Family day trip to Tampa

[clarke_bb]

Our family (kids age 6,9,11) will be in Orlando the last 10 days of April, with 6-7 days at DW. The other days we intend to do some daytrips to Seaworld etc. and Tampa.

We will be going to a Rays game on Saturday the 24th that starts at 6:00 pm. Before we go to the game we would like to spend the day at one of the beaches as well as seeing any other family related things that we could fit into the approximately 7 hours we will be there before the game. We don't intend to go to Busch gardens or any other theme park related things as this is our "day off" from DW.

I know there are a bunch of different beaches and other attractions. Can someone recommend a specific beach that would be optimal for our situation - don't want to spend all our time driving around, good for kids to play and pick shells, close to other interesting family attractions, reasonably close to get back to Tropicana Field for the game etc.

Thanks a lot!

 

[copperhound]

Tropicana Field is actually in Saint Petersburg. A great place nearby is Fort DeSoto park. It has beautiful undeveloped beaches and has been named in the past by Top Beach in the US by "The Beach Doctor".

There are also other attractions at the park, such as the Fort, bicycle rentals, fishing, etc. I tried to insert a link for the park, but my post count is too low. Try google for Fort Desoto ParK.

There is no charge to enter, but there are a few tolls to get there.

Have fun! Tampa also has a wonderful zoo, if you want to consider something like that.

 

[3floridarays]

The Forida aquarium is also in Tampa and it's really good. It also has a huge themed splash park for the kiddos.

 

[garmich]

The Forida aquarium is also in Tampa and it's really good. It also has a huge themed splash park for the kiddos.

We went to the Florida Aquarium before going to a Red Sox-Rays game back in 2008. It's one of the better aquariums that I've been to. If you have AAA, you can get a discount at the Florida Aquarium.

We're going to a Red Sox-Rays night game in August. In the morning we are heading down to the Lowry Park Zoo for the 9:30am opening. We have a family membership at the National Zoo (FONZ), so we'll get in for FREE. In the afternoon, we are heading down to the Pier Aquarium in St. Petersburg. We'll try to arrive at Tropicana Field early, so that we can check-out the Ted Williams Museum in the stadium and also see the Rays Touch Tank, which we weren't aware of during our last game.

 

[Disbound]

You can also rent Segways at Fort De Soto through Remi's
Segway Tours 727-637-2211. I've never done this so I can't say yeah or nay, but we plan on trying it in April when we visit the area. Sounds like fun!
Someone gave me a copy of a recent tourist publication they picked up while there in February and it has been a good source of information. Find it online at www.thefloridainfoguide.com - click on the Tampa area guide.
Last year we did the aquarium in Tampa and it was great. Discount coupons can be found in the tourist publications found in the grocery store racks so you can save a few bucks even if you don't plan it ahead.
In downtown St Pete there is a place called "The Pier". It has a small aquarium on the top floor, shopping, a few restaurants, Coconuts was on the top floor (part was open deck with excellent water and city views) and they had live entertainment while we were there. It may have been a Sunday though. There is lots of parking and a little trolley that brings you to the pier from the lots farther away... check out the St Pete websites for more specific information.
Fort de Soto and any of the beaches would be a fun relaxing pre-game activity!