Best Things to Do in Tampa for a Family Vacation
Welcome to the sunshine city of Tampa, Florida! This vibrant metropolis is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning natural beauty. But did you know that Tampa is also a paradise for families?
The Tampa Bay area, which includes Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater, is a hotspot for family fun on Florida’s Gulf Coast. This three-city region is perfect for families, boasting top-notch beaches, exciting theme parks, a lively city center, pro sports teams, and incredible museums.
Whether planning your next vacation or looking for some weekend fun, you will find a suitable activity for your family here! To help you choose what to do, we will explore the best things to do in Tampa’s best family-friendly vacation sites below!
Visit Tampa’s Beautiful Beaches
Tampa is known for its stunning white sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. These beaches offer a perfect place for relaxing, soaking up the sun, and enjoying the picturesque Gulf Coast views.
Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are Gulf Coast communities with 35 miles of soft, sandy beaches. But Fort De Soto Park is among the best ones in the area! It is one of the top family beaches in the country magazine because of its calm waters, playgrounds, historic fort, and nature trails.
To taste old-school Florida, check out St. Pete Beach or Pass-a-Grille Beach at Fort De Soto Park’s southernmost point. This site is the longest stretch of undeveloped public beach in the county.
As the day ends, head to Pier 60 in Clearwater Beach for the nightly “Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival.” You will find street performers, live music, and crafters here, making it a delightful way to cap off your day while winding down with your kids.
Spend a Day or Two in Exciting Theme Parks
One of Tampa’s standout attractions is Busch Gardens, which offers a range of roller coasters to cater to everyone! Your family can choose from various options here, from the kid-friendly Air Grover Sesame Street ride to Sheikra, a towering 200-foot floorless dive coaster designed for older family members who want a dose of adrenaline.
This 335-acre theme park, inspired by Africa and Asia, is home to over 2,000 animals. It even offers spots to hand-feed giraffes, kangaroos, and wallabies.
Nearby, you will find Adventure Island. This 30-acre park has thrilling water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, a treehouse, and splash fountains perfect for toddlers.
And for kids who need to burn off excess energy, head to Grand Prix Tampa! This place has various kid-approved activities, such as go-karts, arcade games, bungee jumping, batting cages, and mini-golf.
Get to Know More about Marine Life
The Florida Aquarium, in the heart of Tampa, is a must-visit destination for families. It is famous nationwide for its diverse collection of over 20,000 aquatic plants and animals.
From playful river otters to intimidating alligators, the aquarium offers an immersive experience of underwater life. Even deep-sea fish and interactive touch tanks house stingrays, starfish, and urchins!
Each exhibit aims to educate and entertain, making it a perfect way to learn while having fun. There’s a fun-filled splash pad for the little ones, so do not forget to pack their swimsuits!
A short drive away, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium has a unique mission: to inspire through the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals. The aquarium shot to fame with the story of Winter, a dolphin with a prosthetic tail. This tale was so famous that it even inspired the movie, “Dolphin Tale.” Despite Winter’s sad passing in November 2021, her legacy lives on.
The aquarium continues to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine animals today. This setup lets visitors learn about these fantastic creatures and their vital mission to protect them. You and your kids will find that Clearwater Marine Aquarium is more than an attraction — it is a testament to the resilience of marine life and human compassion.
Engage in Some Kid-Friendly Water Fun
Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise in Clearwater Beach is not just a simple boat ride but an unforgettable adventure for kids! Imagine them stepping aboard a grand 70-foot, three-tiered ship, ready to sail on a two-hour journey.
During this excursion, your kids will look for hidden treasure and playful dolphins, all while engaging in exciting water gun games. And the fun does not stop there! The cruise also offers storytelling sessions, dancing, and face painting. It is the perfect blend of adventure, creativity, and fun that keeps kids entertained and parents relaxed.
A stone’s throw away in Madeira Beach is the Royal Conquest Pirate Ship, which offers a slightly similar, pirate-themed excitement. This swashbuckling adventure will stir the imagination and provide plenty of memorable moments!
But if your kids are more interested in observing marine life, check out the Dolphin Queen. Operating from the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina, this cruise takes you on a 90-minute journey into the open sea.
Be on the lookout, as you can spot dolphins in their natural habitat during the trip! It is a breathtaking experience that lets you appreciate these magnificent creatures in the wild.
For those curious about marine biology, the Clearwater Marine Aquarium’s Sea Life Safari Boat Tour is a dream come true!
This activity lets kids become junior marine biologists for the day. They will help with data collection while learning about various marine species hands-on. It is a fun and educational experience that might inspire the next generation of marine scientists.
Experience Wildlife Encounters
Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park is a must-visit for families with tots! The zoo offers unique experiences like a giraffe-feeding station. You and your kids can get up close and personal with these majestic creatures. Plus, the Gator Falls Flume ride adds a dash of adrenaline to your visit!
For big cat lovers, there is no place like Big Cat Rescue. This sanctuary is the largest of its kind in the world. You can see these beautiful and powerful animals in a safe, caring environment. The sanctuary offers guided tours, but remember to book online to secure your spot.
Finally, do not miss witnessing manatees in their natural habitat at the Manatee Viewing Center. You can watch these gentle sea cows from November to April for free! It is perfect if you are looking for an affordable and unforgettable wildlife experience.
Bond Over Art Activities With the Family
Kids can have a blast at the Tampa Museum of Art every Saturday. They get to make their artwork for free! The best part? Authentic art pieces inspire each week’s project in the museum. So, kids can learn from the pros while having fun!
Over in St. Petersburg, there is a fantastic place called the Salvador Dali Museum. Here, every Saturday is a special day for families. This museum is famous because it has more paintings by Salvador Dali than any other place outside his home country, Spain.
And guess what? The Morean Arts Center also has free art activities for families every weekend. You can even watch the glass-blowing process at their Glass Studio & Hot Shop!
Engage in Various Museums’ Interactive Learning Experiences
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is an interactive learning hub. It is not your typical museum! Here, you and your kids can gaze at constellations in the planetarium or test your courage on an exciting outdoor ropes course and zip line. Whether a science enthusiast or an adventure lover, there is something for everyone!
Nearby, you will find the Glazer Children’s Museum. This place is like a mini-city designed for kids aged 11 and under. With installations such as a kid-sized grocery store, airplane, and cruise ship, children can immerse themselves in imaginative play and learn about different societal roles.
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum is a must-visit for those fascinated with cars. It showcases a unique collection of vintage cars and vehicles—some dating to the 1700s! This place is like a time machine on wheels, offering a glimpse into the past and showing how far we have come regarding transportation and technology.
Have a Day Filled With Fun and Games
Pathfinder Outdoor Education offers a unique opportunity to climb ancient oak trees. This nonprofit organization ensures safety and fun with its Open Tree Climb event. Held on the first Saturday of every month, this event invites people aged six and above to scale these majestic trees using ropes and harnesses.
For golf enthusiasts or those looking for an engaging group activity, Topgolf Tampa is the place to be! With a three-level golf range and games that focus on hitting specific targets, it provides a fresh twist on traditional golf.
What sets Topgolf apart is its microchipped golf balls, which allow for precise tracking of each shot. This venue can comfortably accommodate groups of up to six players, making it a fun outing for all ages!
A short distance away, you will find the Largo Central Railroad. This attraction is a hit among kids and adults because of its miniature locomotives. You can ride the train along a mile-long loop and be amazed by its features, like a tunnel and a waterfall. Suitable for anyone aged one and up, this railroad adventure promises a memorable experience!
Join Fun Tours
Exploring new places and experiences is an integral part of any trip. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, joining tours can provide many benefits. They offer an organized way to see the best a location offers and provide expert insights and interesting tidbits you might not discover on your own.
The Ghost Tour of St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay offers an exciting experience for those interested in the supernatural. These candlelit tours, by guides in costume, will take you through the downtown areas of both cities. Suitable for ages four and up, they share spooky stories and lead you to haunted houses, making it an unforgettable nighttime adventure.
At eBoats Tampa, you can become a captain for a day. They offer 12-passenger electric boats for rent, letting you navigate the waterways of downtown Tampa. It is a fantastic way to enjoy the city’s beautiful waterfront and skyline.
If you love history and outdoor activities, Paleo Discoveries Fossil Hunting Tours could be just what you want. They organize trips along the Peace River, where you can hunt for prehistoric fossils. Whether on foot or by canoe, you will search for remains of ancient creatures like sharks, whales, and saber-tooth cats, adding an educational twist to your adventure.
Big Red Balloon Sightseeing Adventures provide a unique perspective of the area for those not afraid of heights. They take you up 1,000 feet in a hot air balloon from one of their 30 launch sites. With flights taking off before dawn, you will see a stunning sunrise and panoramic views of the landscape below.
Last, Tampa Bay Aviation offers aerial tours from two airports. Choose between a plane or helicopter tour to get a bird’s eye view of the area. It is an exhilarating experience and a great way to see the region in a new light!
Appreciate History Together
Heritage Village in Largo offers a trip back in time. This expansive living history museum, spread across 21 acres, showcases life as it used to be before modern technologies.
Here, kids can explore historic homes, a traditional general store, an old-school railroad depot, schools, and even a church. This activity is a hands-on way for them to understand how people lived and worked in the past.
Docked at Channelside Drive is the American Victory Ship, a significant piece of naval history. This 455-foot vessel served during the Vietnam and Korean wars. Visitors can explore the ship inside, learning about its role in these historical events. It is a unique opportunity to experience a piece of military history firsthand!
A 30-minute drive from Tampa, the Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg offers an essential educational experience. The museum houses many artifacts from the Holocaust, including one of the few remaining railroad boxcars that the Nazis used to transport Jews and other prisoners to death camps like Auschwitz and Treblinka.
A visit here is a sobering reminder of this dark period in history. Yet, it also educates and raises awareness about the atrocities of the Holocaust.
Get to Know the Tampa Bay Sports Scene
Tampa Bay has a vibrant sports scene! Baseball enthusiasts can catch a New York Yankees Spring Training game during February and March at George M. Steinbrenner Field.
They can cheer on the Tampa Bay Rays at St. Petersburg’s Tropicana Field from February through September.
Football fans can see the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in action at Raymond James Stadium. And hockey lovers can delight by watching the Tampa Bay Lightning team showcasing their skills at Amalie Arena!
These sporting events offer an exciting way to spend an afternoon or evening and a unique opportunity to immerse your family in the local culture. Rooting for the home team alongside other fans can create a sense of camaraderie and shared excitement, making these games a memorable part of any visit to Tampa Bay.
Go on a Day Trip
Going on a day trip from Tampa lets you and your family explore the rich diversity of attractions and experiences that Florida offers beyond the city’s boundaries.
You can drive to Weeki Wachee Springs State Park in Spring Hill, one hour north of Tampa. This unique attraction has been around since 1947, featuring underwater mermaid shows you watch from a half-submerged theater. The park also offers wildlife shows and river cruises, and the nearby Buccaneer Bay Waterpark has water slides that use the same 72-degree natural spring water.
The LEGOLAND Florida Resort at One LEGOLAND Way in Winter Haven is also an hour away from Tampa. This 150-acre theme park is perfect for kids aged 2 to 12 who love building with LEGOs. It has over 50 rides, entertaining shows, and even a waterpark!
Only a 25-minute drive from Tampa, Dinosaur World in Plant City is an old-fashioned roadside attraction home to over 150 life-size dinosaur models. They even have an animatronic scene with a Brachiosaurus, Triceratops, and Pterodactyl, among others. Kids who love dinosaurs will have a great time searching for fossils or playing in the prehistoric-themed playground.
Book Kidmoto Now!
Book Kidmoto for safe, convenient, and kid-friendly transportation for your family vacation in Tampa! With Kidmoto’s professionally trained drivers and an impressive fleet of vehicles equipped with top-notch car seats for children of all ages, Kidmoto ensures your family’s travel is stress-free and comfortable.
Download the mobile-friendly Kidmoto App from the App Store or Google Play Store and book a ride in a few taps!
Say goodbye to lugging around bulky car seats or navigating unfamiliar public transportation. With Kidmoto, you can focus on making the most of your Tampa vacation while they handle the driving.
Reserve a Kidmoto ride today, where safety and convenience meet fun family adventures!
