7-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Tampa, FL

  • Day 1: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
    25 minutes (10 miles) from downtown Tampa

    Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an African-themed amusement park that offers rides, animal exhibits, and live entertainment. The park has several roller coasters, such as Sheikra and Cheetah Hunt, as well as animal shows featuring elephants, tigers, and more.

  • Day 2: Florida Aquarium
    10 minutes (4 miles) from Busch Gardens

    The Florida Aquarium is a nonprofit organization that features over 14,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and around the world. Visitors can see sharks, alligators, stingrays, and many other sea creatures. The aquarium also has interactive exhibits, like the Coral Reef and Stingray Beach.

  • Day 3: Lowry Park Zoo
    20 minutes (7 miles) from Florida Aquarium

    Lowry Park Zoo is a 63-acre zoo that features over 1,300 animals from Florida and around the world. The zoo has many exhibits, including the Asian Gardens, Primate World, and Florida Wildlife Center. Visitors can also enjoy animal shows and rides, such as the Zoo Train and Wallaroo Station.

  • Day 4: Salvador Dali Museum
    30 minutes (25 miles) from Lowry Park Zoo

    The Salvador Dali Museum is a museum dedicated to the works of the famous surrealist artist, Salvador Dali. The museum features over 2,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Visitors can also enjoy the Dalí Museum Store and the Avant-garden outdoor space.

  • Day 5: Clearwater Beach
    30 minutes (22 miles) from Salvador Dali Museum

    Clearwater Beach is a beautiful beach located in Clearwater, Florida. Visitors can enjoy the clear blue waters and white sandy beaches, as well as various water sports and attractions like parasailing, jet skiing, and dolphin watching tours. The beach also has several restaurants and shops nearby.

  • Day 6: Adventure Island
    15 minutes (8 miles) from Clearwater Beach

    Adventure Island is a Caribbean-themed water park that features water slides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. Visitors can enjoy attractions like the Colossal Curl, Aruba Tuba, and Caribbean Corkscrew. The park also has several dining options and cabanas for rent.

  • Day 7: Big Cat Rescue
    25 minutes (13 miles) from Adventure Island

    Big Cat Rescue is a sanctuary for big cats that have been abused, abandoned, or rescued from the wild. Visitors can take a guided tour of the facility and see different species of big cats, such as tigers, lions, and leopards. The sanctuary also offers educational programs and volunteer opportunities.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (6 hours, $110 per person)
  • Florida Aquarium (3 hours, $30 per person)
  • Lowry Park Zoo (4 hours, $20 per person)
  • Salvador Dali Museum (2 hours, $25 per person)
  • Clearwater Beach (5 hours, free)
  • Adventure Island (4 hours, $45 per person)
  • Big Cat Rescue (2 hours, $40 per person)

  • Total Estimated Costs: $270 per person

Transportation

Visitors can rent a car or use ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft to get around Tampa. The cost of renting a car varies depending on the type of car and rental company, but visitors can expect to pay around $40-$60 per day. Ride-sharing services cost around $20-$30 for a one-way trip from downtown Tampa to the attractions listed in the itinerary. It is also important to note that parking can be limited and expensive near some attractions.

Useful Tips

If visitors have more time, they can explore other attractions in Tampa, such as the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) and the Tampa Museum of Art. If visitors have less time, they can skip some attractions or combine attractions that are close to each other, such as Busch Gardens and Lowry Park Zoo. Visitors should also bring sunscreen, hats, and comfortable walking shoes, as most attractions require a lot of walking and exposure to the sun.

Airports

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is the main airport in Tampa, Florida. It is located approximately 6 miles west of downtown Tampa and serves several domestic and international airlines, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Southwest Airlines. Visitors can take a taxi or ride-sharing service from the airport to the hotels or attractions in Tampa.

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