For a lot of households, their solely go to to Tampa is the journey via the airport – however with so many issues to do in Tampa with youngsters, you’re lacking out in case you don’t spend extra time within the metropolis and Tampa Bay.
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As a result of whereas Orlando’s points of interest, Miami’s type and the Florida shoreline are what get the limelight, you’ll discover a complete string of Tampa household points of interest in case you’re heading to the Florida west coast with youngsters.
So whether or not you’re planning a Florida street journey or heading off to discover the Florida Gulf Coast points of interest, save a while to find one of the best issues to do in Tampa Bay with youngsters, together with Tampa itself and day journeys from the town.
The Florida Aquarium
Among the best aquariums within the US, the Florida Aquarium is residence to all the things from sea otters to sharks and sea turtles, in addition to moon jellies and corals, plus some inhabitants happier on dry land, comparable to lemurs.
The large air-conditioned web site is correct on the waterfront, straightforward to entry with the streetcar, and in addition to promising some nice Tampa household enjoyable, it’s good for serving to youngsters study extra about marine ecosystems, whereas additionally instructing them about conservation and rescue efforts.
The non-profit group has a 4D multisensory cinema and splash pad as properly, plus a complete string of experiences, together with choices like a wild dolphin cruise to take out within the bay.
Enjoyable, inventive, and academic, it’s simply the most effective issues to do in Tampa with youngsters. You’ll be able to purchase skip-the-line tickets right here.
In case you’re visiting the Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa, you can too discover joint ZooQuarium tickets
Tampa Electrical Manatee Viewing Middle
Tampa Bay’s water, which is used to chill the town’s energy station, creates the proper habitat for manatees, and one must-visit Tampa household attraction is manatee sanctuary on the Tampa Electrical’s Huge Bend.
As quickly because the temperature within the metropolis begins to drop, you discover these mild creatures naturally converging on the positioning, normally between November and April – you’ll be able to verify the webcams to see who’s visiting.
Contained in the Manatee Viewing Middle constructing, there are vivid shows to assist immerse you on the earth of the manatee, from the mangrove tunnel to seagrass beds, in addition to studying about their lives.
Add in a stroll amongst award-winning butterfly gardens and the middle’s tidal stroll, and it’s just a little slice of pure Florida inside the metropolis. Don’t miss the beautiful loop path with a wildlife statement tower, to look out to the water from a 50ft excessive viewpoint.
When you’re there, head over to the Rays Contact Tank which homes a bunch of cownose rays, the precise mascots of Main League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
In case you’re visiting Tampa with youngsters who love animals, you’ll be able to’t miss ZooTampa at Lowry Park. With a sequence of aviaries, together with macaws circling as you enter, the main target is firmly on rescuing, rehabilitating and conserving wildlife.
You’ll discover native wildlife, comparable to manatees, bald eagles and river otters on the Florida Boardwalk & Manatee Mangrove, when you might additionally feed giraffes, work together with big tortoises and splash aroud within the Manatee Fountains.
Look out for endangered primates, a complete space that’s residence to Asian wildlife, together with Malaysian tigers, sunbears and Komodo dragons, in addition to one other part centered on Africa. Add in rides, from carousels to coasters, and it’s a extremely enjoyable time out with youngsters.
E book your tickets with free cancellation, in addition to skip-the-line tickets to ZooTampa.
In case you’re visiting the Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa, you can too discover joint ZooQuarium tickets
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Among the best-known points of interest within the areas is Busch Gardens, a 335-acre theme park that can also be the most effective issues to do in Tampa with youngsters.
Additionally residence to considered one of Tampa’s largest zoos, with 300 species of animals on your youngsters to satisfy plus some nice household exhibits to take pleasure in, it’s the rollercoasters and rides which actually make this a must-visit in your record of Florida west coast points of interest.
There’s all the things from adrenaline thrills just like the 335-foot freestanding drop tower of Falcon’s Fury to rides for youthful youngsters themed round Sesame Avenue – to call just some.
E book tickets with free cancellation right here, together with mixed ticket choices and tickets with pre-paid parking.
The Tampa Bay Metropolis Go, which covers entry to 5 main household points of interest, additionally contains tickets to Busch Gardens
Journey Island Tampa
Proper throughout the road from the Busch Gardens is the Journey Island Tampa water park, in case you’re seeking to mix a few Tampa household points of interest in sooner or later.
Youngsters can take pleasure in loads of journey, together with the adrenaline-fueled free-fall Vanish level or race down the four-lane slide, Riptide – plus there’s gentler enjoyable within the lazy river and wave pool.
You’ll discover lots for littler ones as properly, together with the water-friendly jungle gymnasium of Fabian’s Enjoyable Port, plus 50 water toys within the Splash Assault splash zone, whereas Paradise Lagoon has one thing for everybody – a pool to loosen up in, a web climb and enjoyable obstacles plus cliff jumps for the joys seekers.
E book tickets with free cancellation right here.
iFLY Tampa
Depart extraordinary household enjoyable standing with probably the most thrilling issues to do in Tampa with youngsters, throughout an unforgettable, gravity-defying indoor skydiving expertise.
The state-of-the-art know-how is protected for teenagers (open to age 3+) however with loads of thrills for teenagers and adults; the wind tunnels’ followers can blow as much as 185mph (300kph) with area for 12 flyers without delay time. You even get an extended freefall expertise than leaping out of an precise aircraft…
An ideal exercise for the whole household, maintain a watch out for reductions on tickets with Get Your Information and Viator.
Dinosaur World
Journey again in time and see over 150 life-size dinosaurs at Dinosaur World in Plant Metropolis, simply half-hour outdoors of Tampa. Set amongst lush vegetation, youngsters are positive to have a blast as they tackle the roles of younger paleontologists and excavators.
Search for actual minerals and gems on the Dino Gem Excavation and uncover a life-size stegosaurus skeleton from below the sand. Go to different animals from the Ice Age and watch a reside animatronic animal show. Don’t miss the possibility to finish your day with the final word themed picnic lunch at Dine with the Dinos.
E book tickets right here, together with a reduction utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Bits-n-Items Puppet Theatre
Bits-n-Items Puppet Theatre brings collectively one of the best of childhood with components of fantasy and high quality storytelling – a beautiful household attraction assured to spark the creativeness, because of the environment of creativity on the PuppetWorld Playhouse.
Its big puppet productions and exhibits are carried out all year long and have classics like Little Purple Driving Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Hansel and Gretel amongst others.
And the award-winning performances combine a variety of puppet types, together with marionettes and hand puppets, which youngsters are assured to like.
Glazer Youngsters’s Museum
There’s a world of studying disguised as play on the Glazer Youngsters’s Museum, designed to show them to suppose and act purposefully and grow to be lifelong learners.
Amongst their vary of various actions is a KidsPort, an Engineers’ Workshop, a Pizza Place, and a theatre, so your baby can tackle the roles of something from chef to vet and farmer and extra, all whereas letting their creativeness have full rein and taking part in to their hearts’ content material.
The museum additionally gives particular applications and bi-monthly Sunshine Sundays devoted to youngsters with particular wants, making it an inclusive area for all.
Museum of Science and Business
Discover one other probability for teenagers to get arms on on the Museum of Science and Business (MOSI) in Tampa, a scientific playground with greater than 100 interactive actions.
Households can attempt all the things from constructing a robotic and exploring optical illusions to fixing mind puzzles, and even exploring one other world of their NASA-funded mission; Moonbase lunar colony!
There’s additionally a Jurassic Park-themed exhibit to discover the science of prehistoric life, plus the possibility to stare upon a mess of stars of their planetarium, and even touring to a different world of their digital actuality simulator.
Purchase tickets with free cancellation right here.
The Tampa Bay Metropolis Go, which covers entry to 5 main household points of interest, additionally contains tickets to MOSI Tampa
Tampa Bay Historical past Middle
A Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, this historical past heart options three flooring masking over 12,000 years of Florida historical past.
From pirate Jack Rackam to Teddy Roosevelt, this fascinating museum holds a wealthy historical past of all of the personalities and communities that had been current in Florida, so it’s an effective way to look past the vacationer points of interest in Tampa with youngsters.
There are common non permanent displays too, with altering shows which have lined all the things from fossils to Hispanic artwork, music and far more.
As a bonus, the Historical past Middle’s waterfront Columbia Cafe has some incredible traditional Spanish and Cuban-inspired dishes – don’t miss their authentic Cuban sandwich.
E book tickets right here with a reduction in case you use my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
In case you’re serious about Florida historical past, don’t miss the Ybor Metropolis Museum State Park too
The Tampa Museum of Artwork
Preserve a watch out for the Tampa Museum of Artwork, an iconic landmark of downtown Tampa with its 23-foot tall forged iron sculpture named Laura with Bun on the north and a 14,000 square-foot LED set up of Leo Villareal’s Sky illuminating the south.
The everlasting assortment additionally showcases a variety of sculpture, images, portray, and new media, and shares new views on art-making with kids, teenagers, and adults.
A lot to encourage and get your youngsters considering, you’ll discover traditional, fashionable and up to date artworks at this much-loved Tampa household attraction.
Tampa Bay Car Museum
From the early Mercedes to Mustangs and extra, the Tampa Bay Car Museum is residence to a few of the greatest examples of the evolving car business.
From elegant classic vehicles to quirky prototypes, and autos from throughout the US, France, Germany, Nice Britain, and Czechoslovakia, it’s an enchanting tribute to engineering innovation over greater than a century.
A deal with for car-lovers of all ages, and a enjoyable probability to move down reminiscence lane in case you’re visiting Tampa with youngsters and their grandparents.
Tampa Riverwalk
Mixing tradition, leisure and an opportunity to get energetic open air, Tampa Bay’s Riverwalk makes an unmissable place to go to for households in Tampa.
The south finish is residence to the Riverwall, a collage of greater than 550 photographs by artist Bruce Marsh, which sums up this lovely riverwalk, plus it’s bike-friendly if you wish to take a look at extra of the points of interest, parks and museums linked by the route.
Preserve a watch out for the Historic Monument Path, choose up the nature information or eye up a few of the public artwork alongside the best way.
Don’t miss a go to to Sparkman Wharf, considered one of Tampa’s greatest eating facilities with one of the best waterfront view, or head in the direction of the Tampa Conference Middle, the place yow will discover the Tampa Bay Water Bike Firm’s uncommon crafts – the views of Tampa as you pedal on these water bikes received’t be rapidly forgotten.
You may also obtain a Riverwalk smartphone audio strolling tour to select a few of the highlights.
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
Positioned simply outdoors Tampa, Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is considered one of Hillsborough County’s most visited parks and a major Gulf coast attraction.
It has a 1.25-mile paved path for a simple option to discover with youngsters, a 3,500-foot boardwalk with an statement tower, and plenty of alternatives to discover and examine nature right here and within the wooded areas.
You’ll discover family-friendly actions as properly, together with volunteer-led nature schooling excursions, canoeing and kayaking.
Catch some reside sport
If you’re serious about skilled sports activities, Tampa has three main venues – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers play their residence video games at Raymond James’s Stadium from August to December.
Then immediately throughout the road from the stadium is George M Steinbrenner Subject, previously Legends Subject, the place the New York Yankees do spring coaching from February to March. The membership’s minor league staff, the Tampa Tarpons, performs at Legends from April via August.
Or for Nationwide League hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning start their sequence in October on the St Pete Occasions Discussion board, situated close to downtown Tampa.
Straightforward day journeys from Tampa with youngsters
There’s a lot to do in Tampa itself that you just received’t be bored, however in case you’re wanting so as to add some straightforward day journeys to your loved ones break, right here’s some extra inspiration.
Legoland Florida resort
Round an hour from Tampa, you’ll discover round 50 rides, exhibits, and points of interest at Legoland Florida, for a incredible time out with youngsters, together with the cities in miniature at Miniland.
It’s additionally round an analogous distance from Orlando, in case you’re visiting each a part of Florida with youngsters, with multiday tickets obtainable to incorporate Peppa Pig Theme Park and Legoland Waterpark.
Hit the seashore
You’ll be able to’t go to the Florida Gulf Coast with out hitting no less than one seashore – properly, you possibly can, however you shouldn’t! There’s selection galore in case you’re in search of one of the best Florida seashores with youngsters, however maintain these two in your record, each in straightforward distance of Tampa.
Fort DeSoto Park, on the southern finish of St Pete, has virtually three miles of beautiful white sand seashore – a few of the greatest in the entire United States.
The two.5-mile stretch of Clearwater Seashore is thought for its equally beautiful white sand, in addition to calm, shallow and clear waters which make it good in case you’re visiting Florida with youngsters.
Or simply off the coast of Clearwater is Caladesi Island State Park, that’s standard with nature fanatics in addition to beach-goers – solely accessible by ferry however properly definitely worth the effort.
In the meantime St Pete Seashore has the longest stretch of undeveloped seashore in Pinellas County, Go-a-Grille Seashore, with watersports together with paddleboarding, in addition to sea, solar, sand and shells.
Go to Bradenton
Enterprise additional down the Gulf Coast and you may uncover Bradenton, together with manatees on the Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, plus its personal Riverwalk with splash zones, artwork work and inexperienced area.
It’s additionally straightforward to cross to close by Anna Maria Island, with but extra white sand seashores and dolphin-spotting boat excursions.
Sunken Gardens, St Pete
Head out to St Petersburg to the 100-year-old Sunken Gardens, a botanical paradise which is St Pete’s oldest residing museum. Residence to tropical crops galore, you’ll go waterfalls and a flock of flamingos as you comply with a few of the paths previous greater than 50,000 tropical crops and flowers.
St Pete can also be residence to the Parrot of the Caribbean Trolley Boat excursions of Tampa Bay, changing the outdated amphibious Tampa Duck excursions.
Crystal River
This little piece of Florida heaven is filled with out of doors adventures for households, with one of many highlights at Three Sisters Spring. This wildlife reserve on Crystal River permits you to simply spot manatees, in addition to swimming with them throughout your go to.
You may also discover the springs which give the locations their names, with beautiful clear water that’s good within the Florida warmth.
Weeki Wachee mermaids
The oldest roadside attraction in Florida, you’ve been capable of marvel on the mermaids of Weeki Wachee for many years – however it doesn’t make them any much less enchanting for teenagers (and massive youngsters).
The mermaids carry out 3 times a day, year-round – it’s solely round 45 minutes north of Florida, with lots extra to find within the state park, together with the possibility to swim, paddleboard or take a ship journey, and find out about native nature.
Giraffe Ranch
One other spotlight lower than an hour from Tampa, Giraffe Ranch sits subsequent to the Inexperienced Swamp, Florida’s second largest wilderness space, and this wildlife protect is residence to sand hill cranes in addition to native orchids – to not point out the large stars, the giraffes.
There are 5 sorts of safaris to select from, every led by driver-guides, whether or not you favor to remain in your individual car following a information who offers commentary to your FM automobile radio, a 4WD tour expertise, and even camel-back safaris. Many embrace giraffe feeding, plus you can too see rhino, tapir and pygmy hippos on the reserve. Should be booked prematurely.
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I could obtain a small fee
Dinosaur World/Museum of Artwork courtesy Go to Tampa Bay; MOSI courtesy Go to Tampa Bay/Keir Magoulas, all different photographs courtesy of Depositphotos
