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Don’t let the heat deter you, June, July and August bring plenty of opportunities to enjoy Florida summer adventures around Tampa Bay. From water adventures and wildlife encounters to short nature hikes, indoor activities, historic tours and foodie fun, we have the ultimate list of family-friendly Florida summer adventures for you.
Here are some of the best ways to enjoy the Florida outdoors, explore Tampa and surrounding communities, and beat the summer heat around Tampa Bay.
Florida Summer Adventures: Downtown Tampa
Walk or Bike Along the Tampa Riverwalk
A scenic, active way to experience downtown Tampa, the Tampa Riverwalk is a multi-use path extending 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel. From Armature Works on the north side of downtown Tampa to Sparkman Wharf in the Channel District, the Tampa Riverwalk connects some of Tampa’s most popular spots. With an array of museums, shops, restaurants and parks along the route, exploring the Tampa Riverwalk can be an all-day adventure. For active families, it’s a perfect place for a morning walk, family bike ride or a sunset stroll.
As you enjoy your Florida summer adventure on the Riverwalk, your eyes will be drawn to the river views and public art featured throughout the route. Make sure to look down too – the bricks below your feet are sprinkled with inspirational quotes. For a little history lesson, follow the Riverwalk’s Historical Monument Trail. Using a collection of bronze and marble busts and monuments, the trail tell the story of people and events that have shaped Tampa.
While enjoying the Tampa Riverwalk, plan to stop by one of the parks located along the route. Water Works Park, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and Julian B. Lake Riverfront Park (located across from the Riverwalk on the west side of the Hillsborough River) all feature playgrounds and water play areas.
Cool Off at One of Tampa’s Downtown Splash Pads
Offering a wonderful way for kids to cool off after a walk down the Tampa Riverwalk, downtown Tampa’s splash pads are a popular place for Florida summer adventures. The City of Tampa Parks and Recreation maintains several interactive fountains and splash pads around downtown. Admission is free and most are open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. during the summer season.
The splash pads at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park and Water Works Park feature the most activities and tend to get crowded. Arrive early to avoid the mid-day rush!
Ride the Historic Tampa Streetcar from Downtown Tampa to Ybor City
History buffs and Daniel Tiger fans will love hopping aboard the free historic Tampa streetcar for a ride around downtown. With plenty of popular Tampa restaurants and attractions along the streetcar’s route spanning 11 stations from the middle of downtown Tampa to the Channel District and on to historic Ybor City, it’s a convenient way to explore multiple spots around the city. Tampa Streetcar service runs seven days a week and operates every 15 minutes.
After getting off the Tampa streetcar in Ybor City, Tampa’s historic Latin quarter, look out for Ybor’s famous wild chickens. They tend to roam around between the streetcar stop and Centennial Park on 8th Avenue.
Visit Ybor City to Add Some History and Flavor to Your Florida Summer Adventures
Behind Centennial Park, you’ll find a very unique Florida State Park, a historic bakery that was one of the first businesses to be established in the area. The Ferlita Bakery, also known as La Joven Francesca Bakery, was established in 1835. Before it was converted into Ybor City Museum State Park in 1973, it baked 300 – 500 loaves of Cuban bread each day.
Located at the corner of 9th Avenue and 19th Street, the park is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum provides a look at life as a cigar factory worker in the quarter’s early days. In the early 1900s, this area was known as “Cigar Capital of the World” and was home to Cuban, Spanish, Italian, German and Jewish immigrants who worked in the factories.
To experience Ybor City’s vibrant collection of restaurants and shops housed inside historic buildings, take a stroll down Ybor City’s 7th Avenue business district. Grab a café con leche at one of the cafés or have lunch at Florida’s oldest restaurant, the famous Columbia Restaurant. Founded by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr., in 1905, the Columbia Restaurant is still owned today by his descendants today.
After lunch, treat yourself to something sweet at my favorite ice cream shop in the Tampa Bay area, Chill Bros. Scoop Shop. For a true taste of Ybor City in ice cream form, try the guava pastelito or café con leche chunk flavor. Across the street, you’ll find a perfect photo opp at Ybor City’s Viva Ybor mural. It features the Tampa Streetcar, Ybor chickens and Vincente Martinez Ybor, the Cuban cigar factory owner who established his cigar empire in Tampa in 1886.
Take Your Florida Summer Adventures to Cuban Soil in the Ybor City Historic District
Don’t worry, you don’t need a passport for this Florida summer adventure idea. On the west side of the Ybor City Historic District, tiny Parque Amigos de José Martí (Friends of José Martí Park) has been owned by the Republic of Cuba since 1956. Cross under the park’s archway, and you’ll officially be standing on Cuban land. The park even features plots of Cuban soil brought to the site from different parts of the island. Ybor City’s chickens love it here.
Packing a lot of history into its 0.14 acre footprint, the park is dedicated to Cuban national hero José Martí, a poet known as the Apostle of Cuban Freedom. A leader in the fight for the island’s freedom from Spanish rule in the late 1800s, Martí was a frequent visitor to Tampa and its Cuban cigar factories. Ybor City became a safe haven for Cubans to openly discuss their desire to overthrow the Spanish regime. The park also pays tribute to Antonio Maceo Grajales, Lieutenant General of the Cuban Liberation Army, and Paulina Pedrosa, a great woman patriot of Cuba who provided refuge for Martí when he visited Ybor City.
When planning your quick adventure to Cuban territory, note that the park is only open weekdays from 8 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. It’s located at the corner of 8th Avenue and 13th Street in Ybor City.
Take Your Florida Summer Adventures Under the Sea at The Florida Aquarium
If you like the idea of an adventure that makes you feel like you’re exploring under the sea, add The Florida Aquarium to your summer adventure itinerary. Here you’ll marvel at sea turtles, sharks, seahorses, jellyfish, lemurs, otters and more as you learn about protecting our blue planet. Kids love the opportunity to touch moon jellies, cownose stingrays, sea stars, anemones, sea cucumbers in the aquarium’s interactive exhibits.
After discovering the animals inside the aquarium, head outside to visit the African penguins and enjoy some summer water play fun in the splash pad.
See a Show at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts
If you’re looking for indoor Florida summer adventure ideas, downtown Tampa delivers. The Straz Center for the performing arts always has a fantastic lineup of shows for all ages. From touring national shows to Next Generation Ballet’s summer intensive showcase and Patel Conservatory student productions, the Straz Center inspires audiences all summer long. Located along the Tampa Riverwalk, the Straz Center also offers free outdoor musical performances on its Riverwalk stage.
A nonprofit organization designed to enhance the cultural life of the Tampa Bay community, the Straz Center is the largest performing arts center in the Southeast and the only one with an on-site performing arts center.
Watch a Summer Classic at the Tampa Theatre
First opened in 1926, the Tampa Theatre is a beautiful and beloved movie palace in the heart of downtown Tampa. Every Sunday afternoon during the summer season, the theatre shows films from its popular Summer Classics Movie Series that brings some of your all-time favorite movies like The Lion King and Casablanca back to the big screen.
Want to learn more about the history of Tampa’s majestic movie palace? Check out the theatre’s 90-minute “balcony to backstage” tours hosted on select dates.
Get Inspired at the Tampa Firefighters Museum
When the Tampa Fire Department opened a new downtown headquarters in the 1970s, they turned their historic 1911-built firehouse, “Old Fire Station #1,” into a free museum. Paying tribute to Tampa firefighters of today and yesterday, the Tampa Firefighters Museum shares the history of Tampa firefighting life. It also features an interactive children’s area that lets kids gear up and play firefighter as they learn about fire safety and emergency awareness.
Make sure to plan ahead before embarking on this Florida summer adventure. While the museum is free and open to the public, it’s open by appointment only Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Donations are appreciated.
Florida Summer Adventures: North of Tampa
Check Out Colorfully-Designed Micro Shops at KRɅTE at The Grove in Wesley Chapel
The Tampa Bay area’s newest outdoor entertainment destination, KRɅTE at the Grove at Wesley Chapel features dozens of one-of-kind restaurant and retail concepts inside a network colorful connected shipping containers. Each concept is a small locally-owned business so pride and quality shine through each shop’s atmosphere and offerings.
In addition to checking out the variety of unique shops and restaurants, you’ll be charmed by KRɅTE’s vibrant collection of murals. Custom painted to reflect the businesses that are housed in the shipping containers, KRɅTE’s murals are unique and fun. Feel free to walk around and admire the art with a drink in hand – KRɅTE is a designated wet zone.
Watch the Weeki Wachee Mermaids Perform – One of the Quintessential Old Florida Summer Adventures
Delighting visitors for more than six decades, mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park are one of the best-loved Old Florida summer adventures. Performing in the entrancing turquoise waters that flow from Weeki Wachee’s first-magnitude spring, the iconic Weeki Wachee mermaids mesmerize both adults and children who watch the mermaids’ underwater shows from a submerged 400-seat auditorium. Summer mermaid shows are offered daily at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Seating is first-come, first-served.
In addition to watching the mermaid shows at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, you can experience the refreshing 72 degree crystal clear waters of the park’s incredible natural springs for yourself. The park features kayaking opportunities (reservations required to launch from the state park) as well as water slides and swimming in Buccaneer Bay Water Park. If you don’t want to get in the water, you can also tour the river on the park’s Wilderness River Cruise.
Take Your Tail Down the Brooksville Mermaid Trail
Want another mermaid-themed Florida summer adventure idea? The Florida Mermaid Trail takes you on a fun walking tour of historic downtown Brooksville in search of 21 small mermaid statues hidden over a 2.2 mile route. If that sounds too long, you can opt for a shorter 1.1 mile route. Use the Brooksville Main Street or distrx app to find the tour map.
Make sure to check out some of the unique Brooksville shops and grab some Mountaineer Coffee along the way.
Hang Out with Manatees and Florida’s Favorite Hippo in Homosassa Springs
A wildlife park like no other I’ve seen, Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park features the oldest hippopotamus in captivity, Lu, who is more than 60 years old. He was part of the original Old Florida tourist attraction built on the site.
Today, Homossassa Springs Wildlife State Park features a native Florida wildlife zoo and a rehabilitation facility for injured manatees. The spring provides a natural winter refuge for wild manatees and visitors enjoy the opportunity to view them from the park’s underwater observatory.
Go Tubing or Paddling Down the Rainbow River – One of the Most Refreshing Florida Summer Adventures
One of the most stunning and refreshing Florida summer adventures on the list, Rainbow River is worth the road trip from Tampa. With its entrancing array of blues and greens, Dunnellon’s Rainbow River will fill you with wonder. One of Florida’s largest springs, Rainbow Springs pumps out more than 400 gallons of fresh, clear blue spring water daily.
Get all the details paddling and tubing down the Rainbow River in this paddling adventure guide.
Go Scalloping in Pasco County Waters in July
Sometimes described as an underwater Easter egg hunt, scalloping in the coastal waters of Florida’s Sports Coast in Pasco County is one of our family’s favorite Florida summer adventures. Kids and adults alike love putting on a snorkel and searching for scallops hiding in seagrass beds. You won’t believe how much fun catching your own dinner can be!
During Pasco County scalloping season, you catch up to two gallons of scallops per person (or 10 gallons of whole scallops per vessel) each day in Pasco County waters. Get all the details about the Florida Sports Coast’s summer scalloping season in our 2023 scalloping guide.
Take Your Taste Buds to Tarpon Springs for Greek Food at the Sponge Docks
Founded in the early 1900s by Greek sponge divers looking to harvest the natural sea sponges in the waters of the Anclote River, Tarpon Springs is rich in Greek heritage and delicious gyros, dolmades, flaming saganaki cheese, seafood and more.
Take a food tour to hit all the Greek food hot spots. Don’t miss the baklava at Hellas bakery for dessert.
Florida Summer Adventures: East of Tampa
Swim and Snorkel at Lithia Springs
Summer is the perfect time to cool off in the cool, clear waters of Lithia Springs, a natural spring that feeds into the Alafia River in eastern Hillsborough County. Take your snorkeling gear along on this Florida summer adventure. You’ll want to get a good look at the spring and the fish swimming alongside you.
To prevent overcrowding, the park divides swimming times into two, four-hour time limits with a maximum capacity of 300 swimmers during each time slot. The first swim session is held from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and the second from 2 – 6 p.m. Between the two time slots, the park closes the swim area for sanitation.
Stroll into a Fairy Tale Florida Adventure at Bok Tower Gardens
Take a road trip to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales and you’ll feel like you walked into a fairy tale. A sanctuary of nearly 50 acres of Olmsted gardens, Bok Tower Gardens takes you through winding paths of lush greenery and flower beds. The gardens’ centerpiece is a majestic 205-foot Singing Tower featuring a 60-bell carillon. On the other side of the gardens, a 2.5-acre children’s garden is a wonderland for nature-based play.
Summer Free Admission Days! Bok Tower Gardens offers complimentary admission on the last Thursday and Friday of each month between May and September. Preregistration is required to redeem this offer.
A place that fills your soul with wonder and peace, Bok Tower Gardens is one of those old Florida summer adventures you shouldn’t skip. Learn more about the magic of Bok Tower Gardens in this guide to Tampa Bay gardens.
Wander Down the Boardwalk Trail at Alderman’s Ford Park
A hidden treasure of eastern Hillsborough County, Alderman’s Ford Conservation Park features an impressive tree-shaded 0.4-mile boardwalk trail. The boardwalk overlooks a prong of the Alafia River in Plant City.
To reach the boardwalk trail, follow the paved trail south from the picnic area. Note that pets, bicycles and skateboards are not permitted on the boardwalk.
Race Around an Indoor Go-Kart Track at Tampa Bay Grand Prix
Do you have the need for speed? Racers of all skill levels can have fun and challenge their skills on Tampa Bay Grand Prix’s indoor go-kart racing track.
Adults and teens can compete with Tampa Bay Grand Prix’s adult go-karts. Once they reach 48 in tall, kids can get in on the action and drive a junior kart.
Tampa Bay Grand Prix has two go-kart racing locations in the Tampa Bay area, one is East Tampa and one in Clearwater.
Look for Fairies at Eureka Springs Park
Rumor has it that fairies flit around in the floodplain forest at Tampa’s Eureka Springs Conservation Park. Keep an eye out for pixie dust when you walk through the park’s peaceful boardwalk. In addition to exploring the boardwalk through the wetlands and checking out the park’s small natural spring, don’t miss Eureka Springs Park’s beautiful botanical garden featuring tropical plants, roses and lots of greenery.
First established in 1938 by a local botanist, 31-acre Eureka Springs is now part of the Hillsborough County Park system and boasts the largest publicly owned collection of ferns in Florida.
Try Tampa’s Favorite Hot Dog at Mel’s
Specializing in real Chicago-style hot dogs, Mel’s Hot Dogs has been serving Tampa’s favorite hot dog since 1973. Located near Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Mel’s red wienermobile lures hungry adventurers to stop and sample its all-beef natural casing hot dog served on a steamed poppy seed bun.
Enjoy your dog with the toppings of your choice or try Mel’s Special with mustard, onions, sauerkraut, relish and pickle.
Sip Local Wine, Ale and Cider and Say Hi to the Animals at Keel Farms
A farm, winery, brewery, restaurant and more located in Plant City, Keel Farms is a fun summer adventure spot for the whole family to enjoy. Kids love the opportunity to greet farm animals and play on the Keel Farms playground. Mom and dad will enjoy tasting Keel Farms Agrarian Ale + Cider and Keel + Curley winery specialties like blueberry, peach and key lime wines.
Wine tastings are $15 per person and must be booked in advance. A behind-the-scenes tour of the farm and winery that includes a tasting of Keel Farms farm-to-glass products and a souvenir flight glass is available for $25 per person.
If you like live music, you can check out local artists playing on Wednesday evenings during the Sunset Sounds Summer Music Series. Keel Farms also features live music every weekend on the patio.
In late June, Keel Farms hosts its annual Watermelon Festival. A family-friendly two-day event, the festival features Keel Farms watermelons, a wine and cider release, watermelon fun, craft and food vendors and even water slides. Admission is free and the event is pet friendly.
Florida Summer Adventures: West of Tampa – Pinellas County
Take an Eco-Boat Tour with Clearwater Marine Aquarium
A Florida summer adventure perfect for dolphin and marine life lovers, a Clearwater Marine Aquarium boat tour is a fun and educational way to spend some time on the water. During the summer, the aquarium offers multiple boat tour adventures from guided eco-boat tours to seasonal snorkel adventures and summer sunset cruises.
You can add a boat tour on to your day at CMA or book it separately. A nonprofit working marine rescue center, Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to rescued dolphins, sea turtles, otters and more marine animals that were unable to return to the wild after rehab.
Find Multiple Avenues for Florida Summer Adventures at the St. Pete Pier
So much more than just a pier, the St. Pete Pier is a 26-acre waterfront entertainment district. It’s a fun place for a family bike ride or skating session. With plenty of walking paths, green spaces, public art, play areas and waterfront restaurants, plus a splash pad, beach and fishing deck, the St. Pete Pier is a destination for all kinds of fun Florida summer adventures.
Located in the Pier Plaza, the Pier’s splash pad is an interactive water play area that also serves as a fountain. Next to the splash pad, Spa Beach give you the chance to put your toes in the sand right in downtown St. Petersburg. It’s also a good spot for sandcastle building, relaxing by the water and launching kayaks and paddleboards.
Want to take a boat tour around St. Petersburg? The Pelican ferry service offers 2.5-hour sunset cruises departing from the St. Pete Pier.
Watch Glass Artists Work at the Morean Glass Studio
Recently, our family binge-watched the glassblowing competition reality TV series Blown Away on Netflix. While watching the artists create incredible pieces of art, I remembered a fun local glass art adventure we experienced in St. Petersburg.
In the show, master glass artists compete for prizes, including an an artist residency at New York’s Corning Museum of Glass. At the Morean Glass Studio in St. Petersburg, you can go behind the scenes to watch the Morean’s own resident glass artists do their thing in the hot shop.
Morean Glass Studio is part of the Morean Arts Center, which is also home to the Chihuly Collection, a permanent exhibit of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s unique multi-part glass art sculptures. Admission to Morean Glass Studio and its glassblowing demonstrations are included with tickets to the Chihuly Collection. During the summer, glassblowing demonstrations are held Wednesday through Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Discover Over 1,000 Acres of Florida Summer Adventures at Fort De Soto Park
The largest park in Pinellas County, Fort De Soto Park consists of 1,136 acres made up of five interconnected islands. The park features a historic fort, two fishing piers and miles of walking, biking and paddling trails through natural beauty.
With seven miles of waterfront including nearly three miles of white sandy beach and a 2.25-mile paddling trail, it’s a water lover’s paradise. During the summer months, the beach is a refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle, which nests between April and September.
Take the Ferry to Egmont Key
Accessible only by private boat or ferry, Egmont Key is a unique and remote place to explore. It’s home to a lighthouse that has been operating for more than 160 years as well as the ruins of Fort Dade built during the Spanish-American War. Today it primarily serves as a wildlife refuge and a beautiful place to get away from it all.
Ferry service to Egmont Key is available from nearby Fort De Soto Park or the downtown St. Pete Pier. If you plan to take the Fort De Soto ferry for a summer adventure to Egmont Key, it’s highly recommended to book your ferry tickets in advance. A five-hour family-friendly excursion, the Fort De Soto ferry offers three hours of island time.
Another way to get to the island, The Pelican ferry from the St. Pete Pier offer 4-hour excursions to the island with two hours of island time and two hours of ferry time.
Looking For More Florida Lighthouses to Visit?
Check out our Adventure-Seeking Mom guide to Florida lighthouses to visit on the gulf coast. From Egmont Key to Sanibel Island, Anclote Key and Gasparilla Island, Florida lighthouse adventures will take you to some stunning and serene places.
Treat Yourself at Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Mamma mia, Mazzaro’s Italian Market is always so crowded but the mouthwatering Italian treats are worth the headache! From fabulous focaccia bread and coffee-friendly cookies to Italian meats, cheeses, seafood and wines, there’s so much to savor.
Make sure to stop and admire their murals and collection of statues outside. You won’t regret adding this to your lineup of foodie Florida summer adventures.
Discover the Secret Garden of St. Pete Beach
One of my favorite spots to admire the sunset glow over the Gulf of Mexico, the Secret Garden of St. Pete Beach is a serene little hideaway. To find it, park at Upham Beach and walk north until you reach the beach’s end at Blind Pass.
A labor of love from a group of committed volunteers, this tropical beach garden invites beach walkers to stop, look around and sit a spell. Benches and small tables are situated throughout St. Pete Beach’s secret garden.
Paddle Through the Mangrove Tunnels at Weedon Island Preserve
The shallow waters and mangrove swamps of Weedon Island Preserve offer an exciting paddling adventure for nature lovers. Weedon Island Preserve’s south paddling trail takes you through a maze of mangrove tunnels as you paddle its four-mile loop.
One of the Florida summer adventures best suited for outdoorsy families who like to take their time while exploring, Weedon Island Preserve tends to be a long, slow-moving paddle session.
Set Out on Florida Summer Adventures at Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island
With more than four miles of pristine beaches and a three-mile island nature trail to explore, Honeymoon Island off the coast of Dunedin offers an ideal setting for swimming, shelling, fishing, hiking, biking and wildlife watching.
Take the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladesi Island to experience even more untouched island beauty. You can also get to Caladesi Island by private boat, boat tour, kayak or paddleboard. One look at this secluded island paradise and you’ll have found your new favorite beach for Florida summer adventures.
If possible, plan your visit for a weekday to avoid heavy traffic. Significant traffic delays are common on the Dunedin Causeway that takes you onto Honeymoon Island.
https://www.viator.com/tours/Tampa/Private-Eco-Tour/d666-338425P3?pid=P00158226&mcid=42383&medium=link&medium_version=selector
Florida Summer Adventures: South of Tampa
Get A Bird’s Eye View of Tampa Bay at Apollo Beach Nature Preserve
Take your Florida summer adventure tour down to Apollo Beach to see how Tampa Bay’s waters sparkle from 37 feet in the air. From the top of the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve’s observation tower, you can see the skyline of St. Petersburg to the west as well as Tampa to the north.
A popular place to enjoy the summer sunset glow over the bay, the preserve also features a Apollo Beach’s only public beach and a short nature trail. At the beach, you can fish, build sandcastles and watch dolphins but swimming is not permitted due to strong, dangerous currents.
Try Homemade Thai Food at the Sunday Food Market at Wat Tampa
Florida food adventures are a fun way to encourage kids to try new cuisines. Serving a picnic-style Thai lunch in a serene riverfront setting, the Sunday Food Market at the Wat Tampa Thai Buddhist Temple is a delicious Florida summer adventure.
The market features happiness-inducing homemade Thai food favorites like mango sticky rice, pad thai and fresh shrimp rolls.
Go Shark Tooth Hunting in Venice – Florida Summer Adventures with Fossils!
Known as the shark tooth capital of the world, Venice sits on top of a deep fossil layer. Hard teeth are all that remains of the swarms of prehistoric sharks that once swam in these waters. Just like seashells, the waves constantly bring these fossils up on to the beach. Use a sifter to increase your chances of finding the shiny black sea treasures among the abundance of crushed shell pieces that accumulate on the shore.
Caspersen Beach Park is the most popular spot for shark tooth hunting along the Venice shoreline.
Walk Through the Treetops at Myakka River State Park
One of Florida’s largest and most diverse natural areas, Myakka River State Park in Sarasota is the place for real Florida summer adventures around Tampa Bay. A cool treetop canopy walkway is a highlight of the state park. This treetop trail takes you on an adventure through and above the trees. Cross the canopy walkway bridge through the trees and then climb the observation tower. Standing at a height of 76.1 feet, the tower gives you an incredible view above the trees.
After coming down from the tower, continue your adventure along a kid-friendly mile-long nature trail. This shady, weaving trail takes through the hammock that borders the Myakka River. You’ll be captivated by the twisted mossy oak and palm trees that line the trail. During summer, you can also see narrowleaf sunflowers, lovely little Florida wildflowers that bloom in the wetland areas of the trail and in the park’s prairies.
Camping, paddling, fishing, river tours and wildlife watching (especially alligators!) are also popular things to do in Myakka River State Park. For tips on adventuring here, check out this guide to the park’s many activities for adventurous families.
Feed the Flamingos at Sarasota Jungle Gardens
A family-oriented “Old Florida” attraction, Sarasota Jungle Gardens feature winding jungle trails, lush tropical landscaping and native and exotic animal exhibits. Kids love the opportunity to feed, touch and interact with a variety of wildlife including reptiles, small mammals, flamingos, parrots, macaws and other birds.
This popular Florida family adventure attraction also features daily animals shows and a playground.
Adventure Through the Museum of Art and Bayfront Gardens at The Ringling
With 31 galleries of extraordinary works of art from ancient to contemporary, The Ringling Museum of Art in Sarasota is a must-visit for art lovers. Inspired by Italian Renaissance villa gardens, the museum’s elegant courtyard features sculpture reproductions of some of the most famous works in Western art.
A beautiful and shady place to enjoy both art and nature, The Ringling grounds contain an arboretum with 2,350 trees including massive banyans. Stroll through Mable Ringling’s Rose Garden to enjoy the lovely, fragrant centerpiece of The Ringling’s Bayfront Gardens. Kids love the gardens’ Bolger Playspace that has multiple play structures, swings, and a space for water and sand play.
Planning tip: visit on a Monday when admission to the Bayfront Gardens and Museum of Art are free to the public.
You can also purchase tickets to visit The Ringling’s Circus Museum and its spectacular Venetian Gothic style mansion, the Ca’ d’Zan. For more details on all the things to explore at The Ringling, check out this Ringling Museum guide.
Want to check out some more Florida gardens around Tampa Bay?
We also have an Adventure-Seeking Mom guide to Tampa Bay area gardens. In addition to the gardens featured in this post, this Tampa Bay area garden guide highlights several Florida botanical gardens including historic Florida gardens like St. Petersburg’s Sunken Gardens and Winter Haven’s Cypress Gardens, now part of LEGOLAND Florida.
Enjoy Florida Orange Ice Cream at The Citrus Place
What’s more refreshing than fresh Florida orange soft serve ice cream on a hot summer day? You’ll be glad you stopped by The Citrus Place in Terra Ceia, just south of the Skyway Bridge in Manatee County.
This small family citrus business takes a lot of pride in their locally-grown citrus, fresh juices, ice cream, key lime pie and other specialties.
Take a Ride on a Historic Train at the Florida Railroad Museum
Each weekend, the Florida Railroad Museum’s diesel-powered trains take passengers on a Florida adventure back in time. Highlighting Florida railroading as it existed in the 1940s and 1950s, the Florida Railroad Museum is a fun summer adventure for history and train enthusiasts.
Using a variety of open-air, open-window and air-conditioned cars, the trains operate on a six-mile rail line between Parrish and Willow, Florida in rural Manatee County. Train rides typically depart every Saturday and Sunday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Preparing For Florida Summer Adventures
As you plan your Florida summer adventures, remember to make sun protection a priority for outdoor adventures. Check out our list of Adventure-Seeking Mom approved sun protection products.
More Family-Friendly Florida Adventures
Adventure-Seeking Mom’s guides can help you plan Florida family adventures all year long. Check out our Tampa Bay spring bucket list, top spots for Tampa Bay indoor fun, and all our Florida family adventure guides.
Which one of these family-friendly Florida summer adventures around Tampa Bay are you most interested in? What else would you add to the list? Let me know in the comments!
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We visit this area every year and you’ve included some gems we’ve never heard of. Been eager to see the Weeki Wachee Mermaids! I can attest, super easy to find shark teeth on Venice beach. We usually come home with 5-10 per day. Wonderful post, thanks for the inspiration!
Thank you! The Weeki Wachee mermaid shows are really neat to watch. My daughter was mermerized!
I had no idea there were so many fun things to do in Tampa! Can’t wait to go back and explore it more.
So much to explore here! Hope you’re able to visit again soon.
Love Mazarros!! So many great finds!
Thank you! Mazarro’s is so unique and delicious.
Great list of “off the beaten path” things to do that most of us visiting the area wouldn’t know about. Your kids are at a fun age where all of the exploring that you do is fun for them.
Thanks so much! My five year old is still up for most anything but the nine year old has already started the “too cool” attitude about some things. He usually enjoys himself once he gets past the initial attitude though!
Wow, so many excellent suggestions for enjoying the area around Tampa Bay! I love to mix history, nature, and relaxation into my trips and you have shown how to include all of them. Thanks for such a helpful post!
My pleasure! I enjoy mixing all those things into our adventures too.
Such great activities to do there. I am sharing this with my cousin who lives there. He has two lovely kids.
Thanks so much for sharing!
You had me at “Hang Out with Manatees!” I’ve never seen one, but they are on my bucket list!
Manatees are amazing, gentle and curious animals! I hope you’re able see them in the wild one day. In summer, they’re most often spotted moving about the Gulf but there are a few places to see them in rehab settings like Homosassa Springs or Zoo Tampa. In the winter, they are easier to find because there are a number of sanctuaries where they huddle up to stay warm inside Florida’s natural springs.
Wow I bet that mermaid show is pretty magical! I grew up on the other side of the Gulf (southeast Texas) and I don’t remember us having so many cool things to do, you guys definitely have it better in Tampa haha. Our water wasn’t as crystal clear as Lithia Springs either, that looks beautiful!
I would love to check out the shark tooth beach, that’s special that there are so many in one location. The Myakka River canopy walk reminds me a bit of the hanging bridges in Costa Rica; I bet there is a lot of diverse planet and animal life there. I always figured that would be the case in Florida (biodiversity) but I wasn’t as aware of the cultural history, I didn’t know so many European immigrants came to Florida; the Italian Market threw me!
My daughter just asked me if we could go see the mermaids again soon. It really is a cool thing to see and the natural springs like Weeki Wachee and Lithia are just incredible! The Myakka River canopy walk was really fun – I would love to explore canopy walks in Costa Rica one day. I love exploring both nature and culture, and Florida’s history is pretty fascinating. The Cuban cigar industry here in Tampa drew immigrants from both Cuba and Europe and created a really unique cultural mix. I hope you’re able to come check out our city someday!
What a fantastic list! I love how much of it is water related – it makes Florida look pleasant and cool despite the summer heat. But oh my goodness the mermaids! My niece would love that sooo much!
I like the idea of looking for scallops and shark teeth!
Thank you! Yes, water adventures are a must in the summertime! Little girls really love the Weeki Wachee mermaid shows. My daughter just asked to go back to visit the mermaids again soon.
What an extensive list. 👌👌👌🤗. Thank you for sharing. I will have to check some of these out.
My pleasure, Sophie! Happy adventuring!
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.