The label “tourist trap” isn’t always fair, because some attractions are legitimately worth the pain of looking for parking,  surviving the Florida heat, and braving busy crowds. Tampa Bay has quite a few good ones, ranging from upscale eateries to museums and some of the most beautiful natural parks in the state. So, here are a few local attractions that are always worth the struggle.

Armature Works 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa, 813-250-3725 Armature Works, the massive food hall and center of life in South Tampa Heights, assembles innovative eateries, the Heights Public Market and event spaces with picture perfect moments for everyone to enjoy. Photo via Armature Works/Facebook
The Fort at Fort De Soto 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, 727-582-2100 Dive into Florida’s history by visiting Fort De Soto and learn how the military built it for coastal defense (the fort never actually saw action). Additionally, visit the park’s other amenities such as camping, fishing, ferry and biking. Photo via Adobe Images
Honeymoon Island State Park One Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, 727-241-6106 Honeymoon Island offers the perfect escape to Florida’s best natural attraction – the beach! It has more than four miles of sand, a three-mile trail and the Rotary Centennial Nature Center, which helps visitors learn about the park’s history and natural resources. You can also catch a ferry ride to Caladesi Island departing from the state park. Photo via Visit St. Pete Clearwater/Website
Dinosaur World 5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City, 813-717-9865 Involving a slightly longer drive from Tampa, Dinosaur World is one of the few attractions in Florida solely dedicated to these Jurassic creatures. The park includes hundreds of life-sized dinosaur figures, themed playgrounds, trails through natural areas and a gift shop. Bring your little explorers for a day full of dino fun. You can bring your own food, too. Photo via Dinosaur World/Facebook
Downtown Dunedin Dunedin With its Florida small-town charm, downtown Dunedin becomes a tourist attraction despite off the beaten path location in between Pinellas County and Tampa. Different restaurants and shops cover the streets in addition to a part of the Pinellas Trail, bringing both foot and wheeled traffic. Photo via Jennifer Ring
Fairgrounds St. Pete 800 28th St. S, St. Petersburg Fairgrounds St. Pete offers an immersive and playful art experience full of colors, sounds and technology. The museum swaps exhibits every six months to two years based on people’s interaction and experiences to offer new and continuous experiences for its guests. Located in the Warehouse Arts District, Fairgrounds is also close in proximity to some St. Pete staples such as Daddy Kool Records, Duncan McClellan Gallery, Morean Arts Center for Clay and ArtsXchange. Photo via Fairgrounds St. Pete/Instagram
Hillsborough River State Park 15402 U.S.-301 N, Thonotosassa, 813-987-6771 Minutes away from downtown Tampa lies this beautiful state park that offers four miles of bike trails, RV and tent camping, fishing, seven miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, a massive public pool, paddling and more. You’re guaranteed to see a gator here! Photo via American Social/Instagram
John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk 12902 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach If you ask someone to recommend stuff to do near St. Petersburg, they will definitely mention John’s Pass, one of the biggest tourist attractions on the beach. Mostly enjoyable during the upcoming warm months, the boardwalk offers shops and restaurants as well as different tours and rentals. On a good and sunny day, watch dolphins swim alongside the boats. Photo via John’s Pass Village and Boardwalk/Facebook
Lithia Springs Park 3932 Lithia Springs Rd., Lithia, 813-744-5572 Known for its natural spring that feeds cool and clean water into the the Alafia River, Lithia Springs offers 45 campsites, fishing, hiking trails, playgrounds and swimming areas for a perfect outdoor and natural getaway. Photo via Lithia Springs Park/Facebook
Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement 355 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-440-4859 The brand-new MAACM is the world’s first museum dedicated exclusively to the American Arts and Crafts movement—and it’s a freaking gem with more than 800 pieces of art alongside workshops, dining and shopping opportunities and a venue for events. By being in the heart of the downtown art district, the museum adds to the city’s culturally diverse arts scene. Photo via Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement/Website
Museum of Science & Industry 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, 813-987-6000 With over 10 exhibitions and 100 hands-on activities, the museum offers all sorts of indoor and outdoor experiences, from robot building to exploring other worlds in a NASA-funded mission. Photo via Museum of Science & Industry/Google Maps
Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach 7 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-462-6466 Located at one of America’s top beaches, Pier 60 includes a fishing pier and recreational park, telescopes and six covered pavilions with shops offering clothing, souvenirs, drinks and snacks, as well as rental equipment. End your day at this location for an exceptional sunset view. Photo via Pier 60/Instagram
The Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Dr., Tampa, 813-273-4000 Housing marine animals in nine different habitats, the Florida Aquarium educates on these creatures’ living environments, diets, predators, conservation status and more. Located in Channelside, the opportunities are endless once your visit is over at the aquarium. Take a quick walk to reach other museums and enjoy different restaurants and shops in the heart of downtown Tampa. Photo via The Florida Aquarium/Facebook
Spongeorama Sponge Factory 510 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 727-943-2164 Located in the “sponge capital of the world,” Spongeorama Sponge Factory owns a large and high-quality selection of sponges used for bath and beauty purposes. Learn about the history of sponge diving and harvesting and how to take care of your sponges! Photo via Spongeorama Sponge Factory/Website
St. Pete Pier 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-822-7437 The St. Pete Pier is argunaly one of the coolest spots in the city. Enjoy the beach, a marketplace, a giant playground and water play area, a artsy net made of 84 miles of twine, a fishing area and the pier’s high-class restaurant and bar located in its main building at the end of the waterfront. And don’t forget to say” hi” to the Quaker parrots. Photo via City of St. Pete/Flickr
Sunken Gardens 1825 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-551-3102 Enjoy over 50,000 species of plants at one of St. Petersburg’s oldest botanical museums in addition to yoga in the gardens. Located on busy Fourth Street, Sunken Gardens is a must-do attraction in the city. Photo via City of St. Pete/Flickr
Tampa Riverwalk Tampa The Tampa Riverwalk is the center of action of the city. Hosting the Buccaneers and Lightning championship boat parades, the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion and many more staple events, the 2.6-mile Riverwalk offers an upscale downtown experience, lined with great restaurants, a Pirate Water Taxi, boat and paddle rentals, and more. Catch a beautiful waterfront sunset with a skyline view from almost anywhere on the trail. Photo via Tampa Riverwalk/Facebook
Ghosts of Tampa Theater Tour 813-274-8286 Interested in ghosts and ghouls? Learn all about Tampa Theater’s history and ghostly guests in this hour and a half tour that will take you all throughout the balconies and backstage of one of the town’s most haunted buildings. Photo via Tampa Theater/Facebook
Keel & Curry 5202 Thonotosassa Rd., Plant City, 813-752-9100 If you’re looking for an excuse to get fancy and have a good time with your friends, then head to Keel Farms to eat, tour and taste great food and fine wine. At Keel & Curry you can get a behind the scenes look at Keel & Curry Winery and agrarian ales and ciders and enjoy high-quality savory and handcrafted meals at its restaurant. Photo via Keel & Curry/Facebook
The Dalí Museum 1 Dali Blvd. St. Petersburg, 727-823-3767 The Dalí Museum hosts exhibits from some of the most renowned artists in the world. In addition to its regular Salvador Dalí exhibition, it currently showcases “Picasso and the Allure of the South,” a collection of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso’s finest work. The Dalí provides a hub for art lovers to come together and enjoy its galleries, lifting the artistic culture of the city. Photo via The Dalí Museum/Facebook
Weedon Island Preserve 1800 Weedon Dr. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-453-6500 Weedon Island consists of 3,190 acres of natural area and numerous species of aquatic and terrestrial animals, as well as plants. Rent a kayak, or walk the boardwalk loop and learn about the wide diversity of natural and cultural resources available in the area. Photo via Weedon Island Preserve/Facebook
Ybor City Look, a middle aged guy in Largo who went to Ybor City once in 1995 is gonna have some really good points on the current issues surrounding Tampa’s historic and cultural entertainment district—so will the rich developer who wants to level it all and put up condos. Either way, the discourse is always productive and respectful and never racially-charged in any way. Credit: Photo via City of Tampa/Facebook
ZooTampa 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa, 813-935-8552 ZooTampa seeks to protect and preserve wildlife by rescuing, rehabilitating and caring for animals. Through entertaining and educational programs, the zoo aims at increasing awareness about wildlife and the ways in which the community can contribute to their preservation. Visit the stingray touch tank, which is reopening this year, and different primates, big cats and marine animals. Photo via ZooTampa/Facebook
The Edge District St. Petersburg The Edge District consists of nine blocks of downtown St. Petersburg and aims at keeping the city vibrant and preserving its history. Here you can find entertainment, dining, murals, galleries and shops, including some local favorites such as Green Bench Brewing Co. and Bodega on Central. Photo via City of St. Pete and Ilan Averbuch/Website
Bok Tower Gardens 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales, 863-676-1408 Partially located on the Lake Wales Ridge, one of the state’s highest elevations, Bok Tower Gardens provides over seven acres of a fairytale-like experience with its captivating nature and high Gothic tower. In the estate, you can also find Pinewood Estate, an enchanting 20-room Mediterranean-style mansion, a garden with over 120 different species of birds, different nature trails among other attractions. Photo via Bok Tower Gardens/Facebook

Sofía García Vargas, born in Colombia, South America and raised in Costa Rica, Central America, is a journalism student at the University of South Florida and Editor-in-Chief of The Crow’s Nest, USF...