Tampa-Clearwater Attractions
Tampa-Clearwater Attractions
 | Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy Street Tampa, FL • 813-920-4130 Imagine standing three feet from a 750-pound tiger! This animal sanctuary truly takes you up close and personal with these amazing cats. However, tours are at very specific times, so consult the website closely when planning your visit. Children 10 years and younger can attend only on weekends during a special kids tour. Check the website or call for details. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 10165 North McKinley Drive Tampa, FL • 813-987-5000 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines the best thrill rides of an amusement park with the incredible animal adventures of a major zoo into one hot attraction. Older kids will love the gravity-defying roller coasters while younger children will enjoy the jungle mazes, ropes and crawl tubes found in Jungala. Everyone will get a thrill from the zip line that soars high above the treetops. Even the youngest family members can get into the action at the Sesame Street Safari of Fun! Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Glazer Children's Museum 1107 East Jackson Street Suite 200 Tampa, FL • 813-277-3199 Just opened in 2010, the new 53,000-square-foot Glazer Children's Museum features more than 170 "interactivities" in 12 themed areas specifically designed for children 10 years and younger. Fun learning experiences range from the basics of banking and commerce to living the life of a firefighter to learning about other cultures through food, stories, art and music. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12) |
 | MOSI: Museum of Science & Industry 4801 East Fowler Avenue Tampa, FL • 813-987-6100 Encompassing more than 400,000 square feet, MOSI is the largest science center in the southeastern United States and home of the only IMAX Dome Theatre in the state of Florida. Interactive exhibits include Disasterville, which examines the science behind tornados, hurricanes, wildfires and other natural disasters, and The Amazing You, an up-close study of the human body. Visitors even can take a ride on the High Wire Bike, a bicycle that rides a 98-foot-long steel cable 30 feet above the ground. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Magic Carpet Glide Channelside Bay Plaza Tampa, FL • 813-637-9797 Explore downtown Tampa and its surrounding islands in a fun and unique way: via Segway. Tours are offered three times a day, seven days a week, year-round, and last between an hour and a half and two hours. Note: Children must be age 12 or older to participate. Best For: Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Tampa Bay History Center 801 Old Water Street Tampa, FL • 813-228-0097 Take a trip through 12,000 years of amazing stories and achievements, including a look at the earliest residents of Florida, a virtual tour of Tampa's historic landmarks and an in-depth showcase of Florida's cattle ranching history. There's even a special program called Family Backpack Adventures, wherein families receive backpacks filled with hands-on activities so they can embark on a do-it-yourself adventure through the history center's galleries. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo 1101 West Sligh Avenue Tampa, FL • 813-935-8552 With such a wide variety of animals, attractions and live shows, it's no wonder Parents Magazine continues to choose Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo as its No. 1 zoo in the country. The zoo showcases more than 2,000 animals in 56 acres of natural habitats, with such creatures as elephants, giraffes, koala bears, tigers, birds of prey and even a Florida manatee! There's even a variety of rides and a water play area. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
 | The Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Drive Tampa, FL • 813-273-4000 At the Florida Aquarium, visitors will learn about aquatic life in and around Florida through four galleries: Wetlands, Bays and Beaches, Coral Reef, and Ocean Commotion. In addition, the aquarium features penguins and aquatic birds, as well as a water fun zone with water canons, geysers and a climbing pirate ship. To enhance your experience, there are several special tours available including a behind-the-scenes look at the aquarium and diving with the sharks. Best For: Tots (0-2)•Kids (3-6)•Kids (7-9)•Tweens (10-12)•Teens (13+) |
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