For many households, their solely go to to Tampa is the journey by means of the airport – however with so many issues to do in Tampa with youngsters, you’re lacking out for those who don’t spend extra time within the metropolis and Tampa Bay.
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Because whereas Orlando’s points of interest, Miami’s model and the Florida shoreline are what get the limelight, you’ll discover a entire string of Tampa household points of interest for those who’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 the most effective issues to do in Tampa Bay with youngsters, together with Tampa itself and day journeys from the town.
The Florida Aquarium
One of the most effective aquariums within the US, the Florida Aquarium is residence to every little thing from sea otters to sharks and sea turtles, in addition to moon jellies and corals, plus some inhabitants happier on dry land, reminiscent of lemurs.
The large air-conditioned website is correct on the waterfront, simple to entry with the streetcar, and in addition to promising some nice Tampa household enjoyable, it’s excellent for serving to youngsters be taught 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.
Fun, artistic, and academic, it’s simply top-of-the-line issues to do in Tampa with youngsters. You can purchase skip-the-line tickets right here.
If you’re visiting the Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa, it’s also possible to discover joint ZooQuarium tickets
Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center
Tampa Bay’s water, which is used to chill the town’s energy station, creates the right habitat for manatees, and one must-visit Tampa household attraction is manatee sanctuary on the Tampa Electric’s Big 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.
Inside the Manatee Viewing Center constructing, there are brilliant 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 stunning loop path with a wildlife statement tower, to look out to the water from a 50ft excessive viewpoint.
While you’re there, head over to the Rays Touch Tank which homes a gaggle of cownose rays, the precise mascots of Major League Baseball’s Tampa Bay Rays.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
If you’re visiting Tampa with youngsters who love animals, you’ll be able to’t miss ZooTampa at Lowry Park. With a collection 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, reminiscent of manatees, bald eagles and river otters on the Florida Boardwalk & Manatee Mangrove, when you might additionally feed giraffes, work together with large 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 day trip with youngsters.
Book your tickets with free cancellation, in addition to skip-the-line tickets to ZooTampa.
If you’re visiting the Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa, it’s also possible to discover joint ZooQuarium tickets
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
One of the best-known points of interest within the areas is Busch Gardens, a 335-acre theme park that can also be top-of-the-line issues to do in Tampa with youngsters.
Also residence to one in all Tampa’s largest zoos, with 300 species of animals to 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 checklist of Florida west coast points of interest.
There’s every little thing from adrenaline thrills just like the 335-foot freestanding drop tower of Falcon’s Fury to rides for youthful youngsters themed round Sesame Street – to call just some.
Book tickets with free cancellation right here, together with mixed ticket choices and tickets with pre-paid parking.
The Tampa Bay CityPass, which covers entry to 5 main household points of interest, additionally consists of tickets to Busch Gardens
Adventure Island Tampa
Right throughout the road from the Busch Gardens is the Adventure Island Tampa water park, for those who’re trying to mix a few Tampa household points of interest in in the future.
Kids 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 Fun Port, plus 50 water toys within the Splash Attack splash zone, whereas Paradise Lagoon has one thing for everybody – a pool to calm down in, a web climb and enjoyable obstacles plus cliff jumps for the joys seekers.
Book tickets with free cancellation right here.
iFLY Tampa
Leave bizarre household enjoyable standing with some of the 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 youths (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 directly time. You even get an extended freefall expertise than leaping out of an precise airplane…
An important exercise for the whole household, hold a watch out for reductions on tickets with Get Your Guide and Viator.
Dinosaur World
Travel again in time and see over 150 life-size dinosaurs at Dinosaur World in Plant City, simply half-hour outdoors of Tampa. Set amongst lush vegetation, youngsters are certain to have a blast as they tackle the roles of younger paleontologists and excavators.
Look for actual minerals and gems on the Dino Gem Excavation and uncover a life-size stegosaurus skeleton from underneath the sand. Visit different animals from the Ice Age and watch a stay animatronic animal show. Don’t miss the possibility to finish your day with the last word themed picnic lunch at Dine with the Dinos.
Book tickets right here, together with a reduction utilizing my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
Bits-n-Pieces Puppet Theatre
Bits-n-Pieces Puppet Theatre brings collectively the most effective of childhood with components of fantasy and high quality storytelling – a beautiful household attraction assured to spark the creativeness, due to the environment of creativity on the PuppetWorld Playhouse.
Its large puppet productions and exhibits are carried out all year long and have classics like Little Red Riding 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 Children’s Museum
There’s a world of studying disguised as play on the Glazer Children’s Museum, designed to show them to assume and act purposefully and develop into lifelong learners.
Among their vary of various actions is a KidsPort, an Engineers’ Workshop, a Pizza Place, and a theatre, so your little one can tackle the roles of something from chef to vet and farmer and extra, all whereas letting their creativeness have full rein and enjoying to their hearts’ content material.
The museum additionally presents particular packages and bi-monthly Sunshine Sundays devoted to youngsters with particular wants, making it an inclusive area for all.
Museum of Science and Industry
Find one other probability for youths to get arms on on the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa, a scientific playground with greater than 100 interactive actions.
Families can attempt every little thing 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.
Buy tickets with free cancellation right here.
The Tampa Bay CityPass, which covers entry to 5 main household points of interest, additionally consists of tickets to MOSI Tampa
Tampa Bay History Center
A Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, this historical past heart options three flooring protecting 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 a good way to look past the vacationer points of interest in Tampa with youngsters.
There are common short-term displays too, with altering shows which have coated every little thing from fossils to Hispanic artwork, music and far more.
As a bonus, the History Center’s waterfront Columbia Cafe has some incredible basic Spanish and Cuban-inspired dishes – don’t miss their authentic Cuban sandwich.
Book tickets right here with a reduction for those who use my hyperlink and code MUMMYTRAVELS6.
If you’re eager about Florida historical past, don’t miss the Ybor City Museum State Park too
The Tampa Museum of Art
Keep a watch out for the Tampa Museum of Art, 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, pictures, portray, and new media, and shares new views on art-making with kids, teenagers, and adults.
Plenty to encourage and get your youngsters considering, you’ll discover basic, trendy and modern artworks at this much-loved Tampa household attraction.
Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
From the early Mercedes to Mustangs and extra, the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is residence to a number of the greatest examples of the evolving vehicle business.
From elegant classic vehicles to quirky prototypes, and autos from throughout the United States, France, Germany, Great 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 go down reminiscence lane for those who’re visiting Tampa with youngsters and their grandparents.
Tampa Riverwalk
Mixing tradition, leisure and an opportunity to get energetic outside, 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 images 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.
Keep a watch out for the Historical Monument Trail, decide up the nature information or eye up a number of the public artwork alongside the way in which.
Don’t miss a go to to Sparkman Wharf, one in all Tampa’s greatest eating facilities with the most effective waterfront view, or head in direction of the Tampa Convention Center, the place you’ll find the Tampa Bay Water Bike Company’s uncommon crafts – the views of Tampa as you pedal on these water bikes received’t be shortly forgotten.
You may also obtain a Riverwalk smartphone audio strolling tour to pick a number of the highlights.
Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
Located simply outdoors Tampa, Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is one in all Hillsborough County’s most visited parks and a chief Gulf coast attraction.
It has a 1.25-mile paved path for a straightforward solution to discover with youngsters, a 3,500-foot boardwalk with an statement tower, and plenty of alternatives to discover and research 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 stay sport
If you have an interest in 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 straight throughout the road from the stadium is George M Steinbrenner Field, previously Legends Field, the place the New York Yankees do spring coaching from February to March. The membership’s minor league crew, the Tampa Tarpons, performs at Legends from April by means of August.
Or for National League hockey, the Tampa Bay Lightning start their collection in October on the St Pete Times Forum, positioned close to downtown Tampa.
Easy day journeys from Tampa with youngsters
There’s a lot to do in Tampa itself that you just received’t be bored, however for those who’re wanting so as to add some simple day journeys to your loved ones break, right here’s some extra inspiration.
Legoland Florida resort
Around an hour from Tampa, you’ll discover round 50 rides, exhibits, and points of interest at Legoland Florida, for a incredible day trip with youngsters, together with the cities in miniature at Miniland.
It’s additionally round an analogous distance from Orlando, for those who’re visiting each a part of Florida with youngsters, with multiday tickets accessible to incorporate Peppa Pig Theme Park and Legoland Waterpark.
Hit the seashore
You can’t go to the Florida Gulf Coast with out hitting no less than one seashore – properly, you could possibly, however you shouldn’t! There’s selection galore for those who’re in search of the most effective Florida seashores with youngsters, however hold these two in your checklist, each in simple distance of Tampa.
Fort DeSoto Park, on the southern finish of St Pete, has nearly three miles of beautiful white sand seashore – a number of the greatest in the entire United States.
The 2.5-mile stretch of Clearwater Beach is understood for its equally pretty white sand, in addition to calm, shallow and clear waters which make it excellent for those who’re visiting Florida with youngsters.
Or simply off the coast of Clearwater is Caladesi Island State Park, that’s common with nature fans in addition to beach-goers – solely accessible by ferry however properly definitely worth the effort.
Meanwhile St Pete Beach has the longest stretch of undeveloped seashore in Pinellas County, Pass-a-Grille Beach, with watersports together with paddleboarding, in addition to sea, solar, sand and shells.
For extra of the greatest seashores in Florida with youngsters, take a look at my high picks
Visit Bradenton
Venture 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 simple 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. Home to tropical vegetation galore, you’ll go waterfalls and a flock of flamingos as you comply with a number of the paths previous greater than 50,000 tropical vegetation 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 outside adventures for households, with one of many highlights at Three Sisters Spring. This wildlife reserve on Crystal River lets you 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 attractive clear water that’s excellent within the Florida warmth.
Weeki Wachee mermaids
The oldest roadside attraction in Florida, you’ve been in a position to marvel on the mermaids of Weeki Wachee for many years – nevertheless it doesn’t make them any much less enchanting for youths (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 study native nature.
Giraffe Ranch
Another spotlight lower than an hour from Tampa, Giraffe Ranch sits subsequent to the Green 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 massive 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 gives commentary to your FM automobile radio, a 4WD tour expertise, and even camel-back safaris. Many embrace giraffe feeding, plus it’s also possible to see rhino, tapir and pygmy hippos on the reserve. Must be booked upfront.
Disclosure: This put up accommodates affiliate hyperlinks – any purchases you make are unaffected however I’ll obtain a small fee
Dinosaur World/Museum of Art courtesy Visit Tampa Bay; MOSI courtesy Visit Tampa Bay/Keir Magoulas, all different pictures courtesy of Depositphotos