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The Locals
BUCKET LIST
50 THINGS TO DO
IN PASCO & PINELLAS COUNTY
How well do you really know your own backyard?
From historic landmarks and beautiful Gulf beaches to waterfront towns, hidden gems, local traditions and unforgettable Florida experiences, there is so much to discover throughout Pasco and Pinellas counties.
We created The Locals Bucket List with 50 things we think every local should experience at least once. Some you may have done dozens of times, while others might have you saying,
“How have I lived here this long
and never done that?”
So start checking them off, discover someplace new and see how many of these Pasco & Pinellas experiences you've already completed!
The Locals
BUCKET LIST
HOW MANY HAVE YOU DONE?
Work your way through the list, keep track of your favorites and see just how well you really know Pasco & Pinellas County. And remember—there's no time limit. The fun is in getting out there and experiencing them!
☐ 1. Visit Anclote Key & See the Historic Lighthouse
Take a boat ride to Anclote Key Preserve State Park and see one of our area's most recognizable historic landmarks—the Anclote Key Lighthouse.
☐ 2. Spend a Day at Honeymoon Island
Enjoy white sand, nature trails, wildlife and beautiful Gulf waters at one of Pinellas County's classic Florida destinations.
☐ 3. Explore the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
Discover Tarpon Springs' Greek heritage and sponge-diving history, browse the shops and save room for some incredible Greek food.
☐ 4. Watch a Gulf Coast Sunset
Find a beach, park, waterfront restaurant or quiet spot along the water and watch the sun disappear into the Gulf.
☐ 5. Explore Fort De Soto Park
Spend the day enjoying beaches, trails, fishing, kayaking and the fascinating remains of historic Fort De Soto.
☐ 6. Walk Through Downtown Dunedin
Explore the shops, restaurants, local art and small-town atmosphere that make Downtown Dunedin such a popular local destination.
☐ 7. Visit the St. Pete Pier
Walk out over Tampa Bay, take in the views and explore one of St. Petersburg's signature waterfront destinations.
☐ 8. See the Manatees at Homosassa Springs
Okay, we're sneaking outside Pasco & Pinellas for this one! But seeing Florida's incredible manatees makes the short trip north worth it.
☐ 9. Spend a Day at Fred Howard Park
Drive across the causeway, find your spot on the beach and enjoy one of Tarpon Springs' best-known waterfront parks.
☐ 10. Explore Historic Downtown New Port Richey
Walk Main Street, see the historic Hacienda Hotel, visit Sims Park and discover one of Pasco County's most recognizable downtowns.
Beaches, Islands & Life on the Water
☐ 11. Take a Boat Ride to a Local Island
Whether it's Anclote Key, Three Rooker or another Gulf destination, seeing our coastline from the water is a completely different experience.
☐ 12. Visit Indian Rocks Beach
Spend a day enjoying the beach and laid-back atmosphere of this classic Pinellas County beach community.
☐ 13. Spot Dolphins in the Wild
Keep an eye on the water while boating, walking a pier or eating along the waterfront. You never know when they'll appear!
☐ 14. Kayak Through the Mangroves
Paddle through mangrove-lined waterways and experience a side of natural Florida you can't see from the road.
☐ 15. Go Shelling Along the Gulf
Take a slow walk along the shoreline and see what treasures the Gulf has left behind.
☐ 16. Explore Pass-a-Grille
Discover the beach, narrow streets, historic character and Old Florida charm of this unique waterfront community.
☐ 17. Go Fishing From a Local Pier
Grab a fishing pole and spend a few hours enjoying one of Florida's favorite waterfront traditions.
☐ 18. Walk the Beach Early in the Morning
Get there before the crowds and experience just how peaceful the Gulf Coast can be first thing in the morning.
☐ 19. Visit Three Rooker Island
If you have access to a boat, put this beautiful barrier island and popular local boating destination on your list.
☐ 20. Spend an Entire Day Near the Water
Breakfast by the water, a beach or boat day, waterfront dinner and a Gulf sunset. That's a pretty great Florida day!
Discover Our Local History
☐ 21. Visit Heritage Village in Largo
Step into Pinellas County's past while exploring historic buildings and exhibits that tell the stories of earlier generations.
☐ 22. Explore Philippe Park
Visit one of Pinellas County's oldest parks and learn about the area's Native American history and Tocobaga temple mound.
☐ 23. See Andrews Memorial Chapel
Discover this beautiful historic Dunedin chapel and another piece of Pinellas County history you may have driven past without realizing it.
☐ 24. Discover Espiritu Santo Springs
Learn about the natural springs that helped shape the history and identity of Safety Harbor.
☐ 25. Explore the Historic Ruins on Egmont Key
Combine a day on the water with Florida history by exploring the remains of Fort Dade on Egmont Key.
☐ 26. Visit a Local History Museum
Choose a Pasco or Pinellas community and discover the photographs, artifacts and stories that explain how it became what it is today.
☐ 27. Stop and Read a Historic Marker
You know that marker you've driven past a hundred times? Stop this time. You may be surprised by the story behind it.
☐ 28. Discover an Old Pasco Railroad Community
Learn how Florida's railroads helped shape some of Pasco County's earliest communities.
☐ 29. Explore a Historic Cemetery
Some of our oldest cemeteries preserve fascinating stories about early settlers, families and the communities they helped build.
☐ 30. Find a Local Landmark You Never Knew Existed
Pick something from The Locals' Local Landmarks pages that you've never seen before and go find it!
Experience Our Communities Like a Local
☐ 31. Explore a Town You Don't Live In
Pasco local? Head into Pinellas. Pinellas local? Head north into Pasco. Pick somewhere you've never really explored and make a day of it.
☐ 32. Try a Locally Owned Restaurant
Skip the national chain and eat somewhere owned and operated by people right here in our community.
☐ 33. Visit a Local Farmers Market
Grab a coffee, wander the booths and meet some of the farmers, makers, bakers and small-business owners who call our area home.
☐ 34. Attend a Local Festival
From seafood and Greek festivals to art shows and holiday celebrations, there's almost always something happening somewhere nearby.
☐ 35. Shop at a Locally Owned Business
Find something you won't see everywhere else while supporting a business right here in Pasco or Pinellas County.
☐ 36. Eat Something Greek in Tarpon Springs
Gyro? Saganaki? Spanakopita? Baklava? Pick a favorite—or finally try something you've never had before.
☐ 37. Find Your Favorite Local Seafood Spot
Grouper sandwich, shrimp, stone crab or the catch of the day—finding your place is part of living on Florida's Gulf Coast.
☐ 38. Attend an Event in Another Community
Visit a festival, concert, market or community event in a town other than your own.
☐ 39. Take a Picture With a Local Landmark
Find an unmistakably Pasco or Pinellas location and take the obligatory “Yep, I live here!” picture.
☐ 40. Recommend a Local Business
A recommendation costs nothing, but it can mean an awful lot to a locally owned business.
The Florida Things Every Local Should Do
☐ 41. See a Manatee in the Wild
Spotting one of Florida's gentle giants in its natural habitat is an experience that never really gets old.
☐ 42. Watch Pelicans Dive for Dinner
Find a waterfront spot and watch one of Florida's most recognizable birds demonstrate just how good it is at fishing.
☐ 43. Spot a Dolphin From Shore
When somebody suddenly points toward the Gulf and yells “DOLPHIN!”, everybody looks. It's practically a local law. 😂
☐ 44. Explore a Florida Nature Preserve
Leave the pavement behind and experience the palms, pines, wetlands, birds and wildlife of natural Florida.
☐ 45. Experience a Florida Summer Thunderstorm
Sunshine one minute. Thunder shaking the windows the next. Sunshine again 20 minutes later. If you live here, you know. 😂
☐ 46. Take Another Gulf Sunset Picture
Every Florida local has approximately 847 sunset pictures on their phone—and somehow we keep taking more.
☐ 47. Do Absolutely Nothing at the Beach
No itinerary. No sightseeing. No schedule. Chair. Umbrella. Gulf. Done.
☐ 48. Take a Scenic Drive Along the Gulf
Take the slower road, enjoy the scenery and explore some of the waterfront communities that make this part of Florida special.
☐ 49. Discover Your Own Hidden Gem
Maybe it's a tiny restaurant, secluded park, unusual landmark, nature trail or quiet waterfront spot. Sometimes the best places aren't the famous ones.
☐ 50. Show Someone Else Why You Love It Here
Bring a friend or family member to one of your favorite places and show them what makes Pasco & Pinellas County special.
So... How Local Are You?
Now count them up!
How many of our 50 have you already experienced?
You've got some exploring to do!
You're getting around!
You definitely know your way around.
Now we're talking—you're a seasoned local!
Okay... you REALLY know Pasco & Pinellas.
LOCAL LEGEND!
But don't worry about the score.
The whole point of The Locals Bucket List is to discover new places, make memories and enjoy a little more of the community we call home.
We know 50 could easily become 100!
If there’s a beach, landmark, park, restaurant tradition, hidden gem, local adventure or uniquely Pasco & Pinellas experience that every local should do at least once, we want to hear about it.
