Sun City Center, Florida Keeps Attracting Families with a Wide Range of Things to Do

The Tampa suburb of Sun City Center has grown in population by a whopping 20% over the past 10 years, as the word has gotten out that the area’s a great place to live for people of all ages, not just retirees. And people are continuing to move to the southern Hillsborough County town, even during the coronavirus crisis.

Part of Sun City Center’s popularity is that residents enjoy a wide range of recreation activities, from small-town things to do to big-city entertainment.

Small-Town Things to Do

Right next door is the Ruskin Drive-In Theater, a town treasure that keeps on going. More than 50 years ago, it garnered the moniker “the last family drive-in in the U.S.A.” During the coronavirus crisis, the outdoor theater -- which is open year-round, rain or shine, hot or cold, including holidays – has become the safest place in Florida to see a movie in public. And admission is family-friendly, with ticket prices of $6 for an adult and $1 for a child.

Also close by is the Manatee Viewing Center, which is easy to find – just look for the Big Bend Power Station. Manatees and various types of fish are attracted to the area because of the warm and clean water around the station, with cooler weather the best time to see the most sea life. It’s also good to note that the Manatee Viewing Center, a federally designated and protected sanctuary, is a free tourist attraction.

And for another uniquely Floridian experience, check out Croc Encounters, a rescue home to crocodiles, alligator, snakes, lizards, turtles and exotic birds. Tour guides walk you through the sanctuary, a haven for unwanted reptiles and animals. A personal, two-hour guided tour is $99 per family and includes feeding demonstrations, photo opportunities and numerous hands-on activities.

Big-City Entertainment Nearby

A short drive puts your family in the center of all the Tampa Bay area’s entertainment and activities. International Plaza in Tampa features 200 specialty stores and 16 restaurants, plus Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and Dillard's. Historic Ybor City provides robust nightlife for parents and adults. Professional sports include football, hockey, baseball and soccer with the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay Rays, and Tampa Bay Rowdies, respectively.

For children, there are many fun educational opportunities such as Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, voted the “#1 Family Friendly Zoo” in the U.S. by Parents Magazine; and the Glazer Children’s Museum, where children play in an interactive learning environment; and the popular theme park Busch Gardens.

Meeting the Demand for Quality New Homes in Sun City Center, FL

The robust population growth has increased demand for quality new homes. Homebuilder William Ryan Homes Tampa recently opened its second new home community in Sun City Center - La Paloma in the Villages at Cypress Creek, a gated community with 46 new homes starting in mid-$400s and ranging in size from 2,459 to 3,666 square feet. Wide frontage lots of up to 85 feet are available and can accommodate larger homes with three-car garages.

La Paloma in the Villages at Cypress Creek offers some of the last remaining golf course frontage lots in southern Hillsborough County. The well-established master-planned golf course community of Villages of Cypress Creek is a family-owned and operated championship golf course and dining facility that serves as a hub of recreational and social activity.

William Ryan's first community in this area, Villa d' Este in the Villages at Cypress Creek, is a gated-community with a community pool and cabana. Starting in the mid-$300s, Villa d'Este is a great place for families and retirees alike!

Also, both neighborhoods have a low homeowners association fee that covers staffing and upkeep, and has no Community Development District fees.

Home buyers in the Sun City Center area are finding that William Ryan Homes fits their needs!