In This Article

1. Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach

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Location:

Clearwater Beach, FL

Highlights:

If you're craving a beach day filled with soft white sand and warm blue water, this one’s a total no-brainer. Just under an hour’s drive from Tampa, Clearwater Beach is one of America’s most beloved coastal escapes.

Recommended For:

Families, couples, water sports enthusiasts, beachcombers, and anyone looking for a classic Florida beach day.

What I Love: ♥

Calm, shallow water perfect for swimming, a vibrant boardwalk scene, and plenty of fun on the water from jet skiing to paddleboarding.
  • Swim in warm, clear Gulf waters ideal for families and casual swimmers.
  • Relax under a private cabana or umbrella while soaking in the Florida sunshine.
  • Play on the water with rentals for parasailing, jet skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
  • Explore the lively beachfront promenade with great restaurants, shops, and people-watching opportunities.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.

How to Get to Clearwater Beach:

Take FL-60 W from downtown Tampa across the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Follow signs to Clearwater Beach, which leads you directly onto the island.

2. Jacksonville

Jacksonville

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Location:

Jacksonville, FL

Highlights:

If you’re in the mood for a city that blends riverfront charm with beachy vibes, Jacksonville totally delivers. Just about a 3.5-hour drive from Tampa, Jacksonville is Florida’s vibrant “River City by the Sea.”

Recommended For:

Urban explorers, beach lovers, nightlife seekers, and fans of local breweries and artsy neighborhoods.

What I Love: ♥

River and ocean views, trendy rooftop bars, bold street art, and a buzzing brewery scene.
  • Stroll through colorful neighborhoods decorated with eclectic street art.
  • Unwind with drinks and city views at one of the many waterfront rooftop bars.
  • Beach-hop across more than 20 miles of coastline—perfect for a surf session or relaxing day in the sun.
  • Discover Jacksonville’s youthful energy through its buzzing nightlife and growing craft beer scene.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

How to Get to Jacksonville:

Take I-75 North from Tampa, then merge onto I-10 East toward Jacksonville. Follow I-95 North into the city center or toward the beaches depending on your destination.

3. Sarasota

Sarasota

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Location:

Sarasota, FL

Highlights:

Looking for a beach getaway with a splash of culture and history? Just an hour south of Tampa, Sarasota offers the perfect mix of white-sand relaxation and vibrant arts and entertainment.

Recommended For:

Beach lovers, art and history buffs, couples, and fans of live performances and cultural attractions.

What I Love: ♥

Stunning Gulf Coast beaches, rich circus history, and a thriving performing arts scene anchored by The Ringling and Van Wezel Hall.
  • Relax on some of Florida’s best beaches, including Siesta Key, known for its powdery white sand.
  • Explore the fascinating world of circus history at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
  • Enjoy live ballet, Broadway shows, and musical performances at the waterfront Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
  • Stroll through downtown Sarasota for charming boutiques, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

How to Get to Sarasota:

Take I-75 South from Tampa and exit onto Fruitville Road (Exit 210) west into downtown Sarasota. For the beaches, follow signs to Lido Key or Siesta Key.

4. Bok Tower Gardens

Bok Tower Gardens

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Location:

Lake Wales, FL

Highlights:

If you need a serene escape filled with nature, music, and beauty, Bok Tower Gardens is a dream day trip. Just about 1.5 hours from Tampa, Bok Tower Gardens invites you to slow down and explore one of Florida’s most peaceful landscapes.

Recommended For:

Garden lovers, nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic outing.

What I Love: ♥

The iconic Singing Tower, contemplative gardens by a master designer, a boardwalk through wetlands, and a whimsical children’s garden.
  • Wander the 50-acre Olmsted-designed contemplative garden, a lush escape filled with native plants and quiet paths.
  • Marvel at the Singing Tower, home to a rare carillon that plays concerts daily.
  • Explore other areas like the endangered plant garden, wetlands boardwalk, and 2.5-acre Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden.
  • Visit the historic Pinewood Estate, a Mediterranean-style mansion open seasonally for tours.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How to Get to Bok Tower Gardens:

Take I-4 East from Tampa, then exit onto US-27 South toward Lake Wales. Follow signs to Bok Tower Gardens at 1151 Tower Blvd.

5. Cabbage Key

Cabbage Key

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Location:

Cabbage Key, FL

Highlights:

If your dream day involves unplugging, toes in the sand, and no schedule at all, this is your place. About 2.5 hours from Tampa plus a short boat ride, Cabbage Key delivers pure Old Florida charm on a tiny, no-frills island.

Recommended For:

Beach bums, laid-back explorers, boaters, nature lovers, and anyone craving a peaceful escape.

What I Love: ♥

Car-free island vibes, rustic nature trails, serene beaches, and the legendary Cabbage Key cheeseburger.
  • Unplug from the modern world—there are no cars or paved roads, just sand paths and sunshine.
  • Relax on quiet, pristine beaches perfect for beachcombing or doing absolutely nothing.
  • Hike gentle trails that wind through native foliage and offer chances to spot birds, gopher tortoises, and more.
  • Dine at the iconic Cabbage Key Inn, known for its dollar-bill-covered walls and the famous “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Distance from Tampa:

Drive about 2.5 hours to Pineland Marina or nearby docks, then take a 20–30 minute boat ride or water taxi to the island.

How to Get to Cabbage Key:

Take I-75 South from Tampa to Pine Island Road (Exit 143). Head west to Pineland Marina in Bokeelia, FL. From there, catch a boat or water taxi to Cabbage Key (reservations recommended).

Romantic Day Trips from Tampa:

6. Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge

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Location:

Crystal River, FL

Highlights:

If seeing manatees up close is on your bucket list, this is your moment. Just under 2 hours from Tampa, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is one of the only places in the U.S. where you can legally swim with these gentle giants.

Recommended For:

Wildlife lovers, families, eco-tourists, kayakers, and anyone with a soft spot for manatees.

What I Love: ♥

Winter manatee gatherings, the crystal-clear waters of Three Sisters Springs, and the unique chance to snorkel or paddle beside these peaceful marine mammals.
  • Watch manatees from the Three Sisters boardwalk during their winter migration—best from November through March.
  • Paddle around Kings Bay in a kayak for peaceful, close encounters with manatees in their natural habitat.
  • Snorkel with a guided tour for an unforgettable in-water experience (strict no-touch rules apply).
  • Learn about conservation efforts at the Three Sisters Springs Center before boarding the shuttle to the springs.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

How to Get to Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge:

Take FL-589 North (Suncoast Parkway) from Tampa, then merge onto US-98 North/US-19 North. Follow signs to Crystal River and the Three Sisters Springs Center at 123 NW US Highway 19 to access the boardwalk via shuttle.

7. Dali Museum

Dali Museum

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Location:

St. Petersburg, FL

Highlights:

If you’re up for something quirky, inspiring, and close to home, this one’s a must. Just about 30 minutes from Tampa, the Dali Museum houses one of the world’s largest and most fascinating collections of Salvador Dali’s surrealist art.

Recommended For:

Art lovers, culture seekers, architecture buffs, and anyone curious about the surreal and spectacular.

What I Love: ♥

Over 300 Dali masterpieces, a dreamlike garden with a labyrinth, and an unforgettable museum design that feels like walking into a surrealist painting.
  • View more than 300 original Salvador Dali paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and textiles.
  • Take a guided tour or opt for a self-paced audio guide to explore at your own rhythm.
  • Wander through the Avant-garden, featuring a peaceful grotto, a labyrinth, and a Dali-esque ficus tree.
  • Marvel at the museum’s architecture—part glass, part dream—with its striking “enigma” dome.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

How to Get to the Dali Museum:

Take I-275 South over the Howard Frankland Bridge, then follow I-175 East into downtown St. Petersburg. The museum is located at 1 Dali Blvd near the waterfront.

8. Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park

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Location:

Southern Florida

Highlights:

Craving a wild adventure through one of America’s most unique ecosystems? Roughly 4 to 5 hours from Tampa, Everglades National Park is a tropical wilderness where alligators, panthers, and manatees roam beneath endless skies and swaying sawgrass.

Recommended For:

Wildlife lovers, photographers, outdoor adventurers, families, and anyone ready to experience Florida at its wildest and most untamed.

What I Love: ♥

Airboat rides through crocodile country, scenic boardwalk hikes, epic wildlife encounters, and the sheer size and scale of the Everglades.
  • Spot dozens of alligators and birds along Loop Road in nearby Big Cypress National Preserve.
  • Glide across the marsh on an airboat tour—keep an eye out for manatees, dolphins, and crocodiles.
  • Hike short scenic trails like Anhinga Trail and Mahogany Hammock on raised boardwalks over the wetlands.
  • Watch for rare wildlife like the endangered Florida panther and nesting leatherback turtles in season.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 4 to 5 hours, depending on your entry point into the park.

How to Get to Everglades National Park:

Take I-75 South (Alligator Alley) or US-41 to access the northern and western areas. The main entrance near Homestead can be reached by following US-27 or I-95 South to FL-821 and then US-1. For airboat tours and Big Cypress, Shark Valley and Everglades City are great access points.

Plan Your Trip