FLORIDA Tampa Bay - Sightseeing Ideas - Living Frugal

Family friendly and free attractions in the Tampa Bay Area. No matter where you go in Florida, there is something to enjoy for free or at least so reasonable that even a tight budget can handle it.

Here are five sightseeing ideas that will not break the bank. Just click on the links provided and enjoy the armchair photo tour.

How to spend an entire day and not spend a bundle on your next

Florida Vacation. 

Frugal Travel Tip # 1

• See the tropically beautiful Florida Botanical Garden in Largo -  FREE for all -  located only ten minutes from famous Clearwater Beach. There are plenty of benches if you want to bring a lunch and if you are lucky you might see an alligator in the wilder eco-friendly part or a white egret or black and white Kormoran in the canals and ponds of the gardens. Address: 12175 125th Street N. or call (727) 582-2200 for more information.

For a fabulous photo tour - click on

• Palms and Tropical Garden 

at the Florida Botanical Garden

Orchid

•   taken at the Florida Botanical Garden

 Bird of Paradise

 taken at the Florida Botanical Garden

• Rose and Wedding Garden 

at the Florida Botanical Garden

 Frugal Travel Tip # 2

• Into wildlife parks? Then you are in for a treat at the Sawgrass Lake Park in St. Petersburg, FL. Watch turtles, alligators, armadillos, waterfowl like anhingas, herons, egrets and ibis. Enjoy the butterfly garden and bring a picnic or lunch - sit in the shade and BBQ under spanish moss. It's free and one of the best kept secrets around. A great adventure for the whole family including the family dog.
• Address: 7400 25th St N, St Petersburg, FL 33702-5630
  (727) 217-7256
  

For a fabulous photo tour - click on

 Birds and Wildlife at Sawgrass Lake Park

I'm still not sure what type of bird this is - I only saw him once.

A green heron - taken at the golden hour at sunset.

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• Alligators - Nature Park Adventures - at Sawgrass Lake Park 
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• Wild alligator - at Sawgrass Lake Park

  Frugal Travel Tip # 3

• Experience old Florida at it's best, visit Sunken Gardens a purely tropical Botanical Garden in old St. Petersburg, FL. One of the most reasonable priced attractions around at $8 for adults and six bucks for children it is well worth the money.
•  You'll see bird of paradise, orchids galore, gorgeous mature tropical landscaping. Plenty of shade and benches, but bring your own water, you'll need it in the heat of summer.
• Just fifteen minutes from downtown St. Petersburg, shopping and the white sandy beaches.
•  End your day with a walk on the beach, admire the picturesque harbor and yacht club and if you are there on Sunday check out the free entertainment at the Pier.

For a fabulous photo tour 

click on

  TROPICAL PARADISE - SUNKEN GARDENS

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• Exotic Blooms - Sunken Gardens 
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 Frugal Travel Tip # 4

• Known as Tampa’s Latin Quarter, a tour of Ybor City will give you a taste of Florida’s rich and diverse past. Founded by immigrants from Cuba, Spain and Italy, Ybor City went through revitalization in the 1980s, resulting in parts of the original neighborhood being declared a national historic landmark. To relive Tampa’s dynamic transformation from small coastal town to booming city, visit the Ybor City Museum State Park. Admission of $3, events and exhibits throughout the year.  (813) 241-8838. www.ybor.org.

• However there is more to Ybor City - also known as a party town and Gaybor .....
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• Watch for my upcoming posts on Ybor City - the architecture, the sidewalk cafes, the Ybor Brewing Co and the unique festivals, all make for a fascinating place to photograph or just hang out.

 Frugal Travel Tip # 5

• ST. PETERSBURG

TROPICANA FIELD - RAY'S BASEBALL STADIUM

• The unique cultural and historical significance of Egmont Key State Park makes this pristine island a free must-see. A lighthouse stands on the shore as it has for 150 years and Fort Dade, built during the Spanish-American War, is still holding its ground. After touring the historic sites and trails, explorers are beckoned to the beach for swimming, shelling, picnicking and fishing. Admission to the park is free. Visitors can take their own boat or hop on the ferry for a small fee to get to the island. (727) 893-2627.www.floridastateparks.org. 
• Stay tuned for a post on Egmont Key State Park. 
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Taken at St. Pete Beach

PLUS

My insider tips ........

St. Petersburg has a lot to offer - anything from

music festivals by the Bay

 Blues Festival

to fascinating and unique shops and art galleries

Florida Craftsman House- Gallery and Cafe

A good place to eat out, if you like southern, homestyle cooking

Dinner at Savannah's in downtown St. Petersburg, FL (restaurant review)

Looking for something different? How about the

slightly funky - hippie - bohemian, but edgy cafe

The Globe - Coffee Shop- An interesting musical evening 

Last, but not least what would a Florida vacation be without

A SUNSET ON THE BEACH!  

Florida Sunset - Photos

Stay tuned for upcoming posts about

 Things to Do and See

 in the Tampa Bay Area in Florida.

Thank you for stopping by! 

All images taken by Rose H.

© 2009