KidsOutAndAbout's Family Travel Guide to Tampa, FL

Ah, Tampa. A refuge for families who want to escape the cold of the north, and also are looking for a less-frenzied experience than the theme parks of Orlando. Tampa is located along Florida's Gulf Coast, 1-and-a-half hours southwest of Orlando, 4 hours northwest of Miami. You'll find sugar-sand beaches nearby, great shelling, terrific restaurants, affordable hotels, family-friendly entertainment, a lovely walkable downtown, and attractions to keep you busy for many days.

Tampa's one down side: Traffic. So expect it. Plan for ample travel time, even when driving a short distance.

The Florida Aquarium and Dolphin Cruise

The Florida Aquarium provides two experiences in one place: An aquarium that features aquatic life native to Florida as well as around the world, and an optional dolphin cruise on a boat that launches out the Aquarium's back door.

Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens, an amusement park that is part of the same family of parks as Orlando's Sea World, is certainly the most heavily-marketed venue of all of the great places to visit in the Tampa area. What makes it different from other parks? What should you expect when you visit?

Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo

At Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo, you and your family can see 2000 animals and interactive exhibits. You can go on some lovely (tame) rides, see shows and demonstrations, and learn a lot! KidsOutAbout bills this great attraction as Tampa's best bang for the buck. So if you're headed to Tampa, don't miss the zoo! Here is KidsOutAndAbout's article about Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo: Check out what you'll be likely to see, do, and learn while you're at the zoo.

Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel

Looking for a hotel that is right in the middle of everything, walking distance to the convention center, to the children's museum, to the [arts center], and other great attractions? Oh yes, and with a pool and a terrific staff with great info? How about put it right on the Riverwalk and maybe give you glimpse of a dolphin or two right outside your balcony window?

Columbia Restaurant

Columbia is a Spanish restaurant located in the Ybor City section of downtown Tampa. It has won all kinds of awards, including Florida Trend Magazine's ("One of the Top 25 Restaurants in Florida"). It was named an All-American Icon by Nations Restaurant News. But is it family-friendly? Is it a place you'd like to take your kids when visiting Tampa?

Tampa's Beaches

One thing you'll learn when you start doing research about Tampa: You'll find out that there are very few beaches in Tampa, proper. If you want to go to a nice beach, you're going to be traveling 40 minutes west over to the beaches in Clearwater or St. Petersburg.

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