Some families in the International Patient Services Program may have extended stays in the region either for their child’s medical care or because they want their family to experience what Central Florida has to offer. Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital is in the heart of St. Petersburg, Florida, which is part of the Tampa Bay area. St. Petersburg offers restaurants, boutiques, galleries, parks, marinas and museums. The Saturday Morning Market held along the waterfront is one of the largest weekly green markets in the southeastern United States. The Gulf of Mexico and its exceptional beaches are less than 10 miles away. The region includes Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Bradenton, Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

With an average annual temperature of 73 degrees and the record for most consecutive days of sunshine, Tampa Bay area residents enjoy year-round outdoor activities; including swimming, sailing, fishing, golfing, tennis, soccer, baseball, water-skiing, kayaking, kite surfing and more. Tampa Bay and Sarasota area beaches are consistently ranked among the world’s best. These natural attractions are complemented by an active arts scene and major league sports. 

Museums & Galleries 

• Museum of Fine Arts (St. Petersburg) 
• Salvador Dali Museum (St. Petersburg) 
• Museum of Science & Industry (Tampa) 
• James Museum of Western Art (St. Petersburg) 
• Great Explorations Children’s Museum (St. Petersburg) 
• Glazer Children’s Museum (Tampa) 
• John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art (Sarasota) 
• Tampa Museum of Art (Tampa) 
• Florida Holocaust Museum (St. Petersburg)
• Numerous art galleries 

Attractions 

• Busch Gardens & Adventure Island (Tampa) 
• Florida Aquarium (Tampa) 
• Tampa Riverwalk 
• The Pier (St. Petersburg) 
• Year-round cruises from the Port of Tampa Bay
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park Zoo 
• 90-minute drive to Disney, SeaWorld and Universal Studios/Islands of Adventure 

Performing Arts 

• David A. Straz Jr. Center for Performing Arts (Tampa)
• Florida Orchestra (performs in St. Petersburg, Tampa & Clearwater) 
• Sarasota Ballet (Sarasota) 
• Ruth Eckerd Hall (Clearwater) 
• American Stage (St. Petersburg)
• Mahaffey Theater (St. Petersburg) 
• Live Nation Amphitheater (Tampa) 
• Numerous smaller music venues feature artists from many genres 

Sports 

• Buccaneers, National Football League (Tampa) 
• Lightning, National Hockey League (Tampa) 
• Rays, Major League Baseball (St. Petersburg) 
• Rowdies, United Soccer League (St. Petersburg) 
• Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack (Tampa) 
• IndyCar Firestone Grand Prix (St. Petersburg) 
• Valspar Golf Championship (Palm Harbor) 
• Minor League Baseball and Spring Training, including:
  • New York Yankees (Tampa)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (Clearwater) 
  • Toronto Blue Jays (Dunedin) 
  • Pittsburgh Pirates (Bradenton) 
  • Baltimore Orioles (Sarasota) 

Religious Centers

• Christian churches by denomination
• Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg
• The Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulfcoast
• Tampa Jewish Community Centers and Federation
• Islamic Society of Tampa Bay Area
• Islamic Society of New Tampa
• Islamic Society of Pinellas
• The Hindu Temple of Florida

Cultural Festivals

• Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival
• India Festival Tampa
• Tarpon Springs Epiphany
• Annual Festa Italiana
• St. Pete Pride
• Tampa Pride

For more about the area

• St. Petersburg Chamber
• Visit St. Pete/Clearwater
• Visit Tampa Bay