Tampa | Effortless Glass-Bottom Boats & Breathtaking Forest Hikes

We had a random free day with zero plans, so we spontaneously decided to go boating… and stumbled into one of the best days ever! Every second was full of “wow” moments—we couldn’t stop gushing about how beautiful it was 🤩 📍 Silver Spring: Our Unexpected Highlight We booked super last-minute, so all the tiny transparent kayaks were sold out for the week—only big glass-bottom boats were left. Spoiler: It turned out to be a *happy accident*! Glass Bottom Boat Tour 🚤 - Tour Options: 30-minute or 1.5-hour rides. We went for the 30-minute one—just $13 per person! - Extra Cost : $2 for park admission (total steal, trust us!). - The Boat: Around 20 people fit on a boat like the one in . There’s a big glass panel in the middle of the floor, so you can peer straight down at underwater plants, tiny fish, and more! - Guide Perks : The staff are total pros—they give fun commentary, point out hidden natural springs, help spot alligators 🐊, and share cool facts about the ecosystem. - Scenery Vibe**: On a sunny day, the water is *dreamy*—clear, sparkly blue, like liquid gemstones 💎. 100% worth every penny! - Pro Tip: Try to join the last group! You’ll get to sit near the door, which is perfect for snapping photos of the views outside (way better for Instagram-worthy shots!). - Manatee Update : We didn’t see any manatees 😢—the guide said it’s because it was too hot. But in winter? Even the 30-minute tour lets you see *groups* of manatees chilling in the water—total bucket-list material! State Park Trails 🌳 Right by the lake, there are two main trails—pick your vibe! - One is a casual forest path (nice, but nothing mind-blowing). - The other? A loop trail that’s *amazing*! You’ll spot tons of playful monkeys 🐒 swinging through trees, and there are perfect spots to photograph the crystal-clear river—so clear you can see the pebbles at the bottom! 📸 Swamp Trail 🌿 This trail is just a short drive from Silver Spring, with the start near Silver Spring Museum. It cost $8 total for me and my friend—such a deal! - Vibe Check : We had the whole trail to ourselves—no crowds, just nature! The weather flipped between sunny and light rain 🌦️, which made it feel extra magical—misty, quiet, and so cozy. - Scenery Spots : It’s like walking through different nature “rooms”: first a forest of gnarled oak trees, then tall, straight pines reaching for the sky, then a lush grassy meadow. At the end? You hit the banks of Silver River—calm, serene, and perfect for a quick picnic or photo op. No fancy plans, no exhausting hikes—just spontaneous fun and endless beauty. Tampa’s hidden gems never disappoint! #TampaFlorida #HiddenGems #GlassBottomBoat #ForestHikes #SilverSpringFL #TravelDiaries #NatureLovers