Vacationing is the one thing working adults look forward to; once a year, we get to get away for a few days or a week or two. It’s easy to take the time off, but planning the actual vacation can be challenging, especially if you have a family to accommodate into the mix. We'll take care of the fun for an hour or two, and make sure you have plenty of family photos to share and save for many years to come. So, if you plan on vacationing in the Tampa Bay Area, as many people love to do, here are some great family-friendly ideas for the rest of the time you're in beautiful Tampa Bay.
1. The Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602. The kids will love it and they'll learn as all of you take in the underwater beauty. The have over 9,000 animals in their facility and they're doing good for the planet while providing hours of entertainment. And while we're talking about aquariums, you can also visit the Clearwater Aquarium, 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL 33767. It's where Winter lives. The dolphin and the facility that inspired the movie Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2.
2. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612. Busch Gardens is a great place for kids and for mom and dad. There are great rides and you can see over 200 species of animals! There are some entertaining shows as well. Mom and Dad can check out the free, freshly brewed samples of Anheuser-Busch beer. You could spend multiple days at Busch Gardens and still not see everything.
3. Captain Memo's Pirate Cruise, 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767. We highly recommend the sunset cruise. The Clearwater Beach sunsets are absolutely stunning. You'll have the best seats in the house, and you may get to see some amazing dolphins in the wild! Don't forget to schedule your sunset family photo shoot on a different day and we will ensure we capture the pirate ship in the background of your sunset family portrait. Capturing 2 memories as once!
4. Clearwater Beach Pier 60. Clearwater Beach is, of course, amazing, and if you're at Clearwater Beach, you can't miss Pier 60. It's great for free entertainment. There are plenty of street performers or you can just people watch. Pier 60 extends 1,800 feet into the gulf, and is another great place to view the sunset. There is a playground and a pavilion to cool off on the hot days.
5. Salvador Dali Museum, 1 Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. Into the arts? The Salvador Dali Museum is a perfect place to see many works by the most famous surrealist artist. Need a little time out of the sun? It is a great place to learn and chill.
6. Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704. This place is gorgeous! Love the flora and fauna? You'll love Sunken Gardens. It also has koi ponds, tropical birds, waterfalls and some of the plants are over 100 years old!
7. If you've visiting Sunken Gardens, you have to go to the Great Explorations Children's Museum. It's right there! The name really speaks for itself. This place is full of experiential learning opportunities, but all the kids will know is they are having a great time!
We love the Tampa Bay Area, but the entire state of Florida has plenty of places to visit. Some of the ones mentioned below you certainly have heard of, but a few you may not have.
1. Walt Disney World. Obviously, this is number one on the list, because it’s one of the largest family-friendly parks out there! Who wouldn’t want to walk next to Mickey Mouse or a Disney princess? They have four major theme parks, two water parks, and over a couple dozen hotels to pick from. Not to mention the other attractions, like lakes, golf courses, and the shopping district. We have many clients that spend part of their vacation at Disney and then head west to Clearwater Beach to soak up some rays.
2. Universal Orlando Resort. This is Florida’s second biggest theme park attraction, with two theme parks, five resorts, a tropical water park, and plenty of shopping opportunities. If you don’t want all the crowds of Disney, but still want the theme park thrill, then this is a good option!
3. Daytona Beach. A more well-known area that offers access to a lighthouse, NASCAR racing, museums, and cheap hotels! If you’re looking for lots to do in Florida, this is one of your best bets.
4. Siesta Key. This is one of Florida’s more popular beaches, but without the congestion that you’d find at Daytona! Rather than offer the museums and the racing, the Key gives you more nature-oriented, relaxing ways to explore such as bike rides and kayaking. The sand is 99% quartz which means it is cool to the touch - you don't have to worry about burning your feet! You can also watch the dolphins play or go snorkeling!
5. Everglades National Park. The Everglades is the largest subtropical park in the United State and will take you several hours to actually drive through. Here, you’ll have access to guided tram and airboat tours as well as walking trails to view the impressive park and its wildlife!
6. Sanibel and Captiva Islands. If you’re looking for more of a relaxed “tropical island getaway” vacation vibe, then these islands are for you! These islands not only have great beaches with an abundance of shells, but they also are home to sea turtles when it comes to nesting season. They offer cute shops, delicious food, and plenty of wildlife.
These are just some of the many other places you can take your family for a spectacular vacation in the Tampa, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete area, or anywhere in Florida. Just don't forget to give us a call 727-946-8129 to create another adventure for you and your family while we capture family photos that will bring smiles to your faces for many years to come! Moments that Last a Lifetime. See you at the beach!