1. Beach Drive shopping district

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 200 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   The Shoppes at 400 Beach along a side street on St. Pete's waterfront include Savory Spice Shop where you can find all sorts of specialty and everyday spices. It's worth a stop just to inhale the exotic scents. Sweet Divas Chocolates offers confections, Champagne and gifts. C2 Fine Art features  …

2. Chase Park and Dog Park

   Gulfport : 54th Street S and 28th Avenue, Gulfport, 33707

   The Chase Park Dog Park is comprised of two 800-by-200-foot parks for the separation of dogs according to size. It features drinking fountains, benches, agility equipment and scooper supplies. The park also has a list of rules for hours, the behavior of dogs and their owners, and general upkeep  …

3. Coquina Key Park

   St. Petersburg : 3595 Locust St. SE, St. Petersburg, 33704

   Coquina Key Park contains a playground, football/soccer field, basketball court, tennis courts, a dog park, and an exercise trail. The park is open from sunrise to sunset.

4. Crews Lake Wilderness Park

   West Pasco : 16739 Crews Lake Drive, Shady Hills, 34610

   Opened in the 1990s, Crews Lake Park is 113 acres of wild area surrounded by oak and cypress trees in Pasco County. The park features a tent camping area, boardwalk, bike trails and observation tower. There are four picnic shelters with grills ($25 for four-hour blocks) and two pavillions with  …

5. Crystal River Preserve State Park

   Citrus County : 3266 N Sailboat Ave. , Crystal River, 34428

6. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Dog Park

   Downtown Tampa : 600 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, 33602

   This dog park does not have a separate small dog area. It does have drinking water and artificial turf. There is a $5 fee for parking.

7. Davis Islands Dog Park

   Editor's pick

   Davis Islands : 1002 Severn Ave., Tampa, 33606

   There are actually two dog parks near Peter O. Knight Airport — a fenced-in grassy play lawn and a 200-foot stretch of waterfront sand a short walk away.

8. Demens Landing

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 100 First Ave. SE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   Named after Peter Demens, one of the founding fathers of St. Petersburg, this waterfront park along Tampa Bay offers a great view of the Pier. With two picnic shelters and grills, it also makes a great picnicing spot that's often less-crowded than other parks. Demens Landing also has a playgroun …

9. Dinosaur World

   Plant City : 5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City, 33565

   Just outside Plant City, north of Tampa, visitors can find what might be referred to as real Florida. This park has all the kitsch you would expect from an old-time attraction, except it's only been around since 1998. But like Gator Land or Jungle Gardens, this attraction offers low-key entertai …

10. Dr. Ott's Off-Leash Dog Park

    Ruskin : 3rd Avenue SE and 21st Street SE, Ruskin, 33570

11. Edward Medard Park and Reservoir

    Plant City : 6140 Turkey Creek Road, Plant City, 33567

    Tucked away in eastern Hillsborough County between Brandon and Plant City, the park is a popular one for people who like to camp, fish, mountain bike, boat or hike. The park extends along 1,284 acres owned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, where a reservoir offers flood protect …

12. Enterprise Dog Park

    Countryside : 2671 Enterprise Road, Clearwater, 33763

    Amenities• Fountains for dogs and humans• Wash station at entry• Doggie bags and waste containers• Shaded picnic area• Looped trails• Benches• Enclosed agility area• Bonus wading pool during rainy periods

13. Flatwoods Wilderness Park

    New Tampa : 14302 Morris Bridge Road , Thonotosassa, 33592

    This 5,400-acre park is part of the Lower Hillsborough County Wilderness Preserve and was developed in cooperation with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. Its 7-mile paved loop road is enjoyed by in-line skaters, bicyclists and runners. Flatwoods Park provides a welcome getaway fro …

14. Florida Auto Exchange Stadium

    Editor's pick

    Dunedin : 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 34698

    The 5,509-seat stadium is home to the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training. In fact, the Blue Jays played their first-ever game at the old Grant Field on March 11, 1977. During the summer, the stadium is home to the Dunedin Blue Jays Minor League team. Sports Illustrated once ranked it among …

15. Goodfellas Cafe & Winery

    Sarasota : 4571 Clark Road, Sarasota, 34233

    Winemaking store (both fruit and varietal wines) and cafe, with wood-fired pizzas, pastas, paninis, sandwiches; plus gourmet foods, olive oils, imported beers and espresso bar.

16. Happy Tails Dog Park

    Countryside : 3501 Garrison, Dunedin, 34698

    The park is divided into two separate areas -- a two-acre area for large dogs and a half-acre area for small dogs. Each area is fenced and contains a dog drinking fountain, benches, doggie litter bags and picnic tables. The large dog area contains dog training and exercise equipment. Some trees  …

17. Honeymoon Island Pet Beach

    Editor's pick

    Dunedin : 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, 34698

    Geography: Honeymoon Island boasts about 4.5 miles of beach, while Caladesi's beach, accessible from Honeymoon by ferry, stretches 3 miles. Although you'll pass a handful of condos en route to Honeymoon Island, once you set foot in the park, you'll feel a world away. Enjoy shelling, kayak throug …

18. John Chesnut Park Dog Park

    Palm Harbor : 2200 East Lake Road, Palm Harbor, 34685

    On the banks of Lake Tarpon, this park offers boating and watersports, picnic areas, baseball field, a fenced area where dogs run freely and more. Dogs must have current shots and be on a leash outside fenced areas.

19. Lake Park

    Lutz : 17302 N Dale Mabry Highway, Lutz, 33548

    This 589-acre park is a sanctuary for birds and wildlife, and features five lakes, cypress swamps, pine flatwoods and hardwood hammocks. Lake Park is also home to an archery range, a BMX bicycle track, two equestrian arenas and a radio-controlled car track (see photo), making it one of Hillsboro …

20. Lake Vista Park Dog Park

    Pinellas Point : 1401 62nd Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 33712

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