We want to spotlight the best things to do north of Tampa, since our friends at WUCF covered a lot of territories, specifically in the downtown area, in their Tampa episode of Florida Road Trip.

Additionally, we highlighted some of our favorite spots in Tampa in this Authentic Florida article: Top 10 Authentic Things to Do in Tampa, Florida.

Tampa is known for its world champion sports teams (shout out to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the Tampa Bay Rays).

“The Big Guava” (an old nickname for Tampa) is also known for the Tampa Riverwalk, Ybor City, incredible roller coasters + exotic wildlife at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay amusement park, and endless authentic culture and cuisine.

There are plenty of fun things to do north of Tampa and throughout the Tampa Bay area.

Today we are focusing on a few of our favorite things to do north of Tampa, on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

So pack your bags, get in your car, put your seatbelt on, and let’s go.

Table of Contents

Explore the University of South Florida (USF)

Founded in 1956, USF serves more than 49,000 students on campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee.

USF is a designated Preeminent State Research University by the Florida Board of Governors. This places it in the most elite category among the state’s 12 public universities.

Most of the campus confines itself to the lives of students, administrators, and faculty. However, the USF Botanical Garden is open to the public and is a perfect place to get up close and personal with nature.

USF Botanical Garden – College of Arts & Science

The USF Botanical Gardens are home to more than 3,000 species of plants & flowers and animal & insect friends indigenous to the area.

Keep your eyes open for butterflies in the butterfly garden, herb gardens, orchids, bromeliads, palms, fruit trees, begonias, carnivorous plants, ferns, and over 60 species of birds and gopher tortoises.

A new garden buddy named Tank was recently added to the edible garden! On one side is a mix of fragrant herbs, and on the other side is a colorful array of veggies, flowers, and more herbs.

Tank helps keep harmful insects at bay while pollinating the plants. Plus, he’s as cute as cute can be!

All proceeds go right back into maintaining the gardens. This means your visit helps keep the USF Botanical Gardens up & running!

USF Botanical Garden Events

USF Botanical Gardens Address: 12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, FL 33612

The Public Art program at USF focuses on site-responsive works, typically resulting in the creation of places instead of objects.

Most projects are in interjacent spaces between buildings — plazas, gardens, and courtyards.

These projects serve as informal gathering spaces for the various academic neighborhoods on the USF campuses. Download a map and discover some of the best places to gather on the USF Tampa campuses.

USF Public Art Program Location: 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33620

Main/Mailing Address for Info: 3702 Spectrum Blvd. Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33612-9498

Visit Hillsborough River State Park

Located only minutes from downtown Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park feels a world away from city life.

This 3,000-acre park offers many outdoor activities, including seven miles of hiking and nature trails.

Recognized for its Class 2 river rapids (very rare in Florida), the park is also known for its beautiful oak trees.

As a matter of fact, in 1938, this park was one of the original eight parks that created the Florida State Park system.

It’s still a great place to connect with nature. This makes it one of the best things to do north of Tampa.

The park has natural habitats, including plants, animals, and native birds. When you visit, keep your eyes open for alligators, pine Flatwoods, cypress swamps, sandhill cranes, red-shouldered hawks, and some woodpeckers.

There’s a large swimming pool, but it’s currently closed for maintenance. It reopens in the summer of 2024.

Within the park are campgrounds with over 108 sites, picnic areas, a playground, and places to rent or launch a kayak or canoe.

For those who don’t like roughing it, check out Timberline Glamping. Glamping is glamorous camping, a getaway combining modern comfort and the great outdoors.

You can do a solo trip, a couples getaway, or even bring a group of up to 7 on a glamping adventure. It should be on everyone’s list of things to do north of Tampa.

For reservations, click Timberline Tampa.

Hillsborough River State Park Address: 15402 US-301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592

Discover the Town of Odessa

Odessa is a suburb of Tampa and a peaceful change of scenery from city life.

Located in Pasco County, Odessa has a few spots worth exploring, so we put it on our list of things to do north of Tampa.

Old McMicky’s Farm

Old McMicky’s Farm is an interactive educational experience focused on real farm living. There are hands-on introductions to farm animals along with tractor-drawn hayrides.

From milking a cow to catching chickens to riding a pony, there are many exciting farm activities for people of all ages to explore at Old McMicky’s Farm.

Old McMicky’s Farm Address: 9612 Crescent Dr, Odessa, FL 33556

Brooker Creek Preserve is the largest natural area in Pinellas County, clocking in at approximately 8,700 acres. The Preserve consists primarily of forested wetlands and pine flatwoods.

Bordered by dense urban development, the Preserve provides both a unique refuge for native flora and fauna as well as an opportunity for visitors to explore the natural beauty of wild Florida.

The Brooker Creek Preserve Environmental Education Center supports the Brooker Creek Preserve through educational programming and volunteerism.

The Center is a beautiful, 25,000-square-foot, three-building complex designed in old Florida Pioneer-style architecture.

Put a visit on your list of things to do north of Tampa.

Brooker Creek Preserve Address: 3940 Keystone Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688

Odessa Equestrian Center has over 30 acres of 35 grazing pastures, a lighted outdoor grass arena, a lighted outdoor clay arena, an indoor footed arena, a round pen, and horse boarding facilities.

The center offers a family-friendly atmosphere with plenty of options for whatever your discipline – competitive riding or casual.

Both outdoor & indoor facilities feature jump courses that are well-lit.

Odessa Equestrian Center Address: 1320 Huntsville Rd., Odessa, FL 33556

The mission of the non-profit 501C3 Odessa Wildlife Rescue & Sanctuary is to provide animals of all types – wild, domesticated, and farm animals, a loving forever home.

In addition, over 1,000 animals have been helped since the Sanctuary opened in 1984.

Some residents who call Odessa Wildlife Rescue & Sanctuary home include zebras, raccoons, goats, rabbits, and domestic cats & dogs. Currently, 450 animals live in the sanctuary at a time.

When they arrive, the rescued animals are offered food, shelter, and veterinary care. In addition, they receive companionship & loving attention.

Location: 18404 Rustic Woods Trail, Odessa, FL 33556

Located about 50 miles northeast of Tampa, Boyett’s is a popular tourist stop in Hernando County that has entertained visitors since 1966.

This popular, family-owned, and operated roadside attraction has given visitors a real, “old Florida” experience for decades.

Boyett’s Citrus Attraction is perched on a hill surrounded by scenic pastureland and orange groves.

The Boyett Grove has 30 acres of citrus trees, and the family picks, washes, waxes, packs, and ships their fruit nationwide.

In fact, you can select your own from the fruit bins at the grove stand.

This amusement and citrus attraction includes lots of quirky stuff, including an animated Pterodactyl, a growling Brontosaurus, talking Parrots, cowboys, stagecoaches, and much more.

It’s truly one of the most eclectic things to do north of Tampa.

Boyett’s also has a wildlife zoo with live zebras, emus, lemurs, pigs, goats, camels, alligators, monkeys, and more.

And that’s not all …

There are delicious homemade ice cream sundaes or old-fashioned sodas and root beer floats, a makeshift mine for panning precious gold, kitschy Florida souvenirs at its gift shop, a vintage arcade, and a miniature golf course – all alongside fresh oranges.

Without a doubt, Boyett’s is one of the funkiest, kitschiest, and best day trips you can take from Tampa and one you surely won’t forget.

Ensure it’s on your itinerary for things to do north of Tampa.

Boyett’s Grove & Citrus Attraction Address: 4355 Spring Lake Hwy, Brooksville, FL 34601

To learn more about Boyett’s and Florida’s Adventure Coast, check out: A Day Trip to Florida’s Kitschy Adventure Coast and Exploring Florida’s Adventure Coast, Brooksville – Weeki Wachee.

5) Stroll around Dade City

Located approximately 40 miles northeast of Tampa in Pasco County, Dade City is a hidden gem with that old-fashioned hometown feel.

The centerpiece of the town square is the classic 1909 revival-style beautifully restored courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places.

The bottom line is whether you want to check out some great antique stores, grab a bite to eat, or buy some unique gifts, the choices are endless in this small town.

Make sure you carve out time for a slice of cake or pie at Lunch on Limoges. This southern restaurant, gift shop, and women’s clothing shop offer chalkboard menu items with a Southern flair.

Plus, the staff is super friendly, and the food is delicious.

Dade City Address: 14112 8th St, Dade City, FL 33525

We hope you enjoyed our recommendations of things to do north of Tampa. Other areas you may want to put on your Florida or United States Road Trip bucket list:

Board, made up of health care experts and community leaders, will guide operations in Hernando County.

Brooksville, FL April 22, 2024 – TGH North, a division of Tampa General Hospital, announced its new TGH Brooksville and TGH Spring Hill board of managers, which will serve as a guide for leadership and oversee operations. The board convened Wednesday in Brooksville for its inaugural meeting.

“At TGH North, families in the region can continue to rely on their local providers while gaining access to all the research, technology, innovation and world-class care that Tampa General Hospital has to offer,” said John Couris, chair of the board at TGH North and president and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “The new board brings the full complement of expertise to the table, including health care specialists and community leaders, to ensure that we’re on target to meet the needs of this community, while honoring its history and traditions.”

As a first order of business, Couris was elected to serve as chair. Since joining Tampa General as president and CEO in 2017, Couris has championed innovation, promoted operational excellence, and fostered a culture where teams are valued, all of which contribute to Tampa General becoming one of the nation’s leading academic health systems.

“At TGH North, we’re working to expand access to world-class care in Citrus and Hernando Counties, while honoring and maintaining community traditions,” said Steve Short, executive vice president at Tampa General and president of TGH North. “With the establishment of a new board at TGH North, we’re working to ensure that our facilities, operations and team members are guided by experienced leaders who know and love the families of this community and understand the full range of health care needs of this region.”

The board of managers includes:

Lisa Allen-Khalil, M.D., specializes in internal medicine and has provided primary care service in Hernando County since 1995. Dr. Allen-Khalil earned her medical degree from the University of Nebraska College of Medicine in Omaha and completed her residency at the University of South Florida in Internal Medicine.

Roderick Bennett, M.D., brings more than 30 years of experience in the field of Emergency Medicine. Currently, he leads four Emergency Departments at TGH North and serves as medical director for the Hernando and Citrus counties Fire and Rescue teams. Dr. Bennett completed his undergraduate degree at Harvard University and received his medical degree at the Emory University School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Charity Hospital in New Orleans, where he served as Chief Resident. Dr. Bennett also holds a master’s in business administration from Crummer Graduate School of Business at Rollins College, in Winter Park.

M. Rodwan Hiba, M.D., has been a member of the medical staff at TGH Brooksville and TGH Spring Hill since 1999. He has represented the medical staff in various leadership roles, including Chief of Staff, Secretary and Treasurer. As a gastroenterologist, Dr. Hiba is one of only two physicians in the county who perform Endoscopic Ultrasound. He earned his Doctor of Medicine at Damascus University, completed an internship at Al Mujtahid Hospital (also known as Damascus Hospital) and residency in internal medicine at Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, followed by a fellowship in gastroenterology at the University of Kansas School of Medicine, Kansas City.

Frank Morsani is the former chair and owner of Automotive Investments, LLC, which owns and operates several automobile dealerships. He currently serves as Chairman of the University of South Florida Investment Committee, a member of the Executive Committee of the Straz Center for the Performing Arts Center, and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He and his wife Carol are celebrated philanthropists for their generosity to the communities in which they live and serve.

The board also features representatives of the Florida Health Sciences Center, under which Tampa General Hospital operates. The following TGH leadership will serve on the TGH North board:

Phil Dingle is the immediate past chair of the board of directors at Florida Health Sciences Center. He is the managing partner of HealthEdge, where he is responsible for originating deals, overseeing due diligence, financing and transaction structuring, document negotiation, portfolio company management, fundraising and investor relations, and management of the firm. Before co-founding the firm, Phil served as CEO and Chairman of publicly-traded PlanVista Corporation (formerly HealthPlan Services Corporation/NYSE) until its sale in 2004.

John Touchton is a former chair of the board of directors at Florida Health Sciences Center. He is a third-generation partner and president of The Witt-Touchton Company, a family investment partnership in Tampa. Prior to his work at Witt-Touchton, he was a founding partner of Bayshore Capital Advisors and also worked for Lazard Frères & Co. in New York and for Bank of America Investment Banking in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Mark Runyon is the executive vice president and chief financial officer at Tampa General. In his role, Runyon leads and oversees all financial plans for Tampa General as the academic health system continues to develop its complete system of care for the community, region and state. He works collaboratively with the president and CEO, board, senior leaders and the entire TGH team to create a continuously improving atmosphere of safety, innovation, and financial stability and integrity while finding new ways to enhance financial performance and operations efficiency.

Adam Smith is the executive vice president and chief ambulatory care officer at Tampa General. Smith is responsible for inpatient and outpatient radiology, urgent care services, telehealth, the primary care physician network, the ambulatory surgery center and ambulatory buildings. He also executes the strategic plan related to the expansion of the ambulatory network and is responsible for the access strategy, the coordination of care and the patient experience in our ambulatory platform.

The board of managers at TGH North serves as the governing body for the operations in Hernando County. The board provides oversight of all strategic, financial, auditing and governance matters for the TGH North division of the not-for-profit academic health system.

Members of the board were nominated by hospital leadership and approved by the Florida Health Sciences Center Board. Leadership roles are elected by their peers. Leadership and board members are eligible to serve three three-year terms.

TGH North was formed on December 1, 2023, when Tampa General completed the acquisition of the Bravera Health network. TGH North encompasses three hospitals, one free-standing emergency department, two ambulatory surgical centers and 10 primary and specialty care clinics in Citrus and Hernando counties.

Tampa General Hospital is one of the nation’s leading academic health systems, where clinical care, teaching and research intersect to deliver the best possible outcomes, including cutting-edge technologies, resources and therapies, to the communities they serve.

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities have found a 2-year-old boy who wandered away from his home in a rural area of Hernando County Friday.

A Missing Child Alert was issued for Joshua “J.J.” Rowland shortly before sundown on Thursday, several hours after the search began.

Hernando County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a home near Cheever Road and Yontz Road in North Brooksville that morning, about an hour after J.J.’s mother realized he was missing.

In a news conference Friday morning, Sheriff Al Nienhuis said the boy left the home while his mother was sleeping.

Nearly 100 law enforcement officials from neighboring counties and the U.S. Marshals travelled to the area to assist with the second day of the search, Nienhuis said. Volunteers also helped in the search.

However, just before 11 a.m. Friday, the sheriff’s office had good news as they confirmed a volunteer found J.J. alive and safe. According to the sheriff, the smiling 2-year-old was fine despite being out in the wild overnight.

“He’s definitely gonna have something to tell his kids and grandkids about,” Nienhuis said.

The sheriff praised the local community for volunteering to help find little J.J., saying the vast majority of people in his county are good-hearted citizens.

“I think a lot of people were praying, and prayer works,” Nienhuis said to a cheering crowd.

The volunteer who found J.J., U.S. Marine Corps veteran Roy Link, said he was originally planned on going on a fishing trip Friday morning, but something told him to join the search for the toddler instead.

According to Link, he heard J.J. making whimpering noises and found him in the woods in north Brooksville.

That’s when Link called 911.

“Hey, I found him,” Link can be heard saying in a recorded 911 phone call released by the sheriff’s office. “I’m walking over here to a field—an open field.”

J.J. could be heard asking for his mother in the background of the phone call.

“I want mommy, I want mommy,” J.J. said.

When asked, Link said J.J. was “alive and doing well. I’m giving him some water and he’s wanting mama.”

“He was real happy, and he wanted mom,” Link said. “Deputies showed up. I guess I made a friend real quick, ’cause he hung onto me, and he didn’t want to go to anybody until his parents showed up.”

Aside from some scratches, J.J. was in pretty good shape and seemed happy to be found, according to Link.

Mere minutes after the child was found, a woman who identified herself as J.J.’s mother can be heard crying for joy as the two reunited.

“Oh my god, are you okay baby?” the woman can be heard asking J.J., who calmly responded, “yeah.”

Christina Sowers, one of J.J.’s cousins, said she was ecstatic that the little boy was found alive.

“I am so excited they found that baby,” she said.

Sowers said she had great respect for the volunteers who worked to find J.J.

“There was a mom I talked to here today who lost her son in a drowning 23 years ago, and she was here today looking for this baby,” she said. “It’s incredible.”

"It is a good day in Hernando County," Sheriff Al Nienhuis said.

BROOKSVILLE, Fla. — After a grueling evening, night and morning of searching, the search for a missing 2-year-old Florida boy is over. Joshua "JJ" Rowland has been found safe, according to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office.

"I got to admit, I'm a little emotional because I thought, surely, we were going to have bad news," Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. "It is a good day in Hernando County. Just a very good day."

Rowland had been at the center of a statewide Missing Child Alert after he was reported missing around noon Thursday from his north Brooksville home by his mother. By 6 p.m. Thursday, the statewide Missing Child Alert was activated and a full-blown search was underway.

"When a two-year-old is missing, everyone comes out [to search]," the sheriff said during a Friday morning news conference.

Credit: 10 Tampa Bay

A map showing where Joshua "JJ" Rowland was reported missing Thursday and the approximate area where he was found Friday morning.

Nienhuis said Rowland was found by volunteers south of Parrott Middle School and east of Cobb Road. Roy Link, who said he was a former Marine and retired Hernando County parks department employee, was the man who found Rowland and carried him to safety.

Link said he crossed a field and came up to some woods, listening intently during his search for the toddler. He said he heard "whimpering" and just knew it had to be Rowland.

"I listened good and I heard like a whimpering kind of noise and at that point, I was like, there's no kids here, it's gotta be JJ," Link said. "And sure enough, I went in the woods, [about] 100 feet from where I was at.

"I think he was in some stickers, but he was happy to see me. He put his arms, his hands up...he was real happy and he wanted mom. He started hollering for mom."

The toddler appears to be doing fine, the sheriff said, but he is still being taken to the hospital by his parents out of an abundance of caution.

He added Rowland was "very resourceful" to get that far in that dense of woods. "It is very surprising that he made it that far in bare feet and pajamas."

Nienhuis earlier stated there were a lot of volunteers, and between 75-100 law enforcement officers joined to search the area — one that is full of high grass, bushes, thick woods, ponds and other bodies of water.

Ultimately, More than 500 volunteers ended up assisting in the search — so many that at 10 a.m. Friday, the sheriff's office said no more volunteers were necessary.

To help streamline the search, volunteers were asked to download the app "Map My Tracks" to record their paths and then email that to findjj@hernandosheriff.org.

Volunteers were also asked to distribute flyers of Rowland to local businesses to help widen awareness about the missing child.

It's believed the toddler left home Thursday in the area of Cheever and Yontz roads while the parent was asleep, according to the sheriff's office.

During a news conference Thursday evening, Nienhuis explained that Rowland was reported missing just before noon. A witness reportedly saw the toddler playing with dogs in his front yard at around 10:40 a.m.

Nienhuis says a relative dropped off the toddler, who was sleeping at the time, at the house around 9:45 a.m. His caregiver was still sleeping at the time, too.

When Rowland's mother woke up from a nap, he was already gone.

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Nienhuis said Rowland's family has been cooperative with the search and investigation. The boy's parents were not part of the search, he added, and instead were staying at a command center where they remained in constant contact with law enforcement.

Since the search began, authorities have used various techniques to assist — including drones and helicopters equipped with infrared tech. A dive team, K-9 and mounted units were also called to the scene starting Friday morning.

Search for missing Florida toddler enters second day

The Hernando County Tax Collector Driver License office on 11319 Ponce De Leon Blvd/US 98 North, Brooksville, has been temporarily closed since December 30, 2021. Sally Daniel, CFC, Hernando County Tax Collector stated in April to the Hernando Sun that the last update she received is that they hope the building will be up and running by May. It is July and the building is still far from finished, currently, the interior walls are bare studs.

The employees of the Brooksville DMV on 98 are working in the other two locations and at the FLOW bus that is located outside of the Brooksville Courthouse. This bus is provided by the state of Florida to assist in providing issuance of limited drivers license services, such as License and ID credentialing services. The bus is located in the parking lot of the courthouse from 10 am to 3 pm on most days.

All Drivers License services will still be available at the Spring Hill office located at 7489 Forest Oaks Blvd, Spring Hill, FL 34606. Driver License Clearances Only are provided at the Courthouse location at 20 N. Main St – Room 112, Brooksville, FL 34601. Due to long wait times, The Hernando County Tax Collector strongly encourages payments for motor vehicle renewals and property taxes to be made online, by mail, or placed in their DropBox.

Appointments are required for the following services in our Spring Hill office: • Driving Exam • HazMat Original or Renewal • Non-US Citizens Visit: www.hernandotax.us to schedule your appointment.

The closed Brooksville DMV requires the residents usually served by that office to travel to Spring Hill for many services. The Spring Hill office has experienced long wait times while the Brooksville office has been undergoing renovations. These long wait times have provided the impetus for the county government to borrow $15 million dollars to build a new westside office for the tax collector near the existing office on Forest Oaks Blvd.

On June 14, the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) did not discuss, but approved a $397,268 national grant that will allow for expansion and enhancement of treatment services for many of the county’s problem-solving courts, such as Drug Court, and Veterans Treatment Court.

On December 18, 2018, the Board approved the application to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) for the amount of up to $400,000 per year in SAMHSA Program funding for up to 5 years. There is no match requirement.