Tampa, nowadays most commonly referred to as Tampa Bay Area is one of the largest metropolitan cities in the state of Florida. With a population of about 4 million people, Tampa is no silent city. There are things happening around every corner and this makes it an ideal spot for tourists more than anyone else. From zoos to museums and malls and bridges, Tampa has enough attractions to keep you busy throughout your stay.
This write-up aims to give our readers an insight about the most fun things to do in Tampa with family and kids. Getting to Tampa isn’t much of a hassle with the most comfortable being flights that leave from the Tampa International Airport. With water taxis and theme parks, we assume Tampa to be a pretty fun experience and we hope you enjoy the place and everything it has to offer.
Main Attractions
Tampa Riverwalk
Considering you are going to be spending time here in Tampa, we feel it necessary that you do not miss out on the Tampa Riverwalk however busy you might be. As the day passes, the Riverwalk begins to light up with leisure activities, performances by street artists and art to say the least. To say that Tampa Riverwalk is an exciting place would be an understatement. It can be traversed either on foot or on bikes making it a wonderful sight on its own.
The Riverwalk runs for about 2.4 miles and gives ample space for everything to take place, sometimes, all at once. The South Plaza is the starting point of this Riverwalk and houses around 550 photographs taken by renowned artist Bruce Marsh. This makes for a perfect spot to begin this 2.4 mile hike along one of the most exciting things to do in Tampa with families and kids. Along the walk, you’ll find yourself treated to many other attractions that are also detailed in this write-up.
Pricing – Free to all
Timing – Open daily 24/7
Tampa Theatre
The Tampa Theatre serves as both a fun place to visit and also a historical city landmark located in the Uptown district of Tampa. The theatre showcases documentary films that are both local and foreign and has found itself a famous backdrop for many films shot in Tampa.
Tampa Theatre also prides itself on being the only non-profit movie palace that has all the overhead and operational costs met by members and sponsors. With films like Woman at War, The Little Mermaid, A League of Their Own to name a few, Tampa Theatre is definitely one of the fun things to do in Tampa with families and kids. Moreover, the place also has concerts, holds corporate events and tours that make the Tampa Theatre more exciting.
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Pricing – Ticket prices vary according to what is being screened
Timing – Daily: 10am-8pm
Timings vary with shows
For more information on current shows and pricing, visit the official website at www.tampatheatre.org
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Another structure that has historical importance is the Sunshine Skyway Bridge also known as simply the Skyway. With a history of tragic events, the Skyway stands tall today as an important landmark and symbol of Florida. The bridge has been plagued with collisions with tankers like Capricorn and the US Coast Guard Cutter Blackthorn and finally with the freighter vessel MV Summit Venture that caused a structural collapse.
Even though the bridge is a beautiful thing to look at providing beautiful views of Tampa, pedestrians and cyclists are not allowed on the bridge due to previous suicide rates. Stopping the vehicle to take pictures warrant police action and are liable to being fined.
Pricing – Free to all
Timing – Open daily 24/7
Sunset Celebration
If you’re looking for a perfect way to end your day in Tampa, Sunset Celebration is the way to go. With performers and street vendors at every corner, there is no way that you’re going to get bored here. Visit the various stalls set up here, maybe watch street performers do their thing and then when it’s time for sunset, make it to the edge of the waters and witness a truly beautiful sight along with hundreds of people who gather there. Catching a place here is key since it is almost always crowded and the street performers performing at the other end can definitely distract you from this.
The colorful streets and the beautiful sunset make for an amazing backdrop for pictures. Sunset celebration is by far one of the most fun free thins to do in Tampa with families and kids.
Pricing – Free for all
Timing – Evenings (before and after sunset)
Beaches and Parks
Lettuce Lake Regional Park
Part of Hillsborough County, this park is one of the most visited parks in Tampa, Florida. The park spans an area of about 240 acres and has the Hillsborough River running through it. The park has been open since 1982 and draws in large crowds of tourists and locals all-round the year. The park also has The Audubon Resource Center which houses natural historical exhibits and wildlife that is native to this county.
There are regular fieldtrips and educational tours held here at the Resource Center. The park itself features amazing wooden picnic spots and a 1.25 mile track meant for cycling or jogging along with a fitness course. Canoeing and kayaking are also possible for the adventurous ones out there making this an amazing spot for families and kids here in Tampa.
Pricing – Free to all
Timing – Daily: 8am-6pm
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
A considerably smaller park, the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park definitely makes for a fun free to place to visit with families and kids in Tampa. It spans only an area of 8 acres, is located in downtown Tampa and opened only recently in 2010. The park is filled with beautiful fountains, a large playground and several pavilions and sculptures to ensure the park is scenic and happening. For all the dog lovers, this park even has a dog park with the basic amenities.
This park is adjacent to both the Tampa Museum of Art and Glazier Children’s Museum. This park has regular parities and office functions being hosted and even has music concerts and food festivals being held regularly. Considering this park is much newer than most of the attractions here in Tampa, the park has definitely made a name for itself.
Pricing – Free to all
Timing – Daily: 7am-10pm
Museums
Glazer Children’s Museum
Another amazing and fun place to visit with families and kids is the Glazier Children’s Museum which is located in downtown Tampa. The museum was established in 1986 and spans an area of about 53,000 square feet and is located alongside the Tampa Riverwalk. This museum aims to fuel children’s imagination with their approximate 170 interactive exhibits.
The exhibits here include Artsmart, an exhibit directed at the young ones who have flair for painting and dancing, Central Bank, an interactive exhibit that enables kids to learn how to save money, earn it and even basic mathematics needed to go about money and Cruiseship, an exhibit aimed at letting your kid fulfil his/her dream of being a captain, sailor and explorer to name a few. Every exhibit is unique in its own way and adds to the enriching and fun experience of the kids.
Pricing
- Adults: $15
- Children (1-12): $10
- Seniors: $12.5
- Children (under 1): Free
Timing
- Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm
- Sat: 10am-6pm
- Sun: 1pm-6pm
Zoos
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
This zoo in Tampa was formerly known as Lowry Park Zoo and was voted as the number 1 Family friendly zoo in the whole of US in 2009. The zoo spans an area of about 65 acres and attracts close to a million visitors each year. The numbers are nothing to be shocked at considering that they have approximately 1300 animals on show.
The zoo also serves as a center for conserving endangered wildlife that is both local and internationally. The exhibits here include Asian Gardens, Primate World, Wallaroo Station and Safari Africa and Main Aviary etc. The Park also has rides for children making this an even better reason for being perfect for kids and families. The rides include a merry go round, The Flying Bananas, a mini roller coaster to name a few. Another interesting ride is the Roaring Springs which is a log flume ride that has a 3 story drop which is very popular among visitors.
Pricing
- Adults: $30
- Children (3-11): $23
Timing
- Daily: 9:30am-5pm
The Florida Aquarium
This aquarium here in downtown Tampa spans an area of about 250,000 square feet and is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1995. The Florida Aquarium is home to around 7000 aquatic plants and animals from around the globe. The main exhibits here include a simulated beach, a coral reef community housed in a large tank and a simulated wetland.
The Florida Aquarium has a program called Aquatots that is tailored towards the younger kids aged 3-5 with activities like a tour of the aquarium. The aquarium also hosts teacher camps, field trips and even camps for students alone making this a wonderful place for kids and families to visit in Tampa.
Pricing
- Adults: $32.50
- Children (3-12): $27.63
Timing
- Daily: 9:30am-5pm
Big Cat Rescue
As fun and exciting as it is to see animals in all their glory, it is also important see them at their lower points in life. The Big Cat Rescue is an animal sanctuary that is aimed at only rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and/or injured cats. Big Cat Rescue has more than 20 big cats and close to 70 small cats in their facility.
The center was started in 1992 and spans an area of 67 acres making it an apt center for such a sanctuary. Big Cat Rescue functions as a non-profit organization and the center is an amazing experience that gives an insight into lives of the feline species that are injured and left on the streets with no one to look after. The facility provides tours for student groups on request making it all the more useful and fun at the same time.
Pricing – Ticket prices vary
Timing – Daily: 9am-5pm
Fun and Games
Dinosaur World
Another interesting and fun thing to do in Tampa would be to visit Dinosaur World to give yourself a prehistorical adventure experience. The kids are sure to have a blast and this is great for families in general. This dinosaur themed park has around 150 dinosaurs that are scaled to real life which was created by the park’s owner, Christer Svensson.
The park also features picnic spots and playgrounds for small children making this an ideal family outing experience. One of the main attractions here is the Fossil Dig which is popular among kids. Children are allowed to dig in search for fossils and are allowed to take home three of their most favorite among everything they find during the digging. There is also an Exploration Cave Show, Triviasaurus Rex Game Show and an Animatronic Dinosaur Display ti name a few of the featured highlights here at Dinosaur World. This park is one of three such parks of which the remaining two are located in Kentucky and Texas.
The Dinosaur World here in Tampa also has a 7000 square foot gift and souvenir shop that has prehistoric artifacts, toys and games giving you and your family something to remember this trip. With that being said, we genuinely feel that this trip in itself will be unforgettable and hence makes it into our list of best places to visit with families and kids in Tampa.
Pricing
- Adults: $17
- Children (3-12): $12
- Seniors (60+): $15
- Children (2 and under): Free
Timing
- Daily: 9am-5pm
Busch Gardens
Located in Tampa and spanning an area of 335 acres the park is a sister theme park of Adventure Island that is also located here in Tampa, Florida. The park’s main attractions are the Cobra’s Curse which is a family spin coaster, Tigris, a launch coaster, Falcon’s Fury, a 335 foot drop tower, Sheikra, a 200 foot floorless roller coaster and Congo River Rapids to name just a few of the numerous thrilling rides.
There are also water rides and a train ride being provided by the Serengeti Express right inside the park. The park is also home to around 12,000 animals making it the second largest zoo in North America. There also numerous themed dining experiences, behind-the-scenes tours and zookeeper-for-a-day experiences to ensure the kids and you have the time of your lives. With so many things to keep your busy, Busch Gardens is one place in Tampa that cannot be missed out on whatever the reason may be.
Pricing
- Single Day: $90
- One Visit with All-Day Dine: $105
- Two Park Ticket (can be used for Adventure Island mentioned next): $100
- Two Park Ticket + Two All-Day Dining: $136
- Three Park Ticket: $115
- Three Park Ticket + Three All-Day Dining: $170
- Unlimited Visits + Free Parking: $150
Timing
- Mon-Fri: 10am-7pm
- Sat: 10am-10pm
- Sun: 10am-9pm
Adventure Island
This part is also part of SeaWorld Entertainment similar to Busch Gardens and is even located close the other park, more specifically on the same street as that of Busch Gardens. The water park covers an area of about 30 acres and is the largest water park here in Tampa. The park has a number of rides, places for dining and various other miscellaneous attractions that make this place a fun place to visit with families and kids in Tampa. The park was opened in 1980 and has come a long way since then.
Adventure Island has 2 pools and approximately 10 water slides that vary in size and altitude. The main rides here in Adventure Island include Aruba Tuba, Wahoo Run, Water Moccasin, Riptide Rush and Caribbean Corkscrew to name a few. The main pools here include Endless Surf, Splash Attack and Paradise Lagoon. In case the rides work up an appetite, have no fear, since Adventure Island has various places to eat from. Few of the crowd favorites are Surfside Café, Gulf Scream Ice-cream and Snack Attack.
There is even a private cabana for those who wish to just relax and even a sand box to dig your toes in if you feel the need to. All in all, Adventure Island definitely fits our bill for a good place to visit with families and kids in Tampa.
Pricing
- General: $60
- Varies as per passes
Timing
- Mon, Thu &Fri: 10am-5pm
- Sat, Sun: 9:30am-6pm
- Tue, Wed: Closeds
Topgolf Tampa
If you fancy a game of golf, there is no better place to go than to Topgolf Tampa which is Tampa’s most renowned golf complex. The complex makes for an amazing hangout spot for friends as well as family with the premier facilities provided here. The Topgolf Tampa complex offers an addictive point-scoring golf game capable of grabbing the interests of many.
They boast a total of 100 climate controlled hitting bays, full service restaurant and bars, rooftop terrace with fire pit, more than 200 HD TVs and free Wi-Fi. Topgolf Tampa also has private event places and meeting rooms to allow for corporate functions and meetings. The complex also boasts of an extensive food menu to ensure the golfing doesn’t leave you starving.
Pricing
- Open-Noon: $25 per bay per hour
- Noon-5pm: $35 per bay per hour
- 5pm-Close: $45 per bay per hour
Timing
- Sun-Thu: 9am-12am
- Fri-Sat: 9am-2am
Others
IKEA Tampa
When does one not enjoy a trip to IKEA? The IKEA here in Tampa is no different and can easily fill up a day if you choose to. The store takes up two floors with the first floor dealing with all the household items and similar goods and the second floor deals with the actual furniture. In case your child is too young to really enjoy the experience, they also offer a childcare center where you can drop your child off in safe hands and can be sure they’ll have a good time while you have one too.
Ikea also provides customers with lockers to put any personal items that they might not want to carry with them while shopping. Ikea is known for their food courts as much they are for their furniture and this Ikea is no different. The food court offers a wide variety of food that are quick, simple and tasty. Ikea does get crowded so ideally visit on weekdays if you are a tourist. In general Ikea always ensures that their visitors have a fun and amazing shopping experience. This thus makes Ikea one of the best free places to visit with families and kids here in Tampa.
Pricing – Free entry
Timing – Daily: 10am-9pm
Tampa Bay Water Bike Company
This is by far one of the best ways of experiencing downtown Tampa. The company provides both single and tandem bikes to ensure that no one is left out and has an equal share in the fun. The new revised bike design ensures that riders are safe at all times and can enjoy the experience without having to worry. This definitely counts for a thrilling outdoor experience and also serves the purpose of being a tour of downtown Tampa from the waters.
Pricing
- 1 hour: $30 (Adult), $25 (Children 15 and under)
- 2 hour: $45 (Adult), $40 (Children 15 and under)
Timing
- Daily: 10am-7pm
Pirate Water Taxi
Another way of moving around Tampa along the waters is by using the Pirate Water Taxi. The taxi stops at 15 different spots meaning you’ll be able to see a great deal of Tampa with just this mode of transport. Although this is more of a transport service, the taxi also has the provision to book private charters for special events and functions.
The Pirate Water Taxi allows for you to view many of the events that take place along downtown Tampa from the taxi itself. It’s a very convenient way to view the city without getting caught in the hustle bustle of the city and mainly the traffic. The Pirate Water Taxi also provides their passengers with discounts at restaurants, bars and many of the attractions right here in Tampa. The Pirate Water Taxi is definitely a fun and convenient way to get around Tampa.
Pricing
- Hop on Hop off all day (Adult): $20
- Hop on Hop off all day (Child): $10
Timing
- Sun-Thu: 11:30am-10pm
- Fri: 11:30am-11:30pm
- Sat: 11:30am-12am