Philippe Park - 4 Things to Know Before Visiting

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.

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 Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a popular walking, running and biking trail Spanning 38 miles, it offers spectacular views of Tampa Bay and the surrounding area, passing through all of the major cities in Pinellas County. The trail is well maintained with regular mowing, pruning, and damage repair. Several rest areas feature signage explaining the history of the area and various features along the pathway. It is part of the United States’ East Coast Greenway system.

Eagle Lake Park, is a stunningly beautiful and serene place that offers visitors plenty to do. Its 844 acres are filled with activities like hiking trails, picnic areas and playgrounds for children. It also has an observation tower with a 360 degree panoramic view which is the ideal spot to watch stunning sunsets. In addition to enjoying the park on their own terms, everyone can attend the annual events that take place at Eagle Lake such as Bird Fest in March and Paddlepalooza in October.

Big Cat Rescue is an accredited animal sanctuary which is home to over 150 big cats and other animals, including tigers, lions, leopards, cougars, bobcats, servals, lynxes, Foxes and more. The purpose of the sanctuary is to provide a safe and healthy environment for these animals—to rescue them from abuse and abandonment and give them lifelong care in a natural habitat. Big Cat Rescue houses the largest population of rehabilitated captive big cats with an intense focus on public education.

The Dunedin Causeway is a beautiful bridge that connects downtown Dunedin to Honeymoon Island in Pinellas County, Florida. The two mile long causeway created as part of the construction of U.S. Highway 19 was built in 1925 and has been used ever since by both locals and visitors alike. Not only does the causeway provide an easy path for vehicles to reach the island, but it also provides a stunning view of St Joseph's Sound which sparkles any time that sunlight hits the water.