Kid-Friendly (and Cheap!) Weekend Adventures in the Tampa Area

Written by David Rice

Sometimes all it takes is a little planning to have a great family outing. When routine exploits just aren’t cutting it anymore, shake things up by exploring new terrain, taking in an exhibition, or visiting a landmark and learning a little something about our local history. Here are awesome events to attend and places to visit around town before fall ends. Best part? All of them can be done on the cheap and on one tank of gas—or less!

Bok Tower Gardens

1151 Tower Blvd., Lake Wales

863-676-1408

Why Go? Truly an old Florida experience, Bok Tower Gardens is the gem of the Lake Wales area, a 130-acre garden oasis from the craziness of modern life. Completed in 1929 by Edward Bok, a renowned journalist, publisher and humanitarian, the garden features a 205-foot Gothic-style singing tower that sits upon the highest point of land in all of peninsular Florida (298 feet above sea level). Bok Tower Gardens is about to celebrate its 85th anniversary of a National Historical Landmark. It offers an incredible nature viewing experience complemented by blooming flowers and abundant wildlife, as well as regular bell concerts played from the tower that can be heard throughout the facility.

“We have acres and acres of garden, nature preserve and our world famous carillon,” said Brian Ososky, director of marketing and public relations for Bok Tower Gardens. “We have a world-class carillon player that does live concerts, and this is unique because most carillon towers are on college campuses or in cities, but this one is in the natural concert hall of a garden. It’s a great way for people to spend quality time together in a peaceful environment.”

Insider Tip: Bok Tower’s concerts take place daily at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., so don’t wait until sunset to make your trip or you’ll miss out on the most musical part of the day. Also, bring quarters for the kids to feed the massive pool of coy fish that make their home in the moat and reflection pool surrounding the tower.

Must Do! Visit the exedra and sunset overlook that pays tribute to Edward Bok. This picturesque monument also marks the highest point of solid ground in Florida and is just a short walk away from some views that just aren’t possible throughout much of the state, looking down over rolling hills, orange groves and the surrounding town of Lake Wales.

The Fine Print: This trip is inexpensive, with a cost of $12 per adult and $3 per child. Be sure to visit the Blue Palmetto Café at the Visitors Center for a reasonably priced sandwich or maybe just a gourmet soft drink. The café hosts a number of musical acts throughout the year and is just across a sidewalk from the exhibit hall, which holds several interesting artifacts from the life of Bok Tower Gardens. For an extra $6 per person, visit Pinewood Estate, a 20-room Mediterranean style mansion built in the 1930s for Charles Austin Buck, once vice president of Bethlehem Steel.

Hillsborough River State Park

15402 U.S. 301, North Thonotosassa
813-987-6771

Why Go? Home to a wide range of local wildlife as well as seven miles of hiking trails, a swimming pool, and the beautiful flowing Hillsborough River and its class II rapids, this is one of the most beautiful state parks you don’t have to leave the Tampa Bay area to find.  

Insider Tip: Ride a bike along the seven miles of trails and spot an alligator or do some bird watching. Wooden bridges and an amphitheater will thrill even the most casual nature enthusiast. Bikes are available for rent at the poolside café, but whether on foot or bike, don’t forget your bug spray.

Must Do! Don't miss the ranger-led tours of the Historic Fort Foster site Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., and Sundays at 11 a.m., for $2 per person. The fort is a reconstructed version of the one that stood there during the Second Seminole War.

The Fine Print: This day trip is easy on the wallet with admission to the park costing just $6 per vehicle and camping fees reasonably priced at $24 per night for a site with water and electricity or $5 per person for primitive camping.  

Dinosaur World

5145 Harvey Tew Road, Plant City

813-717-9865

Why Go? If you’ve made the short drive up I-4 into Plant City, you most likely have noticed the life-size T-Rex peering out of the woods on the north side of the highway. Dinosaur World is one of the most distinguishable landmarks in the area thanks to the roadside advertisement. It’s home to some impressive re-creations of these Jurassic Era creatures. Just 20 minutes outside of Tampa, this trip is an easy drive to a location that will capture the imagination of the kids while educating them about the life of the dinosaur. The dinosaur models reach up to 80 feet in length and are based on scientific discoveries. Each of them is made of fiberglass, steel, and concrete.

“Visitors get a rare look at some of the most feared predators to ever walk the planet,” says Marlene Svensson, general manager of Dinosaur World. “At the same time, we are one of the few theme parks in Central Florida where tourists can escape the pressures of today while exploring the area as it existed thousands of years ago.”

Insider Tip: There’s no food to buy, but Dinosaur World does have picnic areas that make for a pleasant lunch setting. Patrons can pack a picnic or bring food in from nearby restaurants. Depending on what you’re using the park for (birthday party or just a fun day out), you may want to plan accordingly. Pizza delivery to the park also is available.

Must Do! Kids can take home up to three souvenirs from their trip by participating in the Dinosaur World Fossil Dig. Kids 3 to 12 sift through sand like a paleontologist to find everything from shark teeth to sea urchins and dinosaur bone fragments at no cost above admission. For anyone outside of the mentioned age range, it costs a mere $2 to participate in the dig.

The Fine Print: Truly an affordable getaway, Dinosaur World costs just $14.95 for adults, $11.95 for kids, $12.95 for seniors and is free for anyone with an active military ID. Feel free to bring the family dog along, just make sure your pooch is on a leash.

Big Cat Rescue

12802 Easy St., Tampa

813-920-4130

Why Go? Take a tour of Tampa’s 45-acre big cat sanctuary for a day with leopards, tigers, lions, panthers and more. Big Cat Rescue is just at the northwest edge of Tampa near Citrus Park, offering families a weekend destination for viewing of these exotic animals. Children under 10 years old are allowed only on the kids tour, which is available Saturdays and Sundays at 9 a.m. Families with older kids can take advantage of a number of tours throughout the week.

Insider Tip: Wear comfortable shoes because the tour has a lot of walking. Anyone who can’t handle the walk can rent a golf cart for $10 a person. Cart rental is on a first-come, first-served basis, so arrive early if you need one.

Must Do! Consider a feeding tour for small groups with children over the age of 10. Observe from just a few feet away as keepers feed a variety of big cats and answer questions. The hour-long tour runs Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 4:30 p.m., with limited space. Be warned: While Friday and Saturday feedings consist of a diet of chicken and beef, Wednesday feeding tours consist of frozen whole prey items, a feeding experience that may be disconcerting to some.

The Fine Print: The weekend kids tours are available at a cost of $19 per child. The fee for patrons over 10 years of age is $29 per person for either the kids tour or day tour. You may bring your own cold drinks or buy them there, but either way, be prepared for the heat and keep in mind that the facility is a sanctuary, not a zoo. You will not be allowed to wander around unescorted.