Top Family Vacation Spots in Tampa, United States

1. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Enjoy thrilling rides, meet exotic animals, and experience shows at this expansive African-themed amusement park.

Variety of Rides: Offers a mix of family-friendly and high-thrill rides for all age groups.
Animal Encounters: Provides opportunities to interact with various exotic animals such as giraffes, lions, and flamingos.
Entertainment Shows: Presents live shows featuring talented acrobats, musicians, and performers.

Cool off at this exciting water park with over 30 slides, rides, and attractions.

Water Slide Variety: Offers a diverse range of slides from fast-paced to relaxing options.
Kids' Area: Has dedicated areas for younger children, ensuring fun for all ages.
Wave Pool: Features a wave pool for enjoying the ocean-like experience without leaving the park.

Explore over 1,200 animals from around the world at this award-winning zoo.

Primate World: Provides a naturalistic habitat for orangutans, gorillas, and other primates.
Manatee Rehabilitation Center: Offers a chance to see injured manatees being rehabilitated before their return to the wild.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Features various events and educational programs that cater to families and visitors of all ages.

Step back in time at this interactive dinosaur-themed park featuring over 150 life-size dinosaurs.

Interactive Experience: Allows visitors to walk among the dinosaurs and learn about their history.
Dinosaur Fossil Dig: Provides a unique opportunity for children to participate in a simulated fossil dig.
Dinosaur-Themed Mini Golf: Features a fun mini golf course with dinosaur-themed obstacles and challenges.

Discover marine life, including Winter the Dolphin, at this world-class aquarium.

Winter's Dolphin Tale Exhibit: Dedicated to the famous dolphin Winter, showcasing her story and her prosthetic tail.
Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center: Provides a behind-the-scenes look at the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of sea turtles.
Interactive Exhibits: Features hands-on exhibits that educate visitors about marine conservation.

Learn about endangered big cats and support their rescue and rehabilitation at this sanctuary.

Up-close Encounter: Offers guided tours that allow visitors to learn about the big cats and observe them in a safe, natural environment.
Conservation Efforts: Dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and release of abused and abandoned big cats.
Educational Programs: Provides educational programs and resources about big cat conservation and care.

Discover Tampa's rich history at this museum featuring interactive exhibits and artifacts.

Interactive Exhibits: Offers hands-on experiences that immerse visitors in the history of Tampa Bay.
Ybor City Walking Tour: Guided tour showcases Ybor City's historic district and its significant contributions to the region.
Pirate Treasure Museum: Features artifacts and interactive exhibits about pirates and their treasure hunts.

Explore the diverse aquatic ecosystems of Florida at this stunning aquarium featuring thousands of marine animals.

Journey to Madagascar Exhibit: Highlights the unique biodiversity of Madagascar, showcasing animals such as lemurs and chameleons.
Wetlands Trail: Simulates a Florida wetland environment, featuring various aquatic animals like otters, alligators, and manatees.
Shark Encounters: Provides an up-close experience with sharks in the Shark Feed Dive Show.

Explore Tampa's beautiful waterways on a kayak or paddleboard, with trails that cater to all skill levels.

Scenic Views: Offers stunning views of the Tampa Bay coastline, mangroves, and wildlife.
Kayak Rentals: Provides kayak rentals and guided tours along the water trails.
Paddleboarding Opportunities: Allows for paddleboarding adventures on Tampa Bay's calm, clear waters.

Engage your children in interactive exhibits designed to foster learning and creativity.

Imagination Playground: Provides a large, open-ended play space filled with blocks for building creative structures.
Kidstown: A city designed for children to explore and learn through various play stations.
Art Studio: Allows children to express their creativity by participating in art projects.

Take a leisurely stroll along Tampa's riverfront, offering breathtaking views of the city and nearby attractions.

Outdoor Art Sculptures: Showcases various outdoor sculptures and public art installations.
Restaurants and Shops: Features a variety of restaurants, shops, and cafes along the riverfront.
Nighttime Light Show: Enjoy the daily light show that illuminates the sky over Tampa's downtown waterfront.

Unwind at this family-friendly brewery offering tours, tastings, and delicious pub fare.

Brewery Tours: Offers behind-the-scenes tours of the brewing process.
Flight Samplings: Allows visitors to sample various beers in a flight.
Family-Friendly Atmosphere: Provides an enjoyable environment for families, with games and activities available for children.

Bounce off the walls at this indoor trampoline park offering a variety of activities and games.

Open Jump: Allows for free jumping on wall-to-wall trampolines.
Dodgeball Courts: Features dedicated courts for playing dodgeball on trampolines.
Foam Pit: Provides a safe, foam-filled pit for practicing flips and tricks.

Observe these gentle giants up close at this unique center dedicated to their conservation.

Viewing Windows: Offers multiple viewing windows for observing manatees in the power plant's cooling canal.
Educational Programs: Provides educational resources and programs about manatee conservation.
Guided Tours: Offers guided tours of the power plant, explaining the importance of conservation efforts.

Cheer on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at a lively football game in Raymond James Stadium.

Game-Day Atmosphere: Experience the energetic and electric atmosphere of a professional football game.
Fan Zone: Enjoy tailgate parties, food vendors, and interactive games in the Fan Zone before the game.
Halftime Show: Witness spectacular halftime shows featuring popular music acts.