When visiting destinations along the Gulf Coast of Florida, you expect laid-back beach towns that offer their gorgeous white sand beaches as the main attraction and not much else. After spending a few days in Tampa Bay with my family, however, I realized that this is no sleepy coastal town. Tampa is one of those rare cities that strikes the balance of family-friendly and cosmopolitan. It values art and culture as much as recreation and relaxation.
What makes Tampa such a great destination for families is that there is something for everyone to enjoy. You’ll find theme parks, zoos, aquariums, scenic waterways, splash pads, parks, vibrant nightlife, professional sports, museums, theater and water activities. No matter what interests you or your kids, Tampa’s got it!
Here are some of the top things to do and see when you’re visiting Tampa with your kids. You won’t be disappointed!
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
When you have kids, you end up going to a lot of zoos. Usually, it’s not the most exciting experience. You walk in, you see some animals and you leave. ZooTampa at Lowry Park, however, really stood out to me as an experience that goes above and beyond the average.
As a parent of 3 kids 5 and under, I was delighted to find that there were so many rides available for toddlers and preschoolers at no extra cost. An entire section of the zoo called the Wallaroo Station is dedicated to family fun. There are rides, a petting zoo, a splash pad, dining and a wallaby walkabout.
Throughout the rest of the zoo, you’ll discover a carousel, up-close animal encounters, wildlife habitats and even a safari.
The Florida Aquarium
This top-rated aquarium allows kids to really get involved as they learn about marine life. Kids ages 6 and up have the opportunity to snorkel with the fishes in a shallow water coral reef, while kids ages 9 and up can snorkel with sharks, stingrays and more. The aquarium records the experience on video as a keepsake for guests.
Even if your family isn’t daring enough to hop in the water, you can still marvel at the octopus, sharks, jellyfish and more. My kids loved watching people scuba dive and were entranced by the sharks. There are lots of other opportunities for interaction, including touch tanks, behind-the-scenes tours, a dolphin cruise and a splash pad.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is an African-themed amusement park with thrilling roller coasters, animal attractions, a safari and exciting shows. If you’re going with young children head directly to the Sesame Street Safari of Fun section of the park. Our 5-year-old was so excited about the live show with Elmo, while our 2-year-old was thrilled to be able to go on kid-friendly rides. Both of them loved exploring the canopy walk and climbing nets on the Treetop Trails.
For families with older kids, there are plenty of rides that offer a bit more excitement. Enjoy a bird’s eye view of the park from the Skyride cable car, cool off on the Congo River Rapids or put your bravery to the test on the Sheikra 200-foot-tall roller coaster. Adults can even stop at the Garden Gate Cafe for free beer samples this summer.
Tampa RiverWalk
One of my absolute favorite spots in Tampa Bay was the Tampa Riverwalk. The 2.4-mile promenade borders the Hillsborough River and is brimming with museums, parks, restaurants and more. It’s a beautiful spot to spend a few hours strolling with your family while admiring the scenic waterway.
Armature Works
Have you ever tried to eat at a fancy restaurant with little kids? It’s stressful, to say the least. That’s why Armature Works is the perfect spot to eat for families. Heights Public Market within the Armature Works building offers multiple eateries so that even the pickiest eater in your brood will find something to their liking.
Kids with lots of energy will blend right in thanks to the communal seating and lively atmosphere. There’s even outdoor seating with loads of yard games and a life-size chess set for entertainment. Don’t worry, Mom and Dad: there’s ice cream for the little ones and a cocktail emporium for you. What better way to spend an evening than enjoying good food, a beautiful breeze coming off the river and an unimpeded view of the city skyline.
Water Works Park
Grab a to-go cup from Armature Works or Ulele, the restaurant right next door, and walk over to Water Works Park so the kids can splash and play while you relax. This waterfront park has both a splash pad and a playground and is located on the banks of the Hillsborough River. Kids will love the giant bucket that dumps water intermittently onto the splash pad from above. There are plenty of shaded picnic tables for adults, and restrooms with showers for afterward.
Pirate Water Taxi
Yo ho ho! The Pirate Water Taxi is an entertaining way to get around the city. The crew is friendly and shares tidbits of Tampa Bay’s history while you float along the Hillsborough River. It’s a hop-on-hop-off taxi, so you can pick which destinations you want to see and plan your trip accordingly. Stops include parks, Glazer’s Children’s Museum, splash pads, a pirate ship and even an escape room!
Where to Stay
While there are many wonderful hotels in Tampa Bay, our family found the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park to be a peaceful haven after an action-packed day of exploring. Located just 20 minutes from downtown Tampa, this hotel offered the most heavenly heated outdoor pool where we relaxed and played each evening. The spacious rooms and comfortable beds made the Hilton St. Petersburg Carillon Park the perfect home base during our trip.
The St. Petersburg location is great because it’s central to downtown Tampa, the beaches and more destinations in St. Petersburg and Clearwater, but if you’re looking to stay closer to the action, the Hilton Tampa Downtown offers many of the same amenities plus a rooftop pool and proximity to the Riverwalk.
The benefit of staying at a Hilton this July through September is their Best of Tampa Bay program. They have partnered with many of the destinations in Tampa to offer discounts on outings like ZooTampa at Lowry Park, the Pirate Water Taxi, several boat tours and cruises, the Tampa Bay Food Tour, William Dean Chocolates and so much more.
Florida residents looking for a getaway close to home will even receive discounts up to 12% on their stay at Hilton by booking directly on their website. All of these discounts combined make Tampa Bay the perfect summer destination to explore more of your own state.