8 Best Things To Do In Wesley Chapel, Florida: Call Of The Outdoors

1. Hit a racket at Harry Hopman Tennis Academy in Saddlebrook

Saddlebrook is one of the luxury communities in Wesley Chapel and it is home to the Saddlebrook Resort and Spa. Inside the resort is the internationally known Harry Hopman Tennis Academy, which offers different training programs for different ages and ability levels. The academy is fully equipped with 45 courts, four of which are Grand Slam surfaces.

Not only will one train with the best tennis coaches, one may also have a chance to see professionals in training at the academy. There are three programs on offer: the adult camps and clinics, the junior camps and the Saddlebrook Preparatory School, which combines academics with intensive sports training. The academy’s website has additional information about programs and rates.

Harry Hopman Tennis Academy at the Saddlebrook Resort

Address: Saddlebrook Tennis, 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Contact Information: +1 8139074200, email: hopman@saddlebrook.com

Website: Harry Hopman Tennis Academy

2. Hit the green at Lexington Oaks Golf Club

Golf is another favorite sport in Wesley Chapel, and the best place to hit the green is at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club. It offers a world class golf course with an 18 hole championship layout that was designed by Gordon Lewis, who is also known for designing courses all over the world. Even guests and visitors can enjoy a one-month membership offer of about 175 USD for singles and 250 USD for couples - so long as you are a non-resident of Florida. If you are just learning to play, you can learn from the best, all within the club. There is an in-house restaurant that serves meals, snacks and drinks. If you are an experienced player, you can join one of the leagues that regularly play in the club.

Lexington Oaks Golf Club

Address: 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Contact Information: +1 8139077270, email: info@lexoaks.com

Operating Hours: 7am - 5:30pm, Daily

Website: Lexington Oaks Golf Club

3. Learn about parrots at the Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary

About an hour’s drive away from Wesley Chapel is this one of a kind bird sanctuary, dedicated to parrots of every kind. The sanctuary offers a safe home for parrots so that they can live out their lives comfortably. Most pet parrots usually outlive their owners, and in this sanctuary, they will be taken care of. Tours need to be arranged beforehand and while there is no admission fee, each person must give a 15 USD donation to help with the sanctuary’s operations. Learn more about the lives of these feathered friends of ours during the tour, or if you have more time on your hands, you can also join the volunteer program.

Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary

Address: 8933 Casper Ave, Hudson, FL 34667

Contact Information: Bob Cook +1 8443522473

Operating Hours: Tours: 10am - 2pm, Mondays to Saturdays

Website: Florida Exotic Bird Sanctuary

4. Explore Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve on two wheels

Florida is endowed with beautiful natural resources, most of which can be seen in the many nature preserves and parks all over the state. So it is not surprising to find nearby reserves less than an hour away from Wesley Chapel. The Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve is only 17.5 km (10.9 mi) away from Wesley Chapel, about a 20 minute drive away. This preserve offers several parks which serve different recreational purposes from hiking, biking and boating.

Hardcore adventurists may prefer off-road biking or hiking, but for those who want leisurely activities, paved biking in Flatwoods Park is the best option. The park features a 14.4 km (7 mi) paved loop road that goes around the park’s lush trees - this road can be used by bikers of all ages, and for walking and jogging as well. There are also nature trails in the park for those who want to take a leisurely hike.

Flatwoods Park

Address: 14302 Morris Bridge Rd, Thonotosassa, FL 33592

Contact Information: +1 8139857481

Opening Hours: 7am - 6pm, Daily

Website: Flatwoods Park

5. Enjoy a day out at Wesley Chapel District Park

You don’t need to venture far if you want to have a barbecue picnic or do an outdoor workout, Wesley Chapel has its own district park which occupies 58 hectares (143 acres) and has several athletic fields for soccer, baseball, and an outdoor fitness trail. There is also an open picnic area with facilities for barbecues, and several shelters that the public can use freely but on a first come, first served basis. Kids will also enjoy the park’s large playground. A large pavilion is available for large groups for a minimal fee, but there is no parking fee or admission fee to the park.

Wesley Chapel District Park

Address: 7727 Boyette Rd., Wesley Chapel, FL 33544

Contact Information: +1 8139079081

Opening Hours: 8am - 10pm, Daily

Website: Wesley Chapel District Park

6. Explore the outdoors at Conner Preserve

Conner Preserve is located in nearby Land O'Lakes town, which is about 31 km (19.6 mi) from Wesley Chapel. By car, it will take you less than half an hour to get there. The preserve is a water management area under the Southwest Florida Water Management District, and its main features are sandhills, freshwater marshes, and pine flatwoods. For recreation, there are many things you can do in Conner Preserve: bicycling with over 24 km (15 mi) of multi-use trails, horse riding with its equestrian use trails, and hiking in its 27 km (17 mi) of hiking only trails. The preserve also houses a Model Airplane Flying Field, managed by the Bay City Flyers Model Airplane Club.

Conner Preserve

Address: 22500 SR 52, Land O’Lakes, FL 34637

Opening Hours: Sunrise to sunset, Daily

Website: Conner Preserve

7. Relax at Saddlebrook Resort Spa

After being exposed to the elements, you can take a breather at the Saddlebrook Resort, which offers professional treatments and services at their spa. Ranging from massages, body and face treatments and other pampering services, your body will surely enjoy a spa day. The spa also offers couple spa packages for a romantic spa day, and state of the art sports therapy can also be availed by athletes who need to rest their bodies for a while. Bookings can be made through any of the spa coordinators.

Saddlebrook Resort Spa

Address: 5700 Saddlebrook Way, Wesley Chapel, FL 33543

Contact Information: +1 8139731111, email: info@saddlebrook.com

Website: Saddlebrook Resort Spa

8. Fly high with American Balloons

After a day of pampering, are you up for a different kind of adventure - one that lets you fly high? Then American Balloons in Land O'Lakes is right for you. This company has been flying hot-air balloons in the East Pasco and Northern Hillsborough areas of Florida since 1998. They have four hot air balloons that they use for flights, each one serving groups of different sizes, with their largest balloon is able to hold up to 10 adults. Balloon rides are usually taken very early in the morning so that guests can enjoy the scenery up in the air while the sun rises.

American Balloons

Address: Land O'Lakes, FL 34639 (Near Tampa)

Contact Information: +1 8132439507, email: americanballoons@gmail.com

Prices: Adults, 189 USD, Children (5 to 15 years old) 125 USD; Couple flights 525 USD per couple

Website: American Balloons

Heed the call of the outdoors

Wesley Chapel may be a small town but it has a lot to offer when it comes to outdoor recreation activities. So heed the call of the outdoors and enjoy nature at its finest in this Florida town!