If you’re looking for the best things to do in Palm Harbor, Florida, you’ve come to the right place. This quaint seaside town has plenty to offer, from outdoor activities and attractions to dining and shopping.
Palm Harbor is in Pinellas County 20 minutes North of Clearwater, one of the best beaches in all of Tampa, and about 35 minutes from Downtown Tampa. A car is the best way to get around the area but it is a wonderful spot to base your adventures while visiting Tampa.
Here are some of the top things to do in Palm Harbor, FL.
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List of Things to Do in Palm Harbor, FL
Palm Harbor is a great destination for an enjoyable weekend getaway. Within the city, history buffs can visit the Palm Harbor history museum to browse collections from the area’s history, or those interested in animal conservation can visit Primate Sanctuary and observe primates thriving in their natural environment.
The outdoors lover will find plenty to do too; John Chestnut Sr. Park has acres and acres of nature trails, playgrounds, and ponds overlooking Lake Tarpon. For activities further afield, there’s always Pinellas trail, where cyclists and joggers can explore picturesque scenery. And of course, don’t forget all the opportunities for outdoor fun off shore – boat tours, fishing, and kayaking are always popular options! With so many activities to offer and things to do in Palm Harbor, FL, it would be impossible not to have an incredible time when visiting!
Explore Downtown Palm Harbor
The downtown area of Palm Harbor, Main Street to Florida Avenue, is a great place to shop, eat and explore a few local businesses. There aren’t a lot of activities to do but Pop Stansell Park is nearby if you need a playground or water activities after a meal.
Palm Harbor Museum
This small museum is operated by the Palm harbor historical society. It is free to visit, located in a cute historic building, and takes less than an hour to walk through. The staff are very kind and answered all my questions about the area as well as played with my son when we visited. My favorite part was the map of what Palm Harbor looked like 60 years ago vs today.
My only con is that the museum is not really suited for kids. There is nothing for them to do and none of the exhibits are interactive.
John Chesnut Sr. Park
This is one of our favorite parks in the Tampa Bay area. There is a nice boardwalk to explore and you can view wildlife. We saw a woodpecker along with several other birds when we visited. Best of all, the playgrounds are shaded which is perfect on a hot day.
There is also a canoe trail, dog park, baseball fields, volleyball courts, an observation tower overlooking tarpon lake, and wildlife like turtles, tortoises, birds, and alligators.
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Boat Tour(s)
Although there aren’t any good beaches to visit in Palm Harbor itself (Crystal Beach is your best bet, there are plenty of great beaches nearby) it is a good spot to head out on a boat tour. You can find tours that will take you to visit nearby remote islands, take you fishing, or enjoy being out on the water and taking part in water sports such as tubing or wakeboarding.
Suncoast Primate Sanctuary
If you are looking for unique cheap things to do in Tampa then Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is a great place to go. Here you can see over 100 rescued primates and even feed them if you’d like. After you walk around and explore the picnic shelters are the perfect spot to eat a packed lunch surrounded by unique animals.
Don’t forget to check Groupon before you go. There is almost always a coupon you can use for a discount on your admission.
Wall Springs Park
Another fun nature park in Palm Harbor is Wall Springs Park. This is a great place to walk along scenic hiking trails, see the view from a 35 ft observation tower, and visit the butterfly garden. The park used to be home to some mineral springs but now it is a public space to enjoy.
Pinellas Trail
If you like biking or want to explore some nearby cities by bike (or walking, skating, running, etc) then the Pinellas Trail is the way to go. This trail runs all the way from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. Palm Harbor is right between two cute towns, Dunedin and Tarpon Springs. You can head south for the day and visit downtown Dunedin with its delicious restaurants, local shops, and farmers market. Or head North to see the Greek hub of Tarpon Springs with its sponge docks, greek and seafood, and museums.
Golf for the Day
If you enjoy golfing then you have to visit the Innisbrook golf club in Palm Harbor. Besides golfing Innisbrook Resort offers a pool and spa which are top-notch.
Another great place to golf in the area that is a little less well-known is lansbrook Golf Club.
Palm Harbor Library
A local library may not seem like a must-visit stop but the Palm Harbor Public Library does an exceptional job. They offer things like toddler times, Tai Chi, and a seed library for gardeners on top of the normal book check-out. Check out their website to see what they have going on when you are free.
Pop Stansell Park
One last park in Palm Harbor to check out is Pop Stansell Park. Here there is a boat ramp, a playground, and plenty of green space to explore. Most notably, this is the perfect place to rent a paddle board for the day or by the hour to get out on the water in a new way.
More to Do Around Tampa:
- Best Fun Things to Do in Tampa, FL
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Day Trips from Palm Harbor
If you’re looking for a great day trip from Palm Harbor, there are plenty of amazing spots to explore in the surrounding area! Honeymoon Island, Clearwater Beach, or St. Pete Beach are perfect spots to spend a beach day relaxing by the water and take a stroll up and down the pier; just make sure to bring sunscreen!
If you’re wanting to explore a bit further, take a short drive down to St. Pete Pier where you can find great restaurants and shopping. Or head into downtown Tampa and check out their incredible riverwalk that connects parks, shops, and hotels – it’s one of Tampa’s most famous attractions!
Lastly, if you’re looking for more of an adventure-packed day trip from Palm Harbor, Busch Gardens offers impressive roller coasters, thrilling water rides, engaging shows, and performances the whole family will love.
Places to Eat in Palm Harbor
Palm Harbor has plenty of local spots to enjoy a delicious meal. Whether it’s lunch or dinner, Palm Harbor is full of local joints sure to please every palette!
For breakfast or brunch, I highly recommend East Lake Cafe. It is close to all the sights and serves a delicious classic brunch. This local spot has a large outdoor patio as well as indoor seating and friendly staff. I ordered the strawberry nutella crepes with oatmeal on the side and everything was delicious.
For a frosty treat after a hot day, I recommend Vampire Penguin shaved ice. there are so many fun flavors to choose from, or you can create your own!
Other popular places to eat:
- Ohana Fresh (acai bowls)
- Ozona (pizza)
- Ozona Blue (waterfront, live entertainment, pasta, and seafood)
- Lagerhaus Brewery (German/Austrian food and homemade beer)
- Cosmic Donuts (made from scratch)
- Thirsty Marlin (burgers, seafood and sushi, plus live music)
- Amorite Thai (thai food)
- Crumbl Cookies (national chain but delicious cookies)
Practical Information For Palm Harbor, FL
Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy your Florida Travel Guide.
Fun Things to Do in Palm Harbor
There are plenty of things to do in Palm Harbor, FL whether you just want to explore the town or you’re heading out on a day trip. Be sure to check out some of the great places to eat too! Have you been to any of these places? Let us know what you thought in the comments!
