7 Affordable Tampa Bay Activities
Summertime is a great time to live in Tampa Bay! Sure, it’s hot out, but when you live in everyone else’s vacation spot, there’s always something fun to do. Here’s seven super-cool and affordable Tampa Bay activities you and your family can do to beat the heat and soak up the fun without breaking the bank.
New Tampa Nature Park
With boardwalks and paved trails through shady, tranquil woods and a playground that boasts a mini rock-climbing wall and a zip line, this is the perfect activity for a family of outdoor enthusiasts. The park is so tucked away many residents don’t even know it exists. You’ll find it near the water treatment plant, at the end of Dona Michelle.
Big Cat Rescue
Lions, tigers and bobcats — oh my! Big Cat Rescue in Tampa is one of the largest accredited sanctuaries in the world, with over 80 exotic felines for you and your family to see. There’s even a special tour just for kids, and it’s affordable and family-friendly. Check the website before visiting, as the sanctuary has a limited number of tickets available each day.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Visit Winter, Hope and all their friends at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. There are exhibits featuring otters, turtles, dolphins, stingrays and even sharks! There’s also daily presentations with the animals, an education station, concessions at Shark Bite Cafe, and photo opportunities. You can purchase tickets online.
The Beach… Any Beach
We have some of the best beaches in the world. And many of them are totally free to visit. Fill a picnic basket with your favorite snacks, towels and a boogie board and you are ready for a day of fun in the sun. Oh, and don’t forget the sunscreen!
Dinosaur World
The perfect activity for your little paleontologist, Dinosaur World is 20 acres of giant, life-sized dinosaur fun. Kids can dig for fossils, explore the museum, enjoy interactive shows and even crack their own geodes. There are no concessions, so pack a picnic lunch. You get a discount for purchasing your tickets online, so check out the website.
Kiwanis Playground
Skip the long lines and expensive admission prices of water theme parks and instead head down to Dunedin’s Kiwanis Sprayground. It’s 3,000 square feet of bucket-dumping, fountain-splashing fun. There’s even a crocodile that spits water out of its mouth — how cool is that? The park features a non-slip surface to help keep kids safe, and is ADA accessible.
Pin Chasers
Okay, maybe we’re biased, but we think rolling a few strikes and spares with your family at one of our three locations is an awesome way to spend the day! We’ve got leagues for everyone from beginners to pros, delicious food and drink options, and the shoes are always free! We’re family-owned and family-friendly, and we take fun very seriously. Come check us out!
An empty wallet is no reason to stay at home. There’s so much fun and affordable stuff to do in Tampa Bay, it makes you wish summer could last all year!
