From beaches and wetlands to theme parks and tourist hotspots, the Sunshine State certainly isn’t short on things to see and do. But if you’re looking to get a more intimate experience with Florida’s scenic landscapes and lesser-known attractions, a road trip from Orlando to Tampa is the perfect way to do it.
The two cities are only a little over an hour apart from each other, but why waste an opportunity to do some exploring? Instead of driving the distance straight through, try adding in a few stops to some places that you haven’t seen before—and maybe haven’t even heard of. Check out this list of points of interest and attractions between Orlando and Tampa to find out what we mean!
Lake Catherine Blueberries
📍 Groveland
Berry-Picking, Homemade Jam, and More at This Farm and Country Store
5849 Lake Catherine Road | Lake Catherine | www.lakecatherineblueberries.com
This U-pick blueberry farm on the east side of Lake Catherine makes for a delightful first stop when driving from Orlando to Tampa. Family-owned and operated, Lake Catherine Blueberries is home to much more than the beloved blue fruit—it also hosts seasonal events and live musical performances.
The farm store sells pre-picked berries, ice cream, homemade jams, raw honey, blueberry lemonade, and other freshly produced items. There’s no admission cost to enter the farm, so, if you want, you can just have a look around the property, free-of-charge.
“What a wonderful little gem. Best little farm I have been to in a long time. So relaxing and everyone who worked there was so nice . . . It was a great outing . . . We will be back!” -Lisette B. on Yelp.
Pioneer Florida Museum & Village
📍 Dade City
Travel Through Time at This Open-Air Museum
15602 Pioneer Museum Road | Dade City | www.pioneerfloridamuseum.org
It all started when a local citizen donated 37 pioneer-age vehicles and tools to the city in 1961—and, as they say, the rest is history! Now, the museum property consists of the main museum building, the relic-filled Overstreet House, a one-room schoolhouse, Enterprise Church, the Trilby Depot, a train engine, and 16 acres of woodlands.
Overstreet House and Enterprise Church are both restored buildings, while the schoolhouse and the depot are over 100 years old. Pioneer Museum & Village is truly a place where history comes to life, leaving modern-day visitors in awe of how American pioneers once survived.
“This place was awesome. There were so many buildings to see and walk through: a school, church, house, tool sheds in the backyard, shoe mender, the General Store, two barns, a big garage with old-timey carriages, whiskey shed... Lots of pioneer goodies!” -Rachel G. on Yelp.
Lake Parker Park
📍 Lakeland
Stretch Your Legs at This Scenic Lakeside Park
910 E. Granada Street | Lake Parker | www.lakelandgov.net
Without a doubt, Orlando and Tampa are both beautiful cities—which can make it easy to forget that there’s more to Florida than building-packed cityscapes and crowded tourist attractions. Lake Parker Park will help you to reacquaint yourself with Mother Nature while taking in the fresh air.
The park’s amenities include picnic pavilions, walking and running paths, soccer fields, tennis courts, volleyball courts, shuffleboard, lawn bowling, a boat ramp, fishing, and a playground. Get out of the car for a bit by eating your lunch outside and going for a stroll around this quaint neighborhood park.
“The park is very well-maintained, and there is an abundance of free parking. There's plenty to do out here. Walk/run, rollerblade, play soccer, horseshoes, volleyball, fishing, etc. . . . Some of the paved trail is shaded, which is very much appreciated.“ -Mindy M. on Yelp.
Polk Museum of Art
📍 Lakeland
Diverse Art Museum with Free Admission
800 E Palmetto Street | Downtown Lakeland | www.polkmuseumofart.org
Just a couple of blocks north of Florida Southern College, the Polk Museum of Art is the largest and only nationally-accredited art museum in Polk County. With a permanent collection with nearly three thousand works of art and rotating exhibitions, this visual arts museum is sure to add some creative enrichment to your road trip as you pass through Downtown Lakeland.
From student exhibitions to international collections, the Polk Museum of Art is a place to wander in wonder as you take in the talent of the featured artists and the underlying commentary in their pieces. While the museum is open to the public free-of-charge, donations are graciously welcomed and go toward maintaining the museum and its mission.
“What an amazing treasure this museum is for Central Florida! . . . It isn't especially large, so the visit will not take long, perhaps an hour . . . We fall in love with a new artist every time we go.” -Alicia C. on Yelp.
Parkesdale Farm Market
📍 Plant City
Farmers Market That’s Famous for Its Strawberries
3702 W. Baker Street | Plant City | www.parkesdale.com
The origins of Parkesdale Farm Market can be traced back to 1924 when the Parke family immigrated to American from Northern Ireland. What started as a modest family farm eventually grew to hundreds of acres of vegetables, citrus, and, of course, strawberries.
Sweeten up your road trip by stopping by Parkesdale Farm Market for some fresh produce, a crate of strawberries, and maybe a strawberry milkshake or a slice of strawberry shortcake. But don’t worry, if you find yourself craving some more from Parkesdale after you’ve left Plant City, you can always order your favorite products online through the market’s website.
“Great atmosphere and quick service. They really know how to move a crowd here. I can proudly say that I've tried their ENTIRE strawberry menu and do not hold any regrets.” -Nina M. on Yelp.
Dinosaur World
📍 Plant City
Dino-Themed Family Fun (and Dog-Friendly!)
5145 Harvey Tew Road | Plant City | www.dinosaurworld.com
The larger-than-life reptiles at Dinosaur World might not be the real thing, but even hardcore Jurassic Park fans will have to admit that they’re pretty close. See the towering dinos in their “natural habit” as you walk through the park atop boardwalk trails that wind beneath trees and right in front of the numerous dinosaur statues.
Dig for fossils, excavate gems, and uncover dinosaur bones buried beneath layers of sand when you partake in the park’s admission-fee-included activities. If you’re really a dino enthusiast, you can visit the separate indoor museum area to learn more about your favorite prehistoric creatures and the fossils of them that remain.
“My wife and I have no kids and we still loved it. The price for what you get is a bargain. Lots of information on different species of dinosaurs including the periods that they lived . . . Great, great place!” -Matt B. on Yelp.
Canoe Escape
📍 Thonotosassa
Get Up-Close-and-Personal with Wildlife on the Hillsborough River
12702 US-301 | Thonotosassa | www.canoeescape.com
Whether you go for two hours or a full day, you’re sure to have a blast canoeing along the Hillsborough River with Canoe Escape. From self-guided downstream tours and hourly rentals to shuttle services and guided adventures, this local tour company offers visitors of any skill level the opportunity to get on the water and see Florida in all its natural glory.
Alligators, turtles, herons, ibis, and anhingas are among the animals that Canoe Escape classifies as “almost always seen.” For other animals, like river otters, storks, and bald eagles, it depends on the time of year. However, regardless of the season, the riverside scenery is always stunning and brimming with life.
“This was a great experience. We saw turtles sunning themselves along the entire route. We saw three alligators, and stopped to watch them as they chilled out on logs . . . The entire trip was peaceful and such a great moment in nature.” -Julie M. on Yelp.
Eureka Springs Conservation Park
📍 East Tampa
You Won’t Be Able to Get Enough of This Lush Park
6400 Eureka Springs Rd. | East Tampa | www.hillsboroughcounty.org
With picnic shelter, boardwalk trails, unpaved walking paths, a rose garden, an orchid room, and a greenhouse, Eureka Springs Park will give you a memorable bonding experience with Mother Nature before you finally head into Tampa. The park is 31 acres and features the largest publicly-owned collection of ferns in all of Florida.
A defining component of Eureka Springs is its floodplain forest that’s home to maples, cypresses, and tupelo. Whether you opt to stick to the boardwalk or venture off onto the trail, you’ll find yourself astounded by the extensive versatility and enchanting beauty that are harbored within the confines of this park on the outskirts of Tampa.
“A beautiful park, love the water lilies and the botanical garden. The boardwalk is very nice and the park kept up well. It's not a very big park, but we thought it was well worth the visit for some great pictures and nature experience.” -Tori W. on Yelp.
Take the Scenic Route Through the Sunshine State
With a state that’s as visually breathtaking as Florida, it’s not too difficult to find a route that’s scenic. But since Orlando and Tampa are both fun-filled destinations with plenty to do, it can be a little too easy to overlook just how much central Florida has to offer outside of the two cities. And while it’s a relatively quick drive to get from one to the other, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by skipping over some of these small-town gems. From berries and dinosaurs to paintings and hiking trails, you don’t want to miss out on the memories that are in store for you when you turn the drive from Orlando to Tampa into the road trip of a lifetime.
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