Tampa - Family vacation ideas

[happybratpack]

Beautiful pictures, Is this near Tampa?

Thanks! Yes, about 45 minutes South. It was so nice to go somewhere that wasn't high rise condos all along the beach and chain stores all over. It's like old Florida there.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

We love to visit the sponge docks at Tarpon Springs. Lots of little shops to look in, and Greek pastries to enjoy. We took one of the boat rides to see how they find sponges, my 8 year old son had a blast.

This is what I was going to suggest! It's really cool. We are going to Disney on Spring Break and plan to spend one day in the Tamps area and this is one of the places we are going.

 

[leahjade]

where's a nice place to stay near Busch Gardens? A condo would be preferable. Also, what's the closest nice beach?

 

[Promomx2]

You can take a tour of the Tampa Bay Buccanneers stadium. You get to go in the locker room and on the field. I also second the Ray baseball game. It is a really fan friendly stadium and you can see great in the cheap seats. If your there for 4th of July go to Maderia Beach for the fireworks. It is awesome.

 

[aprilfoolwed]

Loving this thread! We'll be staying in Redington Beach in July! We haven't been down there for over a decade, and never since having kids. I am looking forward to it and can't wait to try some of these ideas. I love having some rainy day/need-to-get-out-of-the-sun plans available.

 

[zalansky]

If I were a visitor, had limited time and had to choose, I would pick Busch Gardens over the zoo. I say that because BG has many of the same animals but of course then they have shows and rides. BG is in the process of remodeling their kids area which will open at the end of March and be Sesame Street themed, with lots of rides and they also have a water play area in there thats bigger than at the zoo. Another thing about the zoo is although they have kiddie rides you have to pay for them and some (the better ones) are $4 a ride. And BG is probably open later than the zoo. I love the zoo, don't get me wrong - but BG is much more fun and has so much more to do! And its very welll kept.

 

[Jesussavedme]

where's a nice place to stay near Busch Gardens? A condo would be preferable. Also, what's the closest nice beach?

Closest Beach is going to be across the Howard Frankland Bridge to Indian Rocks or Redington, or Clearwater...
or
take the interstate I275 south across the Howard Frankland to St. Pete Beach.
I'd say they are all equal distance from that area, about 30-45 min.

Unfortunately Busch Blvd, where Busch Gardens is, is a really yucky part of town.
I would look 2 streets over to Fletcher Ave. Fletcher and Busch have 275 at one end of the street and I75 at the other end. Hampton Inn is on Fletcher at the I75 end of the street and is very nice.
http://www.hamptoninn.com/en/hp/hotels/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=TPANOHX

Courtyard by Marriott is next to the Hampton Inn, also new and nice.
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tpacy-courtyard-tampa-north-i-75-fletcher/

I don't know of any condos in that area.
When you get up to New Tampa, further north on I75 by 15 minutes, you might find something.

Condos on the beach are easier to find.

 

[Jesussavedme]

Loving this thread! We'll be staying in Redington Beach in July! We haven't been down there for over a decade, and never since having kids. I am looking forward to it and can't wait to try some of these ideas. I love having some rainy day/need-to-get-out-of-the-sun plans available.

Hi there!
I wanted to give you a few pointers too!
If you want to take the family on a picnic, there's a couple neat nature parks nearby.
George McGough Park...
http://www.largo.com/department/division.php?fDD=13-199

and

Walshingham Park,
http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/22_Walsingham.htm
where there is a really cool playground for the kids nestled in the pines.

Both parks are 5-10 minutes from Red. Bch.

3 local favorites for eating out....
Joto's Pizza - GET the Joto's fingers (breadsticks)! yum! http://www.jotospizza.com/
just over the Park Blvd. Bridge from Red. Bch.

Crabby Bill's
http://www.crabbybills.com/
just up Gulf Blvd from Red. Beach, on Indian Rocks Bch

PJ's Oyster Bar
http://www.pjsoysterbar.com/
just around the corner from Crabby Bills

Let me know if you have any questions, I'd love to help.