Ideas For Your BEST SUMMER EVER in Tampa Bay and Beyond! by Laura Byrne
HOT DAY/RAINY DAY FUN INDOORS: Because summertime in Florida usually means it’s either hot outside or raining, here are some indoor ideas! Head to MOSI in Tampa: Go see the new “Dinosaurs Around the World” exhibit and then stay and play at the Idea Zone, explore the Moonbase or learn about the science of hockey and so much more! Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa: Experience two floors of kid-friendly indoor fun and the new Storytime exhibit on the second floor—read more about it on page 27! The downtown museum has a covered parking garage next door too and a new café inside for quick bites. Tampa Bay History Center in Tampa: Walk through Tampa Bay’s history and let the kids get hands-on at the many exhibits created with them in mind, whether they play in a kid-sized version of Port Tampa or tie knots like real pirates at the Pirates, Shipwrecks and Conquistadors exhibit on the third floor. Stay for lunch or dinner on the covered patio overlooking the water at the Columbia Café.
BEST FREE THINGS TO DO IN TAMPA BAY: TECO Line Streetcar: This is an absolute favorite free thing to do! One idea is to hop on after a visit to The Florida Aquarium. There are two stops close to the parking lot. You can then ride into Ybor City or catch the streetcar heading into downtown Tampa and make stops along the way like the Tampa Bay History Center and Sparkman Wharf, and even a pit stop at Station #9 to play on the playground at Cotanchobee Park. There are so many fun trip combos. J.C. Newman Cigar Company in Ybor City: Cigars aren’t exactly kid-friendly, but there is a fascinating history in Ybor City and the J.C. Newman Cigar Company has perfectly captured this. Experience their free tours to see the history for yourself—and we think the kids will really like seeing the century old machines still at work! Mini Train Rides: Largo Central Railroad offers free train rides the first weekend of each month through the beautiful Largo Central Park. Donations are appreciated to help keep the trains moving. On the second Saturday of each month, board Central Pasco and Gulf Railroad for a ride through Crews Lake Wilderness Park in Spring Hill. Sarasota Ringling Museum of Art: The Museum of Art and Bayfront Gardens are free to the public on Mondays. This will save you some extra cash if you decide to tie in an additional visit to the Circus Museum and Ca’ D’Zan, which will require paid admission.
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TampaBayParenting.com JUNE 2022
Florida Aquarium in Tampa: Most Florida Aquarium exhibits are covered and/or indoors, making this one of our favorite destinations to stay cool and dry in the summertime. There is an awesome splash pad outside if it is a hot day, so bring a towel, bathing suit and sunscreen. Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Pete: Climb and play at the treehouse and explore the exhibits with the kids. If it’s not too rainy, take a few steps next door to explore the beautiful Sunken Gardens as well! Tampa Theatre Summer Classics: There’s really nothing quite like watching a movie on the silver screen at the historic and gorgeous Tampa Theatre. The Summer Classics series returns June 5-Aug. 28 on Sundays. We can’t wait to see "Star Wars: Episode IV-A New Hope" on June 12! Tampa Baseball Museum: Explore the history of baseball in Tampa Bay inside the iconic Al Lopez house in Ybor City, which is now home to the museum. Tampa’s first baseball team was created in Ybor City in 1887—the museum will walk you through the nearly 135 years of baseball history and local legends like Al Lopez. As of publication, the museum is open Thursday-Sunday. Laser Ops in Tampa: Sometimes the kids just need to run and play! Let them get the wiggles out at Laser Ops where they can play in the arcade, play Bazooka Ball or Archery Tag and, of course, play laser tag! There is also a café for food and drinks. Esports Players Club in Tampa: If your kids love video games, they will love Esports Players Club. You can buy a day pass or class if you want to brush up on your video editing, gaming or graphic design skills. They also host a ton of gaming tournaments for kids and adults. Tampa International Airport: You don’t have to have an airline ticket to enjoy a day at TPA! A visit to the airport is an old family favorite where you and the kids can not only see the planes, but shop the stores and enjoy lunch in the main terminal at the Hard Rock Cafe, PF Chang’s or Chick-fil-A. There are also cool art displays like the 21-foot flamingo sculpture “HOME” that officially debuts this summer. You can book a tour through the airport if your party has more than 5 people. Sky Zone Trampoline Park: Jump into summer break and let the kids loose at Sky Zone! There are locations in Largo and Brandon with a North Tampa location coming soon. Continued on page 15 ...
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TECO Line Streetcar
