Adventure Guide To Tampa Bay & Florida's West Coast, 3rd Edition (hunter Travel Guides)

E-Book Overview

A guide to the cities, towns, nature preserves and sandy beaches that grace the Sunshine State's western shore. It covers the area from just north of Tampa Bay to Naples and Everglades National Park, demonstrating how you can participate in activities such as canoeing the Everglades, hiking on Gasparilla Island, and exploring the history of Tampa's Ybor City. This guide seeks to offer adventures and accommodations to suit all budgets and lifestyles. The series of "Adventure Guides" are about living more intensely, waking up to your surroundings and truly experiencing all that you encounter. Each book offers a mix of practical travel information along with activities designed for everyone, no matter what their age or ability. Comprehensive background information - history, culture, geography and climate - presents a knowledge of each destination and its people. Regional chapters take you on an introductory tour, with stops at museums, historic sites and local attractions. The volumes also cover: places to stay and eat; transportation to, from and around your destination; practical concerns; useful websites; e-mail addresses; and tourism contacts. Detailed regional and town maps feature walking and driving tours.

E-Book Content

3rd Edition Chelle Koster Walton HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC. 130 Campus Drive Edison, NJ 08818-7816 % 732-225-1900 / 800-255-0343 / fax 732-417-1744 www.hunterpublishing.com [email protected] IN CANADA: Ulysses Travel Publications 4176 Saint-Denis, Montréal, Québec Canada H2W 2M5 % 514-843-9882 ext. 2232 / fax 514-843-9448 IN THE UK & EUROPE: Windsor Books International The Boundary, Wheatley Road, Garsington Oxford, OX44 9EJ England % 01865-361122 / fax 01865-361133 ISBN 1-58843-350-1 © 2004 Chelle Koster Walton All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher. This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim any responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any liability or any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause. Cover: Snorkeling with manatees in Crystal River (Photo courtesy of Citrus County Tourist Development Council) Back cover: Longboat Key, © Jack Elka Photography Maps by Lissa K. Dailey, © 2004 Hunter Publishing, Inc. Illustrations by Joe Kohl Index by Nancy Wolff 4 3 2 1 CONTENTS Introduction The History of Adventure The People & Culture Natural Makeup Government-Protected Parks & Refuges How To Use This Book 1 1 3 5 10 11 Information Transportation Weather/What to Pack Sights & Attractions Adventures Where To Stay Where To Eat Nightlife Tourist Information Recommended Reading 13 13 14 16 16 21 23 23 24 24 The Nature Coast Overview Transportation Getting Around Information Festivals & Events Crystal River Getting Here Information Sights & Attractions Adventures Shopping Where To Stay Where To Eat Inverness Getting Here Information Sights & Attractions Adventures Where To Stay Where To Eat Homosassa Area Getting Here Information Sights & Attractions Adventures Where To S