Top Things to Do in Pasco County, Florida
Paddle boarding on a Metro Lagoon
Pasco County has long been a booming suburb in the Tampa Bay area, and as the county continues to grow, there are more and more fun things to do there.
From the nation’s largest human-made Lagoon at Mirada by MetroPlaces, to hundreds of miles of trails, to shopping, dining, and entertainment, there’s plenty to do in Pasco County.
And since Pasco County is only minutes from Downtown Tampa and Tampa International Airport, it’s easily accessible for a fun day date or weekend staycation. Here’s a quick list of some highlights of things to do:
- Florida’s Trail system, which connects different parts of Pasco County
- Thriving plant and wildlife populations
- Local unique eats you can’t get anywhere else
- Fresh local produce available year-round
- Shopping and entertainment that supports the community
- Beaches, beaches, beaches!
Bike, hike, and experience Florida’s natural trails
Trees, path, forest
One of the best free things to do in Pasco County is to experience nature. With over 1,500 miles of nature trails in Florida, there’s plenty to explore. Pasco County is home to countless parks and preserves that are great for hiking, biking, and running.
Any park located in Pasco County is a great place to explore. From Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey that connects to the Pinellas Trail, to the Withlacoochee State Trail and Oakridge Park, you have access to miles and miles of nature.
Pasco County online has a great guide to all the trail systems available.
Experience Florida plant wildlife
Florida, ducks, birds
When you spend time in Florida’s nature trails and preserves, there is plenty of nature to see. From foxes and turkeys to wild birds and deer, there are often animals nearby. Florida has done a terrific job preserving many natural sites.
Sunwest Park is a recreational waterfront park in northwest Pasco to visit, just off of Hwy 19. The park was developed around a closed limestone mine, known locally as “SunWest Mines”.
Or if you want a more exotic experience, check out the Survival Outreach Sanctuary for Wildlife dedicated to providing permanent, responsible large natural enclosures to abused, unwanted, and abandoned exotic animals of all species from donkeys to lions.
For just a $5 donation per person, you can visit the sanctuary for one of the scheduled tours, or picnic there for a unique lunch experience.
Shopping and dining from Dade City to Wesley Chapel
Pasco County is home to countless towns with good dining options.
Kafe Kokopelli is one of the best restaurants in Dade City. Located in a century-old building built by the Ford Motor Company for Model-T sales and service, it’s now home to one of the best food destinations in town. The name Kokopelli comes from the southwest Native American Indians where Kokopelli, the flute player, was considered the God of Mischief and Fertility, and inspires the theme and menus.
If you want to continue your trip back in time after brunch at the Kafe, you can walk over to Antiques on Main Street and browse local antiques both big and small.
With a short drive over to Wesley Chapel, you can visit The Shoppes at Wiregrass. This outdoor mall has the big-name stores you’d expect and is one of the best entertainment centers in Pasco County. With a kid center to keep the young ones occupied and events and entertainment all year long, there’s plenty to do any day of the week.
Local produce – pick it yourself or shop local!
Rendering of Angeline’s Farm
The communities of Mirada and Angeline host seasonal farmers markets where everyone is welcome to shop for fresh local produce.
These markets offer more than fresh fruits and vegetables — they’re a way to bring the community together and often feature a wide variety of locally made products for sale along with music and food trucks. Soon, Angeline will have a residential Farm, and you can expect its farmers markets to be unique.
The Starkey Market is another local favorite, with a local market, gourmet food truck and fresh fruit picking when it’s in season. Open Wednesday through Sunday, you can visit for the food and stay for a live music performance or trivia night!
Visit the beach without making the drive
Cabana Cove at Mirada
If you’re looking for an all-around great time in Pasco County, then you can’t go wrong with spending your Saturday and Sunday at a Lagoon with friends and family. The Lagoons at Mirada and Epperson offer one-of-a-kind experiences for kids and adults of all ages with live entertainment, events, and activities that you might find at water park attractions.
While you sit on the shore you can listen to live music from local musicians or rent kayaks or paddle boards for a personal boat experience. You can’t go wrong just hopping in and swimming in the cool crystal-clear water. and on some nights you can even watch movies on the lawn.
With so much to offer you might not know where to start, so first-time visitors can check out the Lagoons online and search the calendar for an event they want to attend.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance to save their spot on the shore and be ready for a complete beach experience.
What fun activities in Pasco County, Florida would you add to this list?
Lake, pier, sunset
This list is just a few of our many favorite things to do in Pasco County, but we want to hear from you!
Whether you’re in Land O Lakes, Hudson, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel or any other city in the County, share some of your favorite activities and attractions in the comments on our Instagram @MetroPlaces.
We’re excited to know – What fun and exciting places do you like to go to in Pasco County?