The number of golf courses on Florida's "Emerald" Gulf Coast total more than 1,000. The Bobby Jones Golf Club, on the Gulf Coast south of Tampa, features a course created in 1926 by designer Donald Ross. In addition to historic golf courses, the towns and cities along the Florida Gulf Coast offer a host of attractions open throughout the year for adults and children. The local historic parks, a top-ranking museum and an award-winning zoo all have special seasonal programs for visitors to the area.
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium, a 200,000-square-foot facility, is ranked among the top 10 American aquariums by many travel sources. It is rated by Parents Magazine as one of the top five Kid Friendly Aquariums in the country. The attraction is divided into exhibits exploring the Florida ecosystem and habitats including the wetlands, bays, beaches, coral reef and the ocean.The Aquarium is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. The facility is closed Christmas and Thanksgiving days. General-admission tickets for children and adults were less than $20 per person and children younger than 12 were admitted free in 2009. Special Ecotour visitors are charged an additional fee. A combination tour and admission ticket is available. Reservations are recommended for tours, especially during the high seasons of spring and early fall. Telephone the box office to confirm specific tour times and availability of tickets.
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 273-4000
flaquarium.org/PlanVisit.aspx
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
Parents Magazine has ranked Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo as the Best Zoo in the U.S. Zoo attractions include Safari Africa, Ituri Forest, Wallaroo Station, Free Flight Aviaries, Asian Gardens, Sulawesi Aviary, Florida Boardwalk and the Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center. The Primate World and the Birds of Prey exhibits are featured as zoo habitat and animal areas. Zoo dining offerings include Reilly's Reserve, Safari Lodge, Garden Grille, Carousel Bar, Congo Trading Company, Grub & Grog, Tamani's Oasis and the Rango Snack Bar. A day pass for adults, seniors and children were around $10 in 2009. Guided ecotours are offered for an additional fee. Special combined rates are available for admission and touring. The zoo is open 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. daily.
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo
1101 West Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 935-8552
lowryparkzoo.com/
Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
The Gamble Plantation Historic State Park includes the Confederate Major Robert Gamble mansion, built before the Civil War. The park is built on 16 acres of the former sugar plantation. Special events are scheduled in the park. The Gamble Plantation is open 8 a.m. to sunset daily. The park does not close on holidays.
Gamble Plantation
3708 Patten Avenue
Ellenton, FL 34222
(941) 723-4536
floridastateparks.org/gambleplantation/
About The Author
Lee Grayson is an ethnographer and freelance writer. She has written for both Oxford and Harvard University presses and research publishers, including Facts On File and ABC-CLIO. She holds certificates from the University of California campuses at Irvine and San Diego.
