Tampa is located halfway down the Florida Gulf Coast, at the head of Tampa Bay approximately 60 miles north of Sarasota. The Tampa Bay area has an elusive, laid back quality that many people associate with Florida. It is the second largest metro area of the state, but is less fast lane than Miami or even Orlando. Florida's third busiest airport, upscale shopping and restaurants, museums, family attractions, world-class beaches, and superior hotels and resorts make Tampa an excellent place to visit for everyone. Millions of people visit the 335-acre Busch Gardens, Garrison Seaport Center and Florida Aquarium each year. You can pack a picnic lunch and head for Hillsborough State Park where you can canoe down the lazy Hillsborough River and watch turtles sunning themselves on rocks. Swimming, sunning, jet skiing, parasailing and more await you at Tampa's sugar soft, sandy beaches. The 36 mile-long Pinellas Trail runs through the area, which is a paved bike route that follows the path of a former railroad. The Tampa region offers astounding diversity. Cuban and Spanish restaurants are plentiful, and seafood restaurants offering oysters, clams, shrimp and mussels are everywhere. To the northwest is Tarpon Springs, which was settled by Greek mariners, and today still offers restaurants featuring Greek specialties. Just to the south of Tampa are Sarasota, a sophisticated resort town, and the charming, small canal-crossed town of Venice.