If you’re looking to have a good time, want to see some of Florida’s beauty or maybe just learn a thing or two, there are plenty of wonderful places within a short drive to give you a break from life’s routine.
We showcase these kinds of getaways in our Worth the Trip feature, which typically appears once a month on our B Section front.
Here’s a look at some spots we featured during 2014. Search on our website, LakerLutzNews.com, to get the full version of these stories, and then hit the road and enjoy yourselves.
The Armed Forces History Museum, 2050 34th Way, Largo
This museum contains a treasure trove of more than 100,000 war artifacts and military memorabilia. It features displays that create the sense of walking through war zones.
The museum also has oral histories, sound recordings, black-and-white footage, and display cases that contain artifacts from various wars.
For more information, call (727) 539-8371, or visit ArmedForcesMuseum.com.
Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa
Designed by theater architect John Eberson, The Tampa Theatre was once described as the finest achievement of its kind, south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
The theater opened in 1926 as Tampa’s first air-conditioned building. During its glory days, uniformed ushers guided patrons to their seats.
The movie palace gives ticket holders a chance to enjoy an architectural treat as well as a film or concert all for the price of admission.
For more information about the theater, tickets or prices, visit TampaTheatre.org.
Bok Tower Gardens, 1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales
When Edward W. Bok created his sanctuary in Lake Wales, his goal was to provide a place of refreshment, where people could get away from the grind of the world.
The gardens offer visitors a chance to see a diverse mix of common Florida plants, along with exotic varieties with beautiful blooms. The centerpiece of the gardens is a 205-foot bell tower, which plays daily concerts.
There’s also an interesting visitor center, which offers details about the Pulitzer-prize winning Bok, a short film about the Florida attraction, and displays that explain the construction of the bell tower and gardens.
For more information, visit BokTowerGardens.org.
Honeymoon Island State Park, No. 1 Causeway Boulevard, Dunedin
Honeymoon Island State Park attracts more than 1.1 million visitors a year.
Just a 20-minute ferryboat ride away is Caladesi Island — a tranquil spot that was rated as America’s No. 1 Beach in 2008 by Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach.
Both islands give visitors the chance to splash in the surf, search for shells, and savor nature’s splendor.
There are boating, fishing and kayaking options, too, for those who enjoy being out on the water. There also are places to buy refreshments, and shady picnic areas to gather with family and friends.
For more information, call (727) 469-5942.
Haslam’s Book Store, 2025 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Book lovers will rejoice when they peruse the thousands of volumes stocked at Haslam’s Book Store, Florida’s largest bookstore, which is located in St. Petersburg.
In addition to new and used books, the store also has collectible and rare books.
The size of the bookstore, a St. Petersburg institution for decades, can’t be fully appreciated until you step inside and begin exploring its wide-open spaces and small rooms. People from around the world have been known to stop in at the store to check out its selection.
For more information, call (727) 822-8616, or visit Haslams.com.
Downtown St. Petersburg, mostly along Beach Drive
For those looking for a destination that offers something for everyone, downtown St. Petersburg should fit the bill.
Highlights in the downtown area include the Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center, the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, The Museum of Fine Arts, North Straub Park, and the Dali Museum.
Many of these attractions offer discount tickets.
For more information, go to VisitStPeteClearwater.com.
Published December 31, 2014
