West Florida Trip from Tampa to Sarasota
♦ Routes (free): Detailed travel itineraries in USA
In this article, a description of the cities, attractions, beaches and recommended hotels in the central part of West Florida.
In another article about West Florida, a description of a Southwest Florida trip from Naples to Sarasota covers the southern part of West Florida.
The description of trips in Northwest Florida provided in the article Trips and attractions in Tallahassee, Destin and Panama City Beach completes our articles on the West Coast of Florida from south to north.
The city of Tampa is located just about an hour and fifteen minutes (140 km) west of Orlando. It is a fascinating city full of possibilities located in an impressive bay, but despite this, most Israelis who arrive in Orlando do not bother to visit it, or at most pop in for one day to visit another amusement park (Busch Gardens) in addition to the many amusement parks they have already visited in Orlando. Tampa is a wonderful city suitable for everyone: for lovers of nature, culture, beaches, and entertainment. Tampa and the cities in the area are full of art museums and galleries. Tampa is also known for its long and wonderful beaches. In and around it, there are plenty of active vacation options: from kayaking and jet skiing to paragliding and zip-lining. The area is full of zoos and aquariums, but also many opportunities to view marine animals in nature: birds, manatees, and dolphins.
There are many universities in the Tampa area, which makes it a young and vibrant city. The sidewalk on "Bayshore Boulevard" in Tampa was crowned with the title: "The longest continuous sidewalk in the world" - its length is 7.2 km, without the need to cross roads! The boulevard is built entirely along the water and offers a wonderful view of Hillsborough Bay on one side and green banks on the other. It is a perfect destination for walking, running, or cycling among historical buildings, plenty of shops, and even a "pirate ship" anchored in the harbor.
Tampa is also known for its spectacular sunsets.
Tampa is the largest city in Tampa Bay. This is a huge bay on the west coast of the state of Florida that is part of the Gulf of Mexico. The bay was declared a natural site of national importance by the United States Environmental Protection Agency due to the mangrove plants growing on its shores, the 200 types of fish found in it, and the 25 species of birds living on its shores.
Tampa Bay is home to the largest port in Florida and the tenth largest in the United States. Since the bay is shallow, about 120 km of deep-water channels were dug in the bay to allow access to the Port of Tampa. The bay is crossed by several bridges, some of which are very high and impressive.
In the Tampa Bay area, there are three cities with over 100,000 residents: Clearwater with 119,000 residents,
St. Petersburg, often referred to as "St. Pete" with 265,000 residents, and the largest of them all: Tampa with 390,000 residents, considered the 3rd largest city in Florida. The total number of residents in all Tampa Bay settlements reaches 3.1 million people.
The most convenient and cost-effective way to travel in the Tampa area is, of course, by rental car (car rental in Florida is the cheapest in the US and among the cheapest in the world), but within the city itself, there is excellent public transportation, and it is recommended to get around using the TECO Line streetcar. The streetcar passes through nine main stations in Tampa and stops near many attractions and tourist sites, and of course, plenty of restaurants and cafes.
Did you know? The name Tampa is derived from an ancient expression of the "Calusa" tribe and means: "Sticks of fire". This is likely because during the summer months in Tampa there are many lightning storms. This is also the source of the name of the local hockey team, Tampa Bay Lightning.
How to get there?
Tampa has an international airport (airport code: TPA) named Tampa International Airport. It has international flights to Canada, many Caribbean islands, Panama, and also to several destinations in Europe (London, Frankfurt, and Zurich). In addition, it has flights to many destinations throughout the US. Tampa Airport is consistently chosen as one of the most recommended airports in the US.
The closest main airport to Sarasota is: Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport
(airport code: SRQ). This airport has direct flights from a variety of destinations throughout the US by most American airlines.
The largest international airport closest to Tampa and Sarasota is:
Orlando International Airport (airport code: MCO), located about an hour and a quarter (140 km) from Tampa and two hours (220 km) from Sarasota.
Additional international airports, further away:
Miami airport (airport code: MIA), located 4 hours (440 km) from Tampa and 3:30 hours (360 km) from Sarasota.
Fort Lauderdale airport (airport code: FLL), located 3:40 hours (420 km) from Tampa and 3 hours (330 km) from Sarasota.
Weather and when to visit:
The weather in West Florida is tropical: a long, hot summer, and a short, pleasant, and dry winter.
The wet season in the area is from May to October (with the main rains falling from June to September) and the dry season is from November to April. Even in the dry season (in winter) rains fall but are much lighter (50-60 mm per month). The hurricane season is from June to early November. The wettest month is July, with 190 mm of rain.
June is the hottest month with an average temperature of 28 degrees Celsius. Even on the hottest days, the temperature does not rise above 38 degrees Celsius. The all-time high temperature in Tampa was 99 degrees Fahrenheit (37.2 degrees Celsius).
January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 16.5 degrees.
The sea temperature in summer reaches 30 degrees Celsius in August, similar to the Mediterranean. But even on nice, sunny winter days, you can bathe in the sea. The lowest water temperature is in February-March and it is 21 degrees Celsius (like Eilat in winter).
The most recommended months for a trip to Tampa are from November to April, but it is definitely a suitable and recommended destination in all months of the year!
Did you know? Every year since 1904, in the month of January, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival is celebrated in the city, which includes a "pirate attack" on the city, parades, and a variety of shows and stunts.
♦ Recommended accommodation in Tampa:
A large and high-quality 4-star hotel located within a large nature reserve. The hotel has spacious rooms suitable for 2-4 people and large suites suitable for 4 adults and up to 3 children. Some rooms have a view of the bay. The hotel has 2 pools, a hot tub, a gym, three restaurants, and a bar. Located southwest of the city center, a short drive from the airport on the waterfront. Parking for an additional fee. Free internet.
A recommended 4-star hotel in a great location on the waterfront near the Florida Aquarium. Some rooms have a view of the bay and others a view of the city. Some rooms have a balcony.
The hotel has a rooftop pool, hot tub, spa, gym, and water sports facilities. The hotel has 7 restaurants and a bar. Internet and parking for an additional fee.
A recommended apartment hotel with two-bedroom apartments suitable for 4-6 people. The hotel has a pool, gym, tennis, ping pong, yoga and Pilates classes, a playground for children, 2 restaurants, and a bar. Located next to 3 golf courses. Free internet and parking.
Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District
A 3-star hotel belonging to the Hilton chain. Located in downtown Tampa near the cruise ship terminal. Each room has a microwave. The hotel has a pool and a gym. This is a popular area for cycling and bicycles can be rented at the hotel. The price includes breakfast. Parking for an additional fee. Free internet.
The main attractions in Tampa
Tickets and guided tours in Tampa from GetYourGuide:
Busch Gardens
This is without a doubt the number 1 tourist site for families in Tampa.
The park is a combination of a recommended amusement park full of rides (including 9 serious roller coasters) with a safari where over 2800 animals live, mainly from the African region.
The park also has a great area for toddlers: Sesame Street Safari of Fun.
The park is divided into 8 worlds (Morocco, Egypt, Congo, Nairobi, Timbuktu, Jungala, Bird Gardens, and Stanleyville) each with diverse attractions and rides. Among the most popular rides in the park:
SheiKra - a roller coaster for the daring only, named after an African bird of prey and attempting to mimic its movements. It includes crazy accelerations, a 90-degree drop, an underground tunnel, and other surprises for adrenaline junkies.
Kumba - a roller coaster considered one of the best in the world with 7 loops, some at completely impossible angles.
Tigris - a modern roller coaster considered the tallest in Florida with dramatic drops at high accelerations.
Montu - the first roller coaster in the world to combine a loop with a roll.
Congo River Rapids - a stormy, fun, and soaking tube ride on the river.
The park also hosts many shows for the whole family and in summer evening shows (mainly on weekends) which also include an impressive fireworks display. The park is located about fifteen minutes (14 km) north of the city center.
Florida Aquarium
An impressive and special aquarium. The aquarium has a huge glass dome and features many marine animal displays representing all the marine habitats that exist in Florida: from swamps, mangrove forests, coral reefs, and lakes. A cool experience for adrenaline junkies is diving with sharks, stingrays, barracuda fish, sea turtles, and about 1000 colorful fish.
A unique interactive tour in small groups is behind the scenes of the African penguin area. The tour is accompanied by a biologist specializing in penguins and also includes feeding these charming birds.
A 75-minute catamaran cruise to watch wild dolphins also departs from the aquarium.
Adventure Island
A large and diverse water park with eight different types of slides, some hair-raising for adrenaline junkies and some calmer (many with tubes) alongside a lazy river, a huge wave pool, a stunt lagoon, and a large area full of soaking attractions for toddlers. The newest and most popular slide of all is: Solar Vortex - a huge double funnel slide with an acceleration of 36 km/h and special lighting effects based on solar energy. The park is located next to the Busch Gardens amusement park in north Tampa.
Lowry Park Zoo
At the zoo, there are about 1300 animals from about 350 species. The garden is divided into several areas: mammal area, Asian animals, Africa, Florida wildlife, birds, marine animals, as well as a children's zoo called Wallaroo Station with a petting corner. The zoo was chosen by a popular American parenting magazine as the most family-friendly zoo in the US. The site also has several amusement rides for young children. The zoo is managed by a non-profit organization and also serves as a conservation site for extinct animals, both local and from all over the world.
Big Cat Rescue
The unique zoo "Big Cat Rescue" is also a non-profit zoo where animals rescued from circuses, private individuals, and other abusive entities live. The emphasis is on animals from the cat family such as lions and tigers.
Manatees
For lovers of animals in nature, it is highly recommended to watch the "Manatees" from the Manatee Viewing Center at Apollo Beach, about a 25-minute drive (25 km) south of Tampa. The site has an observation tower, hiking trails, and a promenade. It is recommended to come to the place only from November to April, which is the manatees' stay season in the area.
Lettuce Lake Park
Includes a shallow lake at the mouth of the river as well as a mangrove forest and a pine forest.
In the park, there are walking trails on elevated platforms, an observation tower with a view of the river, and it is a very recommended place for kayaking and canoeing. Kayaks can be rented at the information station at the park entrance. This is also an ideal destination for birdwatchers. The park also has playgrounds and picnic areas.
Tampa Riverwalk
A long and vibrant promenade considered one of the most popular tourist attractions in Tampa. The 3.8 km long promenade is located on the banks of the Hillsborough River and features plenty of impressive buildings, restaurants, shops, and entertainment. The Florida Aquarium, the hockey stadium, the Tampa History Center, the Tampa Museum of Art, and the "Glazer" Children's Museum are part of the tourist sites along the promenade. Many events are held on the promenade, the most famous of which are: "Riverfest" (at the end of April) and the Lighted Boat Parade towards Christmas.
Historic Ybor City
A colorful historic district located in the city center. The area of the district is about five square kilometers between East Broadway, 22nd Street, Nebraska Avenue, and Columbus Drive.
The area was previously based around the cigar manufacturing industry (to this day one of Tampa's names is: "Cigar City") where many workers from different countries worked, mainly Cuba, Italy, and Spain. Today it is a district full of life and atmosphere. In the district, there are a variety of restaurants, mainly Cuban, many Latin clubs, and special shops. Everything remains preserved according to the style of the end of the last century. Many street performances are held in the district, including demonstrations of making Cuban cigars. It is especially recommended to visit it on weekends when the Seventh Avenue is blocked to car traffic and it is full of revelers and tourists. Ybor City is still considered one of the most haunted places in the world with spirits from the past.
It is recommended to visit the Ybor City State Museum, which tells about the rich Cuban culture and its influence on the area.
It is highly recommended to join one of the guided walking tours in the district to deepen your knowledge and experience. Especially recommended:
Ybor City Historic Walking Tours
Or: if you are interested in combining a meal and drinks in this district in Tampa:
Historic Ybor City Food Walking Tour
Two recommended museums in Tampa are:
Henry B. Plant Museum
Housed in a historical building that was once a luxury hotel named Tampa Bay Hotel, which began operating as early as 1891 and hosted many famous people and important figures such as former President Teddy Roosevelt and Winston Churchill. When it opened, it was one of the most prestigious hotels in the country. It was the hotel with the first elevator in Florida and the first suite with a telephone. Today it is part of the University of Tampa and has become a National Historic Landmark. The hotel was built by Henry Bradley Plant, who built an empire of railroads, steamships, and hotels at that time. The museum has historical displays from the Victorian era to the beginning of the urban tourism industry and Tampa's early days, including a historical cigar shop. In the courtyard of the building, there are walking paths, statues, and fountains.
Museum of Science and Industry MOSI
An impressive museum that combines science, technology, and innovation, including plenty of diverse and interactive displays. The museum also has a planetarium, a hurricane simulator, and an IMAX cinema.
Zip Line Experience
A recommended attraction for action lovers is the zip line experience in Tampa Bay Zip Line Adventure Tampa Bay where you pass over a nature reserve called Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve in a series of 5 zip lines and also climb rope courses and walk on a suspension bridge. The duration of the experience is about two hours.
The Beach
The closest beach to the center of Tampa is: Ben T. Davis beach , a sandy beach lined with palm trees along the Courtney Campbell Causeway that connects Tampa with Clearwater. The beach is very popular among beach volleyball fans.
Snow Tubing Snowcat Ridge
About a half-hour drive north of Tampa is an alpine amusement park with snow tubing tracks and ice skating rinks. Yes, it's in Florida! The place is only open in winter from mid-November to the end of March. Open from 09:00-22:00.
There are tubing tracks with tubes of different sizes and also tracks for toddlers. The site opened in November 2020 for 3 months. In 2021, 2 attractions were added, an ice rink and 8 tents for private parties up to 20 people.
Tampa CityPASS
Tampa and its surroundings have an excellent and cost-effective "city card" Tampa Bay CityPASS which includes entry to the Busch Gardens amusement park, the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Zoo, and additional attractions such as the Chihuly Collection, the Museum of Science and Industry, a cruise, and more.
The main attractions in St. Petersburg
Beaches
St. Petersburg is of course famous for its wonderful beaches and a variety of resort and water sports options, because it is located at the end of a peninsula and surrounded by water on three sides: in the west and south by the waters of Tampa Bay and in the east by the Gulf of Mexico beaches.
The most popular beach in the city is St. Pete Beach, which offers a wide range of services, restaurants, bars, water sports, and hotels and resorts along its entire length.
But in addition to beaches and water, "St. Pete" also has a lot to offer to culture, art, and gastronomy lovers.
The number 1 attraction in the city is without a doubt:
The Dali Museum
Located in a building with unique architecture: a glass structure inspired by the painter's famous watches, built from 900 glass surfaces designed by Yann Weymouth, who was a partner in designing the glass pyramid at the Louvre Museum in Paris.
The impressive building also has a beautiful courtyard with charming statues. The museum has the largest collection in the world of the works of the brilliant artist outside of Spain, with 2100 works including some of his most important oil paintings. Dali's surrealist works are full of imagination and influenced by his dreams as well as by Sigmund Freud, whom he greatly appreciated, and by great Renaissance artists. Many of them combine optical illusions and visual tricks.
It is highly recommended to join a fascinating one-hour guided tour of the museum that will give you a lot of added value (including gossip and surprising facts about the extraordinary artist and his works) and a lot of inspiration (the tour, which is held six times a day, is included in the ticket price and you should check at what times it is held at the time of your visit).
There is of course also an independent audio tour for those interested, but through the guided tour, the works take on a new dimension when you understand all the small details and notice the subtleties. The museum also has a children's gallery, a theater, a café, a shop, and a library.
Another recommended but much smaller museum is:
Morean Arts Center - Chihuly Collection
Located in central St. Petersburg and includes very colorful and impressive glass sculptures located in a multi-room building. Chihuly, who is one of the pioneers of glass artists and known for his complex works that include multi-part sculptures, is also an important environmental artist.
The museum is part of an art center and glass studio called Morean Arts Center and the ticket price also includes entry to glass blowing and glass work demonstrations in the studio across the street.
A short video of glass works at the Morean Arts Center:
Fort DeSoto Park
For nature lovers, it is recommended to visit Fort DeSoto Park located at the southwestern tip of the city at the end of a chain of islands connected by bridges over the water called Mullet Key. The park has great beaches with mostly calm and clear water, hiking trails, and plenty of water birds. The park has a camping site and is recommended for fishing and boating enthusiasts. Guided nature tours are also held on its paths. The park is named after the fort located in it, which has a collection of ancient cannons, mortars, and rifles.
Boating Trips
St. Petersburg is an ideal destination for boating enthusiasts of all kinds. It is especially recommended to go on a kayaking trip:
Exclusive Kayak Expedition: Exploring the Mangroves to Shell Key
A two-and-a-half-hour guided tour in the Weedon Island Preserve at the meeting place of manatees where you can watch plenty of birds, dolphins and learn a lot about the flora and fauna in the area.
Small-Group Clear Kayak Tour in Shell Key – A guided tour of about two hours in a transparent kayak in the reserves:
Shell Key preserve and Fort Desoto park. The tour is in protected waters in water channels among mangroves, during which you will encounter dolphins, manatees (in winter), stingrays, and plenty of bird species.
For those who prefer a motorboat trip:
A recommended, attractive, and adrenaline-filled trip is on a fast speedboat to watch dolphins: Dolphin Racer
Other recommended guided tours in St. Petersburg:
Saint Petersburg Eco Segway Tour – A Segway tour of about two and a half hours in nature on the shore of Tampa Bay. During the tour, you will see dolphins and manatees (only in season) in their natural environment. You will visit the Sunken Gardens, exotic botanical gardens with flamingos and full of butterflies, and pass through magical landscapes.
Discover Florida Tours – A fascinating guided tour in gardens full of trees and flowers where many peacocks roam free, all on an ancient Indian site in a special historical neighborhood called Jungle Prada neighborhood.
Food Tour
Food tour in central St. Petersburg booking from Viator: Taste of Downtown St Petersburg-A Walking/Food Tour
A food tour in central St. Petersburg where you will see graffiti and learn about the city, its history, the origin of its name (indeed, after the beautiful Russian city), and its art.
Murals in the city of St. Petersburg:
♦ Recommended accommodation in St. Petersburg
A high-quality apartment hotel with one-bedroom or two-bedroom apartments with a living room and fully equipped kitchen. Each apartment has a balcony. The hotel is located on a wonderful private beach. The hotel has a swimming pool, BBQ facilities, gardens, a shuffleboard court, and a coin-operated laundry. Free internet and parking.
Courtyard St. Petersburg Clearwater/Madeira Beach
A 3-star hotel from the Marriott chain located next to a large marina a short drive from the beaches.
The hotel has a swimming pool, hot tub, gym, gardens, restaurant, and bar. Free internet and parking.
The main attractions in Clearwater
Beaches and Parks
Clearwater is located west of Tampa and is mainly known for its wonderful beaches. Its main beach, Clearwater Beach, is considered one of the most recommended beaches in Tampa Bay and one of the most beautiful in the entire US. It is a long sandy beach with soft white sand, with shops, restaurants, and excellent resorts all along it. It is full of water sports and resort options.
Another recommended park located on a "Barrier Island" is Sand Key Park. The park also has a wonderful beach. The park has picnic areas, a playground, a dog park, and hiking trails.
Aquarium and Vibrant Pier
There is also a recommended aquarium in Clearwater, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and a vibrant pier named Pier 60, a 350-meter long fishing pier that also has six indoor pavilions, telescopes, and plenty of food stalls, souvenirs, and fishing equipment. The pier has a large and recommended playground, and every evening Sunset at Pier 60 event is held there, which includes street performances, music, and art. The pier is known as a wonderful spot for watching beautiful sunsets.
A short video of Pier 60:
Clearwater Ferry
Even if you have a rental car, it is recommended to use the Clearwater Ferry which connects the city center to the beaches in the west of the city located on a long and narrow strip of islands connected to the mainland. The ferry also reaches the charming town of Dunedin (details below) and the aquarium.
Jazz Festival
A popular 4-day jazz festival is held in the city every year in October, Clearwater Jazz Holiday.
♦ Recommended accommodation in Clearwater
Opal Sands
A 4-star resort on the beach. The hotel has double rooms and suites with one or two bedrooms. Each room and suite has a balcony. The hotel has a swimming pool, hot tub, gym, spa, restaurant, and bar. Parking for an additional fee. Free internet.
Belleair Beach Club
A 3-star suite hotel on the beach. The hotel has double studio units and apartments with a bedroom and a living room. The hotel is located on the beach, has a pool, BBQ facilities, gardens, and free bicycle rental. Rooms have a view of the pool or the Gulf. Free internet and parking.
Charming and touristic towns near Tampa/St. Petersburg/Clearwater:
The town of Dunedin
Less than fifteen minutes north of Clearwater (about 8 km) lies Dunedin, a cute picturesque town full of galleries, statues, special shops, and atmosphere, and of course, plenty of recommended restaurants and breweries. The city also has many nature parks and green spaces. It's fun to take a walking tour of the small town center and its marina.
Food tour in Dunedin
It is recommended to join a food tour in the town of Dunedin: Downtown Dunedin: Food, Drink & Cultural Walking Tour by TBFT
The tour lasts about three hours and includes, in addition to high-quality food, beer and other drinks, and also visits to small and special shops, among the many statues and artworks scattered in the town center, and fascinating stories about the town.
Beaches
Dunedin is also very famous for its wonderful beaches. Particularly recommended is "Honeymoon Island Beach" with white sand and clear turquoise water which is part of a recommended state park of the same name: Honeymoon Island State Park, considered the most visited state park in Florida. Along the beach in this park, there are bushes, some of which were cut due to climate and sea conditions, leaving a field of bush trunks like spears that might have been appropriate to be called "Fakir's Beach"...
The beach stretches over 6.4 km and also has picnic areas and a hiking trail called: Osprey Trail. Kayaks, jet skis, and bicycles can be rented at the beach. The park is located on an island connected to the mainland by a bridge named Dunedin Causeway.
A recommended beach near it that can only be reached by boat is located in Caladesi Island State Park.
The town of Tarpon Springs
A fascinating town located on the waterfront with waterways inside it, about half an hour north of Clearwater and about 45 minutes northwest of Tampa with a strong influence of Greek tradition and culture with plenty of Greek restaurants, buildings in Greek style, and souvenir shops whose highlight is natural sponges. It is known as the "sponge capital of the world".
The town was established in the early 20th century by Greek divers who settled in the area. The main tourist area is called The Sponge Docks, where there is an inner harbor with a marina from which many tours depart for watching marine animals, fishing tours, and sunset watching tours. In this area, there are plenty of galleries, antique shops, bakeries with typical Greek desserts, and factory shops where they demonstrate how the sponges are harvested and sell shells, starfish, and other products from the sea in addition to natural sponges of various sizes and shapes.
The town has beautiful beaches wonderful for swimming, vacationing, and watching spectacular sunsets. A visit to "Sunset Beach" is a must:
It is also highly recommended to visit the state park located on a long peninsula in the sea: Howard Park Beach.
The town of Safety Harbor
A small town on Tampa Bay about 20 minutes east of Clearwater and 25 minutes west of Tampa. The town has a marina with a fishing pier.
And next to it is a park called Waterfront Park where you can walk on a "boardwalk" - an elevated walking trail over the water among mangroves, plenty of birds and fish, and with views of the bay.
On the main street: Main Street there are shops, galleries, and restaurants. A lovely and very photogenic attraction: Whimzeyland - a colorful house decorated with statues made of natural materials and decorations from recycled materials, mainly bottles and painted and colored bowling balls.
recommended hotel in the town of Safety Harbor:
The town has a recommended 4-star spa hotel located in the heart of the town on the quiet bay next to the fishing pier: Safety Harbor Resort and Spa The hotel has 3 swimming pools, a spa, a gym, a bar, a restaurant, a game room, and various leisure activities. Free internet and parking.
The drive from Tampa to Sarasota:
The driving time from Tampa to Sarasota is about an hour (90 km), and from St. Petersburg about 50 minutes (60 km). The drive from St. Petersburg is very impressive because the road passes over the huge bay on an impressive and high bridge, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, from which views of the bay and the surrounding cities are seen. Driving on this bridge is considered one of the must-do attractions in the Tampa Bay area.
The city of Bradenton
Halfway through, about 20 km north of Sarasota, is the city of Bradenton, known among sports fans for a huge, famous, and high-quality sports academy named IMG Academy, considered the largest and most advanced sports academy in the world (formerly known as the Bollettieri Academy, after its famous tennis coach). Today, many diverse sports are practiced at the academy, but in the past, it was mainly famous for its tennis academy where the world's best tennis players trained, including Serena and Venus Williams, Kei Nishikori, Maria Sharapova, Andre Agassi, and Tommy Haas. To this day, it is a highly regarded academy where many professional tennis players train, but it also has summer camps and training camps for amateurs and adults as well.
In Bradenton, there is also a recommended nature reserve named Robinson Nature Preserve, a reserve close to the coast with swamps and mangrove forests and with walking paths on elevated platforms, a 16-meter high wooden tower from which a wonderful view of Tampa Bay is seen, and many waterways ideal for kayaking and other paddle boats.
Sarasota :
Sarasota is a small city of 52,000 residents with a 56 km long sandy coastline with wonderful beaches with soft white sand along its entire length. It is also a popular destination for art lovers and golf enthusiasts.
Much information about Sarasota, including accommodation recommendations there and about the wonderful attractions and beaches south of Sarasota in all the southwestern part of Florida in the article: Southwest Florida trip from Naples and to Sarasota
