Central West Florida, located in the state of Florida, is an inviting tourist destination in the USA. It houses Polk, Pinellas, Pasco, Manatee, Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus and Sumter counties. It has a humid subtropical climate and teems with national parks, amusement parks and beaches. It is also famous for its gastronomy and shopping bonanza. The activities available for travelers include zip-lining, nature trails, kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, etc. Regarding accommodations for travelers, various types of vacation home rentals in Central West Florida—villas, cottages, condos and cabins—are available at very affordable prices.
Why Visit Central West Florida?
Central West Florida has a rich history and culture, unspoilt natural attractions, amazing man-made attractions, taste-awakening foods, dazzling nightlife and wonderful shopping opportunities.
Things to Visit in Central West Florida
Although Central West Florida abounds with many attractions, those that you should not miss include the following:
Cedar Key Museum State Park: Located at 166th Court, Cedar Key, Florida, this museum throws light on the artifacts collected by Saint Clair Whitman, who set up the first museum in his home. His collection included Indian artifacts and seashells. In addition, there is a large collection of historical information. The Saint Clair Whitman house is an important feature of this museum, which was built in the 1880s and owned by Whitman in the 1920s.
Steinhatchee Falls: Surrounded by mixed hardwood forest, pine plantation, bottomland forest, floodplain swamp, this falls is a wonderful attraction for travelers. Different varieties of animals found here are squirrel, turkey, deer, Swainson's warbler, swallow-tailed kite, wild hog, wading birds and gopher tortoise. It has water cascading over the Steinhatchee River. Its height ranges from 4-5 feet. But, when the river is high, it is difficult to measure its height.
Swimming with Manatees: This is a very exciting activity that can give you a unique experience. There are some conditions that you need to follow before you go for this activity: you should have a moderate physical fitness level, it requires good weather and minimum ten travelers are required at a time for this activity. In case it is cancelled due to inclement of weather, you will be offered another date or full refund.
Devil's Den Cave: This is a daunting cave, known to have been made by a karst window. It has a collapsed roof, so the water is exposed to the open surface. At present, it is used for scuba diving training center. The water in the underground river remains constant at 22 °C. It expands below water level to up to 200 feet. Its maximum depth reaches up to 54 feet with the surface diameter of 120 feet.
Manatee Snorkeling with Breakfast & Lunch: You will get a chance to snorkel with manatee along with breakfast and lunch. You can experience the peace and beauty of the natural environment of this region. Indeed, it is a very pleasurable activity that involves a breakfast bag, round-trip transportation and tasty lunch. The Manatees you will come across are very meek and gentle. They can come close to you for a belly rub.
Beaches near Central West Florida
Beaches are the best places for travelers to chillax in Central West Florida. Those that are very popular include the following:
Nokomis Beach: Spread over 20-acre of land, this beach has white sands and flourishes with the lush wilderness. It is a very peaceful beach for your relaxation. It has playgrounds, where you can play games and enjoy strolling. Swimming and kayaking are two chief activities available for you.
Siesta Beach: Lying at a short distance from Sarasota, it is a great beach with cool white sands. Its sand contains 99% of quartz, which does not conduct the heat of the sun. The activities you can indulge in here are kite surfing, snorkeling, biking and jogging. It also has four tennis courts and ten volleyball courts.
Fort De Soto Park: Encompassing an area of three miles, it has lush vegetation and diverse wildlife. It is a family-oriented region with many playgrounds and swimming areas. For the safety and security of travelers, lifeguards are deployed. The activities available here are camping, boating, fishing, hiking and picnicking.
Pass-A-Grille Beach: This is an ideal beach with sugary white sand, sufficient sunshine and turquoise water. The activities you can indulge in are sea-fishing excursion, kayaking, paddleboarding, strolling and parasailing. It also boasts restrooms, restaurants, shops and live entertainment at Pass-A-Grille.
Best Time to Visit Central West Florida
There are two best times to visit Central West Florida—from February 19thto May 20th and from October 1stto December 30th in terms of weather, safety and tourism. There are also least chances of rainfall and snowfall during these times. As a result, you can enjoy a great vacation.
How to Visit Central West Florida?
It hardly matters whether you are a local or international traveller. You can easily access it without much hustle and bustle. The chief airports located here are Naples Municipal Airport, Orlando Sanford Airport, Fort Lauderdale International Airport and Daytona Beach Intl. Airport.
Vacation Home Rentals in Central West Florida
FindAmericanRentals, one of the best Central West Florida vacation rentals by owner, offers, no-booking-fee vacation rentals to tourists at very affordable prices. Its services are available around the clock, so you can contact it anytime to book your accommodations.
