Choosing the correct destination is essential to having a fun and relaxing family holiday with young children. It’s easy to find something fun to do in Tampa, Florida, with the whole family, no matter what you’re into or how old your kids are. Tampa is the perfect place for a family vacation because it has everything from exhilarating amusement parks to informative museums.
A family trip to Tampa is a great way to spend quality time together and make memories that will last a lifetime. The city’s many offerings make it a terrific vacation spot for families in search of new experiences and educational opportunities. This dynamic city has something for everyone, whether it’s enjoying the outdoors in one of Tampa’s many parks or digging into the fascinating exhibits at one of the city’s many museums.
Keep reading to find out about some of the top family-friendly things to do in Tampa that will astound, inspire, and captivate the whole gang.
Family-Friendly Vacation Spots
- The Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Complex
Busch Gardens in Tampa is a great place to take the kids since it has exciting rides, entertaining shows, and up-close interactions with exotic animals. Themed zones like Jungala and Sesame Street Safari of Fun offer rides and activities tailored to younger children. The park is home to a wide variety of animals for children to see and learn about, including elephants, rhinoceros, and cheetahs. Visit Tripadvisor to learn about available tickets.
- The Lowry Park Zoo
Around 1,300 animals call Tampa’s Lowry Park home, and the park has become known for its tropical beauty. This kid-friendly zoo has great educational exhibits, animal encounters, and even the chance to feed some of the animals. It also has a water play area, making it ideal for the warm Florida summers. Learn more about the cost of admission here.
- Adventurers’ Haven
Adventure Island is a fantastic place to take the kids if you all enjoy getting wet. The water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers at this huge park are fun for people of all ages. Splash Attack and Fabian’s FunPort are two attractions in the park that cater to the resort’s youngest guests. Thrill seekers of all ages will love the park’s exhilarating slides, such as the Colossal Curl and the Wahoo Run. Don’t miss out on the park’s many cabanas and restaurants near the pool.
Museums That Are Also Lots of Fun
Tampa’s many interesting museums make it a great destination for families taking a vacation with young children. Here are a few recommended museums that the whole family may enjoy together while learning something new:
- The Glazer Museum for Children
Children and their families will have a great time at the Glazer Children’s Museum thanks to the many engaging experiences they can have there. Children may have fun and learn at the same time in the facility’s several themed zones, such as the water play area and the engineering lab.
- The Glazer Children’s Museum has many popular displays, such as:
- The Water Cycle, Flooding, and Water Conservation are all topics that can be explored in Water’s Journey, an educational water play area for children.
- The Tinkering Lab is a place to try out new techniques with tools, hardware, and electronics.
- In the Vet Clinic, kids can play doctor to their plush animals while also learning about proper pet care.
- The Museum of History in Tampa
The Tampa Bay History Center is an interactive museum dedicated to preserving and presenting the heritage of the Tampa Bay region. This museum offers a fascinating look into history and exciting activities for youngsters, with exhibits showcasing everything from local relics to pirate treasures and stories of early pioneers.
- At the Tampa Bay History Center, you may learn about the region’s rivers and communities through an interactive map table.
- Native American, Spanish, and early settler histories of the region are highlighted in interpretive displays.
- A fun pirate ship playground for young explorers.
- Temple of Industrial and Natural History
- Natural catastrophes, robots, and space travel are just few of the many scientific topics that children can investigate at MOSI. The museum is perfect for families since it has interactive displays, entertaining live shows, and a planetarium where kids can learn about space.
- Among MOSI’s many fascinating exhibits are:
- An engaging Hurricane Simulator where guests can virtually experience hurricane-level winds.
- Guests may get up and personal with native Florida butterflies at the BioWorks Butterfly Garden.
- Powerful live science shows and a cutting-edge planetarium.
These museums in Tampa are perfect for families since they offer something interesting and instructive for everyone in the group, no matter their age.
Aquatic Events
Water Bikes of Tampa
The Tampa Bay Water Bike Company provides a thrilling way to discover the Hillsborough River, making for a memorable outing for families in search of a memorable water activity in Tampa. Water bikes and kayaks are great activities for families to enjoy together on the river, where everyone can take in the beautiful scenery and warm weather.
Oceans and green spaces
With its many beautiful parks and beaches, Tampa is a great place for families to unwind and have a great time together. These places are perfect for those who want to unwind by taking use of the ocean, sun, and sand. For instance, the 30-acre Adventure Island features thrilling water slides, a wave pool, a lazy river, and even splash fountains designed specifically for toddlers.
Beautiful parks abound in Tampa, providing a variety of entertainment options for people of all ages for family outings. There are picnic sites with breathtaking views of the water, scenic walking trails, and playgrounds for the kids.
Aquarium in Florida
The Florida Aquarium is a fantastic place for families to spend a day in Tampa, as it provides both fun and educational activities. Beautiful fish, vibrant corals, and larger marine species like sharks and sea turtles are just some of the highlights of this intriguing site. The ability for children to interact with these animals makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Places to Stay with Kids
Finding suitable lodgings for a family vacation in Tampa is crucial to ensuring a pleasant and relaxing stay for all. Here, we’ll take a look at a few of the Tampa area’s hotels and vacation rentals that cater to families.
Lodges that Welcome Families with Children
There are a number of hotels in the Tampa area that are kid-friendly. Here are a few of the most popular:
Stay at the Comfort Suites Tampa Airport North and take advantage of its convenient location near the airport, swimming pool, and complimentary breakfast.
Rooms at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay are spacious, and the resort has a pool and fun events for kids of all ages.
Accommodations at the Tampa Hampton Hotel & Suites This hotel’s proximity to Busch Gardens and its family-friendly features, such a pool and free breakfast, make it a great choice for vacationing families.
Obviously, these aren’t the only choices open to you. Choose the hotel that best accommodates your family’s needs and preferences by doing some more research.
To be sure the vacation rental is suitable for your family, check the property description and reviews left by previous guests carefully.
Finding the correct lodgings can make or break a family’s trip to Tampa. This is true whether you go for a family-friendly hotel or a vacation rental. Safe travels!
