Page 76 - 2024-2025 Travel Guide to Florida

PASCO COUNTY
Get Out and Play on Florida’s Sports Coast
BY SUSAN B. BARNES
Aworld of outdoor pursuits awaits in Pasco County, 30 minutes north of Tampa International Airport. Leave behind the theme parks and prepare for real life thrills and authentic experiences in natural landscapes found across Florida’s Sports Coast.
OUTDOOR FUN
Soar above the trees at TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park where there’s a variety of high-flying obstacles, including bridges, ladders, climbs and zip lines. Or, fly high in a hot air balloon with Black Diamond Balloon, or soar over the Earth and paraglide with Cloudbase PPG.
Those who wish to keep their feet on the ground will find other ways to explore Pasco County. There’s hiking or bicycling some of the 8,000 untouched acres of Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park. Here, paved and unpaved trails meander through Florida pine flatwoods, cypress swamps, marshes and sandhills. Connected to the park, the Suncoast Trail adds another 42 miles of paved pathways popular with bicyclists, walkers and hikers.
Florida’s Sports Coast may not be where you would expect to find giraffes, camels and lemurs, but they’re just what you’ll discover at Giraffe Ranch, a Florida wildlife park and giraffe farm.
Water babies delight in floating down the Cotee River, passing old Florida homes that run along a shady river walk. Keep an eye out for shore birds taking refuge in the serene setting. Afterwards, grab a bite at Gill Dawg Tiki Bar & Grill, which also has watersports gear rentals at the marina.
Another aquatic option to consider is Anclote Key Preserve State Park. Its pristine white sand beaches spill into the clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico accessible only by boat. Or, paddle your canoe or kayak through the mangrove trails at Werner- Boyce Salt Springs State Park for incredible dolphin and manatee encounters.
REFRESH AND RECHARGE
Pasco County has a plethora of dining areas. One eatery to consider is Green Door on 8th for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch. Described as a New American Eatery in Dade City, Green Door’s menu features a spin on New Orleans classics (think crawfish étouffée and jambalaya) and an array of other southern dishes.
AMERICAN FLAG STILT HOUSE • FLORIDA’S SPORTS COAST
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill in Port Richey is a popular waterfront restaurant that will leave you satiated with its island-inspired dishes like fish and shrimp tacos, fresh grouper sandwich and Jammin’ Jambalaya. Check out the many restaurants at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel for more dining options.
MEET THE LOCALS
However you choose to experience Pasco County, one thing is certain—you’ll be planning your return visit to Florida’s Sports Coast sooner rather than later.
Florida’s Sports Coast
Flsportscoast.com
Anclote Key Preserve State Park
flsportscoast.com/listing/anclote-key- preserve-state-park
Black Diamond Balloon
blackdiamondballoon.com
Cloudbase PPG
cloudbaseppg.com
Gill Dawg Marina Tiki Bar & Grill
flsportscoast.com/listing/gill-dawg
Giraffe Ranch
flsportscoast.com/listing/giraffe-ranch
Green Door on 8th
flsportscoast.com/listing/green-door-on-8th
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park
flsportscoast.com/listing/jay-b-starkey- wilderness-park
The Shops at Wiregrass
flsportscoast.com/listing/ the-shops-at-wiregrass/
TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park
flsportscoast.com/listing/treehoppers
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill
flsportscoast.com/listing/whiskey-joes-bar-grill
74 2024-25 TRAVEL GUIDE TO FLORIDA
JAY B. STARKEY PARK • STEVE MARTIN PHOTOGRAPHY
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