4 Unbeatable Adventures in Florida’s Sports Coast
For all ages and for any outdoor travel lover get ready to be Pasco County bound. You’ll discover this west central coastal gem of Florida that spans along the Gulf of Mexico and is bordered by wild green space to the east has rightly snagged the accolade, Florida’s Sports Coast.
Home to 742 square miles of rolling green hills with a picturesque coastline, there are ample ways to say “Let’s Play!” Whether it’s exploring the area’s 35 parks, or enjoying yearround fishing, stand-up paddleboarding or paddling on kayak trails, adventure minded travelers will get their groove on.
Easily accessible, sun tourists arrive from either Tampa International Airport, only 35minutes away or rubber tire it along the Suncoast Parkway as well as the popular I-75 route. Pasco County visitors will discover plenty of stay options from rustic chic and classic Florida architecture accommodations to well-known hotel chains.
Here are 4 Insider Tips on Unbeatable Adventures in Florida’s Sports Coast:
AIR TIME IS A GOOD TIME
In Skydive City skydiving gets a big thumb’s up. Whether you’re jumping tandem or AFF (a buzzword for accelerated freefall), visitors can also learn how to wear a wingsuit as they take in the most incredible aerial views. For more high-adrenaline thrills, head to TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park.
Act like Tarzan or channel the Cirque du Soleil acrobatic antics as you zip at the largest zipline park in Central Florida.
WATER TIME IS A GOOD TIME
Wakeboard on a spring-fed lake at The Lift Adventure Park. Explore the coastline with a local inshore fishing charter captain or charter a pontoon boat from Windsong Charters & Boat Rentals for a day at Anclote Key Preserve State Park. For scalloping, July is the unbeatable month to snorkel for these tasty nuggets served at many local eateries. If you’re craving downtime or fun time, swing by white-sand fringed Epperson Lagoon, a 7-acre lagoon, decked out with a water slide including kayak and paddle board rentals.
ANIMAL TIME IS A GOOD TIME
At Giraffe Ranch feed giraffes and rhinos. The eco-adventure is a working ranch that offers optimal wildlife viewing for visitors who can explore this animal kingdom on a drivethrough safari tour in a custom-made 4-wheel drive truck, by camel-back or even Segway.
GREEN TIME IS A GOOD TIME
Green space is big across the county. Find large patches of kumquats that have been grown there since the late 1800s. In January, the county’s iconic fruit is celebrated at a giant kumquat festival. Pasco County has even bestowed kumquat pie as the official county pie. For dimpled little ball chasers, there are 36 golf courses from which to choose. For instance, find a pair of semiprivate golf courses in charming Dade City where golfers hit either the south or north greens at the Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club. Situated amid rolling hills these two 18-hole golf courses are both considered a must-play and are one of Florida’s hidden gems.