Alright, Tampa moms, let’s talk about one of the best parts of living here – the endless things to do with your family! You know, when you’re not wrestling with laundry, or telling the kids for the millionth time, “Stop jumping on the couch!” Tampa is home to some seriously fun spots that’ll keep the whole crew entertained. And trust me, I’ve been to almost all of them with Dave, Blanca, and Patrick – so I’m sharing the ones that I know are worth your time.
- Busch Gardens
If you’ve lived in Tampa for, oh, about 10 minutes, you probably know about Busch Gardens. And if you’ve been there with kids, you probably also know what it feels like to have your heart race while riding a roller coaster and trying to keep an eye on them at the same time. It’s a fun mix of thrilling rides, adorable animals, and enough kid-friendly attractions to make you feel like a rock star mom when they stop asking for snacks for 20 minutes. - Tampa Riverwalk
If you haven’t walked along the Riverwalk yet, drop everything and go! It’s beautiful, relaxing, and you’ll likely see a pelican or two (or, if you’re lucky, a dolphin!). Dave and I love strolling down with the kids, grabbing some ice cream along the way, and people-watching. Bonus points if you get on the water taxi—Patrick’s pretty sure he’s the captain of ours every time. - Glazer Children’s Museum
Let’s be real, any place where your kids can run around, touch stuff, and not get scolded is a win in my book. The Glazer Children’s Museum is a perfect mix of educational and fun. Blanca loves the “grown-up” exhibits where she can pretend to be a doctor, and Patrick? He’s all about the water play area. I’ll admit, I might’ve gotten a little too competitive in the art section…oops. - The Florida Aquarium
Aquariums are like the universal go-to for parents, right? But let me tell you, the Florida Aquarium is worth the hype. It’s super interactive, and the kids can even touch stingrays (don’t worry, we made sure not to touch the sharks). We’ve made it a tradition to go at least once every few months – it’s our “quiet day” where we just look at sea creatures and pretend that we’re not all secretly wishing we lived underwater. - Lettuce Lake Park
Lettuce Lake Park is the place for anyone who loves nature. Picture this: a nice walk, some wildlife spotting, and maybe a little bit of swampy adventure (depending on how much you’re into swamps). It’s one of those spots where the kids can run around, and you don’t have to worry about traffic. And yes, I’ve gotten a few unexpected “mom, look at this lizard!” moments, but hey, nature! - Tampa Bay History Center
Okay, not every kid is going to jump up and down at the idea of a history museum, but this one’s a winner. I promise. The Tampa Bay History Center is interactive enough to keep the kids engaged (hello, hands-on exhibits), and you’ll walk away feeling like you actually learned something. Plus, you’ll probably feel a little like a historical genius when the kids start talking about it at the dinner table later. - Adventure Island
Okay, so let’s talk water parks – because every Tampa summer practically demands it. Adventure Island is the place to be if you’ve got kids who just can’t get enough of water slides. We spent an entire day there, and I’m pretty sure I lost track of time after about 10 trips down the wave pool slide (it’s totally my favorite, don’t judge). Be ready to be splashed. A lot. - Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
You can never go wrong with a zoo trip, right? Lowry Park Zoo is huge, has tons of animals to see, and there’s a splash pad where kids can cool off after chasing flamingos (don’t ask how I know this). It’s a nice mix of wildlife fun and outdoor exercise – and if your kids are anything like mine, it’ll take a while for them to get bored. - Big Cat Rescue
I know, I know – it sounds like something out of a wild animal documentary, but Big Cat Rescue is one of those places that’s totally worth a visit. The kids get to learn about tigers, lions, and other big cats up close, which always seems to spark a hundred questions about wild animals. If you’re into seeing some seriously majestic creatures (and supporting animal rescue), this one’s for you. - Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
If your kids are anything like mine and are constantly asking “Why does that happen?” or “How does that work?”, MOSI is a total win. It’s hands-on, it’s educational, and it’s one of those places where you can spend hours before realizing you should probably go home for dinner. Plus, Blanca swears she’s going to be a scientist one day after her experiments there. So yeah, MOSI is a hit.
There you have it! Tampa is filled with places that are perfect for making memories, burning off energy, and just enjoying some family fun. If you’ve tried any of these or have other suggestions, I’d love to hear about them. Just keep in mind, you might leave exhausted, but you’ll have a bunch of stories to tell – and that’s what it’s all about, right?