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West Central Florida Hot Spots Life's a beach - and more - in Tampa Bay
By Karen Haymon Long/Tampa Tribune
Beaches. Fishing. Roller coasters. Bookstores. Malls. Manatees.
West Central Florida has all the good things about Florida - and much of it free for the asking.
Bored? Head to one of the coast's beautiful beaches. Sarasota's are particularly lovely. So are Clearwater's, and there's a new fishing pier. Take your pets to Honeymoon Island in Dunedin.
Diversity is West Central Florida's strongest characteristic. Tarpon Springs in Pinellas County is home to one of the larger Greek populations in the Southeast. Sarasota boasts excellent theaters, art galleries, restaurants, shopping areas and waterways. Manatee County has a prized planetarium and is one of the better places in the state to spot manatees.
Clearwater has an unusually good jazz festival every year. St. Petersburg has a picturesque waterfront downtown and Haslam's, one of the state's bigger bookstores.
Citrus, Hernando and Pasco counties are known for picturesque land, pretty parks and waterways. Crystal River is one of the better places in the state to spot manatees.
Hillsborough County is home to Florida's newest attraction, the Florida Aquarium, and nearby Ybor City, an historic area known for good restaurants, nightclubs, bars, art galleries and hand-rolled cigars.
Here's a look at some of the attractions, parks and museums in West Central Florida: WEST CENTRAL FLORIDA HOT SPOTS
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay: If you like exotic animals and super- fast roller coasters, you'll probably have fun at this 300-acre theme park; adults, $34.60; children 3 to 9, $28.20; 2 and younger, free; opens 9 a.m.; closing varies by season; 3000 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa; (813) 987-5082.
- Florida Aquarium: Florida's newest major attraction, on the waterfront near downtown Tampa, features eight habitats, from Florida springs to mangrove forests, as well as fish, birds, otters and an alligator; adults, $13.95; ages 13 to 18 and seniors 60 and older, $12.55; 3 to 12, $6.95; 2 and younger, free; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily; 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa; (813) 273-4000.
- Homosassa Springs State Wildlife Park: See all kinds of fish in this park's underwater observatory; learn about crocodiles, alligators and manatees; adults, $8.43; children 3 to 12, $5.25; 2 and younger, free; some senior discounts; 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; 9225 W. Fishbowl Drive, Homosassa; (904) 628-5343.
- Honeymoon Island State Recreation Area: The rocky beach here is 4 miles long with an area for pet swimming; also, a large picnic area; bird observatory; concession and gift shop, two nature trails and bird watching opportunities galore; $3.25 per vehicle up to eight passengers; $1 per person over the eight; walkers and bikers, $1; children 5 and younger, free; 8 a.m. to sunset daily; 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin; (813) 469-5942.
- Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park: This 8,300-acre park has campsites and cabins, 16 miles of hiking trails, a bike path and horse trail; free admission; dawn to dusk daily; 10500 Wilderness Park Road, New Port Richey; (813) 847-8118.
- John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art: On 66 acres, this complex features outstanding art galleries, a circus museum and the Ringling residence, Ca'd'Zan; adults, $8.50; seniors 55 and older, $7.50; children 12 and younger, free; 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily; 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota; (813) 355-5101.
- Lowry Park Zoological Garden: This fine zoo features birds and all types of wildlife - from manatees to bald eagles - in all- natural habitats; zoo admission, adults, $6.50; seniors 50 and older, $5.50; children 3 to 11, $4.50; 2 and younger, free; 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; Sligh Avenue at North Boulevard, Tampa; (813) 932-0245.
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens: Called the ``supernova in the constellation of botanical gardens,'' it features 6,000 orchids in addition to 20,000 other colorful plants on 11 bayfront acres; adults, $6; children 6 to 11, $3; 5 and younger, free; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; 811 S. Palm Ave., Sarasota; (813) 366-5730.
- Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI):
Children and adults seem to enjoy the interactive exhibits at this museum, which is devoted to science and industry; adults 19 to 59, $8; youth 13 to 18, seniors 60 and older and college students, $7; children 2 to 12, $5; younger than 2, free; admission for MOSIMAX Theatre, which opens July 1, adults, $6; youth, seniors and college students, $5; children, $4; younger than 2, free; combination tickets for museum and theater, adults, $11; youth, seniors and college students, $9; children, $7; opens, 9 a.m.; closing hours vary; reservations recommended for MOSIMAX Theatre; 4801 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa; (813) 987-6300.
- Myakka River State Park: Take your tent and fishing poles to this park that offers camping, fishing, hiking, guided tours, bird watching and cabins; $3.25 per vehicle with up to eight passengers; 8 a.m. to sunset; 13207 State Road 72, Sarasota; (813) 361-6511.
- Salvadore Dali Museum: Here you can see the world's largest collection of Dali's oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and graphics; adults, $6; seniors 65 and older, $5; students, $4; 9 and younger, free; 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday; closed major holidays; 1000 Third St. S., St. Petersburg; (813) 823-3767.
- South Florida Museum/Bishop Planetarium: This museum combines exhibits on the history of Florida with a planetarium that has a 50-foot dome on which stars are projected; adults, $6; seniors older than 60, $5; children 5 to 12, $3.50; 4 and younger, free; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; planetarium laser shows Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 10:30 p.m. and midnight; 201 10th St. W., Bradenton; (813) 746-4132.
- Ybor City State Museum: Housed in a nearly 100-year-old bakery building, this museum highlights the political, cultural and social influences of Tampa's Latin quarter; admission, $2; 5 and younger, free; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1818 Ninth Ave., Ybor City; (813) 247-6323.