Things to Do in Tampa

The Tampa Bay area is a water and beach-lovers paradise with world-class stretches of saltwater and sand and kid-friendly attractions perfect for every family. Book your Tampa hotel and pick your pleasure, trying everything from water parks to big game spotting, and even moon travel to America's favorite pastime—with something fun to do for the whole family.

Big Cat Rescue

Take a walk on the wild side and experience a safari the family will never forget. Every other day you can hang out with leopards, tigers, lions, cougars, lynx, bobcats, ocelots, servals and caracals at the Big Cat Rescue in northwest Tampa. The compound serves as a sanctuary for over 100 cats that were abandoned or abused pets, retired from performing, orphaned babies or rescued from the fur trade. All are threatened, endangered or extinct-in-the-wild species. All guided tours require advance ticketing and are generally suitable for children 10 and older. Tours are offered day and night, or opt for a behind-the-scenes keeper tour, feeding tour, photo tour and even a one-hour noon tour on weekends for kids of any age—with a parent.

Tampa Bay Downs

Wager the whole family will have a great time at Tampa Bay Downs, the thoroughbred racetrack, practice golf course and picnic-and-tailgate space just outside Tampa. Children under 12 are admitted free as long as an adult accompanies them. Gates open most days at 11 a.m., and post time for the first race is 12:30. Watch the paddock area from a picnic table and a tent set up for families near the track. Future U.S. Open contenders can work on their golf swings in the covered driving area on the practice range, while the rest of the family can dine at one of the many onsite restaurants.

Play Ball!

Plan ahead and score some tickets to baseball spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The stadium has terrific sightlines from every seat, lots of Yankee-greats memorabilia, championship team photos over entrances and pennants commemorating World Series Championships. The playing field measures exactly the same as the outfield at Yankee Stadium and, just like at a New York game, you get to hear Frank Sinatra sing "New York, New York" every time the Yanks score. Games tend to be sellouts, so schedule your trip in advance. Yankees with palm trees—can't beat that. Off-season, fantasy camps and clinics get you and the kids into stripes and up at bat, with coaches, drills, practice plans and educational seminars.

Adventure Island Water Park

When is a beach not a beach? When it's a thrill-a-minute theme park just northeast of downtown Tampa called Adventure Island Water Park. Take in all 30 acres of wild slides, lagoons and pools and beach volleyball on white powder. Steel yourself to ride Colossal Curl, a water slide packed with corkscrews, waterfalls, heart-stopping raceways and drops. More slides include the scary and thrilling Everglades, a 72-foot incline for high speeds and hydroplaning. A tube ride through a tropical paradise, a never-ending surf pool and more make the park more fun than a day at the beach. Check the park's website for current fees and conditions, and height restrictions for your underage shrimps.

Busch Gardens—Ride On!

Shake yourself off and head across the street to Busch Gardens. If you're completely fearless, climb aboard Falcon's Fury, a 335-foot tower drop-ride that reaches speeds of 60 mph. Montu is an insane roller coaster on steroids—inversions, drops, loops and rolls and 3.85 Gs of pressure. Congo River Rapids features large round rafts, waterfalls, plunges and water caves. All rides have height and health restrictions, so check out your favorite ride rules in advance. Take a more relaxing Serengeti Safari and snap some shots of zebras, giraffes and ostriches—some you can even feed by hand. Or ride the Serengeti Railway, all ages aboard, to see free-roaming herds on the plains.

MOSI, a Journey Into Imagination

Kids and adults with unstoppable curiosity can explore and invent to their limits at the Museum of Science and Industry. MOSI is hands-on experience on the cutting edge of invention. Ride in a driverless car or take a space transport to the moon to help run a 2070 lunar colony. Experience the heady feeling of pedaling a bike on a 1-inch cable, 30 feet in midair. Step into the hurricane simulator or duck into the IMAX theater and the planetarium. Become an engineer, directing robots and building cities with geometric shapes and foam blocks in Kids in Charge. Lie on a bed of nails, or test yourself outdoors on the ropes course and the zip-line, flying over the museum complex.

Let There Be Beach

You were drawn to Tampa by the irresistible lure of those white sand beaches on its barrier islands, so visit some. You'll need to travel by car or boat, but it's a short trip to a great day at the beach on Clearwater Beach, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, and Honeymoon and Caladesi Island state parks. Caladesi is car-free so take a ferry from Honeymoon Island to get there. The causeway that rides across Tampa Bay, en route to warm clear water and endless beaches, has spectacular views. There's free or cheap parking and lots of amenities including picnic areas, showers and restrooms; bike and nature trails; dog beaches for your traveling mutt; snack bars and frozen treats; and charming beachfront villages.