Fun Things That Locals Do in Tampa With Family

Tampa is a renowned party hot-spot in the U.S., and then information technology tin exist sometimes hard to stay sober. But at that place are plenty of cool things to exercise in Tampa, Florida, that don't involve drugs or drinking. "If you are looking for addiction handling help, WhiteSands would love to help you or a loved one, with the best drug rehab Tampa services in the area. With a huge multifariousness of sports teams, museums, unique attractions, and weird oddities to visit, Cigar Metropolis has plenty of healthy activities to relish. We've created a listing of wholesome, unique, and family-friendly things to practise in Tampa Bay, Florida, to continue you interested forth your journeying.

Just starting time, check the events calendar to find specific Tampa activities.

Looking for the top things to do in Tampa this weekend? Check these lists:

• The Tampa Bay Times Events Calendar
• The Official Visitor'due south Bureau Events Listing
• Downtown Events in Tampa

Pro Tip: Come winter there be pirates.

The Gasparilla Festival

Source: Christopher Hollis for Wdwic Pictures (Wikimedia Commons)

There are many dissimilar annual events in Tampa, like the much-loved pirate festival, Gasparilla, which happens in the winter months. (At that place are alcohol-complimentary events within the festival.)

Other notable events include the Florida State Fair, Guavaween (in Ybor City around Halloween), the Strawberry Festival (in Plant Urban center in March), and the Outback Bowl on New Twelvemonth's Day.

Here are other common places to check for events: Try the cultural hotbed of Cigar City: the Tampa Museum of Art. You could also see what's happening at the Straz Heart for the Performing Arts.

Simply if you've looked through the events calendars and are nonetheless looking for cheap or gratuitous things to practise in Tampa today, we've ranked some unconventional ideas that don't involve subversive habits or much cash. We've gone out of our manner to detect the weird, unique, and wacky adventures for locals that are off the beaten path. (But if yous're looking for more of the typically recommended stuff to do in Tampa, go to the bottom of this list!)

Without further ado, here's our list of the top things to do in Tampa Bay while staying sober!

1. Feel reality bend at the Dali Museum.

Salvador Dali Museum

Source: Walter (Flickr)

Y'all don't need anything just an open mind and astonishing fine art to keep quite a trip, and the Dali Museum has it all. Information technology also has really cool events, like lectures, workshops, calming yoga classes, and films.

2. Get a thrill on a thrill ride at Busch Gardens.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Source: Jeremy Thompson (Wikimedia Commons)

If y'all have some extra change in your pocket, an off-season ticket might be fun. Try the Kumba (pictured to a higher place) or the Sheikra. Or, if you want to go along your feet on the ground, you lot can moving ridge to the animals. Adventure Island is the other favorite theme park of the surface area.

3. Buy a loofa – a real 1 – and have relaxation seriously.

Spongeorama

Source: Leonard J. DeFrancisci (Wikimedia Commons)

If y'all want to relax, do it in fashion. Tarpon Springs is dwelling house to the world'south largest choice of natural sea sponges, and they accept quite a few loofas and seashells, besides. Visit this store and the 50s-era attraction that goes with it. While yous're there, relish the Greek restaurants that have cropped up in the expanse.

4. Get a bit obsessive well-nigh the local hockey squad.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Source: NHLHockey95 (YouTube.com)

Consider how fast ice melts in this part of Florida, it'due south pretty foreign how genuinely obsessive fans are with their hockey squad. Check the Tampa Bay Lightning schedule for upcoming games. Don't forget the Buccaneers or the Rays, of course.

5. Do the tourists' favorite affair: Meet the manatees warming themselves.

Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center

Source: This photo of Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center is courtesy of TripAdvisor

It might exist strange to see manatees hanging out adjacent to a ability station, but they tend to similar the warm water. It's one of the all-time things to practise in Tampa with kids for free and it's open from November to mid-April. Check the webcam to see if there are any bounding main cows there right now.

six. Find serenity at the local temple.

The Hindu Temple of Florida

Source: User:proshob (Wikimedia Commons)

This is a massive, beautiful place of worship and cultural eye in Tampa, which serves as a place of deep and introspective meditation. You can tour the temple for free.

7. Get lost in world-famous gardens.

The Sunken Gardens

Source: Babymestizo (Wikimedia Eatables)

The world-famous Sunken Gardens are more than a century sometime. This important and beautiful Floridian attraction is abode to some of the oldest tropical plants in the region, likewise as a beloved flock of flamingos.

eight. Visit Republic of cuba (merely only for a minute).

Parque Amigos de Jose Marti

Source: Ebyabe (Wikimedia Commons)

The Democracy of Cuba technically owns this tiny park in Ybor Foursquare. It'due south very unassuming and sports two statues of Cuban heroes.

nine. Exist blown away past the drinking glass art of the earth-famous Chihuly collection (or take a grade yourself).

Morean Arts Center

Source: Morean Arts Middle

Chihuly is a famous American sculpture whose works frequent New York Urban center, Japan, Canada, Jerusalem, and numerous places around the globe. However, he has a permanent piece sitting right in Tampa. The Morean Arts Center houses his works and trains a new generation of artists during classes: learn to draw, paint, make jewelry, accident drinking glass, bake clay, make prints, and more. The Gott Glass Studio too has workshops.

10. Experience pure gaudiness at a whole new level.

Kopok Tree Inn

Source: Country Library & Archives of Florida

No 1 does an excessive corporeality of statues quite like this identify. Locally famous for its absurd extravagance, the Kapok Tree Inn is notwithstanding a popular events spot. (Make sure the calendar is clear earlier you end by.)

xi. Become in a new frame of listen at the iconic photography museum.

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

Source: Fmopa (Wikimedia Commons)

Snapchat is all well and good, but photography is an art form that should exist historic every once in a while. Tickets are inexpensive; only $x to go in.

12. Cover deathly beauty at the local oddities shop.

Dysfunctional Grace Art Co.

Source: @dysfunctional_grace (Instagram)

Skeleton fish heads and elk toe necklaces decorate the strange and beautiful Dysfunctional Grace Art Company, which celebrates all things weird, unacceptable, revolting, and beautiful. (Note: It'south NOT child-friendly!)

13. Stride correct up! Footstep correct upwardly! Explore the incredible history of the circus!

John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art

Source: Roger Wollstadt (Wikimedia Commons)

Not-so-far away, in Sarasota, was the home away from habitation for the Ringling brothers. Today, the estate is dwelling house to a massive fine art museum. Information technology also houses the Circus Museum, which comes highly recommended, a huge mansion, lovely gardens, and a celebrated theater.

14. No monkeying around. (Well … alright. Possibly some.)

Suncoast Primate Sanctuary

Source: Suncoastprimates.com

Over in Palm Harbor is a retirement home for primates. It'due south home to more than 100 animals with nowhere else to go, including orangutans, chips, lemurs, baboons, parrots, snakes, turtles, and more.

fifteen. If monkeys aren't your matter, visit rescued lions and tigers instead. (Oh my!)

Large Cat Rescue

Source: Tony Webster (Flickr)

Reserve some time with the big cats at one of the largest accredited sanctuaries for abused and abased large cats. They have leopards, lions, tigers, bobcats, ocelots, and more. (Annotation that you lot'll need to get tickets ahead of time.)

16. Or visit Winter, the star of Dolphin Tale (2011).

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Source: Clearwater Marine Aquarium (YouTube.com)

It'due south impossible to not be inspired by this dang dolphin. For those who haven't seen that tear-jerker flick, Wintertime is an amputated dolphin that swims with a prosthetic tale afterwards surviving a horrific encounter with a line-fishing net. She and many other animals at Clearwater have been rescued and rehabilitated.

17. Or see oodles of animals at the Florida Aquarium.

The Florida Aquarium

Source: Ekistics Design Studio (Flickr)

It might exist a tourist favorite, but that doesn't mean it's not one of the more fun things for kids to do in Tampa Bay. Also, if you're looking for a rewarding and wholesome experience on your recovery journeying, y'all could also consider volunteering.

18. Learn more about Florida.

South Florida Museum

Source: South Florida Museum

Tourists flock to the Tampa Museum of Art and MOSI, but this museum has local interests in heed. From huge local fossils to an ballsy planetarium, the museum holds more educational goodies for anybody to savor. While you're there, be certain to visit the aquarium, which houses rehabilitated manatees. Just know that they might be mourning Snooty the Manatee, the super-curious 69-year-old manatee who recently passed away.

R.I.P. Snooty the Manatee: May your sky be a waterway with no boats overhead and lots of smiles.

19. Practise the most typical affair of all the typical things to practice in Florida: Take a long walk on the beach. (But, hey, information technology's nonetheless pretty relaxing.)

Clearwater Beach

Source: rcgtrrz (Flickr)

A sunset nap, a kite-wielding excursion, a game of frisbee with friends, or a very typical dating-profile-worthy walk on the embankment can be very therapeutic to our patients and coping friends. And Clearwater is one of the favorite Tampa, Florida, beaches to visit.

xx. Or burn your toes on the only public black sand beach in Florida.

Caspersen Embankment

Source: This photo of Caspersen Beach is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Tranquillity Caspersen Embankment, with its grey/blackness sands, is also one of the best places in the world for shark-tooth hunting. If yous detect one, here'southward how to make a necklace out of information technology.

21. Visit the world'due south largest shuffleboard club. Hey, don't knock it 'til you lot've tried it. (Or do knock stuff … as that's a part of the game.)

St. petersburg Shuffleboard Club

Source: Carrie Waite (YouTube)

Every Friday from 7-11 p.g. is the St. Pete Shuffle, during which all visitors are welcome to play shuffleboard (weather permitting).

22. Keep an ballsy culinary quest.

Multiple Locations

Source: Foodista (Flickr)

Tampa is domicile to great eats. Get in your goal to explore them. These are some examples of nutrient adventures you lot could complete:

• You could hop around to local cheap eat spots, like Danny'south All American Diner, which got some fame on a famous Food Network evidence, or Biff Burger Drive Thru, which pioneered the roto-broiled burger.
• You could go along a themed quest, such as a quest to notice the best pie in Tampa. (Some people say that's Mike'due south Key Lime Pie.)
• Y'all could become off the beaten path and feel the best, freshest orange juice in the world.
• If you lot're really ambitious and hungry, effort to fleck abroad at this meridian 50 list.

23. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Find the artist who takes the 3 r's seriously.

Hong Kong Willie's

Source: hongkongwillie (YouTube)

Ever heard the expression "i man'due south trash is another man's treasure"? Hong Kong Willie is the embodiment of that. He can brand something out of any refuse or particular found forth the shore, and inspires all of us to be wiser when tossing out plastic. Locals know that he has some of the all-time junk art and composting worms around.

24. See the world'due south largest collection of autographed baseballs.

Schrader's Little Cooperstown exhibit at the Petrograd Museum of History

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (Wikimedia Commons)

Out of all the different obscure, foreign, and fun stuff to do in Tampa, FL, seeing a huge collection of signed baseballs in 1 of the most substantive baseball museums exterior of Cooperstown, NY, is i of the most unexpected ones.

25. Accept a dorky selfie with the chicken church.

The Church by the Sea in Madeira Beach

Source: lighthugger (Imgur.com)

An unintentional aspect of the compages of this church is that it looks like an adorably baffled chicken. It's a favorite for selfies. Information technology'south hard not to grin when looking at its smile.

26. Visit Recyclosaurus on your way into the museum.

Museum of Science and Industry

Source: Wyrmwren (Smithsonianmag.org)

It'due south a T-Rex made out of recycled materials sitting exterior of the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa. Kids activities, programs, exhibits, and events all help to promote STEM there. (If yous didn't get enough dino-action with Recyclosaurus, visit Dinosaur World in Plant Urban center.)

27. As well weird not to visit – tour the business firm within a redwood in Tarpon Springs.

Redwood Log Firm

Source: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher (Wikimedia Commons)

We wish there was an explanation for this ane, but there isn't. Information technology's a house made from a 1900-year-former Californian redwood tree: a tiny home before information technology was absurd. Because information technology's mobile, you should cheque to see if it'southward currently in the surface area.

28. Wave at mermaids.

Weeki Wachee State Park

Source: Weeki Wachee Springs State Park (YouTube.com)

It'south not oftentimes you get to visit a metropolis of alive mermaids at an bodily state park. One of the deepest underwater caverns in the U.S. is home to an attraction nigh Tampa that's drawn in audiences since 1947. Here'southward a nostalgic snapshot from the before years:

Source: ellen jo roberts (Flickr)

Cheque for upcoming show times to see when they'll be flippin' effectually.

29. But pirates are cool also.

Captain Memo's Pirate Prowl

Source: CaptainMemo.com

Some other mutual tourist activity is nonetheless i of the most unique, kid-friendly things to exercise in Tampa, FL. Nigh cruises (except for the champagne cruises) are for families. Requite this local institution some dearest; they've been shouting "yar" for more than 40 years!

30. Unless you'd rather hang out with conquistadors.

De Soto National Memorial

Source: nps.gov

Hernando de Soto made landfall in this area in 1539 and, today, it's ofttimes the source of living history exhibits.

31. Take life a trivial bit more seriously: rub your chin while studying gimmicky fine art.

Gimmicky Art Museum (CAM)

Source: University of South Florida

While the Tampa Museum of Art is certainly worth visiting, the University of Southward Florida houses more than 5,000 works for yous to drool over. As well, it's free. So if you're looking for costless stuff to practice in Tampa Bay, stop by!

32. Or take life far too seriously while observing the dead on a ghost bout.

Ybor City

Source: MiaCass16 (Wikimedia Eatables)

Ybor City is a cool place whether you're stopping by at the museum, riding a trolley, or trying to bust ghosts. No matter what, the area likely has fun things to practice in Tampa tonight, simply be aware of the downtown nightlife.

33. Accept an invitation to first Fridays at a Victorian hotel.

Henry B. Constitute Museum

Source: Ebyabe (Wikimedia Commons)

The Henry B. Establish mansion is one of the most beautiful structures in Tampa. Things to do and meet within the building are numerous. Access is free between five and 7 p.m. for every outset Friday (except during December).

34. Bike the longest continuous sidewalk in the world.

640px-Tampa_Bayshore_Blvd_looking_south01.jpg

Source: Ebyabe (Wikimedia Commons)

At 4.5 miles long, this sidewalk is a cyclist'southward dream. If that'southward somehow not far enough for you, take a waterbike instead.

35. Or fish on the world's longest angling pier.

Skyway Line-fishing Pier State Park

Source: Florida State Parks

This is 1 of the more calming activities in Tampa to do on a nice day. The pier, fabricated from an one-time span, is a hotbed of fish. Locals say they tin successfully take hold of grouper, red snapper, black body of water bass, tarpon, anglers, and other types of delicious fish here. Just be enlightened that yous may need a fishing license depending on your rod, besides as what and how much you lot're catching.

36. Go to i of the 8 zillion astonishing country parks and observe the awesomeness of nature!

Multiple Locations

Alafia River Country Park from Dustin Roedding on Vimeo.

Source: Dustin Roedding (Vimeo)

Consider whatever one of these parks almost or around Tampa for your next chance:

• Canoeing in Hillsborough River State Park
• Jogging on the paths at Lettuce Lake Park
• Seeing the exhibits at the Weedon Island Preserve
• Spotting gators at Myakka River
• Mountain biking at Alfia River State Park

More of the Typically Recommended Things to practice in Tampa Bay

If y'all haven't checked these locations out even so, stop past for some family unit fun.

• Tampa Bay History Center
• The Riverwalk
• Lowry Park Zoo
• Glazer Children's Museum

Out of all the places one could take part in sober living, Tampa certainly tin exist life-fulfilling!

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