Zephyrhills

 Known as the “City of Pure Water” and the “Friendly City,” semi-rural Zephyrhills offers the vistas of hills and gentle breezes off the Gulf of Mexico from its vantage point northeast of Tampa in the southeast corner of Pasco County.

Just 35 miles from the city of Tampa – yet still distant from the hustle and bustle – Zephyrhills is known for its pastoral cattle ranches, colorful citrus groves and productive poultry farms – as well as its community events, shopping opportunities and recreational activities.

Zephyrhills Spring Water Company (which bottles and sells pure spring water drawn from seven wells around the world) has put the city on the map for those who’ve not been exposed to the area’s winter warmth. Others have come to know Zephyrhills through its year-round excellent skydiving facilities.

Zephyrhills provides visitors and residents with a number of special events held throughout the year, including holiday festivals, Celtic Festival, the annual Antique Auto Show and Zephyrhills Winter AutoFest. These events bring the community together with musical entertainment, amusements and skydiving action.

One of these events, the Founder’s Day Parade, has been recognized by the U.S. Congress for inclusion in the Library of Congress’s Local Legacies Project – citing that “This is more than just a parade; it is an impressive example of community pride in action.”

Zephyrhills offers after-hours fun with a number of sports bars, brew pubs and a 32-land, state-of-the-art Bowling Center. Families can enjoy bowling, arcade, automated bumper bowling and great food at Unity Lanes. Two movie theaters – Home Twin Theater and Zephyrhills Cinema 6 – draw audiences with the latest releases and special just-for-kids films.

The area’s cultural interests are served by numerous museums and performing centers in downtown Tampa, and Zephyrhills’ own Depot Museum has become a focal point for art exhibits and historical programming.

Area restaurants serve up an extensive menu of palate-pleasing fare. Seafood and oyster bars fill diners’ plates with fresh-from-the-gulf ingredients. Steak houses and Southern barbecue cafes satisfy hearty appetites, while ethnic eateries – from Spanish to Chinese – offer international gusto.  Fast food establishments, bakers, sub and pizza shops and ice cream parlors make it easy to grab a snack or a meal on the run.

With family-friendly prices and Southern hospitality, national chains and family-owned motels provide lodging near shops and dining.  Many local privately owned parks offer resort accommodations.