If you are heading to the Florida Gulf Coast, you have picked a fantastic destination. It is fun, family-friendly and a place where you can get the most bang for your buck. Whether you have kids in preschool, high school, or anywhere in between, there is something for you on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
With the world opening up and everyone over 12 in my family vaccinated from COVID-19, we are a little more open to traveling. [If you are not vaccinated, I highly encourage you to get the shots. The vaccine is a life-saver.] For those who have thought about heading to the beautiful white sand beaches on the Florida Gulf Coast, check out these 6 places that should be on your list of places to visit.
6 Florida Gulf Coast Places To Visit
1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is its own kind of theme park. It combines an African wildlife preserve and a theme park filled with thrilling roller coasters, including Tigris, the tallest one in Florida (Tigris). Be sure to check out the waterfront waterskiing shows, tons of animals and some really good food. Busch Gardens is a combination of a terrific zoo and a thrilling theme park.
Tip: Buy a quick queue pass to avoid having to wait in line for the most popular rides.
2. TreeUmph! Adventure Course
When we visited TreeUmph! Adventure Course we thought it would be a nice diversion before heading home. We definitely got more than we bargained for. While all 4 kids could do the courses, it was definitely hard for them. My younger two (ages 8 and 10 at the time) weren’t able to finish the Ape course (for younger kids) but they were proud of what they did and how far they got. My older two took off and spent about 2.5 hours making their way through the first 3 courses and ending with the giant zipline. Tip: Buy the $5 water pass to drink all the bottled water you can drink throughout the course. You will need it!!
3. Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium provides the best indoor and outdoor worlds. Visitors get to discover Florida’s aquatic ecosystems from inland springs and swamps to the Gulf of Mexico. You encounter 20,000 aquatic plants and animals. There are even four sharks here!
Tip: The awesome outdoor splash pad was closed because of COVID-19 right now but the restaurant and Tiki Bar are still open so you can still enjoy some sun with your fun.
4. Tampa Riverwalk
Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile-long open space and pedestrian trail development along the Hillsborough River in Tampa. Come here to people-watch, river watch or just to spend some leisurely time outdoors. When we were in Tampa last summer, we visited Ulele, a Native Florida-inspired restaurant, right on the Riverwalk and saw the most amazing sunset!
Tip: Bring a swimsuit for the kids and let them cool off in the splash pad adjacent to the Riverwalk.
5. Lido Key Beach
When we go to the Florida Gulf Coast, we have to hit the beach of course. In 2020, we visited Lido Key Beach in Sarasota for the first time. It was lovely to see the historical marker saying that this beach had once been an all-white, segregated beach until peaceful protests integrated it during the Civil Rights Movement. North Lido Beach is a little more secluded while South Lido and Siesta Key offer more amenities.
Tip: Bring your own chairs. Some of the chair and umbrella rental companies are not open now because of COVID-19. Plus, they can be expensive.
6. Eat up!
Tampa has some amazing food. From Midwestern favorites like Culver’s and Portillo’s to fancy pizza places like Forbici to Goody Goody, a delicious diner-type restaurant, they have it all. Do not embark on your Florida travel on a diet. You have to enjoy all this awesome food!
Tip: Get the pancakes at Goody Goody. They are bigger than your head. And ask for the praline sauce. Thank me later!
Bottom line:
The Florida Gulf Coast might be just the place you need right now. Good food. Family-friendly activities. Warm weather. Beautiful white-sand beaches. You’ll find all these and more on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
