handy dandy travel brochure for the central gulf coast. Tampa Bay
Tampa-
The riverwalk-free
you can walk or ride your bikes along the path. its downtown and plenty of good eats...and parks (curtis hixon has a great playground and water play area), museums..downtown stuff.
Family Fun
here's a link to family friendly things to do on the river walk. when my kids were little we hit up the aquarium a bunch. they have a touch tank. your tots might dig touching a sting ray.and..a water play area. there's also a kids museum.
from the river walk...there's a cheap trolley that will take you to channel side and ybor city...check 7th avenue..get a cuban and a devil crab...it's what that area of town in known for...and cigars.
Ybor City
channel side -
Home
there's an ikea in ybor. your wife might like tooling around there for a bit. not sure if you guys have one in your area...but it's something. and they have a kids area so you can sign your kids in for a few..then go grab drinks a block at a local brewery. not sure you're supposed to do that, but how would they ever know.
DO NOT accidentally wonder north of Ybor city into the college hill neighborhood.( stay on the south side of the interstate) it's a roll 'em up lock the doors neighborhood. not trying to scare ya. ybor is plenty safe...just stay below 9th ave and between 15th and 22nd streets. the avenues go higher to the north.
Manatees - Free
they always hang out in this area during the winter..there's a viewing center with a board walk..it's fun and free.
Manatee Viewing Center - Tampa Electric
Hillsborough river state park- you'll see an alligator here...for sure.
Florida State Parks
Busch Gardens- they have a nice kids park..with kids style coasters...a decent safari ride..and a nice gorilla habitat
Born for BG
Palmetto-
Southeastern guide dog..play with puppies. my kids begged me to take them here constantly...who doesn't love 12 lab puppies crawling all over..plus you're helping socialize service animals..so it's good for the soul
Hug A Puppy - Southeastern Guide Dogs
St. Pete-
one of the best beaches..in my opinion.
Pinellas County, Florida, Park & Conservation Resources - Fort De Soto Park
especially if you're not into the touristy fla beach thing.
if so clearwater
Your Concierge for Clearwater Beach, Florida - Clearwater Beach .com is your place otherwise visit ft. desoto
p.s..if you get in the water in january..people will know you're from canada.
might be perfect beach water weather for y'all though. it's currently 77 degrees.
gotta get a grouper sandwich while you're across the bay. frenchy's in my fav...but there are others
Grouper Sandwich Hot Spots
Dali museum
http://thedali.org/...if you like this sort of thing it's great...not sure you're kids will dig it though.
but..st pete has a quirky-hipster cool vibe downtown area...good for walking around window shopping...if you're there the first friday of the month they have a family friendly street festival
First Friday St. Pete - Downtown St. Pete's best block party.
Mazzaro's Italian Market definitely get something to eat here.
Sunken Gardens | Visit St Petersburg Clearwater Florida...great for exploring and chilling.
if you're going to be around Tampa at the end of january..ya gotta check out the pirate invasion. BUT..only do the kid friendly parade..because people do party like pirates, arrrgh! and your kids will see way too many boobs.
ya don't need to buy a ticket to the parade...that's only if you want to sit in the bleachers...like the old people.
Gasparilla Pirate Festival | Just another WordPress siteGasparilla Pirate Festival | Just another WordPress site kids parade-
Children’s Parade »
sanibel island- a little further south of tampa bay but locally famous for it's shells on the beach...does canada have shells on the beach or pebbles?
take the sunshine skyway on interstate 275 south..it's a cool cable span bridge with a great view of the bay.
Welcome to Sanibel Island.com!
if i think of more stuff. i'll let ya know.
@Chief
@Check it is describing are terrible to live in but nice to visit.
