Get ready for the kind of day that makes Florida famous. We begin our journey with a stop at one of America’s oldest roadside attractions and see a place known to generations of Florida travelers passing through the Tampa/St. Petersburg area: the Sunken Gardens. Started in 1903 in the confines of an ancient lake, this little piece of paradise boasts over 500 varieties of vegetation. Sunken Gardens is also home to butterflies, flamingos and cascading waterfalls.

Fort DeSoto Park, which is made up of five breathtaking barrier islands strung together with nature paths, a pier, sugar sand beaches, aqua-hued waters and a historic fort impoundment is our next stop. This beloved park has been voted one of America’s best beaches. It’s for beautiful places like these that people have always come to Florida. So, what do you say? Let’s go exploring!