Tampa Bay is a family-friendly destination with plenty for both kids and kids-at-heart.

Walk on the wild side

Come walk on the wild side at Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo! Come eye-to-eye with manatees in the underwater viewing station. Spy on the Florida panther hiding in the brush. Listen to the gibbon greet the morning with his loud hoots. Feed a giraffe and go on a safari right in Tampa Bay! Your children will get to interact with wildlife and splash in the Australian-themed Wallaroo Station. Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo transforms your vacation into a wild adventure.

Go under the sea at The Florida Aquarium

More than 20,000 sea creatures are waiting to greet you at The Florida Aquarium. At the coral reef habitat, children can learn what it is like to be dive in the ocean without even getting wet. They'll have their chance to get wet at the aquarium's “Explore A Shore” water park. Kids can interact with ring-tailed lemurs at the “Journey to Madagascar” exhibit. To get a true feel for the wilds of Tampa Bay, the aquarium's Bay Spirit II catamaran can take your family dolphin-spotting in the open water of the bay.

Let your imagination soar

Be an astronaut for a day at MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry. Ride out a tornado or hurricane in simulators or ride a bike on a wire 30 feet (10 meters) off the ground. Dare yourself to lie upon the bed of nails and after, treat yourself to an out of this world movie in MOSI's IMAX theatre. Learn about the human body and venture into Disasterville to what's left after a storm or earthquake sweeps through. A day at MOSI guarantees you and your kids will just have a great time and learn amazing things, too!

Loads of hands-on learning

Downtown's Glazer Children's Museum lets your little one play at being ship captain, a firefighter or even a water droplet moving through the environment. The museum's three floors of adventure will keep your family active and learning from the moment you walk through the doors. The museum sits next to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the perfect place for a picnic and play time in the playground or fountains.

Look who's at TECO Manatee Viewing Center

Tampa Bay's shallow coastal waters provide a haven for West Indian manatees, Florida's state marine mammal. During the summer, manatees pop up along Bayshore Boulevard the Tampa Riverwalk.

In winter, manatees flock to Tampa Bay's warm inland springs and creeks. Hundreds of manatees congregate between November and April in the warm outflow of TECO's Big Bend power plant in Apollo Beach. A visit to the TECO Manatee Viewing Center is free and an easy drive south of downtown.

Fun for kids of all ages

Rollercoasters, an African safari, Sesame Street characters: Busch Gardens Tampa has something for kids and kids at heart. The adrenaline junkies in the family can dive like a bird of prey on Falcon's Fury, North American's tallest drop tower, or race like a Cheetah hot on the heels of a gazelle. The animal lovers can experience African wildlife either by steam engine on the Serengeti Express or up close at feeding time on a special tour. The small ones will thrill to meet Big Bird in person and to splash in the water park at Sesame Street Safari. Busch Gardens Tampa is open every day of the year.

Paddle your way to adventure

Tampa Bay's waterfront is yours to conquer. Do it atop an Urban Kai paddleboard. The wide, stable boards offer a unique way to explore downtown, the bay and the Hillsborough River. Small children can ride along on the board, older children can paddle their own board across the sparkling water as to explore Tampa Bay.

4 attractions, 1 Tampa Bay CityPASS

Tampa Bay's CityPASS lets your family experience all that Tampa Bay has to offer for one low price. Feed the giraffes at Lowry Park Zoo and see Rovers on Mars at MOSI's IMAX Theatre. Spend a day a Busch Gardens Tampa or see the marine life at The Florida Aquarium. The savings that will make your wallet happy, and CityPASS will make your family happy. Why not do it all?