The itinerary
Read before you go
Boyett's Grove is open weekends only. May-Stringer House is open Tue–Sat, 11 AM–3 PM.
Saturday is the only day you can hit everything. On a Sunday, skip May-Stringer. On a weekday, skip Boyett's.
Too packed? Cut Showcase of Citrus (about 1.5 hr with the detour) and start at the Citrus Tower instead.
Ranked by weirdness
- Weeki Wachee mermaids: underwater shows since 1947.
- Pink Dinosaur: a giant pink dinosaur. That's it.
- Showcase of Citrus: monster-bus safari with camels.
- Boyett's Grove: 1960s tourist trap, frozen in time.
- May-Stringer House: haunted Victorian. Ask about the attic.
- Coney Island Drive Inn: Elvis ate here.
- Silver Dolphin: turtles, quarters, a baby gator.
Skatepark notes
- Ocoee: best warm-up. Open until 10 PM, so it works on the drive home too.
- Lake David: small, and the metal ramps get brutally hot at midday.
- Pioneer Park: strongest park on the Gulf end, lit until 9 PM.
Left out: Independence Skate Spot (detour south, barely a park). Bushnell and Beverly Hills are too far off route.
Tips
- Pine Island's lot is small ($5–8). On weekends, arrive by late afternoon. It closes right at sunset.
- Want a bigger beach? Clearwater or Honeymoon Island are 20–30 min farther, via the busier I-4/Tampa route.
- Chill version: Plant St. Market for coffee, Lakeridge Winery (free tour, 10 min north of the Citrus Tower), and Historic Bayport Park to watch for manatees.