If you want to feel far, far away from the city, a trip to Weedon Island Preserve [1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33702] can bring you to another world. There are miles of quiet trails through diverse habitats with beautiful flora.
You’re likely to see wildlife including gopher tortoise,
armadillo,
wading birds, and osprey.
Make your way through the boardwalks in the mangrove forest. If you have a keen eye, you may notice the crabs crawling all over the branches!
If you make it out to the observation tower you can see above the mangroves out to the skyline.
So close, yet so far away. This is a free preserve and there is plenty of parking.