Tampa Bay Area Has One Of The Best Boat Tours

USA Today's 10BEST has set the stage for outdoor excursion lovers to have their best summer yet, with their top-ranked adventure tour lists. There's good news for those itching to head out to sea, as a Clearwater boat tour was named among the best in the United States.

What's unique about setting sail on a boat tour is the many different types. Of course, some options are relative to where you are in the country and what body of water supports your trip. From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf or Mexico, and all the lakes and rivers in between, we certainly don't have a shortage of options in North America to enjoy a boat getaway.

You can go whale-watching in the Northeast, embark on fishing charters in the south, or simply kick back on a catamaran with some food and drinks cruising down on the West Coast. Of course the different types of boating tours available also provide the chance to showcase different boat models. From small-capacity sail boats to million dollar yachts to essentially giant rafts that flow down a river.

In the Sunshine State, we are talking about an adventure that has now been around for over 25 years.

Specifically located at 25 Causeway Blvd #16, in Clearwater Beach, Little Toot is a blast for the kids and adults. This tour has two goals in mind: for passengers to leave their stress behind and then take in all the wonderful sights.

Little Toot explains what you can expect by saying, "There is no shortage of things to explore, animals to spot, and million-dollar houses to gawk at. You’ll learn something new as your captain tells you interesting facts about dolphins and other Florida wildlife throughout the tour."

As for tour options, 10BEST says you can't go wrong with going during the day or early evening. "Daylight and sunset tours are both available for guests to book, with each option offering plenty of wake for the dolphins to play in alongside a cash bar with beer, wine, and soft drinks for passengers," they said.

The Little Toot dolphin tours depart at 10AM, 12AM, 2PM and 4PM. They have become increasingly popular. As a result, the Little Toot II has now joined the fleet. Their tours leave at 11AM, 1PM, 3PM, and 5PM.

Prices range from just under $20 to $27 per ticket. You can view the entire schedule here.

According to Infrastructure Report Card, there are 617,000 bridges in the United States. Outlets such as Attractions of America and Mr. Hudson have each come up with lists of the most beautiful bridges. Two of them call Florida home.

A bridge can be a historical landmark in addition to a pathway that connects communities. Certain bridges, like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, draw thousands of tourists each year. People plan trips around visiting this site and taking in its incredible views. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is either #1 or #2 on each of the aforementioned lists.

The bridge that it shares the top spot with is famous for its ability to walk or bike over. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan via six lanes. Many charity-driven bike rides also cross here as it offers unique perspectives into New York City without any tollways.

In Florida, American Road and Transportation lists over 12,000 bridges in the Sunshine State (though not all of them are in functional condition). There are two however, that stand above the rest. One is architecturally astounding. The other feels like a gateway into a mysterious paradise.

"American bridges are often designed with looks to match their engineering ingenuity," Mr. Hudson explains.

What's fascinating about bridges in America, is they are constructed of different materials and serve different purposes. For example, the final and tenth selection in Attractions of America's feature is the Benson Bridge, Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. This is a foot traffic bridge that is only 45 feet long. It allows visitors to walk 105 feet above the Lower Multnomah Falls cascade

Let's take a look at the two most beautiful bridges in Florida.

Connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia, this bridge is 4.1 miles long. This stunning bridge over Tampa Bay is often lit up with colors that highlight the skyline. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a Skyway 10K race that closes the bridge each year.

This two-lane bridge is technically part of Route 1. It's a magical gateway into the Florida Keys. Mr. Hudson points out, "the Seven Mile Bridge usually has space for sightseers to park up and admire the Florida Keys." In 1982, a heavy renovation made the lanes wider, allowing for a safer and more comfortable drive. The last annual seven-mile bridge run took place this past April.