The back roads around St. Petersburg, Florida

[pbitschura]

We have a few days at the end of April where DW and I will be in St. Pete's while she is attending a conference. We have done the Tampa-St. Pete's regular touristy things in the past. I am looking for a day trip on a week day that takes us somewhere off the beaten path, where time stood still or where some unique experience might be had. Probably not an airboat into the swamp, but most everything else is open, places to eat, scenery, tours. Thanks in advance.

[Craig_A]

Depends on what you like. Ft. Desoto has award winning beaches and a lot of room to explore. You can take a ride out to Egmont Key. Homosassa has lots of beautiful, shallow water where manatees gather this time of year. Anna Maria Island on the coast west of Bradenton is a very quaint, old fashioned beach town. There's always Busch Gardens and the Aquarium in Tampa. Tarpon Springs is a small Greek community with lots of fishing and sponge docks.

BTW, St. Petersburg is sometimes called St. Pete (no 's). They'll know you're a tourist if you say it St. Pete's.

[pbitschura]

Dennis M M wrote:
Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City

If you are book junkies don't miss Haslam's Book Store

Tarpon Springs

A canoe trip on the Little Manatee is great fun, we did it a couple of times. Lots of turtles and a few alligators. Canoe Outpost

Red Barn Flea Market You can lose a whole day her

Chefs on the loose for a great meal and cooking experience

Sun coast Seabird Sanctuary

Mixon Fruit Farms

We like to eat too:

La Septima Cafe best Cuban sandwich I've ever had!

Linger Lodge on the Bradenton River

My day is filling in nicely. The flea market looks interesting and it's on the way to Myakka State Park. Thanks

[wanderingbob]

If ya like history look the Florida Cattleman's Museum, inland and south of St Pete . Olde timey stuff about driving cattle the Florida way . Also near is the Battle site where Osceola defeated some Yankee soldiers .

[Dennis_M_M]

Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City

If you are book junkies don't miss Haslam's Book Store

Tarpon Springs

A canoe trip on the Little Manatee is great fun, we did it a couple of times. Lots of turtles and a few alligators. Canoe Outpost

Red Barn Flea Market You can lose a whole day here!

Chefs on the loose for a great meal and cooking experience

Sun coast Seabird Sanctuary

Mixon Fruit Farms

We like to eat too:

La Septima Cafe best Cuban sandwich I've ever had!

Linger Lodge on the Bradenton River

[sdianel_-acct_c]

https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Marjorie-Kinnan-Rawlings

Author of "The Yearling" and the movie "Cross Creek" is about her life. Not a huge place but worth a visit. About 2 hours north of St Pete in Cross Creek FL.

Also ditto on Rainbow River in Dunnellon FL. There is a spot where you can rent a canoe, take a pontoon boat ride. Blue Run is one entrance to the river and is popular with kayakers and canoes. http://www.dunnellon.org/facilities/facility/details/Blue-Run-of-Dunnellon-Park-1

Front Porch Restaurant and Pie shop in Dunnellon is a popular place. Haven't eaten there but on our list and is always busy.

[sdianel_-acct_c]

http://www.visitflorida.com/en-us/trails/articles/2012/august/exploring-cracker-trail-country-where-...

[pbitschura]

Tripalot wrote:
Have you been to Fort Desoto S.P. Great place to visit - take bathing suits and walking shoes.

We collected sand dollars and shells there. Took a tour of the old fort. Let me ask, my wife is deathly afraid of dogs (badly bitten once). I understand the beach there is dog friendly. How canine crowded is the beach likely to be at the end of April? Thanks

[pbitschura]

Homosassa, we were guided a a magnificent swim with the Manatee's. Ybor, not much into nightlife but the walking tour was fun. Tarpon Springs, quaint. Myaka River State park sounds intriguing. Thank you for your time and some good suggestions.

[Tripalot]

Have you been to Fort Desoto S.P. Great place to visit - take bathing suits and walking shoes.

[agesilaus]

There is Rainbow Springs State Park not too far north near Dunellion. Homosassa State Park is another winner, you will see manatees up close and the rest of the park is excellent. Weeki Watchee State Park is in the same area and they have the underwater 'mermaid' dancers. All three of those parks were once commercial attractions that have been taken over by the state. If you like museums then Sarasota has the very good Ringling Circus Museum and the Asolo Theater.

Just east of Sarasota is the Myakka River State Park with a lot of alligators and I do mean a lot. Plus they have a walkway up inside the tree canopy 30 or 40 feet off the ground.

Tarpon Springs just north of Tampa is an old Greek sponge diver town highly tourist oriented these days. Ybor City right in the Tampa area is the old cigar manufacturer town likewise tourist oriented, I don't rate it as highly as Tarpon tho.