The town of Wesley Chapel is small. Good, you’re in the right place. No matter if you want to shop, spend a relaxing day at the spa, go on a family trip, or have a fun night out with good food and drinks, there’s always something here for everyone.
Wesley Chapel may not be as well-known as some other U.S. cities, but don’t let that fool you. Wesley Chapel is a small but beautiful place that is becoming more popular with tourists. Some of the unique things you can do and places you can visit at this hidden spot will surprise you. Here’s a list of the best things to do in Wesley Chapel, Florida, that you can’t miss if you go there.
Best 35 Things to do in Wesley Chapel, FL
1. New Tampa
The Tampa Premium Outlets are home to over 110 stores, such as Calvin Klein, Coach, Nike, Michael Kors, and Polo Ralph Lauren. Saks Fifth Avenue OFF 5TH is the center of the mall.
Market Hall also has great places to eat, like quick-service versions of Johnny Rockets and Sbarro in the food court, as well as restaurants like BJ’s Brewhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Cheddars Scratch Kitchen nearby. The Tampa Premium Outlet mall is right in the middle of Wesley Chapel. It has beautiful scenery, wildlife, and lots of places to shop.
2. Epperson Lagoon
If you want a day in paradise, you don’t have to look any further. Epperson Lagoon covers more than 7 acres and is the first of its kind in the U.S. This beach was made by people, and it has clear blue water and soft white sand. It’s a great place for the whole family to relax.
You can kayak or paddleboard, try out the giant inflatable water obstacle course, or get a drink at the swim-up bar. This is a no-brainer if you’re looking for something to do in Wesley Chapel.
3. District Park
You might think that in a town as big and wealthy as Wesley Chapel, there would be a lot of parks where people can enjoy nature and the outdoors.
There are a lot of parks and recreation centers for the whole family in Wesley Chapel. It gets pretty hot here, so a great thing to do could be to go to Zephyr Park and WaterPlay, which has a free water park for kids.
Like to play soccer or shoot basketballs? There are fields and courts for different sports in Wesley Chapel District Park. They even have a new interactive playground that is friendly to people with disabilities, so everyone can feel at home.
4. The Cypress Creek
There are good trails for the average adventurer at Cypress Creek Flood Detention Area. If you like to watch birds, you can find a lot of different kinds of birds and other animals. The park has enough trails for you to get lost, but not too many that you can’t find your way back.
There are many places to sit in the shade in the park. There are no bathrooms or water fountains in the park, so you should bring your own. You can also go biking and camping. The Cypress Creek Flood Detention Area is one of Pasco County’s best-kept secrets.
5. Grove Theater, Bistro & Entertainment
The Grove theater is currently being remodeled by a new company. When it’s done, it will have 12 theaters with luxury reclining seats, and in 6 of them, you can order a full meal.
On top of that, there will be an arcade, a place for kids to play, a top comedy club (which deserves its own section, so you’ll learn more about it later), a sushi bar, a full-service restaurant with a full bar, and even a cycling studio! Yes, cycling in a movie theater!
Let’s not forget the new safety measures that will be put in place, like automatic temperature checks, fog machines that will clean the theaters between shows, and UV light technology for cleaning. You can’t really go wrong when you come here.
6. Sk8 Coach Christy
Learn how to ice skate to stay cool in Florida. Ages 3 and up: Adults learn the basics of figure skating, and if they like it, they never know how far they can go with it. Coaching for more than 25 years.
7. Highland Axe Throwing
At Highland Axe Throwing, you and your travel companions can have a good time throwing axes. Highland Axe Throwing is a fun indoor center for axe throwing where leagues and friendly competitions are held.
It can be rented out for private events like birthday parties, team-building events, reunions, and a lot more. You and your group will have the whole place to yourselves, including places to sit, axe coaches, lanes, and targets that are just for you.
Highland Axe Throwing is open every week from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday and from 6 to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
8. Saddlebrook Resort
The Saddlebrook Resort has won a lot of awards and is also a place to practice golf and tennis. In fact, this place has been on many lists of the best places in the world to train for the sports mentioned above.
But before it got these prestigious awards, the 480-acre property was a resort where people could experience real Florida. Because of this, the original owners worked hard to keep the natural scenery while adding modern conveniences.
So you can expect to see green golf courses and tennis courts with cypress trees in the background and the sound of birds calling to each other. Join one of the tennis or golf programs, which are made for people of all ages and skill levels.
But if you don’t like sports and just want to enjoy what Florida has to offer, you can try the resort’s many spas, restaurants, and pools.
9. McDonald’s
One of the best things to do in Wesley Chapel is to eat at McDonald’s, where you can get tasty food that will blow your mind. McDonald’s has food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as options for vegetarians, vegans, and people who can’t eat gluten.
They have a full menu with things like spicy crispy chicken sandwiches, sausage burritos, Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles, Sausage, Egg & Cheese McGriddles, Fruit & Maple Oatmeal, hamburgers, and more.
McDonald’s also has great desserts and shakes, like chocolate chip cookies, baked apple pie, hot fudge sundae, vanilla shake, and a strawberry shake. They have tasty drinks like lattes, coffee, tea, juices, and smoothies. They also have a separate menu for kids.
McDonald’s has been serving delicious meals, desserts, and drinks to the public for a long time. They come highly recommended, and you won’t regret stopping by.
10. Lexington Oaks Golf Club
No matter how good you are at golf or how new you are, you’ll have a great time at Lexington Oaks Golf Club. This is another great outdoor facility that shows how people in the town live. It has well-kept grounds, a challenging but well-thought-out course layout, ponds and fountains that can be used as water hazards, and a lot of other great features. This 18-hole course is sure to give you a great time, and you might even want to come back for another round.
The golf club has its own restaurant, Omari’s Bar and Grill, which is just as well-known as the course itself. The restaurant is a nice place to eat for everyone because it has a relaxing atmosphere, a large menu, and friendly staff. So stop by here before you start playing or stay a while after you’re done to enjoy the tasty food and cozy atmosphere.
11. Pirate’s Bay Mini Golf
Mini-golf is always fun for the whole family, even if you don’t like golf as much as the pros do. When you’re in Wesley Chapel, check out Grove Mini Golf, Glowgolf, or Pirate’s Bay Mini Golf if you want an easy, fun night out with the kids or a date night.
12. Wiregrass
One of the best things to do in Wesley Chapel is to go shopping at Wiregrass with your friends and family. WireGrass has a beautiful open-air design and a lot of restaurants, shops, and stalls, so there is something for everyone.
The mall opened in 2008 and is run by Barnes and Noble, J. C. Penny, and Dillard’s Macy’s. Wiregrass is an 850-square-foot building with stalls that sell a wide range of shoes, jewelry, clothes, cosmetics, home decor, and many other things.
Many events are held here every year, like the Spring & Fall Fair, Symphony in Lights Holiday Extravaganza, Artisan Street Market, etc., which help bring people together.
13. Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary
The Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary is a must-see if you like birds. This building is a place where sick or injured birds can get better. It is run by people who love birds. And, as the name suggests, these birds come from far away. Most of them are saved from the illegal pet trade market, so you won’t find them in Florida’s forests and swamps.
There are more than 800 species in the aviary at any given time, from bright and friendly parrots to majestic macaws. You are welcome to look at these birds and talk to them a little bit.
Compared to other zoos in the country, you’d be surprised at how happy, well-fed, and clean these animals are. The mission of the sanctuary is to return or move these birds to places where they can be free and happy, so none of them are up for adoption.
14. Krate Container Park
The Karate Container Park is a new place in the Wesley Chapel area that everyone should check out. Even though the building isn’t finished yet, there are already a number of small businesses open and ready to serve customers. This park will consist of 94 shipping containers that have been converted into 54 individual business units. It is said that about 70% of it is restaurants and 30% in shops.
This building will also have a stage with live music every day, a place for dogs to run around, a place for kids to play, and places to have custom art made. You probably won’t see anything else like this, so go to the Grove at Wesley Chapel to see it!
15. Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
One fun way to get to know a new city is to check out its best breweries and try some of its local drinks. Florida Avenue Brewing Co. is a brewery in Wesley Chapel that is great for families and always goes above and beyond what many people expect.
It has a comfortable taproom with 16 draft lines and a nice restaurant that serves craft cocktails, wines, and beers. The drinks served are great for relaxing, playing beach games, golfing, or going out on a boat with family and friends.
Florida Avenue Brewing Co. is a place where many different kinds of events take places such as community events, business meetings, weddings, and more. The quality and unique ingredients used to make the drinks there show off the different cultures and unique agricultural products in every sip.
16. Mouse Trap Escape
Mouse Trap Escape is the perfect place for you if you like the challenge of puzzles, clues, and exciting mysteries. The themed rooms here are great for friends and families. Depending on your mood, you can try the Hostel, the Octagon, the Dungeon, or other rooms.
To get out of the locked room, you’ll have to work together, use your intuition, and figure out how to do things. It’s both thrilling and scary. To get out, you’ll have to solve puzzles, find hidden clues, and put the pieces together.
Unlocking the lock and being free is the best feeling, and for many tourists, it’s the best part of the day. So go to this place and give yourself a challenge.
17. Main Event
This is the perfect family outing! Main Event is where you can find the best and newest entertainment for the whole family. There are hundreds of new and old arcade games, as well as billiards, bowling, laser tag, virtual reality, karaoke, rock climbing, story rooms, and an awesome bar and dining area. You’re guaranteed to have a great time at Main Event, Wesley Chapel.
18. Pinot’s Palette
If you like art, Pinot’s Palette in Wesley Chapel is a great place to visit. The main goal of Pinot’s Palette is to give visitors a fun and exciting place to paint while sipping a glass of wine. Local artists with a lot of experience and skill can help both new and experienced painters at this painting center.
Pinot’s Palette has art classes that teach you everything you need to know about painting, trying out your skills, and mastering them so you can make your masterpiece. Add this to your list of things to do in Wesley Chapel, FL, if you want to have a good time.
19. The Olive Tree
Those who like to eat will love it here. The Olive Tree has more than 60 different oils and vinegar that you can try and bottle up to take home as a gift for those who couldn’t go to Wesley Chapel with you. There are a lot of good things said about this place, and it’s just a cool place to go overall.
20. Grillsmith
You can’t visit this charming town without eating at some of the locals’ favorite places to eat. One of these is Grillsmith, which is known as an institution in Wesley Chapel. It serves elegant, delicious food in a space that looks and feels like a luxury.
It’s a chef-inspired restaurant with new dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world, so you can expect some interesting flavor combinations when you eat here. On the menu are classic American dishes that have been changed and improved to make them taste and feel better.
You can try fusion salads, delicate desserts, a wide range of fine wines, and, of course, perfectly grilled steaks. Make a reservation before you go, because the restaurant is popular and often full.
21. Hot Air Balloon Rides
Want to do something a little bit more exciting? Check out American Balloons and make a reservation for a hot air balloon ride right away. You’ll get to see all of Wesley Chapel’s beautiful views, and I can promise that it will be a once-in-a-lifetime event for everyone.
22. Ideal Massage
After all the stress and fun, your body needs to be pampered. In Wesley Chapel, you can do this by going to Ideal Massage. Ideal Massage opened in October 2009. It is a business run by a family that provides great services.
Ideal Massage has 12 rooms, two of which are for couples, and more than 30 licensed massage therapists. It is a wellness center with a safe, calm, and comfortable environment where you can get massages that help you relax and feel better.
You can also get services like hot towel treatments, massages with essential oils, and many other kinds of massages from Ideal Massage. When they give different messages to their visitors, the therapists are polite and have a lot of experience. This makes the visitors feel like family, not like strangers.
23. Lettuce Lake Park
A short distance south of Wesley Chapel is the beautiful Lettuce Lake Park, which is a more developed natural attraction for people who want to enjoy nature but still have access to modern amenities.
This 240-acre park is just outside the city limits of Tampa, so a lot of people go there. The boardwalks that connect the different habitats are the most noticeable parts of this place.
On the paths, you can see freshwater wetlands, hardwood forests, cypress domes, and rivers that are home to many plants and animals that are native to the area. The whole family can also enjoy the picnic areas, lookout platforms, and playgrounds.
Don’t forget to stop by the Audubon Resource Center at Lettuce Lake Park to learn more about the wildlife, geography, and other things in this part of Florida.
24. Side Splitters Comedy Club
You may have read this before, but Side Splitters Comedy Club in Wesley Chapel’s Grove is a MUST-SEE when you’re there. With new, amazing acts headlining each week, you’re sure to have a laugh here. It’s the perfect date night out.
25. AdventHealth Center Ice
One of the fun things to do with your friends and family in Wesley Chapel is to go ice skating. AdventHealth Center Ice is the largest ice sport in the Southeast. This makes it a popular place for both locals and tourists.
AdventHealth Center Ice rents out ice rinks and has hockey, figure skating, curling, and other fun events for beginners and experts alike. They also run programs to teach the basics of ice skating, hockey, and other sports to people of all ages.
Center for AdventHealth Technology has made it possible to keep a layer of ice on the ice skating floor, so it stays in good shape. The ice center is open to people of all levels of skill, and there are lessons and programs to help you get better at each sport.
26. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is a well-known restaurant that serves tasty food made with high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. It’s a pub in the neighborhood that many families and groups of friends go to because it’s a nice place to hang out.
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s serves grilled shrimp, prime rib sandwiches, Buffalo Chicken salad, mushroom swiss burger, lemon pepper, fried pickles, chicken wings, and more. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is a great pub where you can eat and drink while watching all the NFL games.
27. Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park is a beautiful place near the southeast corner of Wesley Chapel. It is full of hidden natural wonders. The 3,383-acre park is home to many different animals, plants, and attractions that make it a popular place to visit in Tampa and nearby areas.
The park has more than seven miles of trails that lead to large ponds, bridges, stretches of forest, and swamps that are typical of the state. The rivers and creeks are great for kayaking and canoeing, and it’s a great place to go if you want to see alligators in the park.
These animals are symbols of Florida, and you’ll have a lot of chances to see them and take pictures of them. But don’t get too close, because if they bite you, it could be very dangerous.
28. Treblemakersv
If you want a dining experience that’s a little different from the norm, you don’t have to look any further. The Treble Makers Dueling Piano Bar & Restaurant is just like it says it is. While you eat and drink well, you can watch the pianists put on a live show that will blow your mind. You probably won’t find another place like this, so if you’re in Wesley Chapel, you should put it on your list of must-sees.
29. Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar
Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar is a lively place in Wesley Chapel where you can hang out with family and friends and talk. Everyone can feel comfortable and at ease at Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar, which has a friendly and pleasant atmosphere.
A lot of sports games are shown on the bar’s many TVs, which makes it a favorite spot for people who like to watch sports. There are great pool tables, golf games, darts, and cool music at Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar. You can also sing karaoke, which is usually fun.
There are many good drinks to choose from at the full-service bar, such as ciders, lemonade, blue lagoon, Tequila Sunrise, Horchata, and more.
30. Happy Hangar Cafe
We’ve already talked about restaurants, but this one is so great that it deserves its own category. At the Tampa North Flight Center is this cafe that looks like it was run by a mom-and-pop. You can eat a tasty breakfast while watching planes take off and land in the hangar. The food is even better than the views.
31. U-Pick Fruit/Flower Farms
There are a lot of U-Pick flower and fruit farms in and around Wesley Chapel. This is a fun one if you want to take home a case of strawberries, blueberries, or oranges that you picked yourself.
Or, you can have a photoshoot in a sunflower field and then pay a very small fee to take one of the photos home with you. This is a really unique and fun thing to do, and we’re so glad we can offer it here in Florida.
32. Irish 31 Pub and Eatery
Visiting Irish 31 Pub and Eatery with your travel companions is one of the best things to do in Wesley Chapel if you want to have a great meal. The Irish 31 Pub and Eatery has good food and a warm, lively, and friendly atmosphere to make sure that customers feel at home.
This is a typical Irish pub with a large menu that includes Irish 31 Fish & Chips, shepherd’s pie boxty, fried pickles, black & blue burger, chicken pot pie bite, cheeseballs, warm bread pudding, pecan salmon, and a lot more.
The drinks at Irish 31 Pub and Eatery include Guinness, Irish 31 red, Sweet Water 420 extra pale ale, Cycle Brewery crank IPA, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, blend, and many more. Make sure you go there so you don’t miss out on the delicious food, tasty drinks, and live music.
33. Arroyo Thai
If you’re in Wesley Chapel and want to eat delicious Thai food, you should go to Arroyo Thai. Arroyo Thai serves fresh meals made with high-quality local ingredients. These meals are healthy and great for eating out with the whole family.
Some of the meals that are served are vegetable soup, chicken rice stew, house fried rice, Pad Thai, green curry, mango and apple salads, fried banana, garlic, and black pepper. Arroyo Thai also has tasty drinks like Thai iced tea or coffee, unsweetened iced tea, soda Coke products, and water. Stop by and try some tasty traditional Thai food; it’s definitely worth it.
34. Rice N Beans
If you want to go out to eat in Wesley Chapel with your family or friends, Rice N Beans is the place to go. Rice N Beans is a restaurant that is owned and run by people in the area. It has an amazing menu that shows how passionate and professional the owner is.
Each meal is both cultural and high-quality. Some examples are Chicharron De Pollo with Rice and Beans, Tres Leches Cake, Mofongo with Shrimp and Salad, Plantain Bask Filled with Shrimp, Chillo Frito Con Mofongo, Cuban Sandwiches, and others. Rice N Beans has drinks like domestic soda, Spanish soda, natural drinks, coffee, and more to go with the food.
35. Fishing
If fishing is your thing and you need a day out with the guys, Wesley Chapel has a lot of beautiful lakes, streams, and reservoirs. Before the trip, you can also stop at one of the many bait and tackle shops in the area.
Here are some of the best places to fish in the area:
- Cypress Creek Preserve is a park.
- The Hillsborough River State Park
- Park in Morris Bridge
- Upper Tampa Bay Regional Park
- Lake Morton
Plan your Trip to Wesley Chapel
Wesley Chapel is a great place for families of all ages because it has lots of natural attractions, parks, restaurants, shops, and galleries. There are lots of ways to explore and get outside in the city, like walking, hiking, biking, kayaking, and even fishing, which are all good for family trips.
Wesley Chapel has many interesting places to visit, such as the Florida Avenue Brewing Co, the Cypress Creek Flood Detention Area, Lexington Oaks Golf Club, Saddlebrook Resort, Joe Whiskey’s Sports Bar, Wesley Chapel District Park, Highland Axe Throwing, and many more.
Plan a trip to Wesley Chapel with your family and friends today. Make sure to check out all of the above things and you’ll have a trip you’ll never forget.
Final Thoughts
Don’t be scared of the wealthy people who live in Wesley Chapel. They are friendly and open to anyone who is interested enough to look into their community. There are also many things to see and do that you can’t do anywhere else in the area, such as ice skating and eating in a movie theater.
So, when making your travel plans, check out this list of must-see places.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Things to Do in Wesley Chapel, FL
What makes Wesley Chapel famous?
Daniel Smith built his pioneer cracker home in Wesley Chapel in 1894. In 1979, he gave it to Cracker Country. This hands-on museum is in the Smith House at the Florida State Fairgrounds. It tells the story of how people in Wesley Chapel lived in the early days.
How often does something bad happen in Wesley Chapel, Florida?
With a rate of 8 per 1,000 residents for both violent and property crimes, Wesley Chapel has one of the lowest crime rates in America, lower than 65 percent of the country’s communities. One in 119 people in Wesley Chapel will become a victim of crime.
How far away is the beach from Wesley Chapel?
Wesley Chapel is 31.58 miles southwest of Clearwater Beach, and Clearwater Beach is 44 miles (70.81 kilometers) away if you drive along FL 60 W. If you drive straight through, it takes 52 minutes to get from Wesley Chapel to Clearwater Beach.
Is it a good place to live?
Wesley Chapel is a suburban area that is great for families and is one of the safest cities close to the west coast. There are many new neighborhoods with a wide range of prices, so you should be able to find a home with a mortgage that fits your budget.
Does Wesley Chapel have a lot of money?
The average income of a family in Wesley Chapel is the highest in the Tampa Bay area. According to a Tampa Bay Times analysis of recently released U.S. Census Bureau data, at $86,885, the central Pasco County enclave was a long way ahead of Riverview in second place and Brandon in third place.
Is it nice to live in Wesley Chapel?
Wesley Chapel is a suburban area that is great for families and is one of the safest cities close to the west coast. There are many new neighborhoods with a wide range of prices. So you should be able to find a home with a mortgage that fits your budget.
Do you count Wesley Chapel as Tampa Bay?
Wesley Chapel is part of the greater Tampa Bay Area. At the 2010 census, there were 44,092 people living there. In 2003, some Wesley Chapel residents started a movement to make the town a city (including areas not in the official CDP).
Is there downtown Wesley Chapel?
On 215 acres, the downtown area will be on the north side of State Road 54, about a mile west of Eiland Boulevard. It will have more than 350,000 square feet of commercial and office space and about 2,400 homes.
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