Choose great day destinations in St Petersburg Tampa area

 As a refuge for wildlife, the Tampa Bay island known as Egmont Key is home to gopher tortoises and myriad seabirds. As a refuge for visitors, Egmont Key State Park is a state park rich in history. It can be visited by private boat or public ferry, making Egmont Key a favorite destination for water-borne visitors, including class groups working on school projects. The leeward side of this 400-acre island has a mooring area for private boats. Don’t miss Egmont Key's secluded beach where shelling and exploring a 19th-century fort await. Also be sure to check out the lighthouse, circa 1858.  

 The new St. Pete Pier! This gleaming new attraction on the city’s picturesque waterfront promises limitless fun for everyone, from first-time visitors to long-time residents. Its 26 beautiful acres seamlessly combine the peaceful blue waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant greenery of downtown St. Petersburg’s parks, creating the ultimate place to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, take in a concert and more. So get together with your family and friends and visit. It’s time to soak up some fun under the warm Florida sun! .

 One of Florida’s best-loved state parks, Honeymoon Island has more than four miles of beach to explore along with a three-mile trail through one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests. When looking skyward, eagles, osprey and great horned owls can be seen, while ground animals include gopher tortoises, raccoons and armadillos. A trip to the Rotary Centennial Nature Center helps visitors learn about the park’s history and natural resources. Find out how Honeymoon Island received its name! Swimming, fishing, shelling, hiking and bicycling are all popular activities that make Honeymoon Island State Park an ideal getaway. The park is also the ferry terminal for access to another unspoiled state park, Caladesi Island.

 The Skyway bridge is considered the flagship bridge of Florida and serves as a gateway to Tampa Bay.  The new structure opened in April of 1987 and could accomodate the passing of full size cruise ships under its massive 430 foot height span.  Navigating under this bridge brings an awe inspiring emotion to the architectural marvel.  The original Skyway was the site of two major maritime disasters over a four-month period, the second of which resulted in the bridge's partial destruction and eventual replacement. On the night of January 28, 1980, the United States Coast Guard cutter Blackthorn collided with the tanker Capricorn just west of the bridge, resulting in the sinking of the cutter with the loss of 23 crew members in the worst peacetime disaster in the history of the US Coast Guard.