20 Attractions to Explore Near Big Cat Rescue

The Hindu Temple of Florida, is a welcoming place for locals to learn about and experience authentic Hindu culture. Its graceful shrines, the intricate details of its walls, the inviting courtyards and lush garden all work together to create a tranquil atmosphere. The temple hopes to provide spiritual solace for congregants and educates guests about various aspects of the Hindu faith with educational initiatives as well as musical, dance, debate and youth activities.

Upper Tampa Bay Park is a must-visit for nature lovers. This 1,125 acre park boasts stunning and varied landscapes, including woodlands comprised of pinion pines and palmettos, wetlands brimming with wildlife, shoreline areas along two different bays, and plenty of open grasslands. Hikers are especially enticed by the 7 mile trail that guides them through different ecosystems, as well as numerous shorter trails that delve deeper into swamplands filled with tall grasses.

The Mobbly Bayou Wilderness is an outdoor oasis of natural beauty. Spanning over 6175 acres, the preserve provides a wealth of recreational activities such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing and camping. In addition to its robust lineup of outdoor activities, the preserve also boasts diverse wildlife such as alligators, turtles, herons and bald eagles that make their home there. It also offers several educational programs throughout the year designed to educate visitors on the local flora and fauna.

TPC Tampa Bay is a golf course and residence located in Hillsborough County. It offers an upscale PGA Tour experience with an 18-hole championship golf course, practice facilities, and a 26-acre performance center. Guests of the complex can enjoy picturesque natural settings with wildlife, stunning marsh views, and both tee and fairway options for all skill levels. The area also features modern amenities such as a full service interactive Pro Shop and state-of-the-art fitness center.

In 2009, Lowry Park Zoo was voted the number one Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Parents Magazine. Nearly 1 million people visit the 65-acre zoo a year to see its more than 1,300 animals.

Philippe Park is a hidden gem situated on 25 acres of coastline. It offers lovely views of the bay and plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Visitors can enjoy walking the nature trails that wind through majestic trees and indigenous vegetation, or fishing from one of two piers. A playground and picnic area are also available for those looking for family-friendly fun. Philippe Park provides something for everyone with its variety of activities, gorgeous landscapes, and serene atmosphere.

The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens features a vast array of natural beauty. Located in Hillsborough County, Florida, visitors come to explore the many lush displays found within the gardens. With approximately 10 distinct collections, each showcase offers its own unique look at exotic plants like those found only in tropical rainforests. In addition to the plant life on display, birds, butterflies and other wildlife can be seen fluttering throughout the grounds.

Tigris, is an exhilarating and thrilling roller coaster experience. The steep drops and unexpected loops send riders looping up and down with the wind in their hair. From its signature heartline roll to its intense launches, Tigris packs plenty of thrills into one ride. It also boasts great views for spectators of all heights too! With a maximum speed of over 62 miles per hour and a platform height of 150 feet, Tigris is every adrenaline junkie's dream come true.

Congo River Rapids is the perfect way to cool off on a hot summer day. The fun and thrilling rapids will have visitors flying down the river on their inner tubes while navigating through exciting twists and turns. As they navigate through the eight-foot-high wave created by the waterfalls, visitors will experience varying speeds of running water that race through swamps and forests. With lush vegetation all around, visitors can take in their surroundings.

SheiKra, is one of the tallest and fastest roller coasters in the world! Its wooden frame reaches a maximum height of 200 feet, complete with a breathtaking 90-degree drop before shooting back up at an incline of 120 degrees. You'll be cruising through its 3,188 feet of twisting steel tracks at lightning speed - up to 70 mph! It has 7 quick drops over its course along with some tight turns that really crank up the thrilling coaster experience!

Kumba, is an unforgettable experience. This thrilling rollercoaster ride has seven intense inversions, speed twists, and tight turns on over 3,800 feet of steel track. Riders reach heights of 135 feet and top speeds of 53mph as they go through loops and diving corkscrews at break-neck speed. After the thrills of Kumba riders find a serene note with a final helix around a quiet pond.

Falcon's Fury is a unique thrill ride located in Hillsborough County, Florida that opened in 2014. It stands at 335 feet tall and has riders sitting upright with the ground beneath their feet. The ride begins with a slow ascent to the peak before surging riders forward into an almost free-fall experience. Yet even while plummeting, they can still take time to appreciate beautiful views of Tampa Bay before slowly gliding back to the top.

Sand Serpent is a unique experience located near Tampa Bay, Sand Serpent offers one-of-a kind adventures for thrill seekers. Tourists can explore the area on various guided activities that take them through diverse trails of white sand, mangrove swamps filled with butterflies and hawks, and lush coastal wetlands along the Gulf of Mexico's shoreline. Tourists also have the opportunity to take guided Ecotours along some of Florida’s most remarkable rivers and waterways.

Serengeti is an unforgettable experience that everyone should experience at least once. This safari allows visitors to observe more than 50 different species of animals up close, including zebra, emu, ostriches, bison, and more. On the tour you will also learn interesting facts about each animal and their natural habitats. Along the way you are even allowed to feed the animals. After the tour you can enjoy a picnic lunch overlooking some of the most beautiful scenery in Hillsborough County.

Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay is three exhilarating weeks of screams and thrills for the brave and bold. Located in Hillsborough County, the event offers not only haunted houses and scare zones with terrifying themes, but also live entertainment each night and hundreds of ghoulish creatures lurking around every corner. Not for the faint at heart, Howl-O-Scream Tampa Bay is a great way to get into the Halloween season with electrifying frights that will stay with you long after the event has ended.

335-acre (136 ha) African-themed animal theme park. The park officially features nine roller coasters and two water rides amongst other rides and animal attractions.

Cheetah Hunt, is a thrilling roller coaster ride offering exciting twists and turns that will leave your heart racing. The roller coaster begins with a series of gentle dips and curves before launching riders up to 60 miles per hour across nearly 4,400 feet of steel track. It ends with a catapult that propels you deeply into the sky before spiraling back down. This state-of-the-art coaster will give you an unforgettable experience filled with free-falling loops and high speed crossings.

Cobra's Curse is a thrilling roller coaster experience located in Hillsborough County, Florida. The coaster twists and turns around an eighty foot snake sculpture and is sure to give any coaster enthusiast their adrenaline fix! Riders start out with a slow launch from the station and climb three stories up to the first "stop" – a face-to-face encounter with the Cobra King himself! After that, it's a wild ride filled with loops, spins and drops throughout its two thousand feet of track.

Montu is an intense steel roller coaster located in Busch Gardens. It stands over 140 feet tall and nearly a mile in length with more than 3,900 feet of track. Taking riders through seven mind-blowing inverted loops, Montu is one of the most thrilling roller coasters in the country and is known to be the tallest and fastest inverted coaster. From its initial lift hill climb to hitting top speeds of 60 miles per hour, It keeps its riders heart pounding until it passes through a dark tunnel.

Water Works Park is an amazing place to visit and explore! In this unique park, visitors will find two beautiful nature trails, a kids' splash zone, playgrounds, and a picnic area perfect for families or large groups of friends. There are also many special events hosted at the park throughout the year, such as the popular 'Movies in the Park' series. The park also has majestic views of Tampa Bay that provide a perfect backdrop for an idyllic sunset picnic or walk along one of its nature trails.