Central West Florida vacations

Tampa is generally thought of as the main city of the area with a population exceeding 300,000. The city is the commercial center of Florida's west coast, an expanding seaport and center of banking and high-tech manufacturing. Tampa is one of the ports used by the many Florida cruise ships that operate holiday cruises to the Caribbean. 

The thrill-a-minute roller coasters at Busch Gardens are a major draw card yet more and more visitors are appreciating the science museum, world-class aquarium and the rejuvenated historic center at Ybor City, still producing in excess of 500,000 fine cigars from the best Cuban tobacco.

A short drive across the waters of Tampa Bay lies Pinellas Peninsula, one of Florida's most densely packed urban areas.  St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tarpon Springs are all located on the peninsula which is flanked on the west by a line of barrier islands where St. Pete Beach, Clearwater Beach, and other Gulf-side communities enjoy 28 miles (45 km) of  white sand, surf and sunshine. 

This is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region with over 1 million visitors a year arriving to enjoy the sun and sand... and golf of course.. this is Florida after all!  Many of the beach locations are protected from development by parks and nature preserves. St. Pete Beach has been attracting visitors for over 100 years.  

South from Tampa and St. Petersburg lies the town of Sarasota and another chain of barrier islands that stretches 42 miles along the coastline.  Considered one of Florida's cultural centers, and one of the more affluent addresses in the area, Sarasota is the gateway to playgrounds of the rich and famous at St. Armands and Longboat Keys, and to the more affordable Lido and Siesta Keys to the south.