july Summer Fun in Tampa Bay

Soak in the final month of summer break with some of these staff favorite activities in Tampa Bay!

Visit one of the best beaches in the country, Caladesi Island State Park:

Caladesi Island State Park has long been one of our favorite family-friendly beaches in Tampa Bay, and this gem is back in the national spotlight, recognized by Dr. Beach in his 2023 list of Top 10 Beaches in America.

The easiest way to reach the beach is by the Caladesi Island Ferry from Honeymoon Island. Roundtrip tickets are $18 for adults and $9 for kids ages 6-12. Keep in mind that beach carts and wagons are not allowed on the ferry for safety reasons. But don’t fret, there are plenty of amenities at the beach including restrooms, showers and a small shop, and you can even rent a beach umbrella and chairs if you don’t want to bring them.

Go nose to snout with Big John at Glazer Children’s Museum:

If you haven’t had a chance to experience Big John, the world’s largest fossil triceratops, add this to your list of things to do! Museum admission is $18. If you have dino loving adults visiting this summer, they can go too—the museum has opened its doors to all, not just people with kids, so everyone can meet Big John. bigjohn.com

Visit the new Black History exhibit, “Travails and Triumphs,” at the Tampa Bay History Center

This new permanent exhibit tells the 500-year story of Black History in Tampa Bay. You’ll find the exhibit on the third floor of the museum as you come up from the main staircase.

There are five stations with interactive screens that tell stories through maps. You’ll learn about Estevanico, one of the enslaved Africans brought to Tampa in the early 1500s and one of the earliest names of an African we have on record. He developed a relationship with Native Americans and served as a guide and interpreter for the exposition, according to curator Fred Hearns.

While you’re at the museum, be sure to stop for lunch at the Columbia Café and maybe even take a stroll along the Riverwalk and play at the nearby Cotanchobee Park playground behind Amalie Arena. tampabayhistorycenter.com

Book an animal encounter at ZooTampa

ZooTampa offers some incredible animal experiences including the Giant Tortoise Encounter, which is open to all ages. One of our other favorites is the Indian Rhino Feeding, which is open to kids ages 5 and older. There are nine different signature encounters you can choose from, including the free Lorikeet Landing Aviary, where you and the kids can feed one of the colorful birds for a small fee. Don’t forget the kids’ bathing suits so they can cool off in the splash pad. The entire family can go for a cool splashdown on the ride Roaring Springs. zootampa.org

Make a reservation for a MICHELIN dining experience with the kids at Psomi in Tampa!

We absolutely love Psomi and so does the Florida MICHELIN Guide, which honored the restaurant with a Bib Gourmand Award for quality and value and even honored chef-owner Christina Theofilos with the Young Chef Award. The second-generation Greek American’s dishes are inspired by her own family recipes, and we can’t get enough. Psomi is open for breakfast and lunch during the week and for brunch on the weekends. We haven’t tasted our way through the entire menu yet but love the keftedes (Greek meatballs), the trio of dips and octopus ceviche. eatpsomi.com

Gorkhali Kitchen in New Tampa was also awarded a Bib Gourmand, and Rooster & the Till in Tampa retained its recognition. As for the stars, three restaurants earned a One Star from MICHELIN: Rocca, Lilac and Koya, all in Tampa.

Splash and play at LEGOLAND Florida Resort

LEGOLAND® Florida is not only a totally awesome theme park for families, but there is also a water park that we highly recommend adding to your day. This summer, the park features an all-new Go Xtreme! Stunt show featuring BMX riders, a world-record breaking pogo athlete and more.

There is something for every family at the park with 50-plus rides, shows and attractions. All three LEGOLAND Florida Resort Hotels features bunk bed nooks for kids that they will love.

The world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park is also next door, and they just launched a new character dining experience for the summer, Breakfast with Peppa, that gets you early access to the park.

Combo tickets and Florida resident deals are available, so visit legoland.com/florida to find out what the current specials are.

Want MORE summer fun?

Family Vacation Packages

Stay less than 130 kid steps away from the theme park at an on-site LEGOLAND® hotel

Multi-park admission, including LEGOLAND®

Theme Park & Water Park

FREE breakfast at your hotel daily

Daily in-room treasure hunt