Springs and things near Tampa 🌴

a few of my fave day-escape spots: spas, freshwater springs, beaches 🏝
19 Places • 9 Saves • ago
Free
Kings Landing @ Kelly Park
@maddy
River run is about 8.5 miles long (~4 hours). Gets pretty crowded on the weekends.
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Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
@maddy
Spa downtown Safety Harbor! They have a pool, restaurant, sauna and steam room.
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Postcard Inn On The Beach
@maddy
"A chic and cheerful modern makeover of a 1950s beach-front motel provides a good value for money option on this popular stretch of Florida coast. The lively contemporary surf-style décor appeals to families and couples alike, while the overall funky retro-modern style is a big hit with Millennials in particular." -Telegraph
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Grand Plaza Hotel - St. Pete Beach
@maddy
Kind of run-down looking, but really nice spot on the beach.
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Sirata Beach Resort
@maddy
Big resort, nice spot on the beach.
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Don Cesar
@maddy
Old-world glam vibe. Might be fun with mom.
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Ichetucknee Springs
@maddy
~3 hours from Tampa
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Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
@maddy
Popular manatee viewing spot!
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Ginnie Springs
@maddy
2-mile stretch for tubing! Get in at Devils Spring, float for an hour, get out at Twin Spring, walk back 15 minutes and repeat. You can rent tubes or bring your own, and there’s even a free air filling station.
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Madison Blue Spring State Park
@maddy
"The spring is a translucent blue hole among a forest of green surrounded by hardwoods and pines along the Withlacoochee River. There are several paths that lead to the spring and plenty of rocks to sit upon for spectacular viewing as the spring runs 100 feet over limestone to the tannic Withlacoochee River." - Authentic FL
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Wekiwa Springs State Park
@maddy
"The emerald green freshwater pool sits at the base of a grassy amphitheater with steps leading to the swimming area... Consider renting a kayak or canoe to see more of the park. An easy paddle on the Wekiva River and up the Rock Springs Run will confirm its designation as a National Wild & Scenic River. Florida wildlife is everywhere and you might want to be on the lookout for some early morning otters and birds feeding near the water’s edge." - Authentic FL Gets crowded early!
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Crystal River
@maddy
Looks beautiful, but you have to get local outfitters to take you to the spring system by boat.
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Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
@maddy
"To discover more of the beauty and nature on the Weeki Wachee River, consider a slow, easy, five-mile, three-hour kayak or canoe paddle downstream. Begin at Paddling Adventures located adjacent to the Weeki Wachee State Park. They provide all the equipment with tips to make it enjoyable for the one-way trip, downstream. Paddle under the shade of cypress and oak trees while enjoying wildlife everywhere – look for the bald eagle’s nest, turtles sunning on submerged logs, a plethora of birds, otters and manatees." - Authentic FL
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Rainbow Springs State Park
@maddy
"At the main park spring, swimmers can enjoy a large roped off area for swimming with a dock and stairs for ease of entry to the spring... Starting at the popular KP Hole outside the state park, children and adults can float downstream in inner tubes stopping often to jump off ropes tied to over-hanging tree limbs. The gentle current of the river dictates the pace as smaller springs bubble up and feed into the river, thus creating plenty of areas to get out and swim." - Authentic FL
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Juniper Springs
@maddy
Main swimming hole in Ocala National Forest! Juniper Springs Run (adjacent to it) is considered one of the most scenic kayak runs in FL.
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Silver Glen Springs
@maddy
Popular spot in Ocala Forest with a shallow pool for swimming.
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Yellow Dog Eats
@maddy
"Named for a painting of a yellow dog owned by Chef Fish Morgan, Yellow Dog Eats is a perfect place to refuel during your trip. All of the delicious meals—which feature creative titles such as “What the Fig?” and “Are You Chicken?”—are made from scratch, and the ingredients are locally grown." - Roadtrippers
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Cayo Costa State Park
@maddy
Remote, secluded island only accessible by boat! Would be fun to camp here and bring the bikes.
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Cayo Costa State Park Campground
@maddy
Pretty small campground (30 tent sites and 12 cabins), right on the beach. No running water or electricity, but bathrooms look clean and there is a small general store with ice and first aid stuff!
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Details
* * *

Springs and things near Tampa 🌴

a few of my fave day-escape spots: spas, freshwater springs, beaches 🏝
19 Places • 9 Saves • ago
Free
Kings Landing @ Kelly Park
@maddy
River run is about 8.5 miles long (~4 hours). Gets pretty crowded on the weekends.
Add to
Details
Safety Harbor Resort and Spa
@maddy
Spa downtown Safety Harbor! They have a pool, restaurant, sauna and steam room.
Add to
Details
Postcard Inn On The Beach
@maddy
"A chic and cheerful modern makeover of a 1950s beach-front motel provides a good value for money option on this popular stretch of Florida coast. The lively contemporary surf-style décor appeals to families and couples alike, while the overall funky retro-modern style is a big hit with Millennials in particular." -Telegraph
Add to
Details
Grand Plaza Hotel - St. Pete Beach
@maddy
Kind of run-down looking, but really nice spot on the beach.
Add to
Details
Sirata Beach Resort
@maddy
Big resort, nice spot on the beach.
Add to
Details
Don Cesar
@maddy
Old-world glam vibe. Might be fun with mom.
Add to
Details
Ichetucknee Springs
@maddy
~3 hours from Tampa
Add to
Details
Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park
@maddy
Popular manatee viewing spot!
Add to
Details
Ginnie Springs
@maddy
2-mile stretch for tubing! Get in at Devils Spring, float for an hour, get out at Twin Spring, walk back 15 minutes and repeat. You can rent tubes or bring your own, and there’s even a free air filling station.
Add to
Details
Madison Blue Spring State Park
@maddy
"The spring is a translucent blue hole among a forest of green surrounded by hardwoods and pines along the Withlacoochee River. There are several paths that lead to the spring and plenty of rocks to sit upon for spectacular viewing as the spring runs 100 feet over limestone to the tannic Withlacoochee River." - Authentic FL
Add to
Details
Wekiwa Springs State Park
@maddy
"The emerald green freshwater pool sits at the base of a grassy amphitheater with steps leading to the swimming area... Consider renting a kayak or canoe to see more of the park. An easy paddle on the Wekiva River and up the Rock Springs Run will confirm its designation as a National Wild & Scenic River. Florida wildlife is everywhere and you might want to be on the lookout for some early morning otters and birds feeding near the water’s edge." - Authentic FL Gets crowded early!
Add to
Details
Crystal River
@maddy
Looks beautiful, but you have to get local outfitters to take you to the spring system by boat.
Add to
Details
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
@maddy
"To discover more of the beauty and nature on the Weeki Wachee River, consider a slow, easy, five-mile, three-hour kayak or canoe paddle downstream. Begin at Paddling Adventures located adjacent to the Weeki Wachee State Park. They provide all the equipment with tips to make it enjoyable for the one-way trip, downstream. Paddle under the shade of cypress and oak trees while enjoying wildlife everywhere – look for the bald eagle’s nest, turtles sunning on submerged logs, a plethora of birds, otters and manatees." - Authentic FL
Add to
Details
Rainbow Springs State Park
@maddy
"At the main park spring, swimmers can enjoy a large roped off area for swimming with a dock and stairs for ease of entry to the spring... Starting at the popular KP Hole outside the state park, children and adults can float downstream in inner tubes stopping often to jump off ropes tied to over-hanging tree limbs. The gentle current of the river dictates the pace as smaller springs bubble up and feed into the river, thus creating plenty of areas to get out and swim." - Authentic FL
Add to
Details
Juniper Springs
@maddy
Main swimming hole in Ocala National Forest! Juniper Springs Run (adjacent to it) is considered one of the most scenic kayak runs in FL.
Add to
Details
Silver Glen Springs
@maddy
Popular spot in Ocala Forest with a shallow pool for swimming.
Add to
Details
Yellow Dog Eats
@maddy
"Named for a painting of a yellow dog owned by Chef Fish Morgan, Yellow Dog Eats is a perfect place to refuel during your trip. All of the delicious meals—which feature creative titles such as “What the Fig?” and “Are You Chicken?”—are made from scratch, and the ingredients are locally grown." - Roadtrippers
Add to
Details
Cayo Costa State Park
@maddy
Remote, secluded island only accessible by boat! Would be fun to camp here and bring the bikes.
Add to
Details
Cayo Costa State Park Campground
@maddy
Pretty small campground (30 tent sites and 12 cabins), right on the beach. No running water or electricity, but bathrooms look clean and there is a small general store with ice and first aid stuff!
Add to
Details
* * *