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St. Petersburg...Florida’s best-kept spring break secret, part 5
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Sunken Gardens is an affordable, old-fashioned tropical paradise
The nature of things in St. Pete is nostalgic, tranquil and worth seeking out on any trip to the Tampa Bay area.
A tribute to nature and botanical beauty since 1935, the landmark tourist destination of Sunken Gardens has plenty of appeal (perhaps more) in the hectic context of the 21st century. It’s literally an oasis, a lush tropical world without even a hint of modern theme park technology.
Go on a warm spring or autumn day and soak in the palm-filled greenery spiced with tropical plants, ponds, grottos, flamingoes, parrots, and a veritable riot of floral color. By today’s standards, admission is very reasonable (less than $10). 1825 4th Street N.
If you thirst for more tranquil, botanical adventure, visit The Palm Arboretum (just north of the Vinoy Resort) featuring over 70 species of palms, including numerous date palms, towering royal palms, and individual exotic types. Admission free, contributions welcomed. 10th Avenue N.E. and North Shore Drive.
South of downtown St. Pete via 9th Street, along the shores of Lake Maggiore, is Boyd Hill Nature Park, a 245-acre award-winning environmental site which offers explorers more than three miles of trails & boardwalks, along with five unique ecosystems: hardwood hammocks, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, willow marsh and lake shore. Not to mention an aviary, butterflies, and probably an alligator or two.
In all, St. Pete has over 140 parks, many of them pleasantly uncrowded.
Speaking of parks, across the bay in Tampa is a zoological park you should certainly consider visiting. Lowry Park, (via I-275 and Sligh Avenue), isn’t the fanciest or biggest zoo in America, but it’s quite charming in an old oak-tree setting, with over 1600 animals in specially tended habitats. Lowry is a great alternative to Busch Gardens, the mega theme park that was once-upon-a-time a humble Africa-focused zoo and brewery tour.
Lowry Park has an especially nice manatee encounter, many other animal habitats, plus shows, interactive exhibits and old fashioned rides for kids. Adult admission: currently, a reasonable $18.95.
In St. Pete part 6, I will give you the best tips ever for casual dining in St. Petersburg—with lots of character and within budget.
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