Here are 7 things to do in the Tampa Bay area over spring break.
All six Tampa Bay area counties public school systems and the University of South Florida all have the same spring break this year, March 14 through March 18. This means more than 600,000 students and staff will be out of class starting Monday. So if you are looking for things to do over spring break with the kids, here are 7 things to do in the Tampa Bay area that all ages will enjoy.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The ride has been on the radar of roller coaster enthusiasts around the world. (G.Knight for BBGI)
Their highly anticipated new rollercoaster, Iron Gwazi, is now open. We have ridden it and it is awesome. Ever better at nighttime. Plus, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay has their Food & Wine Festival happening as well. They also offer concerts on the weekends.
Florida Aquarium
G. Knight for BBGI
Have some fun and learn something on spring break! You can gaze at the amazing exhibits including the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef habitat. Plus, they have a Splash Pad that kids can’t get enough of. You can also make a day of it and grab a bite to eat next door at Sparkman Wharf after a day at the Florida Aquarium.
The Beach
(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
I love to visit Clearwater Beach. There is so much to do. You should plan your day at the beach before your head out for the day. The biggest obstacle can be parking. Either plan on getting to the beach and parking by 10a or see if it’s in your budget find a rental or hotel room close by and you can spend a couple of days soaking up the sun. There are other transportation options as well, like the Jolly Trolley and Florida Free Rides. You can also try to park in downtown Tampa and take the Clearwater Ferry to the beach. Plan your trip here.
Explore Downtown Tampa
R. Pitts for BBGI
Have you been to downtown Tampa lately? Chances are if you haven’t been you may not even recognize it. There are so many new things to see, you may need a couple of days. I suggest looking into the Tampa Riverwalk Attraction Pass. For one ticket you can check out 8 places along the Riverwalk and save money, too! It includes the Pirate Water Taxi, the History Center, Tampa Museum of Art, Glazer Children’s Museum, and much more! The mobile-exclusive pass allows for one admission to each attraction. The one-day pass for a child is $35, $55 for an adult, and $45 for a senior.
Bay Area Renaissance Festival
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The 44th Annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival is going on in Dade City weekends through April 3rd. They have 8 stages of exciting and hilarious entertainment, full contact live armored jousting, mermaids, fairies, pirates, Vikings, 100 Artisans selling their treasures in the Marketplace, and food! the upcoming Theme Weekends are as follows:
- Barbarian Brew Fest March 12-13
- Shamrocks & Shenanigans March 19-20
Take An Art Class
R. PItts for BBGI
I love going to AR Workshop. They have a couple of locations in the Tampa Bay area and it’s really fun for all ages.
During the week of spring break, the south Tampa location is offering teen and youth workshops from a wood workshop, a cookie decorating workshop, and a chunky blanket workshop just to name a few.
St. Pete Pier
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If you have not explored the new St. Pete Pier, no is your chance. You can even take the Cross Bay Ferry from downtown Tampa over to St. Pete and really make a day of it!
