Another 7 Odd Things-To-Do Near Tampa
We had so much fun finding our first 10 odd things-to-do near Tampa. Now, we’ve continued scouring the area and found 10 more odd attractions and sights.
We had so much fun finding our first list of odd things-to-do near Tampa. Now, we've continued scouring the area and found seven more odd attractions and sights.
Sure, the Tampa Bay area has beaches, theme parks, trails, sports arenas, malls, etc. Sometimes, however, you need to look just a little deeper to find something you never realized was there.
Here are seven odd things-to-do around the area that you may or may not have known about. If you did know, let us know about your experience. Keep an eye out for the next list!
1. Croc Encounters
Yes, Tampa hosts ZooTampa, the Florida Aquarium, and Busch Gardens. Here's a place you may not have known about. Croc Encounters sits off of SR 301 a little north of I-4. It's a place you can have contact with some of Florida's scaled residents.
2. Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch
Brenda and Frank Crum have run Golden Spirit Alpaca Ranch since 2006. According to their website, they have around 150 alpaca on 75 acres.
3. McKay Bay Park
Located off 34th Street in Tampa, McKay Bay Park was developed as a national avian sanctuary. It's located at the northeasternmost part of Tampa Bay. Groups such as the Audobon Society have been monitoring the birds that have made this a wintering location for many wintering bird species. The city of Tampa purchased the land in the 1980's and turned it into a park featuring boardwalks and viewing towers.
4. Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
It's not a zoo. It's the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary. This is a place where primates can live out their lives. It's located in Palm Harbor. In fact, after his acting days, Cheetah from Johnny Weissmuller's "Tarzan" lived here until he turned 80. According to the BBC, he joined the sanctuary around 1960.
5. Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
The manatees love the warm waters of the Big Bend Power Station. Travel to Apollo Beach where you can visit the viewing center, particularly in the winter. These wild, gentle sea cows are safe in the sanctuary provided by Tampa Electric.
6. The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour
The Official Ybor City Ghost Tour is considered one of the top haunted tours in the country. This isn't just a Halloween event. Haunts are here year-round. The 90-minute tour will introduce you to some spine-tingling residents of Ybor City.
7. Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple
Get that camera ready and take some pictures of this uniquely Thai. Also, it's not just a beautiful Thai Buddhist temple, but it features a drive-thru Sunday market. And bring your appetite, Wat Mongkolratanaram is known for some of the most amazing Asian dishes you'll find outside of the Far East.
