On your own terms. So natural sanctuaries in a wide range of sizes, shapes and locales are yours to enjoy. Two of the area's most famous parks, Fort De Soto Park and Caladesi Island State Park , offer you the bonus of two of the top ten beaches in the United States. Weedon Island northeast of St. Petersburg, once a Native American village, now promises superb fishing, an exquisite canoe trail through mangroves, and an observation tower providing spectacular views of the island and Tampa Bay. The 90-acre Florida Botanical Garden provides visitors with unique insights into the area's native flora, with paths throughout the grounds that make it the perfect landscape for a quiet stroll.
Birders come from all over to experience the unique indigenous species found in our part of Florida.
And because the area is the first landfall for many migratory species moving across the Gulf of Mexico, the dedicated birder is also likely to spot still more species before they continue their journeys to other parts of the country. Some of the best local areas for birding are Fort De Soto Park, Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area and Sawgrass Lake Park. The Florida Birding Festival and Nature Expo. It takes place in Clearwater during September of every year and is one of the biggest birding affairs in the U.S. Proceeds go toward the purchase of Shell Key, one of the state's last pristine barrier islands. It s a non-profit center dedicated to marine research, public education on marine topics, and the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine mammals.