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With five roller coasters, this park is a close second to Islands of Adventure on the thrill front. Roller coaster addicts rate the park’s Kumba ride very highly. Busch Gardens is also a step ahead of Disney’s Animal Kingdom (see Disney’s Animal Kingdom® Park) when it comes to spotting nature’s finest creatures, which are very visible here on the Serengeti Plain, Serengeti Safari Tour, and Rhino Rally ride. During summer don’t miss cool rides like Congo River Rapids and Tanganyika Tidal Wave.

Florida’s native species are just a fraction of the more than 10,000 animals and plants on display in this modern attraction. Wetlands, bays, coral reefs, and their creatures are featured in several galleries, and you can watch divers feed sharks and other marine creatures.

Tampa’s first zoo has 1,500 creatures, including Sumatran tigers, Persian leopards, and Komodo dragons. It also serves as a rehabilitation center for injured manatees (see SeaWorld’s Rescue & Rehabilitation Program) and as a sanctuary for Florida panthers and red wolves. A free-flight aviary and petting zoo provide a chance to touch some tamer species.

The Latin heart of Tampa contains the Ybor State Museum, plus trendy art galleries and lively cafés. Take the opportunity to try a Cuban sandwich and strong café cubano , or to salsa and merengue into the small hours in one of the district’s dozen or so clubs.

The museum’s Kennedy Collection includes the rocking chair JFK used to soothe his ailing back, as well as full-scale re-creations of the White House’s Oval Office and Rose Garden. Other draws are traveling exhibitions from major international collections.

Western Pinellas County has more than 30 miles (48 km) of white-sand, low-surf, warm-water beaches that are highly popular throughout the year. St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, and Clearwater Beach are among the many headliners.

Land a whopper on fishing trips into the Gulf of Mexico. Commonly caught species include grouper, amberjack, and red snapper. Alternatively, there are sightseeing excursions that offer encounters with dolphins, sea birds, and, on occasion, manatees.

Few natural thrills compare to snorkeling or scuba diving with these gentle, endangered giants, sometimes called sea cows. The manatees frequent the springs and rivers of West Citrus County (about two hours drive north of St. Petersburg) much of the year, but even more so from November through March. Several outfits offer various two-hour trips.

This 3-mile (5-km) island, accessible by ferry from Honeymoon Island, is a lovely outdoor retreat traversed by a nature trail. A ban on cars helps keep it much as it was a century ago. In season, beach areas are dotted with the tracks of loggerhead turtles that nest here.

In the late 1930s, renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright designed 12 campus buildings at this college – the world’s largest collection. Highlights include the Annie Pfeiffer Chapel, the Roux Library, the Danforth Chapel, and the Esplanades. Pick up a walking-tour map from the visitor center.