Looking for something different to do with your family this weekend?  With busy schedules, out of state getaways are often impossible, so why not discover some local fun?  Get an early start and plan for a day of excitement at one of these nearby favorites:

The Florida Gulf Coast Railroad Museum, Inc., founded in 1981, is an exciting place to spend the day.  Operated entirely by volunteers, the museum is located in Manatee County in the town of Parrish on US 301. The museum operates excursion trains consisting of its own rolling stock each weekend, year round. The trains are diesel powered and board on 83rd Street East just behind the post office.  Trains include open window coaches, air conditioned coaches and lounge cars, and cabooses.  There are plenty of locomotives, artifacts and railroad history for your family to explore.  However, the highlight of your trip will be taking a ride an old locomotive.  Instead of just looking at the items in their collection, they take you on a 13-mile round trip scenic ride aboard the exhibits.  And for those visitors who are at least 18 years of age, the museum offers you the opportunity to drive your own train (additional passengers must be at least 16 years of age). 

The museum occasionally offers special events.  Be sure to join them in December for “The North Pole Express”.  This night-time special to the North Pole will have Santa Claus waiting for the train to arrive to greet every child.  Join in sing-a-longs and more.  Visit their website for complete details of this special event and many more.

This destination is a thrill for both young and old alike.  For more information, visit them at www.fgcrrm.org.

Roger’s Christmas House, located atop one of the many hills in historic Brooksville, is a great way to spend the day during the holidays.  The Christmas House is actually an enchanting village featuring five turn of the century houses filled with an array of gifts for all occasions.

You’ll find a nice variety of gifts, toys, lights, crystal, mirrors, limited editions, collectibles, dolls, and much more.  Enjoy strolling through their decorated rooms and also through the beautiful gardens filled with azaleas, dogwood trees, and magnolias.  Roger’s Christmas House is located at 103 South Saxon Avenue in Brooksville and is open daily (except Christmas) from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  To discover more about this exceptional store, call 1-877-312-5046 or visit www.rogerschristmashouse.com

Historic and picturesque Tarpon Springs is home of the famous Sponge Docks.  With approximately 15 restaurants and more than 100 shops, the Sponge Docks offer something of interest for everyone. You can take a leisurely sightseeing cruise down the Anclote River, enjoy a lunch or dinner cruise to the Gulf, or experience a live, sponge diving exhibition You can also visit the 120,000 gallon salt water aquarium, tour the sponge museum, or go deep sea fishing. 

A mile south of the Sponge Docks is downtown Tarpon Springs, which is listed in The National Register of Historic Places. A mixture of antique shops, art galleries, specialty shops, and restaurants, this area is the vibrant center of the city. Also in this area is St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, a replica of St. Sophia Cathedral in Constantinople.  It is open daily to visitors and worshipers. At the Universalist Church, the paintings of world-renowned landscape artist George Imess, Jr. can be seen from October to May. 

For more information about special events, points of interest, and historical facts, in addition to local coupons, visit www.tarponsprings.com.

Long vacations are often difficult to schedule and distant destinations sometimes take too long to reach so why not take a day to get away?  The Tampa Bay area is rich with fun, exciting and educational places that are easy to experience in one day.  Have fun!

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