24 scenic drives around Tampa Bay, everyone should explore

Bradenton Beach Scenic Highway

The three-mile segment of Gulf Drive stops just before Anna Maria Island. Along the drive, you’ll see some beautiful beaches and a community that’s dripping in Old Florida vibes.

Photo via Bill Serne for Visit Florida

The Tamiami Trail

Here’s a little history lesson; the Tamiami Trail, also known as the Windows to the Gulf Coast Waters Scenic Highway, was built to connect the wealth in Miami to Tampa. Now, the 70-mile stretch of road that primarily runs through Sarasota is recognized as a Scenic Highway by the Florida Department of Transportation.

Photo via Luis Santana for Visit Florida

Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway

It’s a little ways away from the Tampa Bay area, but the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway offers drivers the chance to see numerous endangered species that live in the surrounding Ocala National Forest.

Photo via Tom Burton for Visit Florida

Courtney Campbell Causeway

Coming in at 9.5 miles in length, the Courtney Campbell Causeway connects Tampa to Clearwater. The waters underneath the bridge are teeming with aquatic creatures and the stretch of road is among the 26 recognized by the Florida Scenic Highways Program.

Photo via Bill Serne for Visit Florida

Ybor City

Stretches of East Seventh Avenue in Ybor City can make you feel like you’ve traveled back in time. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see the Columbia Restaurant, which was established in 1905, and wild street chickens that have been a part of the city’s culture since before you were born.

Photo via Google Maps

U.S. 17, Arcadia

It would likely take you a full day of travel to drive U.S. 17 in its entirety, since the numbered highway goes all the way to Virginia. Instead of driving through a huge chunk of southeast America, we suggest tackling a much smaller portion starting in Arcadia. After you get through the urban heart of the city, the road opens up to open rural space.

Photo via Google Maps

Bay Shore Road

If you’re in Sarasota, you might want to try driving along Bay Shore Road. Since it’s less than 2 miles long, it’s not too long of a drive. But, what the 5-minute drive lacks in length, it makes up for with calm neighborhoods and palm trees.

Photo via Google Maps

Beach Road, Manasota Key

Although Beach Road in Manasota Key is only 1.5 miles, you can add North Beach Road and Manasota Key Road to your drive for an extra 8 miles. Sticking to just the Beach Road, a bridge will take you over Lemon Bay then you’ll get to drive through a pretty little beach town.

Photo via Google Maps

Clearwater Memorial Causeway

The 2,540-footlong bridge offers views of the intracoastal. Sidewalks on each side of the bridge get a little more wide in the middle of the bridge, so foot traffic and bike riders are able to take a moment to appreciate the view Clearwater and its waterway.

Photo via Google Maps

The Dunedin Causeway

The Dunedin Causeway links Dunedin (who'd have guessed) to Honeymoon Island. Although the state park is closed, nothing’s stopping you from taking advantage of the empty roads there, which offer some pretty spectacular views of the ocean.

Photo via Google Maps

Gulf Boulevard

Although you aren’t always able to see the ocean from Gulf Boulevard, there are lots of fun-looking signs and palm trees throughout the drive. The road stretches for roughly 18 miles, and could take you half an hour to drive through, if you also count West Gulf Boulevard.

Photo via Google Maps

Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key

Gulf of Mexico Drive runs through the entire length of Longboat Key. The drive is roughly 10 miles long and portions of the 15-minute drive offer spectacular views of the body of water the road is named after.

Photo via Google Maps

State Road 72 in Myakka River State Park

If you miss exploring the local state parks, you could try driving through Myakka River State Park. State Road 72 in Sarasota brings visitors through over 11 miles of the park with bits of Myakka River visible along the way.

Photo via Google Maps

Palma Sola Scenic Highway

“Palma Sola” means “solitary palm” and refers to a lone palm tree that was used as a landmark for sailors near Anna Maria Island. The drive is capped by Palma Sola Park and Holmes Beach.

Photo via Google Maps

River Road, Venice

South of Sarasota, in Venice, River Road is pretty much void of buildings. Instead, drivers who trek the almost 13 miles of River Road will be treated to some natural beauty while driving through places like Blue Heron Park.

Photo via Google Maps

Riverview Boulevard, Bradenton

Running along Manatee River, Riverview Boulevard is shaded under neighborhoods filled with palm and oak trees. The drive through Bradenton’s riverside neighborhoods should only take you about 11 minutes, and is dotted with some pretty boujee looking houses.

Photo via Google Maps

Suncoast Parkway

The Suncoast Parkway just might be the most scenic toll road you’ll ever see.Over 40 miles long, the parkway links Hillsborough, Pasco and Hernando Counties with a drive through Florida’s native landscape.

Photo via Brad McClenny for Visit Florida

Sunshine Skyway

If you’re able to stomach the height, which is 430-feet up in the air, the iconic yellow-cabled bridge offers fantastic views of Tampa Bay. Since you probably have some extra time these days, you might want to consider pulling over at the northern rest stop after the bridge for a different perspective.

Photo via Google Maps

Davis Boulevard

Turn off Bayshore Boulevard and continue past Tampa General Hospital (trying not to think about the ongoing pandemic) to start off on the Davis Boulevard loop. During the pleasant drive, you can daydream about living in one of the big beautiful houses that fill the neighborhood, plus Tom Brady just moved here.

Photo via Google Maps

Fort Island Trail

The Fort Island Trail runs along Crystal River and comes to an end on Fort Island with a small boat ramp that gives sailors access to Crystal Bay. There’s a short bridge just past Shrimp Landing, a local seafood market, that gives drivers a great view of the waterway.

Photo via Google Maps