Choose from 14 Fun Things to Do in Tampa
Sunken Gardens
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Florida Aquarium
The perfect place to take the entire family for an afternoon, the Florida Aquarium offers exciting views of nature within the comfort of an air-conditioned building. Home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals, the aquarium offers 200,000 square feet (23,000 square meters) worth of fun and adventure.
If just walking around the expansive building and enjoying the amazing wildlife isn't enough, the aquarium also has additional opportunities for more in depth exploration. Some of these family friendly attractions include a Swim with the Fishes Tour, Penguins : Backstage Pass opportunity, and a Wild Dolphin Ecotour.
If you ever want to head outside, the 2-acre "Explore a Shore" water adventure zone provides opportunities for the kids to cool off with water games while parents can relax under the shade of the Tampa Tribune Cantina bar and grill.
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For those extra daring, the Florida Aquarium offers a unique opportunity to go diving with sharks! Certified SCUBA divers can dive into the enormous Shark Bay, home to different species of sharks and sea turtles. Enjoy the stunningly clear, warm water that allows perfect viewing opportunities, without the hassle of having to take a boat trip to complete the dive!
The aquarium is about a 10-minute drive east from downtown Tampa.
Alafia River State Park
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Lowry Park Zoo
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Downtown Tampa
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Fort De Soto Park
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Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
The ideal destination for curious people of all ages, the Museum of Science & Industry offers numerous exhibits and attractions designed to pique one's scientific interest.
With over 450 hands-on attractions, MOSI offers a unique interactive experience to its visitors. Feel free to lie down on a "bed of nails," allow a butterfly to land on your shoulder in the "Bioworks Butterfly Garden," enjoy an astronomy show in the Saunders Planetarium, or take a ride on the famous "High Wire Bike," suspended on a cable 30 feet (9 meters) above the ground. No matter how daring you are or how interested in science, the museum offers engaging opportunities designed to draw in visitors of all ages.
"Kids in Charge!,"the largest children's science center in the United States, is the perfect place to bring those in the 12-and-under crowd. The attractions there emphasize the value of learning through play by bringing together science and creative thinking, and inspiring the imagination. MOSI is also home to Flordia's only IMAX Dome theater. The Dome regularly shows both educational and popular commercial films.
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MOSI is about a 20-minute drive north from downtown Tampa.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
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Sunshine Skyway Bridge
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Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Busch Gardens is ideal for families with children visiting the Tampa area.
- A dining pass saves money—and time—if you plan to eat at least two meals at the park.
- There are several dining options available throughout the park, from grab-and-go snacks to buffets and sit-down dining.
- An air-conditioned kennel is available for pets at the front of the park for $10 per day.
- The park is accessible to wheelchair users. Strollers, wheelchairs, and scooters are available to rent.
North Straub Park
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Ybor City
Known for over a century as Tampa's Latin Quarter, Ybor City is a sumptuous feast for the senses. Founded in the 1880s by Vincente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar-manufacturing center, the neighborhood welcomed thousands of immigrants, mainly from Spain, Cuba, and Italy, over the next 50 years.
Today, the neighborhood is one of Florida's most distinct cultural landmarks. While strolling down its narrow brick streets, allow your senses to take in the sights, sounds, and smells that give the area its unique flavor. Enjoy the various ethnic foods, relax with a cup of cafe con leche as you people watch, and allow the Latin music that wafts down the streets at night to sweep over you. With such a vibrant culture, Ybor City is both perfect for a daytime stroll and known as one of Florida's hottest night spots. Its red brick buildings and wrought iron balconies offer an escape into old warm charm, away from Florida's strip malls and beaches. It is one of only two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida.
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Ybor City is only a few minutes from the main downtown area of Tampa. It is located in the east part of Tampa.