Begin your journey with an early departure from the Twin Cities, heading south to visit the legendary [Spam Museum](https://www.spam.com/museum) in Austin for a fun-filled tour of its family-friendly interactive exhibits. Afterward, enjoy a breath of fresh air with a quick walk through the charming Horace Austin Park before grabbing a warm beverage and snacks at the [Coffee House on Main](https://www.google.com/search?q=Coffee+House+on+Main+Minnesota+to+tampa+road+trip+with+family+friendly+hotels+on+route%0A+official+site) to fuel the next leg of your drive.
Continue your journey south across the state border into Iowa, taking a mid-afternoon break at the historic [Surf Ballroom & Museum](https://www.surfballroom.com) in Clear Lake to stretch your legs and explore rock-and-roll history. Once you reach Des Moines, enjoy some hands-on family fun at the [Science Center of Iowa](https://www.sciowa.org), featuring interactive exhibits and a domed theater that are sure to keep the kids entertained before dinner.
Wrap up the day with a unique dinner at [Zombie Burger + Drink Lab](https://www.zombieburgerdm.com) in the vibrant East Village, where the kids will love the quirky atmosphere and creative gourmet shakes. Afterward, check into the Hyatt Place Des Moines/Downtown to enjoy a relaxing dip in the indoor pool before settling into your spacious suite for a restful night.
Kick off your second day with a refreshing stroll through the Pappajohn Sculpture Park in Des Moines, where the kids will love the massive and whimsical outdoor art installations. Afterward, grab some road-trip snacks at the [Gateway Market](https://www.gatewaymarket.com) before heading south toward the [National Balloon Museum](https://www.nationalballoonmuseum.com) in Indianola to explore the colorful history of hot air ballooning.
After crossing into Missouri, spend your afternoon exploring the whimsical [City Museum](https://www.citymuseum.org), a massive architectural playground where reclaimed industrial objects have been transformed into multistory slides and climbing structures. Follow this with a visit to the Gateway Arch National Park, where you can take in the scale of the world's tallest arch and stroll through the beautifully renovated grounds along the Mississippi River.
Cap off your evening with a fun-filled dinner at [Fitz's Delmar](https://fitzsrootbeer.com), where the kids can watch a vintage bottling line in action while sipping on legendary root beer floats. Afterward, settle into the family-friendly Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis at the Arch to enjoy their complimentary evening snacks and a relaxing dip in the heated indoor pool before bed.
Kick off your morning with a scenic drive toward the Tennessee border, pausing in Metropolis to take a family photo with the giant Superman Statue and browse the memorabilia at the [Super Museum](https://www.supermuseum.com). As you reach the outskirts of Nashville, enjoy the fresh air at Centennial Park, where you can explore the impressive full-scale replica of the Parthenon and wander through its peaceful gardens.
After lunch, dive into the heart of Music City with a visit to the [Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum](https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org), where the interactive Musical Instrument Petting Zoo offers tactile fun for all ages. Continue the exploration at the [Lane Motor Museum](https://www.lanemotormuseum.org), which features a unique collection of quirky European cars and amphibious vehicles sure to fascinate the kids before you transition to the evening's festivities.
Savor a hearty Southern dinner at [Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant](https://puckettsrestaurant.com), where live music and slow-smoked BBQ create a fun Nashville atmosphere for all ages. Afterward, head to the Nashville Zoo to witness Zoolumination, a spectacular festival of lights featuring thousands of custom-made silk lanterns that transform the park. Finally, settle into the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center for a peaceful walk through the nine-acre indoor gardens and waterfalls before retreating to your spacious family suite.
Start your day with a stop at [The Mountain Goat Market](https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Mountain+Goat+Market+Minnesota+to+tampa+road+trip+with+family+friendly+hotels+on+route%0A+official+site) in Monteagle, a charming destination perfect for grabbing fresh breakfast sandwiches and local treats for the road. Afterward, head to Lookout Mountain to explore the magical trails of Rock City Gardens, where the kids will love weaving through the Fairyland Caverns and seeing the spectacular view of seven states from the top.
Upon arriving in the heart of the city, immerse yourselves in the aquatic wonders of the [Georgia Aquarium](https://www.georgiaaquarium.org), the largest of its kind in the United States, where the massive whale shark exhibit is always a crowd favorite. Afterward, head right next door to the [World of Coca-Cola](https://www.worldofcoca-cola.com) to explore the vault of the secret formula and taste over 100 different beverages from across the globe at the interactive tasting stations.
Head over to the historic [Ponce City Market](https://www.poncecitymarket.com) for a casual family dinner at the food hall, followed by vintage-style carnival games and mini-golf atop [Skyline Park](https://poncecityroof.com/skyline-park) for panoramic city views. Afterward, take a short drive to see the skyline illuminated from the [SkyView Atlanta](https://www.skyviewatlanta.com) ferris wheel before checking into the Embassy Suites by Hilton Atlanta at Centennial Olympic Park for a relaxing evening.
Bid farewell to Georgia as you drive south through the scenic pines, stopping at the [Georgia Museum of Agriculture & Historic Village](https://www.google.com/search?q=Georgia+Museum+of+Agriculture+%26+Historic+Village+Minnesota+to+tampa+road+trip+with+family+friendly+hotels+on+route%0A+official+site) in Tifton to see the historic steam train and farm animals. Celebrate crossing the state line with a refreshingly cold glass of juice at the Official Florida Welcome Center, then stretch your legs along the boardwalk at [Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park](https://www.floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/paynes-prairie-preserve-state-park) to look for wild horses and bison before your final push to the Gulf Coast.
Upon reaching the coast, dive into the lush tropical environments of [ZooTampa at Lowry Park](https://zootampa.org) to see majestic Florida manatees and feed colorful giraffes. Afterwards, take a stroll along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk to reach the [Glazer Children's Museum](https://glazermuseum.org), where kids can explore three floors of interactive exhibits designed to inspire play and discovery after the long drive.
Celebrate the completion of your road trip with a festive dinner at [Sparkman Wharf](https://www.google.com/search?q=Sparkman+Wharf+Minnesota+to+tampa+road+trip+with+family+friendly+hotels+on+route%0A+official+site), where the family can enjoy outdoor games and live music while dining from diverse shipping container eateries. Afterward, board the [Pirate Water Taxi](https://www.piratewatertaxi.com) for a glittering night cruise along the Hillsborough River to admire the illuminated city skyline before settling into the comfortably family-oriented Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City.