by DK
Open 8am–sunset daily
Price $26–32, under 2s free
Guided tours The park offers 40–60-min guided riverboat tours that offer plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities. Glass-bottom boat tours are also available.
Age range 5 plus
Activities Swimming, biking, and hiking
Allow 3–4 hours
< Practical Information: The Panhandle
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park
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Practical Information
Address 148 Old Fort Rd, St. Marks, 32355; 850 925 6216; www.floridastateparks.org/sanmarcos
Car Rent a car from Tallahassee.
Visitor information St. Marks Visitor Center, 15 Old Palmetto Path, St. Marks, 32355; 850 925 0400; www.cityofstmarks.com
Open 9am–5pm Thu–Mon
Price Free. Museum: $8–12, under 5s free
Guided tours The park offers a self-guided trail winding through the historic ruins. Guided tours available with two weeks’ notice.
Age range 6 plus
Activities Families can hike trails and explore the fort ruins.
Allow 2 hours
Festival St. Marks Stone Crab Festival (mid-Oct)
< Practical Information: The Panhandle
Apalachicola
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Car Rent a car from Tallahassee.
Visitor information 122 Commerce St, 32320; 850 653 9419; www.apalachicolabay.org
Guided tours Backwater Guide Service (Scipio Creek Marina, 32320; 850 899 0063) offers guided fishing and wildlife tours. Alternatively, learn how to tong and cull your own oysters on Captain Doug’s oyster boat with Affordable Fishing (604 Wilderness Rd, Eastpoint, 32320; 850 524 5985)
Age range All ages
Activities Kids will enjoy Grady Market (76 Water St, 32320; 850 653 4099) with its ships and maritime memorabilia. Browse through toys, games, and souvenirs at Kids Port (21 Ave C, 32320; 850 653 2899). Stop at the John Gorrie Museum (46 6th St, 32320; 850 653 9347) to see the ice-making machine that Gorrie patented in 1851, marking the beginning of air conditioning.
Allow A day
Festival Florida Seafood Festival (early Nov)
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast
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Practical Information
Getting there and around Air Fly to Tampa (tampaairport.com) or Sarasota (srq-airport.com) airports. Tampa has a comprehensive local bus service, as well as a trolley by day connecting downtown attractions, and a streetcar running from the city center to Ybor City.
Bus Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater have Greyhound bus connections from other major cities in Florida.
Trolley Sarasota, Bradenton, and Clearwater have a trolley service from town to the beach. Clearwater’s Jolley Trolley (clearwaterjolleytrolley.com) links beaches from Clearwater south to St. Petersburg, and also runs north to Tarpon Springs on weekends. This is a convenient mode of transport. Check the website for schedules and routes.
Car A car is by far the best way to get around, although it is possible to manage some parts of the region with public transportation. Numerous car rental agencies can be found at both airports. Keep dimes and quarters handy for parking meters.
Visitor information See individual entries.
Supermarkets Publix (www.publix.com) is the premier supermarket here, with outlets throughout the region.
Markets St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Farmers’ Market, First Ave South and First St, on the waterfront, 33701; 727 455 4921; www.saturdaymorningmarket.com; Oct–May: 9am–1pm. Tampa Downtown Farmers’ Market, 200 and 300 blocks on Twiggs St; www.tampadowntownmarket.com; Oct–May: 10am–2pm Sun. Ybor City Saturday Market, Centennial Park, 8th Ave and 19th St, 33605; 813 241 2442; www.ybormarket.com; 9am–3pm Sat year-round. Sarasota Farmers’ Market, corner of State and Lemon Streets; 941 225 9256; www.sarasotafarmersmarket.org; 7am–noon Sat year-round. Downtown Clearwater Farmers’ Market, Station Square Park, 500 and 600 blocks of Cleveland St; 727 461 7674; Oct–May: 9am–2pm Wed
Festivals Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa: lavish costumed parades; www.gasparillapiratefest.com (late-Jan). Florida Strawberry Festival, Plant City; www.flstrawberryfestival.com (late-Feb–mid-Mar). Dunedin Highland Games, Dunedin (Apr). Medieval Fair, Sarasota; sarasotamedievalfair.com (Nov)
Pharmacies Walgreens (walgreens.com) and CVS (cvs.com) are the two major pharmacies in the region; some of their city branches are open 24 hours.
Restrooms All major attractions, shopping malls, and gas stations have public restrooms.
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Gulf Coast Beaches
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Practical Information
Car Rent a car from one of the rental agencies at Sarasota International Airport to get around the region.
Visitor information Caladesi Island: 727 469 5918; www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland. Clearwater Beach: 727 447 7600; www.visitclearwaterflorida.com. St. Pete Beach: 727 367 2735; www.stpetebeach.org. Pass-a-grille: 727 403 6136; www.visitpassagrille.com. Fort de Soto Park: 727 552 1862; www.pinellascounty.org/park. Anna Maria Island: 941 778 1541 www.annamariaislandchamber.org. Bradenton Beach: 941 778 1005; www.cityofbradentonbeach.com. Longboat Key and Lido Key: 941 383 2466; www.longboatkeychamber.com/visitor. Siesta Key: 941 349 3800; www.siestakeychamber.com. Venice Beach: 941 486 2626; www.venicegov.com
Prices Caladesi Island: $6 per boat; $42–56 ferry. Fort De Soto Park and Pass-a-grille: $5 parking
Age range All ages
Activities Various watersports – snorkeling, canoeing, and kayaking – can be enjoyed at beaches such as Caladesi Island, St. Pete Beach, Lido Key, and Siesta Key. There is fishing at Fort De Soto Park and on Anna Maria Island, while Venice Beach is perfect for beachcombing and coral reef diving.
Allow 1–3 days
Good family value? The Gulf Coast beaches and islands offer a range of sporting and leisure options for the whole family at a reasonable price.
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Busch Gardens, Tampa
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Practical Information
Address 10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, 33612; 888 800 5447; seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa
Bus Hartline bus 18 (www.gohart.org/) from downtown to Busch Blvd. Shuttle Express available from Orlando to Busch Gardens
Open 10am–6pm Mon–Fri & 9am–7:30pm Sat–Sun. Hours may vary with season; check website.
Price $250–320; under 3s free. Save on selected tickets when buying online.
Cutting the line The Quick Queue pass ($20–40 per person; prices vary with season) gives access to the head of the line on each ride. Book tickets online to avoid waiting lines at the entrance and get a discount. Ride lines are shortest near park opening and closing times.
Guided tours Insider tours with keepers, as well as Safari tours
Age range 3 plus. Stop by Guest Relations to pick up kids’ wristbands with space to write a contact number in case children get separated.
Allow At least a day
Wheelchair access Yes
Café Eateries throughout the park (outside food not allowed)
Restrooms In every section of the park, except Serengeti Plain
Good family value? Although Busch Gardens is quite expensive, it offers a full day’s entertainment that may well be the highlight of a trip to the Gulf Coast.
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
The Florida Aquarium
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Practical Information
Address 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, 33602; 813 273 4000; www.flaquarium.org
Trolley TECO (tecolinestreetcar.org) Line Streetcar Route 8
Open 9am–5pm daily
Price $96–100
Cutting the line Book tickets online and get discounts.
Guided tours Behind the Scenes and Feeding tours, as well a
s a dolphin-spotting cruise, are offered for an additional fee.
Age range 2 plus
Activities Shows begin every few minutes and feature coral reef divers, otters at play, stingray feedings, and a Penguin Promenade. Check the daily schedule in the lobby.
Allow At least 4 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Lowry Park Zoo
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Practical Information
Address 1101 West Sligh Ave, Tampa, 33604; 813 935 8552; www.lowryparkzoo.com
Bus Hartline buses 41 and 45 stop at the zoo.
Open 9:30am–5pm daily
Price $113–120; under 2s free (including rides and the Expedition Africa Guided Safari). Stroller rentals $9.63 single, $11.77 double
Cutting the line Lines can be long in early afternoon and on weekends.
Guided tours Go for safari tram rides through the Safari Africa exhibit.
Age range 2 plus
Activities The zoo offers animal feedings, animal keeper talks, and birds of prey shows.
Allow At least 4 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Museum of Science and Industry
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Practical Information
Address 4801 Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33617; 813 987 6000; mosi.org
Bus Hartline bus 5 from downtown
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Fri & 10am–6pm Sat–Sun
Price $96–108; under 3s free (including IMAX® film, planetarium show, and Kids in Charge)
Cutting the line Book tickets online or by phone.
Age range 5 plus
Activities The museum offers Weekend Family Escape classes and workshops.
Allow At least 4 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Ybor City
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Practical Information
Address Ybor City Museum State Park: 1818 E 9th Ave, Tampa, 33605; 813 247 6323; floridastateparks.org/yborcity/
Trolley TECO line streetcar from downtown Tampa to Ybor City
Visitor information The Visitor Information Center, Centro Ybor, 1600 East 8th Ave, Tampa, 33605; 813 241 8838; www.ybor.org
Open Ybor City Museum State Park: 9am–5pm Wed–Sun
Price Ybor City Museum State Park: $16; under 5s free
Guided tours Self-guided audio walking tours of the neighborhood are available from the museum.
Age range 8 plus
Activities The museum runs guided tours of a Casita – a cigar worker’s house – on the hour 11am–3pm Wed–Sun.
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Glazer Children’s Museum
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Practical Information
Address 110 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, 33602; 813 443 3861; www.glazermuseum.org
Bus Hartline buses 30 and 70
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Fri, 10am–6pm Sat & 1pm–6pm Sun
Price $50–60
Cutting the line Advance tickets can be ordered online, but there is rarely a queue.
Age range 3 plus
Activities Special programs are scheduled frequently; check website for details.
Allow 2–4 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Manatee Viewing Center
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Practical Information
Address 6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, 33572; 813 228 4289; www.tampaelectric.com/manatee
Car Rent a car from Tampa Airport. Parking is available.
Open Nov 1–Apr 15: 10am–5pm daily
Price Free
Age range All ages
Activities There is lots of fun stuff for kids on www.tampaelectric.com/manatee/funstuff/webcam2.
Allow 1 hour
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg
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Practical Information
Address 1 Dalí Blvd, St. Petersburg, 33701; 727 823 3767; www.thedali.org
Trolley The Downtown Looper trolley line ($0.50 per person; under 5s free) has a stop at the museum.
Open 10am–5:30pm Mon–Sat (till 8pm Thu)
Price $75–84; under 5s free ($10 for ages 6–12 & $17 for ages 13–17)
Cutting the line Order tickets online to avoid queuing. Use the online coupon to save on adult admission.
Guided tours The museum runs daily tours on the half hour at 10:30am–3:30pm, as well as at 5:30pm and 6:30pm Thu. Tours run at 12:30pm–3:30pm Sun.
Age range 5 plus
Activities Dilly Dally with Dalí children’s programs are held on some Sat. There are arts and crafts at 11:45am–4:30pm on Sat and storytelling at 11:15am & 3:30pm Thu.
Allow 2–3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Café Café Gala (on site) serves soups, salads, and tapas.
Shop On the first floor (see The Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg)
Restrooms On the first and third floors
Good family value? The Dalí introduces kids to Surrealist art. Although expensive for a family visit, the museum is a memorable experience.
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Bayshore Drive
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Practical Information
Address The Mahaffey Theater: 400 1st St S, St. Petersburg, 33701; 727 893 7832; www.themahaffey.com
Trolley The St. Pete trolley ($2, under 5s free) runs along Bayfront Drive to Mahaffey.
Open The Pier: 10am–8 pm Mon–Thu, 10am–9 pm Fri–Sat, & 11am–7pm Sun
Price varies according to venue.
Age range All ages
Activities Walking, jogging, and attending theatrical events.
Allow 2–4 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Museum of Fine Arts
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Practical Information
Address 255 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, 33701; 727 896 2667; www.fine-arts.org
Trolley The St. Pete trolley
Open 10am–5pm Mon–Sat, till 8pm Thu & noon–5pm Sun
Price $10–17; under 7s free
Guided tours The museum runs docent-led tours at 11am, 2pm Tue–Sat, and 2pm Sun.
Age range 7 plus
Activities There are children’s programs every third Saturday of the month.
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
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Practical Information
Address 1925 4th St N, St. Petersburg, 33704; 727 821 8992; www.greatexplorations.org
Bus PSTA (www.psta.net) city bus 4 stops near the museum. Check website for routes.
Open 10am–4:30pm Mon–Sat & noon–4:30pm Sun
Price $40–50
Age range 2 plus
Activities The museum hosts many special Saturday programs. Check the current schedule on the website.
Allow 2 hours
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
Ringling Museum, Sarasota
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Practical Information
Address 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, 34243; 941 359 5700; www.ringling.org
Bus Sarasota County Area Transit (SCAT) bus 99 arrives hourly from downtown (www.scgov.net/scat).
Open 10am–5pm daily & till 8pm Thu (museums only)
Price $60–70 (Thu: $30–40). Free entry to the Ringling Museum of Art on Mon.
Cutting the line Call 941 358 3180 for advance ticketing information and 941 360 7399 to book tickets for the Historic Asolo Theater.
Guided tours Hourly docent-led tours of the Ringling Museum of Art and the Circus Museum. The first floor of Cà’ d‘Zan can be visited on guided tours only.
Age range 6 plus; the Cà’ d‘Zan is not recommended for younger kids due to its narrow walkways.
Activities Check website for Center Ring Saturday
s and shows at the Historic Asolo Theater.
Allow At least half a day
Wheelchair access Yes
Café Banyan Café, opposite the Circus Museum, serves hot dogs and chicken fingers.
Shop In John M. McKay Visitors Pavilion
Restrooms In every building
Good family value? Kids will enjoy the Museum’s attractions, especially the Circus Museum, though it is expensive.
< Practical Information: The Gulf Coast
The Aquarium at Mote Marine Laboratory
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Practical Information
Address 1600 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, 34236; 941 388 4441; www.mote.org
Car Rent a car from Sarasota Airport.
Open 10am–5pm daily
Price $70–80; under 4s free
Guided tours The 90-minute Morning Rounds tour allows up to three guests aged 10 plus to get an up-close look at feeding and care of the animals.
Age range All ages
Activities Play interactive games at the Immersion Cinema (on site). Check website for current schedule of family programs. The aquarium also offers Eco-Boat tours of Sarasota Bay.
Allow 3 hours
Wheelchair access Yes
Shop The gift shop sells toys, plush birds, T-shirts, and puzzles.
