Grab A Bite On Central Ave In St Pete
Nothing beats cooling off with a gourmet ice pop from Hyppo on Central Ave.
If you get hungry, St. Petes Central Ave. and the surrounding area offer dozens of bistros and local mom n pop restaurants offering lunches for about $10. Some pizza and sandwich shops also have meal specials including drinks for under $8. And you can always stop at a street cart and grab a hot dog.
For a tiny splurge, stop in at The Hyppo on Central Ave. for gourmet ice pops in an unbelievable variety of unusual flavors .
Families with toddlers through early-elementary school kids will enjoy the hands-on approach to fun at Great Explorations Childrens Museum on 4th Street in St. Pete. Here, children can create artwork, shop in a kid-sized supermarket or act like a newscaster at a miniature TV news desk.
Christmas Town At Busch Gardens Of Tampa Bay
Christmas Town at Busch Gardens is a holiday extravaganza. One million lights, shopping, shows, Santa, and characters from the TV special “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” are brought to life during this festive event, providing great holiday fun for kids of all ages.
Some Christmas Town events have been modified or canceled in 2020, and the biggest change is that the entire event is now outdoors . Christmas Town takes place every night from November 20, 2020, through January 3, 2021. It’s also necessary to buy tickets in advance with a time slot of when you can enter the park.
Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center
Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center was born from the discharge canal of the citys power station. Because this clean Tampa Bay water was used to cool a power unit, it warmed before it released back into the bay via the canal. Manatees naturally began converging in the warm water during cold weather. Now, the discharge canal known as Big Bend is a designated manatee sanctuary with state and federal protections. Highlights of the Viewing Center include an environmental education building with numerous displays, award-winning butterfly gardens, a tidal walk, a manatee habitat loop trail, and a wildlife observation tower.
6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, FL, Phone: 813-228-4289
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More Top Picks Of Things To Do With The Kids In Tampa Bay This Weekend
*Dont forgetif you want to explore all of the pumpkin patches open this weekend in Tampa Bay, check out our line-up here.
Minecraft Mania at MOSI | Saturdays from 1:00 pm-3:00 pm
If your kids love Minecraft, they will think Minecraft Mania at MOSI is totally awesome! Your child can play Minecraft while learning new skills to become Minecraft Designer, Adventurer or even Master! While youre there, stay and play at the beloved science museum! mosi.org You can also arrive early or stay later to check out the Idea Zone.
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Sports And Outdoor Activities In Tampaview All

There are plenty of weekend activities happening in and around Tampa. You can cheer on the local NFl team or place a few bets on horses with interesting names. Things to do this weekend in Tampa include:
- Weedon Island Preserve: home to an educational facility and 3,200 acres of protected nature
- Clearwater Beach: white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico
- Tampa Bay Downs: bet on horse races at this race track opened in 1926
- Cigar City Brewing: Offers brewery tours with a tasting room for beer and cigars
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: cheer on Tampas very own NFL team
Explore all that Tampa has to offer under the sun. From coming face-to-face with tigers to relaxing on the beach, its easy to make spur-of-the-moment plans in Tampa. Exciting activities near Tampa include:
- Ben T. Davis Beach: Narrow stretch of shoreline with picnic areas, grills, and boat ramps
- Ybor City Museum State Park: a mediterranean-style garden with native plants
- Big Cat Rescue: a park dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating large felines
- Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve: a river for fishing and more than 60 miles of trails
- Tampa Bay History Center: come here to learn all about Tampas colorful history
If you classify yourself as a night owl, Tampa is the place for you. The city is home to an exciting nightlife that includes high-end bars and clubs, as well as fantastic places to see live music. Nighttime activities near Tampa include:
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Museum Of Science & Industry
Museum of Science & Industry has over 100 hands-on activities making it the ultimate scientific playground. Guests can build a robot, solve a brain puzzle, explore a lunar colony, or peek into the future with emerging technologies. Permanent exhibits include A Look Inside about the human body, Connectus with futuristic innovations, NASAs Mission Moonbase, Idea Zone a makers space, plus I Wonder, The Saunders Planetarium, Sky Trail Ropes Course, and Virtual Reality Simulator. A visit to this museum could easily be the most fun kids have on vacation. General admission for kids is under $10, although the Planetarium and Ropes Course are a small extra fee.
4801 E Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL, Phone: 813-987-6000
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Sesame Street Safari Of Fun Kids Weekends At Busch Gardens
FINAL WEEKEND. At Sesame Street Kids Weekends, fan-favorite friendly monsters are also getting into the Halloween spirit in the Sesame Street Safari of Fun play area at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay! This not-too-spooky event is a perfect way for little ones to celebrate Halloween with their favorite Sesame Street characters. 2021 details havent been been released yet, but we know there will be trick-or-treating, photo opps with characters and more! Saturdays and Sundays Oct. 2-31, 2021. Cost: Included with theme park admission. buschgardens.com/tampa
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Haunted Wharf At Sparkman Wharf In Tampa
Sparkman Wharf is transforming into a spooktacular Haunted Wharf for SIX nights this year! There will be a spooky maze that gets scarier throughout the night, so go early if you have little ones. There will also be plenty of photo opps and The American Victory Ship will berth at Sparkman Wharf this year so you can get double the scares and experience UNDead in the Water. Tickets for Haunted Wharf are $13. The event is family-friendly. Learn more here.
Shop & Dine At Sparkman Wharf
On the spectacular Riverwalk, a host of great fashion shops await!
Treat yourself at Joyful Notion or treat your pet at The Modern Paws foodwise, theres plenty of delightful eateries covering all sorts of cuisine, plus a popular beerhouse!
Most nights also include entertainment, with movies on the lawn as well as regular live music.
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Nd Annual Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo At The Hall At Net Park
Date: Saturday, September 25, 2021, from 10 am 4 pm
The Tampa Bay Black Authors Expo is back! Gather to celebrate the local Black creative talent in Tampa Bay.
The TBBAE grew from a desire to showcase the diverse literary talent that is alive and well in the greater Tampa Bay area. By creating the only expo dedicated to authors of color here in the Bay area, they created a platform for some of this areas most creative minds to gather, network, and share their stories with their community.
For the second TBBAE, co-host, author, and healthy lifestyle enthusiast Jeffrey White will be back with his popular writing workshop. He brings years of experience as a self-employed writer, and hes excited to share his tips on how you can escape the 9 to 5 and make a living as a working creative. There will be a panel of area publishers and writers talking about Black Sci-Fi. Were bringing together local poets who will perform and there will also be a cosplay contest that kids and their families can enter!
In addition to the activities mentioned above, there will be food available on site. Learn more.
Address: 6213 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33610
Soar Over Tampa In A Hot
Take to the skies just before dawn and see the famous Florida sunrise over Tampa trust us, its worth the early wake-up!
Youll never forget what its like to see Tampa basking in the sunrise from the clouds, but if you need more convincing, theres also a champagne toast waiting for you when you land.
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Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
Note: The Manatee Viewing Center is scheduled to reopen November 1, 2021.
Warm water discharging from a canal at Tampa Electric’s Big Bed Power Station has drawn manatees since 1986, and today the designated Manatee Viewing Center is a free place to see these gentle giants. The area is a designated manatee sanctuary and it’s best to visit during manatee season . While you’re there, walk the trail and boardwalk to climb the 50-foot observation tower.
Fun Things To Do With The Kids

Whether you want to stay at home or go out and explore on of the many local Tampa area attractions, we have options to fit your familys needs.
Visit our events calendar for fun events and things to do with your family on a daily basis.
Miriam Cook – Founder
Family-Friendly Tampa Bay helps families connect with the best local events, businesses and deals.
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Cool Off At Adventure Island
If youre visiting Tampa in the summer, bring the kids to the Adventure Island water park. Join your children in a tube on one of the many multi-person water slides, or float down the lazy river in the Rambling Bayou. For little ones, Fabians Fun Port and Splash Attack provide a range of water toys and climbing structures.
Indoor Fun Attraction Deals
Take a break from the Tampa Bay heat with some fun indoor attractions. Many of these activities can be enjoyed by every member of the family and when you take advantage of their discount days and offers, it can also be a very affordable family outing.
1. Visit Busch Gardens, MOSI Tampa, The Florida Aquarium, and other Tampa Attractions for 53% off throughCityPass.
2.Glazer Childrens Museum offers FREE admission on the first Tuesday of the month.
3. Visit a Tampa Bay Area museum daily for FREE admission. Monday-Sunday there is an option for families.
Examples include:
See the full list of local museums that offer free admission.
4. Kids Skate FREE in Brandon, Lakeland, Pinellas, Tarpon Springs and many other roller skating locations.
5. Bowling: Kids bowl free and cheap at select Tampa area locations. Check out our ultimate guide to free & cheap bowling centers for the summer.
6.Roller Skating: Find affordable fun at United Skates of America for Kids Fun Skate every Saturday morning from 10am-Noon for $6 per person .
7. Indoor Bounce Amusement Park: BOGO Thursdays at Airosphere in Tampa. Whatever time at full price you purchase, they will double for free!
8.Visit the Alligator Attraction & Wildlife Center for affordable family fun. Kids tickets start at only $7 in Madeira Beach, FL for a great day trip.
- Visit the TGH Ice Plex in Brandon, FL for public skating.
- Visit the Tampa Bay Skating Academy in Oldsmar and Clearwater for ice skating.
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Creatures Of The Night At Zootampa At Lowry Park
FINAL WEEKEND. Return to ZooTampa for this favorite family-friendly Halloween event! This years event will feature five new attractions including the Junkyard of Broken Dreams, Scarecrow Junction, and Ghosts of Gator Grove. You can also expect to see returning favorites like Twisted Tails haunted trail, Clown Carousel, Realm of the Spider Queen, Pirate Party Pants and more! Learn more here zootampa.org The event is on Fridays and Saturdays in October 2021, 4pm-10pm. The event is sold out for this weekend. If you have a reservation and tickets, learn more about what to expect here.
Best Places To Stay In Tampa
The hotel choices, even with kids, is practically endless in Tampa. If youre looking to add to your hotel reward points , the century old Historic Federal Courthouse is a modern, sleek hotel while the Riverwalk Hotel is right on the walking path headed straight to Tampas best eateries.
If no hotel is kid-friendly enough for you, and you need your own house or apartment , Airbnb has some of our all-time favorite Tampa spots from a luxury townhouse to a Tampa Heights Bungalow to a beach bunkie tiny-home.
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Lettuce Lake Regional Park
Why youve got to go: If you are wondering what to do in Tampa with kids, this is one of the first stops to hit. The park is spread over 240 acres and has something to do for everyone.
What to do: There is a wooded area where you can enjoy a picnic. There is also a 1.25-mile bicycle path or jogging track you can enjoy.
For: This is ideal for a family that likes to spend time outdoors and enjoys hiking, picnics in the park and kayaking.
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Looking For Fun Things To Do In Tampa With Kids Check Out The Local Parks
The Tampa Bay area has some of the best park systems in Florida so if youre looking for fun things to do in Tampa with kids, the parks are a great place to start. Each park varies in size and style so you can usually find one that fits your childs taste. From animal kingdoms to train stations, these parks are all worth a few hours of your time!
Eureka Springs Park and Lettuce Lake Regional Park are perfect for little ones who love animals. Theyll have a chance to see alligators, butterflies, armadillos, turtles, and more at these two parks. They also both have impressive boardwalk systems which makes the park accessible to all. The boardwalks also aid in keeping the wildlife a safe distance away. Which is good because that gator is huge!
If you want a more hands-on experience, check out ZooTampa at Lowry Park and Big Cat Rescue. Both offer the chance for young and old to learn and interact with the animals. The zoo allows guests to see manatees, feed giraffes, and pet stingrays and a giant tortoise what more could a little one want! Big Cat Rescue is the worlds largest accredited sanctuary and features over 100 rescued lions, tigers, leopards, and more. Take a walking tour to learn more about the animals and their stories!
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Why We Recommend This Activity
Pier 60 overflows with free and cheap family-fun experiences. With its spacious beach playground, concessions and 1,060-foot fishing pier, this budget-friendly attraction will keep your family occupied and entertained for hours.
Furthermore, it offers nightly celebrations featuring musicians, artisans and street performers. On Friday evenings in summer, the pier also shows movies for everyones favorite price of zero dollars.
Ride The Solar Vortex At Adventure Island

In between the child-friendly splash areas and expansive waters to relax with sunglasses and a good book, Adventure Island has some great thrill rides on offer.
Waves of water and adrenaline will wash over you at the free-fall in Vanish Point, the open flume Calypso Coaster, and the Solar Vortex the nations first dual tailspin waterslide!
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Relax At Edge Rooftop Cocktail Lounge At Epicurean Hotel
Editor’s Note: Photo taken from the establishment’s official social account
If you are looking for a relaxed place to enjoy cocktails with comfy seating and outdoor vibes, check out EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge at Epicurean Hotel. The laid-back atmosphere of this hotel bar is sure to delight and make for a relaxing evening with friends. Enjoy their delicious cocktails that are only served with fresh fruit and their small plate dishes to appease your appetite! Make sure to add this relaxed rooftop cocktail lounge to your list of places to spend your evening in Tampa, FL.
EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge at the Epicurean Hotel
Address: 1207 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606
Opening hours: Fri – Sat: 5pm – 12am
Gulfport Art Walk + Indiefare
Located between Downtown St. Pete and St. Pete Beach, Gulfport is an artsy locale with a waterfront village comprised of adorable eateries, independent shops, galleries and boutiques, all locally owned. On the first Friday each month, artisans gather along Beach Boulevard to showcase their creations for the Gulfport Art Walk. On the third Saturday of each month, you can peruse art, jewelry, plants, crafts and more at the monthly IndieFare. Check for upcoming event details.
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