5 Florida State Parks Near Tampa With Activities For the Whole Family

Are you looking for fun places for your family to visit in the Tampa area?

State parks are some of Florida’s most unique places and a great way to spend time with your family.

Florida is home to 175 state parks, but fortunately for people living in Tampa, many great parks are only a short drive away. These state parks cover over 800,000 acres and 100 miles span along beautiful beaches.

Here are 5 of the best Florida state parks near Tampa with activities for the whole family.

1. Ybor City Museum

Ybor City is known as the Cigar Capital of the World because of its rich history in the cigar industry and Cuban heritage. It’s located just outside of Downtown Tampa and is home to some of the state’s best bars and restaurants.

But to get a genuine appreciation for the area, visitors should go to the Ybor City Museum State Park garden. This urban park is devoted to the preservation of Ybor City’s unique cultural heritage. The ornamental garden can be rented out for special events like weddings and celebrations.

The museum portion of the state park has self-guided tours, and you can even visit a restored cigar worker’s home, the La Casita.

2. Skyway Fishing Pier

The Skyway Fishing Pier State Park is located in St. Petersburg, Florida, on an old portion of the old Sunshine Skyway Bridge.

It is a favorite fishing spot for people from across the state and is the longest fishing pier in the world. Because of its unique location, fishermen cast their lines for snook, tarpon, mackerel, and grouper, among others.

If you do not like fishing and want to simply take in the views, you can do it on the way to our next stop, Egmont Key.

3. Egmont Key

Egmont Key State Park is a secluded island refuge located at the mouth of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico.

Reachable only by ferry or private boat, this island is known for its unique wildlife, sandy beaches, and its rich history. It has a lighthouse on the island built in 1858. It was also the home to the Union Navy during the Civil War.

Shelling, fishing, snorkeling, and swimming are all favorite activities on the island. Dolphin watching is a highlight when venturing to and from Egmont Key.

4. Weeki Wachee Springs

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park is a great place to beat the Florida heat and enjoy fun in the sun.

The park has canoes and kayaks available to guests, and you can even take a riverboat cruise. But despite the availability of these fun activities, the mermaid show is the most popular activity.

The mermaids perform at the Mermaid Theater daily and have been greeting visitors since 1947.

5. Alafia River

The Alafia River State Park is located in Lithia, just a 45-minute drive from most areas of Tampa. The Alafia River flows near a reclaimed phosphate mine, and the area has a unique terrain making it a favorite trail for mountain bikers.

This park is ideal for the outdoor enthusiast with a variety of wildlife, birds, and fish. No matter the season, there are activities such as biking, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, canoeing and more. They offer a family camp, equestrian camp as well as a primitive group camp.

Guests can enjoy the picnic area, campgrounds, playgrounds and a bike shop.

Wrapping Up: The Best Florida State Parks Near Tampa

Some of the very best Florida state parks can be found within a stone’s throw from the City of Tampa!

Are you new to the area or considering moving to the Tampa Bay Area?

At Community Moving & Storage, we are your full-service Tampa mover. We will help ensure you have a safe and smooth move into the area. That way you can get settled in fast and get outside to enjoy these great state parks.

Learn more about our moving services! Contact us today!

Things You Must Do After Settling Into Your New Home

Moving to a new home is amazingly exciting, but also very stressful.

Once you have made the move, you may think the work is done; however, there are tasks that you must do when settling into your new home. Check out this list of eight tasks you must do after moving into a new house.

1) Inspect Your Belongings After You Move In

Make sure everything made it into your new home from the moving truck.

Place each box in its corresponding room to make the unpacking process easier. Also,  inspect your boxes marked “fragile” to identify any breakage or other damage.

2) Inspect Your New Home

After everything is off the truck, but before you unpack the boxes themselves, complete a thorough inspection of your home and record any damage.

Check all plumbing for leaks or water damage that needs attention. Locate the circuit breaker box and water shutoff valves in case of emergency.

3) Make a List of Maintenance Work

Walk through your home as well as the outside, and make a checklist of all the maintenance work that needs to be done. A few things to check for:

  • fire extinguishers and their expiration date
  • smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and their expiration dates
  • cleaning the chimney
  • clean gutters
  • service heating and cooling systems
  • change air filters
  • clean dryer vents

Document when such maintenance work is performed. Are these things monthly? Yearly? Biyearly?

4) Change Door Locks

Changing the door locks is essential. You don’t know how many people have keys to your new home. Either head to the hardware store and replace them yourself or call a local locksmith.

5) New Vehicle Registrations

Did you move to a new state? You will need to get new registration tags/plates and driver’s license. The guidelines vary by state, but typically you have 30 days to get this done. The sooner you complete it, the less likely you are to forget.

6) Find Healthcare Providers

Be sure to find a new doctor, pediatrician, dentist, and veterinarian for your pets in your new city. You don’t want to get caught in an emergency situation without the proper care. Be sure you know where the nearest hospital or urgent care is too.

Transfer your medical records to the new care team.

7) Make Sure Your Mail is Forwarded

One of the things to do after moving to a new city is to be sure that you have changed your mailing address and that your mail is forwarded to your new address. Credit cards, loan companies, medical bills all need to have your new address, so you aren’t late on any payments.

8) Meet the Neighbors

Meet your new neighbors and check out the new neighborhood. Introduce yourself and family. Invite them over for coffee. See where the action is nearby. Parks. Shopping centers. Local diner or coffee shop.

Feel Confident after Settling Into Your New Home

There are several things to do after moving into a new house. Be sure you mark these things off your moving checklist to save yourself stress and worry.

After settling into your new home, you can feel confident knowing that all your belongings are delivered safely. If you’re moving to Tampa or the surrounding area, contact us and let us help you with the moving process.

Top 5 Tampa Area Neighborhoods to Live In

From its pristine beaches to Busch Gardens, Tampa Bay and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there are many reasons to relocate to vibrant Tampa, Florida.

Tampa neighborhoods are some of the best in Florida. There are a variety of great options of where to settle down.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the best neighborhoods in Tampa so you can find the perfect place for you.

Top 5 Tampa Neighborhoods to Live In

Want to move to Tampa but not sure where? Here are some top Tampa neighborhoods you should consider.

1. Kenwood

If you want to live somewhere beautiful and historical, look no further than Kenwood, located just west of downtown St. Petersburg. This neighborhood contains one of the highest concentrations of bungalows in all of Florida, and many of them date as far back as the 1920’s, which is why the neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This neighborhood also hosts BungalowFest, which is a two-day event where people celebrate the neighborhood’s architectural uniqueness and richness.

2. Downtown St. Petersburg

Looking to live somewhere more urban? If so, downtown St. Petersburg is a great neighborhood. Downtown St. Petersburg offers exciting nightlife and many great restaurants, museums, hotels, and waterfront parks. It also provides a variety of housing options, from single-family homes and townhouses to apartments and luxury high rise apartments.

Living here provides you easy access to the city’s 4th of July fireworks, a bustling morning farmer’s market, and a busy calendar of food, arts, and music festivals.

3. Ybor City

Want to settle down in a neighborhood full of rich, eclectic culture? Then Ybor City is the neighborhood for you! With restored brick streets, bungalows, and an active trolley system which connects Ybor to South Tampa, and Channelside, Ybor City is a favorite neighborhood.

Here you will find modern and renovated condos, lofts and townhomes, many with pools and fitness centers. New single-family homes are also under construction in this charming town.

The rich and diverse background of the neighborhood has made it a go-to place for a variety of ethnic restaurants. The community also offers an exciting shopping, dining and entertainment district that is great for families.

4. Hyde Park

If you’re looking for an upscale urban place to live, you should consider homes in the posh Hyde Park area. This neighborhood offers cute local shops, fancy restaurants, and a beautiful stretch of Bayshore Boulevard, a waterfront walkway that’s known as the longest continuous sidewalk in the United States.

It’s important to know, however, that this neighborhood is the most expensive one in Tampa. So if you’re working with a tight budget, it may be best to stick to other areas.

5. Carrollwood

Looking to live somewhere a bit quieter and more residential? If so, Carrollwood is the Tampa neighborhood for you! This suburban neighborhood is about a 20-minute drive from downtown, so it’s a great escape for people who want access to the city without living in the thick of it. It’s also a quick drive to places like Busch Gardens Amusement Park and Raymond J. Stadium, where the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.

Final Thoughts on Top Tampa Area Neighborhoods

With its rich history, incredible sights, and delicious foods, Tampa is an incredible city to live in.

By checking out the top five Tampa area neighborhoods outlined in this article, you can easily find a place that will suit your needs and style.

Ready to make your way to Tampa? Need help moving? Contact us for expert moving assistance!