Vacation Affordably with the Family in Tampa

Begin the day with breakfast or brunch at Daily Eats in Tampa, Florida. The modern space and trendy menu boasts an array of sandwiches, vegetarian bowls and classic breakfast favorites for less than $10 each. If you’re especially hungry, take on either the Jersey Shore breakfast burger or The Kong egg sandwich for $11–12.

Venture to Lettuce Lake Regional Park, located just 30 minutes outside of center city Tampa along the Hillsborough River. With more than 240 acres of woods and paved paths for biking, hiking and running, active families can hit the scenic trails for hours. Bring the kids to the observation tower for scenic views of wildlife along the boardwalk, take a free nature walking tour or head out on the river with a kayak or canoe for $2.

Lettuce Lark Park . Photo: Feng Cheng | Dreamstime

Head back to the city for some shopping, dining and fun in the sun. Walk around downtown Tampa and explore various free historical attractions from the Tampa Firefighters Museum, built in 1911, to the J.C Newman Cigar Company founded in 1915. Kids tour most of the city’s top historic destinations for little to no charge.

Be sure to check out the Manatee Viewing Center with kids of all ages. Watch manatees congregate in the warm waters surrounding Tampa Bay’s power plant and even get close for a photo.

Enjoy some sunbathing and swimming at Ben T. Davis Beach. Rocky Point provides an array of activities from pick-up volleyball games and biking trails to shaded picnic areas and a relaxing beach.

Photo: Peter Etchells | Dreamstime

Once you’ve had enough sand and sun, head out on the town for dinner and ice cream. Enjoy upscale dining at Oystercatchers Restaurant and dine al fresco with a bayside view from the chic Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay restaurant.

Adult children and parents enjoy a drink in any of the many street-side bars and lounges. Grab a late-night snack at La Pelotera Latin Food Truck, located on Linebaugh Avenue, from 6 p.m.–1 a.m., offering authentic Latin cuisine for affordable prices.

With so much to do and see during the day and fun family-friendly attractions at night, Tampa is an easy and affordable destination for families of all sizes and ages.