Today the region offers a wonderful array of outdoor activities, thanks to its beautiful natural setting. The area has rolling, pine covered northern plains as well as white sand beaches and barrier islands. Camping, fishing, swimming, boating, sunning, and snorkeling are always available in this sunny and well-kept area of Florida. The Gulf Coast offers just as many white sand beaches and beautiful sunsets as the Atlantic side of Florida, if not more so. The crystal clear springs further inland have drawn visitors for a long time. Finally, the resort towns to the south, including Sarasota, are always full of visitors during the winter as everyone tries to escape the cold.

The city of Tampa has developed into a full metropolis, with everything to offer visitors of all ages. The area has seen the addition of a world-class art museum dedicated to the work of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The Tampa Museum of Art boasts its own collection of art from around the world-nearly 7,000 objects fill the many galleries. The $84 million Florida Aquarium is a dazzling landmark in Tampa, and it has begun to draw large crowds of visitors to Tampa. In addition to cultural and educational offerings, Tampa boasts quite a nightlife with many restaurants and clubs to choose from. The Ybor District is Tampa's own Little Havana, and the wrought iron gates and cobblestone streets lend a certain charm to the area. Of course, no visit to Tampa would be complete without a visit to Busch Gardens, the amusement park and zoo built by the famous beer brewery. Kids and adults will have lots of fun there.