IDEAS FOR YOUR BEST SUMMER EVER

Ideas For Your BEST SUMMER EVER in Tampa Bay and Beyond!

by Laura Byrne

TECO Line Streetcar

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.

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.

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.

Tarpon Springs: Known as the sponge capital of the world, Tarpon Springs is also popular for its food and family-friendly fun! There is an abundance of Greek restaurants and shopping, as well as the Tarpon Springs Splash Park for the kids and the Tarpon Springs Aquarium. Gatorland in Orlando: Gatorland is a 110-acre theme park combining Old Florida charm with exciting experiences, exhibits and entertainment. Originally opened as a roadside attraction in 1949, the park celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2019. Today, it provides affordable family fun featuring thousands of alligators and crocodiles and a breeding marsh with an observation tower, free-flight aviary, nature walk, petting zoo, educational wildlife programs and an award-winning gift shop. As well as Florida's best train ride, Gator Gully Splash Park, the park has an on-site restaurant and one-of-a-kind shows including Gator Jumparoo, Alligators-Legends of the Swamp and Up-close Encounters. Popular adventure experiences inside the park include the Screamin’ Gator Zip Line and Stompin’ Gator S Off-Road Adventure.

c r e a min ' Gator Zip Line

Lost Pearl Pirate Ship in Tampa: Set sail on a real pirate ship to party with pirates and play pirate games. You’ll even get a chance to shoot the water cannons. This is one of our favorite adventures and you can’t beat the downtown Tampa views. The ship docks near the Tampa Convention Center. Get Up and Go Kayaking to Shell Key: The glass bottom kayaking tours from Tierra Verde to Shell Key are not just a fun family adventure but learning experience too! Don’t forget to make a wish and hang your shell on the Wish Tree on Shell Island. Play like a tourist with Resort Pass: You don’t have to stay overnight to enjoy the amenities at some of the area’s best hotels. Some of our favorites offering a ResortPass are the Don CeSar and the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach. Bok Tower Gardens: See the beautiful singing tower, walk the gardens and nature trail, and/or play in the Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden, a must-explore with the kids. Check for reciprocal admission discounts if you are a member of the Florida Aquarium, MOSI, Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa Museum of Art or Great Explorations. There is also free admission on Fridays through September, compliments of Wawa. Dinosaur World in Plant City: You can’t miss it if you’ve driven along I-4 in Plant City. Dinosaur World is an outdoor adventure kids love where they can also get hands-on with a fossil dig. There are reciprocal discounts for members of many Tampa Bay area attractions, so be sure to ask. It’s right by Keel and Curley for lunch or dinner. Dakin Dairy Farm Tour in Myakka City: Head south for an adventure where the kids can learn all about where their milk comes from. They’ll get to meet the cows, learn about cheesemaking and even make their own butter and feed livestock. Be sure to stop at the farm café for lunch and ice-cream too!

Tradewinds

OVERNIGHT GETAWAYS:

Tradewinds Island Resort in St. Pete Beach: This is an ultimate local beach getaway with something for everyone in the family, and it’s especially kid friendly. There are a ton of activities for families like the outdoor waterpark, giant slide, new zip line, paddle boats and so much more. You can even rent a floating Aquabana to relax in the water with the family! LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Everything is awesome at LEGOLAND Florida! With more than 55 rides and attractions, this is a theme park that just clicks with families. While it’s an easy day trip, an overnight stay is a must-do because where else in Florida can you stay in a super cool LEGO themed room?

There are three themed hotels at the resort: LEGOLAND Hotel, Pirate Island Hotel and Beach Retreat. An overnight stay also allows for two days of play. We recommend upgrading your ticket to include the LEGOLAND Water Park because you could easily spend a day there. It’s not just LEGO though—right next door is another NEW theme park, the world’s first Peppa Pig Theme Park, which requires a separate ticket. Westgate River Ranch and Rodeo: If glamping is on your bucket list, this is the summer to do it! Spend the day adventuring on the 1,700-acre Westgate River Ranch, reminiscent of when ranchers and cattle controlled the rich Florida land. For younger kids, try touring the property on horseback, fishing at the catch and release pond, skeet shooting or mini golfing.

This Conestoga ranch glamping resort is a great mix of luxe/rustic retreat, with equal parts adventure and creature comforts (and quite a few creatures as well!). Bottom line, if you’re on the hunt for a truly unique Florida ranch vacation, Westgate River Ranch is your million-star resort.

Continued on page 16 ...

Westgate River Ranch

Southshore Bay Lagoon

WATER PARKS TO BEAT THE HEAT:

Enjoy Lagoon Life for the Day: There’s a new lagoon in town! Southshore Bay Lagoon in Hillsborough County’s Wimauma is now open and has day pass options available just like Epperson Lagoon in Pasco County. Southshore Bay Lagoon offers a floating adventure course, kayaking and paddle boarding, a ‘Gasparilla Island’ with a beach and splash pad, swim-up bar and more. Day passes start at $33 for kids and $40 for adults. Adventure Island: Adventure Island is home to 10 water slides, including two new ones: Rapids Racer and Wahoo Remix. The Rambling Bayou lazy river is a half-mile of cool fun and the splash pads are kid-favorites!

FLORIDA’S GIFT TO YOU: THE BEACH AND NATURAL SPRINGS!

There are so many beautiful beaches, but the top ones for families that keep making national lists are Fort De Soto’s North Beach, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach.

Weeki Wachee State Park is our favorite place to keep cool in the 74-degree crystal clear water because it’s also home to Florida’s only natural water park, Buccaneer Bay, that has water slides, a lazy river and beach. And the park has “real” mermaids, so that’s pretty cool too!

Buccaneer Bay

GO FOR A RIDE OR STAND IN THE SPLASH ZONE OF ZOOTAMPA’S ROARING SPRINGS!

Cool off at the Zoo with a trip (or two or three) down Roaring Springs. If you didn’t get enough of a splash, don’t fret. The splash zone is a guaranteed soaking!

EXPERIENCE THE NEWEST THRILL RIDES IN FLORIDA—THEY ALL HAVE BRAGGING RIGHTS:

Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens: The world’s tallest and steepest hybrid coaster. Guardians of the Galaxy at EPCOT: The longest fully enclosed coaster in any Disney theme park and one of the longest enclosed coasters in the world.

Ice Breaker at Sea World: The steepest beyond vertical drop in Florida.

SUMMER NIGHTS:

Summer Glow at Clearwater Marine Aquarium: CMA is celebrating summer with extended hours Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from May 27 - July 30. They’ll have live entertainment, free boat rides, kid-friendly fun and a chance to experience the aquarium after hours. Sunsets at Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach: Sunsets at Pier 60 are celebrated every day two hours before sunset and then for two more hours after. There’s live music, plenty of kid-friendly fun, artisans, and, of course … a gorgeous sunset view.

Guardians of the Galaxy Iron Gwazi

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

SAVOR TAMPA BAY’S YUMMIEST EATS:

Tampa Bay has earned its spot as a foodie destination with an abundance of options, but we’re going to share some places where there is something for everybody in the family. St. Pete Pier: The St. Pete Pier has a few different options for families whether you want a quick-order pizza or something more upscale like a sit-down dinner with a view. It is also steps away from Beach Drive in St. Pete which is filled with delicious restaurants like Cassis! Sparkman Wharf: Sparkman Wharf has plenty of variety for families. In addition to the restaurants, there is ongoing entertainment on schedule throughout the summer for added fun. It’s also right by the Aquarium and Tampa Bay History Center. Armature Works: There is so much to do and eat at Armature Works. Head to the Heights Public Market to peruse quick-bite restaurants like Cru Cellars or Astros Ice-Cream OR opt for full-service dining at Oak & Ola or Stone’s Throw.

Sunday Market at Wat Mongkolratanaram of Tampa: If you haven’t tried the Sunday Market at Tampa’s Buddhist Thai Temple, this is the time to do it! The Sunday Market is drive through, but you can park and eat at one of the on-site picnic tables on the river or take your food with you. Enjoy Lunch on the Farm: Local farms

St. Pete Pier

like Keel & Curley in Plant City, Fat Beet Farm in Tampa, Starkey Farms in New Port Richey and Raprager Farms in Odessa all offer dining experiences for the whole family. Check with each location for hours and schedules.