Central West Florida Travel Includes Great Fishing and Beaches

Central West Florida travel will take you through some of the most populated areas of the state: Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater.

It will also take you through some of the most rural and southern areas remaining in the state.

This region of Florida has 8 counties, ranging from the rural Desoto County to Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties. It is also known as the western part of the Interstate Highway 4 Corridor.

Here is a Florida Road Map and a Florida County Map for your enjoyment.

Tampa, Orlando and Daytona Beach are all growing toward each other along this corridor.

This is a very urban region with large populations in Tampa and St. Petersburg. With Busch Gardens in the region, and with Orlando only an hour or less away, this area is also a rival to Miami and Orlando in the Florida tourism industry. (More about Central West Florida travel, history and places)
CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA TOWNS

Places to stay and places to eat can be found on the individual town pages.

The individual town pages include a brief history of the town along with my recommended motels, hotels and restaurants.

Each town page also includes a description of at least one bed and breakfast or historic hotel.

Some towns and places in Central West Florida currently on our website are:

1. Bradenton
2. Lakeland
3. Sarasota
4. St. Petersburg
5. Tampa
6. Venice

Click here to request information on Central West Florida Real Estate.

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA WINERIES

There are 5 Central West Florida wineries:

1. Florida Orange Groves, Inc., St. Petersburg
2. Keel and Curley Winery, Plant City
3. Pine Knoll Winery, Homosassa
4. Rosa Fiorelli Winery, Inc., Bradenton
5. Strong Tower Vineyard & Winery, Spring Hill

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA BEACHES

Central West Florida travel will take you by some of the best beaches in Florida. The beaches are magnificent and sandy from Venice in the south up to Caladesi Island north of Dunedin.

The Gulf of Mexico is usually warmer and calmer than the Atlantic.

The Florida Gulf Coast is troubled once in a while by "red tide".

This is a form of floating algae bloom that kills fish and makes your eyes water.

It won't kill you, but you won't enjoy it.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a website that will tell you the status of red tide currents.

Don't book any beach time if you learn the red tide is around. Many Florida travel brochures and websites won't warn you about this.

ATTRACTIONS

1. Florida Aquarium, Tampa
2. Ringling Museum, Sarasota
3. Salvador Dali Museum, St. Petersburg
4. Crystal River Swim With The Manatees
5. University of Tampa, Tampa
6. Weeki Wachee Springs

More information about these and other attractions can be found at Florida Tourist Attractions.

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA HERITAGE SITES

Central West Florida heritage begins with the early native Americans who dwelled in the area 12,000 years ago.

This region was settled by southerners and other Floridians in the mid to late 1890's.

This heritage is shared by all the counties in Central West Florida. Each county has its fair share of sites that are an important part of Florida history.

A list of these heritage sites is at Central West Florida Heritage Sites.

FLORIDA STATE PARKS

Central West Florida State Parks offer a tremendous variety of experiences. Camping, boating, beaching and hiking. There is something for everyone.

Your Florida travel experience will be enhanced by visiting one of our beautiful state parks.

More information is available at Central West Florida State Parks.

CENTRAL WEST FLORIDA DAY TRIPS AND ONE TANK TRIPS

There is a demand throughout the country for information on day trips and one tank trips. People like the idea of leaving their home, seeing a lot in a day or two, and not breaking the family budget.

Virtually every state, including Florida, has websites and books that focus on the concept of being able to travel from your home and see a lot of interesting places and things.

Florida-Backroads-Travel.com is a Florida travel website that will give you some great ideas for local day trips and one tank trips.

Central West Florida has plenty of safe and scenic, lightly traveled backroads that will take you through interesting Florida towns and attractions.

Here are some Central West Florida day trips and one tank trips.

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