If you’re tired of sitting inside all day but just don’t like being around other people, Tampa Bay has some options for you. From hiking to kayaking to walking through a cemetery, here are a few very solitary activities.
Bike or walk through a downtown St. Pete mural tour
719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
Florida CraftArt offers both walking and biking mural tours throughout downtown St. Pete. Walking tours take place Saturday mornings from 10 to 11:30 a.m. while biking tours are offered every first Saturday of the month.
Photo via St. Pete mural tours/WebsiteExplore Sawgrass Lake
7400 25th St. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 217-7256, Click here for more info
One of the largest maple parks on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Sawgrass Lake Park boardwalk and dirt trail are perfect spots for birdwatching and gator spotting, and it’s only about 10 minutes from downtown St. Pete.
Photo via Colin WolfHoneymoon Island
1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, (727) 241-6106, Click here for more info
Whether you want to search for seashells along the shore, relax on the sand or take to one of the park’s nature trails or bid observation areas, Honeymoon Island offers several outdoor options, as well as a gift shop and snack bar.
Photo via Honeymoon Island/FacebookHike through Lettuce Lake’s boardwalk
6920 E. Fletcher Ave., Tampa, (813) 987-6204, Click here for more info
For a $2 entry and $25 kayak or canoe rental, you can make your way through Lettuce Lake or stay dry and search for gators from the boardwalk.
Photo via Hillsborough County/WebsiteSip your way through Strongtower Vineyard and Winery
17810 Forge Dr., Spring Hill, (352) 799-7612, Click here for more info
At Spring Hill’s Strongtower Vineyard and Winery, guests can try a variety of wines in the winery’s tasting room or stroll through the vineyard.
Photo via Strongtower Vineyard and Winery/FacebookWalk through a Tampa cemetery
5300 Interbay Blvd., Tampa, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
Tampa owns and operates four cemeteries (Jackson Heights, Marti/Colon, Oaklawn and Woodlawn), totaling about 40 acres with over 29,000 recorded burials. Oaklawn Cemetery offers a self-guided walking tour through its historic grounds.
Photo via City of Tampa/WebsiteHike through Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, (727) 453-6500, Click here for more info
Weedon Island offers six hiking trails along aquatic and upland ecosystems. The park is open daily from 7 a.m. until 30 minutes before sundown, and although admission is free, donations are welcome.
Photo via Weedon Island Preserve/FacebookHike and sightsee your way through Eureka Springs State Park
6400 Eureka Springs Rd., Tampa, (813) 744-5536, Click here for more info
Eureka Springs State Park, first created as a botanical garden of rare and unusual tropical plants, offers a 0.75-mile-long Peaceful Paths Trail. The park is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and entry costs $2 per vehicle.
Photo via Eureka Springs Conservation Park/WebsiteHike the wetlands and forests of Hillsborough River State Park
15402 U.S. Hwy 301 N., Thonotosassa, (813) 987-6771), Click here for more info
With over 7 miles of hiking trails, Hillsborough River State Park offers guests the chance to hike through hydric hammock forests, pine flatwoods cypress domes and wetlands. Visitors can also rent kayaks and canoes to take to the water, and it’s all only a short driving distance from the city of Tampa.
Photo via Florida State Parks/WebsiteExplore the waters of Mangrove Tunnel Kayak Ecotour
190 Taft Dr. Lido Key, Sarasota, (941) 779-7426, Click here for more info
Take a two-hour-long guided kayak tour through the protected waters of Kido Key, where you can spot manatees and bottlenose dolphins while paddling through exotic mangrove tunnels.
Photo via Sarasota Kayak Tours/WebsitePaddle with Urban Kai
310 W. 7th Ave., Tampa, (813) 598-1634,Caladesi Island
Offshore Island, Dunedin, (727) 469-5918,Sunken Gardens
1825 4th St. N., St Petersburg, (727) 551-3102,Get spooked at Spook Hill
Lake Wales,Paddle your way down the Chaz
8600 W Miss Maggie Dr., Chassahowitzka, 352-382-2200,Swim the waters of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial Way, Weeki Wachee, 352-592-5656,Kayak or canoe at Seven Sisters Spring
2 chassahowitzka river spring, Homosassa,Go beach camping
Multiple locations,Lithia Springs Conservation Park
3932 Lithia Springs Rd., Lithia, (813) 744-5572,Go for a swim at Wekiwa Springs State Park
1800 Wekiwa Cir., Apopka, 407-553-4383,Do some wildlife spotting at Circle B Bar Reserve
4399 Winter Lake Rd., Lakeland, (863) 668-4673,Fort DeSoto Dog Beach
3500 Pinellas Bayway S., Tierra Verde, (727) 582-2100,
