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3 Family-Friendly Activities Around Tampa

A Dinosaur from Dinosaur World Tampa FL
Tampa, Florida, is full of fun activities to do with the family. Whether you are looking for some adrenalin pumping excitement or something a little more educational, there is something for everyone in Tampa Bay. Here are some activities you might want to try the next time you are looking for a new adventure.

Busch Gardens

At Busch Gardens, you get two experiences in one visit. This safari-themed park gives you exciting rides and an opportunity to visit over 200 different species of animals. Busch Gardens has some of Florida's best thrill rides, such as the Tigris, which is Florida's tallest launch coaster. There are other coasters, such as the Cobra's Curse, 2020 Hybrid Coaster, Cheetah Hunt, and Sheikra. If you want to cool down with a water ride, you can do the Congo River Rapids or Stanley Falls Flume. For younger children, the Serengeti Express takes you on a train ride through the Serengeti as you look for different animals. You can also do the Air Grover, which is a Sesame Street themed roller coaster for smaller children. This theme park is also home to hundreds of animals, such as cheetahs, tigers, lions, elephants, and giraffes, to name a few. There are animal experiences that you can do, such as animal feeding opportunities, or animal connections, which lets you see the animals up close. There are also tours you can try that take you through different animal exhibits.

Dinosaur World

Dinosaur World takes you to the land of the dinosaurs. This park lets you see hundreds of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting. There are plenty of interactive exhibits that kids can experience, such as a fossil dig, dino gem excavation, and a boneyard. There is also an Exploration Cave Show that takes you on a guided tour with a Paleontologist. A unique feature of their Prehistoric museum is the motion-activated animatronics that brings the dinosaurs to life. Dinosaur World is the only dinosaur-themed park around Tampa and is a must-see for any dinosaur lover in your family.

Adventure Island

For hot days, you may want to find a place with water to keep you cool. Adventure Island is guaranteed to cool you down with their 10 water slides, 17,000 square foot wave pool, and lazy river. For the adrenalin junkies, Vanish Point sends you free-falling down into the water. Younger children can try the Calypso Coaster which takes two passengers down on a tube for a fun, wet ride. In addition to the wave pool, Paradise lagoon is a 9,000 square foot pool that incorporates slides and waterfalls. There is also the Rambling Bayou that is a half-mile tube trip through a lush rainforest where you can relax while keeping cool. Be sure to check out the website for ticket prices and more information about their many activities. These are only three activities out of many that are found around Tampa. For more ideas, you can visit USA Today's list of the 10 Best Things to Do With Kids in Tampa.   Image via Flickr by Richard Elzey under use of CC BY 2.0
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Golf Courses Tampa, FL

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Burgers in Tampa, FL

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