Things to see between Tampa and Orlando?

[Adora]

OK, so I've become the crazy brave person and am going to drive between St. Petersburg and Orlando (deep breath). We're wondering if there's anything we should check out on the drive, we'll have a few hours to just tweak around. Any suggestions would be cool. Thanks

 

[mom_rules]

It's an easy drive-just don't go during normal rush hours.
Nice highway. Can't help too much on sites though we drove straight through. Took about 1 hour.

 

[goofy4tink]

Orange trees! Okay, kidding a bit. But, my dd, then 13, saw her very first orange tree on that drive.
I don't think there's much to see or do along the way. There is a dinosaur place, at least there's a giant dino beside the road. My ds lives in Tampa and we've never stopped along the way when driving out to see them. Just drive straight there...no stopping.

 

[deej696]

Having made that drive many many times, I can tell you there is nothing there. Except the National Water Skiing Hall of Fame. No I'm not kidding. Betcha didnt imagine there would be a hall of fame for water skiing but there is. Long story short, just keep driving and get to WDW where the real action is

 

[Adora]

Hi, thanks for the thoughts so far
Actually this trip we're not doing Disney, my friend and I (both 25) did Disney for 2 weeks when we graduated University. We're spending a few day at Universal this trip. I'll admit I'm kinda nervous about driving. I'm not overly used to driving with alot of traffic. My grandfather says to leave St. Petes around 7 to miss most of the Tampa traffic, (although that's really early ) It should be interesting. Any advice on the driving I'm taking that too!

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Adora, when you leave St. Petersburg instead of following I-275 over into Tampa and then to Orlando, instead drive SOUTH on I-275 and cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here is some information about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Skyway_Bridge

Once you cross you'll reach the junction of I-75 which you can then take back north to reach I-4 for the remainder of your journey east to Orlando.

The bridge is an incredible drive and it's unlikely you have anything like it in Newfoundland. The toll is only around $1.50.

BobK/Orlando

 

[Traveliz]

My in laws have a condo in St Pete Beach and I stayed there two weeks this summer while my daughter was settling into the Disney College Program then my husband came down and we went over for a visit. I made the trip over to Orlando a few times and it is VERY EASY...but there is nothing along the way.

The Sunshine Skyway is something to see but not really the easy way back to Orlando. And although I braved it to go over it to get to the outlet mall on the other side I have MANY friends who are afraid to drive it so I would suggest you google it and make yourself comfortable with it before you start out over it.

Good luck and have fun!

Liz

 

[goofy4tink]

Adora, when you leave St. Petersburg instead of following I-275 over into Tampa and then to Orlando, instead drive SOUTH on I-275 and cross the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Here is some information about it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunshine_Skyway_Bridge

Once you cross you'll reach the junction of I-75 which you can then take back north to reach I-4 for the remainder of your journey east to Orlando.

The bridge is an incredible drive and it's unlikely you have anything like it in Newfoundland. The toll is only around $1.50.

BobK/Orlando

Nope, no way, no how....not ever doing that bridge!! Every time I go to Tampa and visit my ds, I look at that bridge and get the willies. It makes me nauseous just to look at the darn thing. I have found the drive from St. Pete through Tampa to be relatively easy. If I can do it with little trouble, then anyone can do it. Just take it easy...the drivers there are nuts!!

 

[kirbsam]

thats gator country. huge maneating gators. they like to disguise themselves as natives selling maps to the various attractions. they station themselves on the sides of the roads and when you pull up to them. they take off their costumes and devour everyone. my advice is to drive straight thru and be vary wary of any people selling maps that look like they have scaly green skin. be afraid, be very afraid.

 

[keishashadow]

It's an easy drive-just don't go during normal rush hours.
Nice highway. Can't help too much on sites though we drove straight through. Took about 1 hour.

wow, u must've flew took us an hour early on a Sunday am just to get to Tampa...St. Petersburg is even further.

ps we saw lots of scrub & speed traps, which i'd imagine is a good thing on such a straight, flat highway to deter accidents.

 

[MommyBuzz909]

I've been over that bridge - going to a baseball game in St. Pete - it was cool. I think you get to drive through Lakeland - you can go see my family ) HAHA! I don't think there's much there though - just a regular town....

 

[mom_rules]

wow, u must've flew took us an hour early on a Sunday am just to get to Tampa...St. Petersburg is even further.

ps we saw lots of scrub & speed traps, which i'd imagine is a good thing on such a straight, flat highway to deter accidents.

Not really-it was just over an hour from Tampa-WDW (Not St. Petes-sorry for the confusion).

From Google maps:

Tampa, FL
USA


Drive:
73.5 mi – about 1 hour 18 mins

1. Head northwest on N Ashley Dr toward E John F Kennedy Blvd
0.6 mi
2 mins
2. Merge onto I-275 N via the ramp to I-4
0.8 mi
1 min
3. Take exit 45B to merge onto I-4 E toward Orlando
57.4 mi
52 mins
4. Take exit 58 toward Poinciana/Kissimmee
0.4 mi
5. Merge onto Osceola Polk Line Rd
4.2 mi
6 mins
6. Turn left at S Orange Blossom Trail/US-17-92
Continue to follow US-17-92

9.3 mi
14 mins
7. Turn right at Emmett St
0.5 mi
2 mins
8. Turn left at N Stewart Ave
0.1 mi
1 min
9. Turn right at Church St
479 ft
To:

Kissimmee, FL
USA

 

[goofy4tink]

The times I've driven from WDW to Tampa, it haa usually taken me about 75-80 mins...and that's to the Doubletree Guest Suites, just past TPA. And that hasn't been during what I would consider trafficky times. Granted, I was only going about 70, and was being passed, right and left!

 

[Mickey527]

My sister lives in Clearwater just past Tampa and when I stay at her house I make the daily trip to WDW. It takes me about 1 hour 15 min. right to Epcot from her beach condo.
On the way I always pass a dinosaur park. I don't know what they have but I see large fiberglass dinosaurs. I don't think it would be something that a 25 yr old would enjoy. However... On that same exit there is a winery with free tours and FREE wine tasting. Now that might be something a 25 year old would enjoy. Don't drink and drive though, you might spill your drink...
Here are a few things a 25 year old might enjoy in that area:
Busch Gardens in Tampa. Great rides and animal park. I enjoyed my day there last year and wish I could have stayed longer.
Cypress Gardens. I have never been but I hear it is nicer since they did it over. Rides and a nice walking area with beautiful plants.
Bok Tower. Not sure what else they have there other than a garden and a huge tower. I have never been but there is a place there that when you put your car in neutral you roll UP hill.
Beaches. tons of them. I have been to quite a few different beaches in FL over the years but I have to say I love Clearwater beaches. There are some nice bars and restaurants along the beach and I love to get up early and walk along the area. Along the boardwalk they have entertainment in the evenings and on the weekends that remind me of what you will find at the Boardwalk in Disney.
Shopping. There are tons of malls and outlets malls in FL.

 

[MattM]

I cant believe Fantasy of Flight hasnt been mentioned. Its about 20-25 minutes west of Disney right off of I-4.

http://www.fantasyofflight.com/

Hope this helps!

 

[jdvm]

I can very strongly recommend vising Bok Tower about 3/4 of the way from Tampa to WDW. We live in Celebration and go there all the time. Yes, there's the big tower but it's really the gardens that are extremely pleasant.
John

 

[inkkognito]

The winery in Plant City!

 

[Adora]

Thanks so far guys! Appreciate it. The bridge sounds fun, and as I don't mind those types of things we might do that. Only question is is the traffic going that way bad? Would it be roughly the same, more, or less than if I went through Tampa? Loving eh Advice!

 

[goofy4tink]

I can very strongly recommend vising Bok Tower about 3/4 of the way from Tampa to WDW. We live in Celebration and go there all the time. Yes, there's the big tower but it's really the gardens that are extremely pleasant.
John

I remember doing the Bok Tower when I was a kid....the same day we did Cypress Gardens...waaaaay back in the late 50's!!!
There does seem to be more to do than I thought.
But, I have to say....the traffic in Tampa, around the airport, heading to the Sunshine Skyway is something...always seem to be construction going on...any idea when they'll be done? Or is it going to be the same as Boston's Big Dig??