Tampa Named One Of The Best Cities For A Staycation

In a recent study by WalletHub, two Florida cities ranked in the top five when it comes to great places for a staycation. On the west coast of the state, a staycation in Tampa appears to be quite popular.

"You don’t need to travel far to have a great time," WalletHub says. In order for them to properly compile a list of the best cities to stay at home and chill, 180 top cities were compared across 42 different metrics. They then aligned to a score in the categories of recreating, food and entertainment, and rest and relaxation.

Tampa ranked fifth overall; Orlando finished as the top city for a staycation. In the field of recreation, Tampa tied for first when for the cities with the greatest and most zoos and aquariums per capita. Although these fun activities are certainly part of the appeal to having a few days off at home, Tampa had great results in the area that is arguably the most important when you think about one of the healthiest points of a staycation.

Tampa was the third-best city out of the 180 for rest and relaxation. "You’ll feel more rested if you spend less time in transit and more time sleeping in your own bed," said WalletHub analyst, Cassandra Happe.

Getting caught up on some well-deserved sleep, and then spending the day on the couch watching your favorite mindless show can be invaluable. We all need a recharge, and it's certainly great news that Tampa is such a strong place to pursue this.

On a recent staycation, I focused on three main areas. The first was: unplugging from all devices and social media. The second was to prioritize a sleep pattern. I'm not talking about sleeping for 12 hours a day, 8 would be more than plenty for me. The point was to make a pattern of healthy sleep that started at a certain hour. Lastly, I did everything I could outdoors. Even if that meant just eating a meal outside at a picnic or doing my workout in the driveway.

Sure, much of this style of a staycation is easier done alone. That doesn't mean days off without conversation. In fact, it can mean the opposite, and it includes healthy conversations with people you are close to. Sometimes a quiet staycation is the hardest time off to book. However, it can be the most refreshing and rewarding.

According to Infrastructure Report Card, there are 617,000 bridges in the United States. Outlets such as Attractions of America and Mr. Hudson have each come up with lists of the most beautiful bridges. Two of them call Florida home.

A bridge can be a historical landmark in addition to a pathway that connects communities. Certain bridges, like the Golden Gate in San Francisco, draw thousands of tourists each year. People plan trips around visiting this site and taking in its incredible views. Unsurprisingly, the Golden Gate Bridge is either #1 or #2 on each of the aforementioned lists.

The bridge that it shares the top spot with is famous for its ability to walk or bike over. The Brooklyn Bridge connects Brooklyn Heights to Manhattan via six lanes. Many charity-driven bike rides also cross here as it offers unique perspectives into New York City without any tollways.

In Florida, American Road and Transportation lists over 12,000 bridges in the Sunshine State (though not all of them are in functional condition). There are two however, that stand above the rest. One is architecturally astounding. The other feels like a gateway into a mysterious paradise.

"American bridges are often designed with looks to match their engineering ingenuity," Mr. Hudson explains.

What's fascinating about bridges in America, is they are constructed of different materials and serve different purposes. For example, the final and tenth selection in Attractions of America's feature is the Benson Bridge, Multnomah Falls, in Oregon. This is a foot traffic bridge that is only 45 feet long. It allows visitors to walk 105 feet above the Lower Multnomah Falls cascade

Let's take a look at the two most beautiful bridges in Florida.

Connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia, this bridge is 4.1 miles long. This stunning bridge over Tampa Bay is often lit up with colors that highlight the skyline. Furthermore, since 2018, there has been a Skyway 10K race that closes the bridge each year.

This two-lane bridge is technically part of Route 1. It's a magical gateway into the Florida Keys. Mr. Hudson points out, "the Seven Mile Bridge usually has space for sightseers to park up and admire the Florida Keys." In 1982, a heavy renovation made the lanes wider, allowing for a safer and more comfortable drive. The last annual seven-mile bridge run took place this past April.