Florida is well known throughout the world as an area offering a huge array of attractions, entertainment and scenery that will captivate all who visit this sunny state. An activity perhaps less associated with Florida is hiking. While the state may not be host to mountainous hiking trails winding through snow covered peaks, Florida offers a surprisingly vast choice of trail types and lengths. A hike along these trails offers one a chance to see magnificent scenery and wander through many different types of ecosystems - coastal prairies, hardwood hammocks, pine forests, beaches, cypress and mangrove swamps, rivers, lakes, and crystal clear springs all await.
Everyone from the casual walker wishing to take a 5 minute boardwalk through hardwood hammocks or mangrove systems to the long distance backpacker wishing to take several months on a statewide excursion will find an abundance of trails to suit their needs. Shorter walks can be found just about anywhere in the state, from Everglades National Park to bird sanctuaries and parks found throughout the state. These can often be interesting for the person only desiring a short, comfortable look at many of the natural beauties of Florida
For longer hiking hikes, from an hour or two or even a day, the choices are virtually endless. Depending upon which part of Florida you are visiting, it is possible to enjoy many of the hikes through preserves, parks, water management districts, ranger-led slogs (hiking through wetter areas) and sections or loop trails of the Florida Trail (FT).
Overnight and weekend options tend to limit one to larger tracts of land such as the Big Cypress Preserve in the southern end of the state, or along the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST). Permits may be required, so check with officials before over-nighting regarding any applicable rules and/or permits.
Longer trips are limited to the FNST, a long distance trail currently in development stretching from Big Cypress Preserve (near Everglades National Park in the southern tip of the state) to the northwest end of the Panhandle. When completed, this will be a 1300-mile trail. Though a few sections are currently bridged with road-walks there are over 1000 miles of trail as of this writing. Several people have already thru-hiked the entire length of this trail. For such a trip, contact the Florida Trail Association Florida Trail Association (800-343-1662 or www.florida-trail.org).
When considering hiking in Florida, prepare for it using simple common sense: sunblock, insect protection (particularly in the wet summer months), drinking water, proper gear, and information on the trail and conditions are important. Some parts of trails on lower land become flooded during the summer months, and though still used, are not for those unwilling to get their feet (and often more) wet. It's always a good idea to check on conditions first.
Homewood Suites by Hilton - Clearwater
727-573-1500
The Homewood Suites by Hilton® Clearwater
hotel offers visitors to Clearwater, Florida, an all-suite hotel with
112 well-appointed one and two-bedroom suites. Our hotel offers a
central location in between three major cities - St. Petersburg,
Clearwater and Tampa, Florida - so whether you're on a short term
vacation in Florida or you're looking for an extended stay hotel, we
can help....
Our newly renovated suites feature a separate living area from the bedroom and bath and have a fully equipped kitchen in every suite!We have a heated pool, business center, fitness center, three meeting rooms and interior entrances.Included with our rooms is a Full“Suite Start” Hot Breakfast every morning with eggs, breakfast meats, fresh fruits and various breakfast breads and cereals.Also, Monday – Thursday from 5 p.m.-7 p.m., we have avilable, a “Welcome Home Reception”, which offers a light dinner and complimentary beer, wine, tea and lemonade.
We provide a complimentary grocery shopping service for your conveinence, as well, to make shopping less stressful.Guests can enjoy complimentary high speed internet access in every suite or relax and watch one of our many in room movies. There is a professiomal service staff available at the hotel 24 hours daily, to help you in making your stay with us more enjoyable!
"Homewood Suites by Hilton" is a "AAA Hotel Diamond
Rating Hilton" property and guests can earn "Hilton Honor points and miles!"
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St. Pete Beach Community Center
727-363-9245
~ Welcome to the St. Pete Beach Community Center! ~ "Family Fun & Excitment...Year-round!"
The St. Pete Community Center Complex is a multi-million dollar facility located directly on picturesque Boca Ciega Bay in St. Petersburg Beach, Fl. The complex consists of a Public Skate Park and Community Center Facility which is comprised of multiple offices, meeting rooms and the 3000+ square foot spacious Boca Ciega Ballroom, which can be used for a variety of functions, as well as rented out for memorable Wedding ceremonies or that special event of your choosing.
The Community Center Complex hosts a comprehensive workout facility, complete with treadmill, elliptical stationary bike, free weights, resistance bands, medicine balls and a large Flat Screen TV. The Complex also includes a large indoor air-conditioned gymnasium with a full sized basketball court. You'll also find our beautiful Family Aquatic Center, which offers a six-lane Junior Olympic size heated swimming pool, two tubular water slides, a zero depth play area with a mushroom fountain and dumping cones for the little ones to enjoy. For those who wish to just lounge and relax, the pool has a great Sundeck with comfortable lounge chairs as well as a large shaded picnic area where you can take in the sites under huge umbrellas.
There is a handicap-accessible playground next to the pool, in Horan Park, with a covered pavilion with picnic tables and restrooms, also a beautiful grassy park which is home to many of our special city functions such as the "Concert in the Park" series, held twice yearly.
The St. Pete Beach Community Center offers special events, year-round with a great variety of classes and programs for every age group! The services provided by the
St. Pete Beach Community Center are provided to enhance the quality of
life for both the citizen and visitor!
For more information, you may contact us at 727-363-9245 or visit our website: www.spbrec.com .
Florida is well known throughout the world as an area offering a huge array of attractions, entertainment and scenery that will captivate all who visit this sunny state. An activity perhaps less associated with Florida is hiking. While the state may not be host to mountainous hiking trails winding through snow covered peaks, Florida offers a surprisingly vast choice of trail types and lengths. A hike along these trails offers one a chance to see magnificent scenery and wander through many different types of ecosystems - coastal prairies, hardwood hammocks, pine forests, beaches, cypress and mangrove swamps, rivers, lakes, and crystal clear springs all await.
