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Get wet with the grandchildren. Adventure Island is a 30-acre water park and is a great way to spend the day. Splash attack in the back of the park is a great spot to let the kids get soaked. Fabians’s Funport is great for the smaller ones. And everyone will love the wave pool. The Everglides is like a toboggan run with water instead of snow. The Caribbean coin wristband you can get at the front window allows you to purchase food without having to carry your wallet.
Info: Adults $36, children 3 to 9 $34
Hours: Vary
Age: Tdlr./Pre-Schl. (1-5), Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Attractions & Landmarks
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How about taking the grandchildren to tour a 1945 Merchant Marine Vessel that was used in WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflicts? You’ll get to board a real ship and see the insides of this 455-foot vessel on your self guided tour. The boat is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places. See the engine room, the cargo holds, the wheelhouse, the radio room, the fly bridge, the charthouse, and the sickbay. Let the grandchildren set the pace and follow along as they discover this remarkable ship.
Info: Adults $8, children 4 to 12 $4, 3 and younger free; AAA discounts available
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 12pm to 4pm, closed Monday
Age: Tdlr./Pre-Schl. (1-5), Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Planes
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One of the best ways to spend a Saturday morning with the grandchildren is to start on Central Avenue in Treasure Island and work your way east to downtown St. Petersburg. The antique shops that are found along this ten-mile stretch are wonderful. Share stories from your past with the grandchildren when you find a piece from your childhood. The bargains are yours to be had. Most stores will allow you to negotiate. [Photo Credit: ElvertBarnes]
Info: Free
Hours: Vary
Age: Tdlr./Pre-Schl. (1-5), Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Shopping
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How about taking the grandchildren to dinner and a show? Here you can do both. The chefs will keep the grandchildren entertained with their show while making dinner right in front of you. A great place to go for birthday celebrations. Reservations recommended.
Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Saturday 5pm to 10pm, Sunday 4pm to 9pm; early bird specials Monday to Saturday 5pm to 6pm, Sunday 4pm to 5pm
Age: Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Kid Friendly Eats
Arigato Japanese Steak House St. Petersburg
3600 66th Street, North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710
(727) 398-2222
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Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Saturday 5pm to 10pm, Sunday 4pm to 9pm; early bird specials Monday to Saturday 5pm to 6pm, Sunday 4pm to 5pm
Age: Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Kid Friendly Eats
Army/Navy Surplus Market
1312 North Tampa Street
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 229-2172
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Your grandchildren will love the Army/Navy Store in downtown Tampa. It is stuffed full of all sorts of interesting items. Tents, fatigues, and SWAT gear are just a sampling of what you can find here. No fancy displays here, the shelves reach all the way to the ceiling and every row is the same. I am not sure how they got all that stuff inside the somewhat tiny store. You can find anything military here. Hold hands as you explore this one of a kind store.
Info: Free
Hours: Monday to Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm
Age: Tdlr./Pre-Schl. (1-5), Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Shopping
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Do thoughts of the grandchildren conjure up images of mayhem and mischief? Then you need to take ’em to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival. Held weekends every year starting in February and running until April, the Bay Area Renaissance Festival is not to be missed. Jugglers, jesters, and jousters fill the festival grounds from 10am to 6pm Saturdays and Sundays. Live human chess matches, swashbucklers throwing swords, kings, queens, and courts all add up to fun. Come hungry; the turkey legs are great and the kettle corn is out of this world good.
Info: Free
Hours: Vary
Age: Tdlr./Pre-Schl. (1-5), Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Live Performances
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If you want your grandchildren to see some really big cats; lions and tigers and the like, head on over to the Big Cat Rescue. Over 150 abused and abandoned big cats call Big Cat Rescue home. The 45-acre sanctuary is the largest Big Cat sanctuary in the world. Tours for the grandchildren occur every Saturday morning and last about an hour and a half. They will learn all about lions, jaguars, leopards, tiger, and cougars. Big Cat Rescue also has an extremely rare Binturong or Bear Cat thought to be a cross between a bear and a cat.
Info: Adults $25, children 10 and younger $15
Hours: Tours: Monday to Friday 9am and 3pm, Saturday 9:30am, 11:30am and 1:30pm, Kids Tour: Saturday 9am
Age: Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Animals & Nature
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Big Red Balloon
8710 West Hillsborough Avenue
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 969-1518
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Take the grandchildren over the treetops in a once-in-a-lifetime hot air balloon ride. See Tampa from a truly unique viewpoint. The balloons fly from the top of the trees to an amazing 1000 feet high. From the basket you and the grandchildren will be able to see wildlife unaware of your presence. Take in the view of downtown Tampa as the sun begins to rise. In business since 1992 they crew at the Big Red Balloon always put safety first. The balloon itself is six to eight stories high and inflates in about 20 minutes. Part of the fun is watching the crew prepare and inflate the balloon.
Info: Adults $185, children 5 to 10 $160, includes a champagne toast and full sit-down breakfast
Hours: Vary
Age: Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Fun & Games
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Just about anything the grandchildren want can be found at the Big Top Flea Market. 200,000 square feet of shopping will keep you and the grandchildren busy all day. New and used items can be found here. Every weekend over 1,000 vendors come out and sell their wares. Monthly yard sales and car shows offer extra fun. If you like bargain shopping you’ll love Big Top Flea Market. The also have a carousel the kids can ride to take a break from shopping. Lots of food vendors means that everyone can get what they like to eat.
Info: Free
Hours: Saturday to Sunday 9am to 4:30pm
Age: Tdlr./Pre-Schl. (1-5), Elementary (5-9), Tween (9-12), Teen (12+)
Shopping
