purchased parking in advance (I strongly recommend that). Most importantly we arrived at least 2 hours early so traffic was not an issue and getting into stadium early gave time to walk around, watch warm-ups, and get something to eat. Most importantly staffing is plentiful, professional and helpful. They all get an A+ in my book!

I love seeing the games here. It's an incredible value that everybody should take advantage of before it's gone. The stadium is very comfortable and easy to access. Happy to see the town has grown up all around it full of bars and condos and young folks everywhere really has been such a wonderful amenity for St Petersburg. The Baldwin group club level suites are definitely worth considering all you can eat food and beer. There was an after concert (jimmy eat world) after the Rays game it was just so much fun. I will be very sad when it's gone.

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.

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 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!

Robinson Preserve: A Nature Lover's Paradise (and Dog-Friendly Too!) Robinson Preserve is an absolute treasure and a truly fantastic destination for anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. It's a great place to go with your dog, offering ample space for them to explore alongside you. This preserve is perfect for those who love to exercise and enjoy nature. With its extensive network of trails, you can walk, run, or bike through diverse ecosystems, from mangroves to open fields. It's incredibly well-maintained and quiet, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. The paths are clear, and the natural beauty is preserved, making for a truly pleasant experience. One of the absolute highlights is the view from the observation tower, which is beautiful. Climbing to the top rewards you with panoramic vistas of the preserve, the surrounding waterways, and even the distant skyline. It's a breathtaking sight that truly showcases the natural splendor of the area. Whether you're seeking a peaceful walk with your canine companion, a vigorous workout amidst stunning scenery, or simply a quiet moment to connect with nature, Robinson Preserve delivers. It's a meticulously cared-for natural haven that offers something for everyone. Highly recommended!

This place has a little something for everyone! The main trails are well maintained, but some of the side paths can be a bit less so. Regardless, the environment and variety of activities are second to none in the area. Just be warned, if you stay past sunset you will be chased out of the park.

Beautiful big park — great playground for kids of all ages (even adults!), awesome lookout tower, unique wildlife, a pretty long trail, and it’s not crowded even on a Saturday… perfect spot for a family adventure! Downsides… it’s a bit run down. Loose wires, rusty bolts, railings coming apart — clearly keeping this place in shape is not a priority... ...it’s sad how much trash people just leave lying around — empty cans, bottles, snack wrappers... like a weekend activists just rolled through the playground. Who does that? Dumping garbage where kids play… seriously, shame on them.

This place is one of my absolute favorites. It is so large and has a variety of landscapes. My favorite time to go is right before sunset to avoid the heat. There are restrooms and plenty of parking at the kayak drop off site. This is one of my favorite places to take people.

Great find! Boardwalk wasn't open, but still had plenty of trails to explore. The scenery was breathtaking, didn't see much wildlife but it was really hot. Hopefully next time!

One of my favorite preserves in Florida. So many amazing trails. Super kid friendly. Has the ropes course thing for kids that’s super cute and fun! I love this place.

Very neat place for a walk! There are several parking lots and the one by the canopy building seems like the easiest way to get to the walk amongst the mangroves. We walked the long way and it was a nice gravel path with little shade. Got super hot quick! Bring water if you plan to spend a lot of time there. The canopy is SUPER cool. Nice free activity for the kids to run around.

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!!!

This Natural History Museum is focused on Florida and is especially great for kids (and even has a dedicated play area for younger ones). You can spend around 2-3 hours here or more if you plan to see multiple planetarium shows. The Planetarium is great with a variety of programs and videos scheduled throughout the day. It is great that the shows are included in the price of an admission ticket. On top of fossils and human artifacts, there is also a live Manatee aquarium with a couple rescue manatees that they release back into the wild when ready. They do offer student discounts. Street parking is limited but there is a large parking structure across the street.

First laser light show here since the 80's. We went to see Pink Floyd the wall 🧱. I was having a phone issue and didn't get to buy the ticket ahead of time and they were nice enough to get me in anyway. We all enjoyed the show for sure. I thought the did a great job, I could only ask for a couple more songs to be included. I definitely will be back with a variety of different friends for the variety of different musical selections they offer. I recommend this experience for all and I am thankful we have this museum, planetarium and laser shows available.

Went here on a Saturday. Caught a planetarium show narrated by tom hanks. Spent prob 30 mins or so walking around and seeing the exhibits. Def a fun time. Seeing the manatees was really cool. Bought tickets right at the door. Free parking garage is super close.

Incredible day at the museum! So much to do. Loved the story time Tales under the tree and the Manatee craft. Something for adults and children. Facilities were clean, staff were helpful and kind. The planetarium was awesome as well.

Lots of displays with the history of Florida. A great play area for children. The planetarium runs several shows throughout the day. Another area changes it's theme periodically and there are interactive areas.

Excellent place for learning. All the staff were very nice and welcoming. Perfect for homeschool field trips. Clean. Shows are worth watching.

We couldn’t have asked for a better venue for our wedding on May 4th, 2025! The entire experience was incredible from start to finish. Danielle was wonderful to work with, and the entire team went above and beyond to make our day truly special. While we were a little disappointed that the manatees had been released before our wedding and we didn’t get photos with them, we were thrilled knowing they went home happy and healthy. An unforgettable place to start our new chapter together!

Love love the peace I found here! The restrooms were absolutely CLEAN! I was on campsite #19 and the hostess for the area were so KIND and ensured I was good after that surprise rain storm we had. Love walking along the lake and hearing the rain come down as I laid in my tent!

Extending only about three miles along the south shore of Lake Manatee, this state park is definitely considered to be smaller yet it has plenty to offer! Typically we always see someone fishing from their boat or the park's fishing docs. There is a swimming beach, but beware of gators in the area and always swim at your own risk! In addition, this park has a large picnic area and pavilion as well as a volleyball net in the sand. Full-facility camping is also available, which we haven't tried as we are only day trip visitors. Overall, this state park is well kept and it's a different experience every time we go.

Lake Manatee State Park Visited Lake Manatee State Park recently for a brief hike and a few photos. The lakefront trail opens quietly into scrub and pine flatwoods, the breeze softly stirring the grasses beside the water. I only hiked for a short while but felt a gentle pull to return. The whisper of wind through the pines, the hum of grasshoppers, and the soft sway of wildflowers mixed with the music of songbirds created a moment of pure harmony. (See my video here.) I will return soon to wander further, discover more of the hidden corners, and let this place reveal itself in slow motion. Jana Shakti Travels

Great location. A Walmart is 20 minutes away, and there's a 7-Eleven at 8 minutes. Visitors are very respectful of quiet times, even the ones with dogs or many children. Park rangers and camp hosts were kind. I missed a bit of tree canopy for the campsite (since I forgot my canopy tent), but I get it; the place seems to be fit more for RVs. Nonetheless, if you have the canopy, it's going to be fine.

Loved the views and hike trails. Looking forward to camping as well.

I would give this park personally a 3.5 star. The hiking trails were poorly marked and hard to follow. The park is really nice and quiet and has nice picnic and playground areas with places to fish and swim. Overall good park, just not a place to hike. $5 per car entry fee.

This was a nice and peaceful park (aside from the nearby speed racing. I’m unsure if there’s a track or not, but it sure sounded that way.) We camped here for a few days while it was cold. It was super easy to book, check in, and check out. Each site had a fire pit and picnic table. The rules were simple and self explanatory. The staff was very friendly. It was cost effective. The facilities could use a bit updating.