Our Favorite Parks

The Focus: Finding Quality Family Focused Parks

We are so lucky to live on this long peninsula, surrounded by water with so many beautiful lakes and beach side parks. Not including the countless county, city, and privately funded parks, the state park system alone has thousands of acres of preserved park lands devoted to us and our visitors.

So, during our travels across Florida, we asked many...what makes a great park? The answers were broad and diverse, but the majority of people centered on a few common themes. (1) It should have a good trail system and support multiple sport and leisure activities. (2) The park should maintain the local nature and be sensitive to its wildlife inhabitance. (3) It needs good park safety and upkeep, with clean restrooms and water fountains. We agree, these items seemed to be the corner stones, and make sense. Luckily for us, we have wonderful parks that do very well in these categories and more: extensive boardwalks, kid playgrounds, fishing piers, picnic shelters, open areas, paw playgrounds, scenic waterways, etc. The conclusion: It is all here in Florida, great parks for all of us to enjoy!

A Scenic Wonder

Lighthouse Point Park

Just wait until you see all the action that occurs at this Ponce Inlet Park. It is action packed with boating, fishing, and surfing. We love to hang out and do some sightseeing from out on the end of the jetty. This park is a family favorite for hiking and picnicking. (more)

This wonderful ocean-side park is set alongside South Atlantic Avenue, in the beautiful beach town of Ponce Inlet. Lighthouse Point Park consists of 50+ acres of preserved waterfront nature just to the north of the Ponce DeLeon Intercoastal Water Inlet. The park features a great beach and surf, with outstanding views of the coastlines from the jetty that extends way out over the ocean. You can also tour and climb the historic lighthouse and museum, a fabulous fun-to-do.

Ponce Inlet Park has lots of the fun and family friendly activities including: nature trails, fishing, picnicking, plus there are waterfront restaurants and bars to relax after touring the park. You are also just minutes away from Daytona Beach, and the trills, adventures, and attractions that the "World's Most Famous Beach" provides. (more)

Oh What a View

Sarasota's Island Park

This wonderful waterfront park is set alongside Sarasota Bay, at the base of the Downtown Sarasota's cityscape. The beauty of this venue is amazing, with the view and scenes along the huge Marina Jacks boating docks. Here you get panoramic views in every direction, including the boat filled wonderland called Sarasota Bay. Known also as Island Park, this is the spot to enjoy a cocktail or a meal at the waterfront dining spots, such as O'Leary's Tiki Bar & Grill and Marina Jacks dockside.

Bayfront Park is situated on an island peninsula right on the waters of Sarasota Bay. It is a great spot for fishing along the seawall in a beautiful park atmosphere. Sidewalks traverse all around the area, making this a great spot for long walks, rollerblading, and bike rides. A regular destination for people enjoy the outdoors while exercising or just tossing a blanket down to relax and absorb the great views. We love to come here to exercise, then stop for drinks under the tiki hut...what a wonderful spot is Sarasota Bayfront Park. (more)

Festival Hot Spot

Vinoy Park

Located in St. Petersburg is a waterfront park that host hundreds of events, festivals, and exhibits each year. It is the extremely popular Vinoy Park, which sits next to the beautiful and famous Vinoy Renaissance Hotel and Spa. The views from Vinoy Park are wonderful, as the area is a boating favorite for locals. You will see lots of tall sailboats and sport boats cruising around the bay and into the Vinoy Basin.

This is a wonderful setting and a great family park. You might not realize that this park sits side by side with other local parks, forming one huge park setting. Right next to Vinoy Park is North Shore Park and Straub Park. And just past the boat docks is another great park area, Demen's Landing. Between them all this a great place for biking, walking, and great sightseeing around Downtown St. Petersburg and "The Pier". (more)

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Florida Parks Questions or Comments

Park Photos

Q: Just wanted to thank you guys for helping our family find the parks. The photos you put up to display each park is nice, and helps us see what to expect. We had so much fun at Fort Desoto Park and Gasparilla Island Beach Park. The variety and great water at both, makes them very special places to visit.

Thanks a ton, John Ramon (Holmes Beach Florida)

A: Glad to help out.

Park Finding

Q: We just really enjoy taking our children to the parks. It is good and wholesome fun for kids. We bought an RV, and are really doing the RV thing around St. Petersburg, Bradenton, and Sarasota. Now we want to take the RV around the state. Where is the best source for finding the state parks that handle campers with an RV?

Thanks, Leslie Pepper (Sarasota)

A: The state parks are just so nice and very reasonable, perfect for RV travel vacations. Have you not tried the state department's park finder, (here). It is a great tool. Try that.

Tampa Area Parks

The Tampa Bay parks are just everywhere, as both Pinellas and Hillsborough County used the increases in property taxes to pump the money into a series of brand new county parks. We like to bike, and take them all around the state on our weekend getaways. That fort desoto is truly one of the best outdoor things to do.

Tony Snell, Largo FL

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