13 Best Things To Do In Safety Harbor Florida

Small and charming, Safety Harbor is a a little hidden gem on the outskirts of big cities like Tampa, St. Pete, and Clearwater. It sits right on the shores of Old Tampa Bay making it a great weekend getaway in the area.

The colorfulness of Whimzeyland and the shops drew us in at first but the peacefulness and charm of the town is what makes us want to keep coming back. It makes for a great day trip or a weekend getaway in Central West Florida.

Downtown/Main Street

The downtown of Safety Harbor still has kept its quaint charm and the old Florida feel. Main Street is lined with shops and restaurants that are fun to visit. All the main highlights of the town are situated close together making it a very walkable downtown.

There is plenty of parking around making it easy to park and go on exploring the town by foot. We parked on 2nd Street that is just a block away from Main Street. The Main Street runs almost all the way to the water stopping right at the Safety Harbor Resort & Spa that overlooks the water.

For any events that happen in Safety Harbor, Main Street is usually where the events take place. For example, every third Friday of the month, vendors like the street and the air gets filled with the smell of food and the sound of a crowd.

Whimzeyland

Whimzeyland is one of the most unique stops in Safety Harbor. The whimsically decorated home is painted in bright colors and adorned with various materials that have been created into art. The home, which is a private home where someone lives, has been a work in progress for over 20 years.

Some of the materials used to create artistic sculptures and works of art have been bottle trees, plexiglass, and bowling balls. The owners have expressed their creativity by decorating their home this way to not only create a vibrant place to live for themselves but to put a smile on the face of everyone who comes by.

They even have colorful mosaic pathways, wire and plexiglass sculptures and all that is surrounded by a lush tropical garden. Some of their pieces of art are sold to help support Whimzeyland.

We decided to walk to Whimzeyland from downtown Safety Harbor and it requires a bit of an effort to get there although it’s not that far away. Rather, I recommend to make a stop there as you’re getting into town on your car and then keep driving to Main Street.

See Local Murals

Did you know Safety Harbor has its very own wings mural that you can take a picture with and tag? It’s a fun stop especially if you are collecting wing mural pictures at cities and towns from all over the United States.

There are two sets of wings right next to each other, one for adults and one for kids. This mural located on main Street on the OM building but see if you can spot other murals as you walk around town. It’s always a fun way to explore a town if you love art.

Safety Harbor Resort & Spa

The town’s history goes back all the way to the 1500’s when Hernando Desoto discovered the natural springs in the area. The place was later named “Espiritu Santo Springs” because they believed the legendary “Fountain of Youth” had been found.

The Safety Harbor Resort & Spa was built on the natural springs and has been recognized as a Historical Landmark. Now, the natural springs are hidden below the hotel lobby inside the of the spa which is still a big draw to the resort.

With over 50,000 sq. ft. of the Spa and Fitness center, there are 30 treatment rooms that include men’s and women’s bath and shower facilities. Their treatments include massages, facials, herbal wraps, beauty salon, and of course a dip into the springs.

The resort is a great place to relax and enjoy the day, even if you don’t get any spa treatments. You can just enjoy lunch there and the views of the water.

See Historical Sites

There are quite a few historical sites around the town, just look for these plaques that are usually posted by the structure. We found these three historical sites in Safety Harbor but there are more to explore.

The first town hall is considered to be the oldest building on Main Street. It had survived a fire that destroyed a block on Main Street and went on to be the city’s Chamber of Commerce and even a bank.

Two other historical sites that we saw are The Hotel Frances and St. James Hotel, but another two sites that are neat to see are the Tucker Mansion and the 1908 Gingerbread House.

Philippe Park

Philippe Park is the oldest park in Pinellas County that’s located right in Safety Harbor. There are 92 acres of this historic park with trails and playgrounds.

This is another location in Florida that has mounds built by Native Americans. In fact, the mound here is one of the largest remaining mounds in Tampa Bay region that put it on the National Register of Historic Landmarks.

The park features picnic shelters, a boat ramp, fishing spots, water fountains and restrooms for a great day out in nature.

Waterfront Boardwalk & Pier

Edit: After the 2024 Hurricane Season, the pier was swept away. The new pier construction has begun in 2025 and is expected to be finished in December 2026. Some access around the area is closed for a safe construction zone.

At the end of Main Street with a slight turn to the right, you will find the local waterfront and pier area. It’s a great area to walk around and enjoy the water. There is a park with green space that stretches along the water with a boardwalk further along.

Eat At Bar Fly

Want to try a delicious, cheesy, lobster cheese sandwich? Head over to Bar Fly at the end of Main Street. The sandwich is stuffed with lobster that is cooked to perfection and comes with Cole Slaw salad and a lobster bisque.

The restaurant features all kinds of seafood on their menu from lobster to shrimp and local types of fish. They have a special catch of the day dinner that features fish with coconut rice, pineapple salsa and veggies.

Inside, it’s very casual with hours from Monday through Thursday 11:00am to 10pm, Fridays and Saturdays 11:00am-11:30pm and Sundays 11:00am to 10pm.

Safety Harbor Museum & Cultural Center

With admission of only $5 per person, this is a great activity for anyone visiting Safety Harbor. There are many years of history in this museum displayed through fossils, pottery, tools and many other artifacts of the early explorer days.

Photographs and other memorabilia illustrate the town as it evolved over the years. The museum celebrates history and invites visitors to learn more about it by visiting the museum that has has a recent renovation.

Safety Harbor Art & Music Center

The Safety Harbor Art & Music Center is just another example of the colorful and unique parts of this town. Everything about the exterior of the building is painted in beautiful bright colors with floral designs. It very mush resembles Whimzeyland in how it is decorated.

Run by volunteers, it’s a nonprofit that that celebrates art and music. There are workshops, performances, and exhibitions that are constantly happening at the center. You can see any upcoming events at their website.

Safety Harbor Galleria

Edit: This shop is now closing on April 30th 2026. While this shop is closing down, there are more cool shops to explore in Safety Harbor.

Safety Harbor Galleria is one of those fun shops to visit in town. The owners put in a lot of effort to find unique products that you don’t see every day. You can find a little bit of everything here from home decor to clothing and jewelry.

They like to boast as being the most unique shop in downtown Safety Harbor. Not only can you find new finds, but they feature some Vintage and Boho treasures too.

The exterior is just as fun as the interior with a bright pink and turquoise paint that is hard to miss as you walk by. This fun shop is worth the stop!

Sunday Market

The Market on Main, as it’s known, is a weekly market that happens every Sunday. The vendors line up on Main Street with their handmade products or locally baked goods. For a small town, there are actually quite a few vendors that show up every week.

There are even fun things like live music sometimes, portrait drawings, and live animal meet and greets. During the holiday season, you will find seasonally themed products

Folly Farm Nature Preserve

This nature preserve is not far from downtown, just a five minute drive. It’s a well-taken care of place with butterfly gardens and even a community garden. There is a natural walking trail that goes through the property.

It’s only about 9.95 acres in size, but it’s a great place to enjoy nature with the family. It was first purchased and created by a couple and was then donated to the city.