Top Ten Roadside Attractions Close to Home

Roadside Attractions in Tampa Bay Everyone Should Visit At Least Once

There are lots of fun roadside attractions in the Tampa Bay Area! Here are some of the top hits for the area!

1. Dinosaur World  - 5145 Harvey Tew Rd., Plant City

Whether for the kids or the prehistoric-loving adults, a trip to the part outside, part indoors Dinosaur World can be both fun and educational. Visitors can walk alongside life-sized dinosaurs or participate in an interactive dinosaur exhibit.

2. Monkey Island - 10985 W. Xanadu Path, Homosassa

Spider monkeys inhabit their own little island on this chunk of land in the Homosassa River. Guests can dine nearby the mini island and watch the monkeys swing around their platforms, ropes and replica lighthouse. But the best place way to see this spot, is from the deck of the Florida Cracker Monkey Bar, which has a deck with a bird's eye view of the island. 

3. Spook Hill in Lake Wales

Defy gravity at the mysterious Spook Hill, where a natural phenomenon makes it seem as though cars are rolling up the hill rather than down it. And you can enjoy this thrill from the comfort of your car.

4. Spongeorama Sponge Factory - 510 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs

Founded in 1968, this sponge wonderland boasts the largest collection of natural sea sponges the world has ever seen. On top of the sponges, guests can also find pieces of Florida art, jewelry and gifts and learn about Tarpon Springs’ rich history in the sponge industry.

5. Kapok Tree Garden - 923 N McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater

Once one of the most over-the-top restaurants in the country, the Kapok Tree Inn dazzled guests with its garden, waterfalls, Renaissance-inspired architecture and 12 themed dining rooms. Now the space is occupied by Kapok Special Events Center and Garden. 

6. World's Largest Shuffleboard Court - 559 Mirror Lake Dr., St. Petersburg

A very niche, very quirky attraction, the world’s largest shuffleboard court can be found right in St. Petersburg. You can visit the spot to explore the expansive grounds and learn more about the leisurely game of shuffleboard.

7. Monkeys of Silver Springs - Silver Springs Park

Initially intended to be enclosed as part of one roadside attraction, the monkeys of Silver Springs have become their own attraction over the years. The free-roaming primates have been in the area for generations, drawing in tourists and locals to see the animals throughout Silver Springs Park.

8. Wonder House - 1075 Mann Rd., Bartow

An hour drive from Tampa, the Wonder House stands four stories tall and has two additional stories below ground. To explore the historic house, which was built in 1926, visitors must register a tour in advance on the Wonder House website.

9. Showmen's Museum - 6938 Riverview Dr, Riverview 

Unlike other museums, the Showmen’s Museum houses decades of memories and history of carnivals and circuses of the past. Guests can stroll the 54,000-square-foot property and view the many artifacts, photographs and relics of the past for a $12, $7 for children with a school ID and free for kids under 10.

10. Boyett's Grove and Citrus Attraction - 4355 Spring Lake Hwy, Brooksville

Boyett’s Grove and Citrus Attraction has almost everything you could want out of a quirky roadside stop. Guests can see all kinds of animals at the wildlife park, aviary and aquariums, pan for gold at the Dino Might Gold Mine, explore the dinosaur cave and purchase fresh fruit from the grove.