Page 72 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA
ARTS AND CULTURE
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, West Central Florida has plenty to share. One showpiece sits on the Tampa Riverwalk, a pedestrian walkway that meanders through the city along the Hillsborough River. The Tampa Museum of Art is housed in an architectural work of art designed by Stanley Saitowitz. Inside, an incredible collection of contemporary and classical art, as well as enticing traveling exhibitions, are on display. From the museum, follow the Riverwalk south to the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts, showcasing works by local, national and international photogra- phers, as well as historical collections.
Nobody does pirates like Tampa Bay. A Smithsonian affiliate museum, the Tampa Bay History Center brings to life pirates, shipwrecks and treasure—complete with a 60-foot replica pirate ship, a real 1700s ship’s treasure chest and an authentic 1703 map of the Caribbean showing exactly where to attack ships full of treasure.
In downtown Tampa, step back into simpler times amid the splendor of the storied 1920s movie palace at the Tampa Theatre. Tour the mesmerizing theater before the main feature begins, then sit back and relax while a volunteer organist serenades you on the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ before the curtain rises.
INSIDER TIP With growing interest in travel to Cuba, it may come as a surprise that you can visit a part of Cuba right in Tampa’s Ybor City. Cuban-born poet, journalist, essayist and revolutionary José Martí frequently visited Ybor City in the late 1800s. During this time he did a large part of his planning and fundraising, and wound up calling Ybor City his “faithful little town” because of the support he received there. Today, the small, 0.14-acre José Martí Park stands in tribute to the revolutionary, but what makes the park perhaps even more interesting is that it has been owned by the Cuban govern- ment since 1956.
Within walking distance of each other in downtown St. Petersburg are the Museum of Fine Arts, with thousands of objects spanning 4,500 years, from antiquity to the present, and the Dalí Museum with the world’s largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside of Spain. The structure housing the Dalí Museum is in itself a surreal piece of art. The Chihuly Collection, on the Morean Arts Center campus in St. Pete’s Central Arts District, features amazing works of glass art by the master himself.
To the north of Tampa, Dunedin is filled with galleries and regularly hosts arts and craft shows throughout the year. If you’re in the area in early January, head over to the Annual Downtown Dunedin Art Festival, which showcases roughly 150 of the nation’s most talented artists and a broad spectrum of media including sculptures, glass, paintings, jewelry and ceramics. Admission is free. Every spring, world-class Scottish athletes descend upon Dunedin for the annual Highland Games & Festival that include a traditional Scottish gathering with music and dance, a parade and a full day of events and competitions.
ATTRACTIONS
When it’s time to go wild, be sure to visit Big Cat Rescue in Tampa. One of the largest accredited sanctuaries for exotic cats in the world, this is home to numerous lions, tigers, bobcats and cougars that have been rescued and are now cared for by loving staff and volunteers.
Another place to enjoy close encounters with animals is ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Spend a day with the animals, learning about their habitats and how to protect them, and you’ll easily see why it is highly-rated.
Busch Gardens is a 300-acre African- themed animal theme park located in Tampa. For the ride of your life, try the park’s latest addition, The Serengeti Flyer. The world’s tallest and fastest ride of its kind, this screaming swing ride soars 135 feet high then plunges back to Earth experiencing multiple negative G-moments.
Located right across the street from Busch Gardens, Adventure Island is the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of
TAMPA YBOR CITY • VISIT TAMPA BAY
INTERNATIONAL
GATEWAYS
Port Tampa Bay: porttb.com/cruise
St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport: fly2pie.com
Tampa International Airport: tampaairport.com
all ages. With over 40 rides, among them are Rapids Racer Wahoo and Wahoo Remix, visitors are promised even more exciting attractions. Watch for the debut of Castaway Falls, a new multi-level water-play experience of pure wet waves. Think massive water buckets and loopy water slides.
Downtown, discover all of the wonders that lie beneath the water’s surface at The Florida Aquarium. Meet penguins, cruise out onto the waters of Tampa Bay to watch for dolphins or youngsters can enjoy the splash pad.
The Seaside Seabird Sanctuary in Indian Shores (located between St. Petersburg and Clearwater) is dedicated to the rescue, rehabil- itation and hopeful release of sick, injured and orphaned birds.
North of Indian Shores, plenty of other marine life live at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Besides the majestic dolphins, including resident sea turtles, otters, stingrays, sharks, pelicans and clownfish you can enjoy seeing and learning about the resident marine animal rescues. Prepare to head out on the water here, too, on board the aquarium’s 90- minute Sea Life Safari Boat Tour.
Take another look beneath the water and you’ll find mermaids in the crystal-clear waters at Weeki Wachee Springs. More
70 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA