Adventure Island 4500 Bougainvillea Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, 813-987-5600, Nestled on 30 beautiful acres, this water park offers fun for all ages and features an unrivaled blend of slides, corkscrews, waterfalls, a wave pool, a children's water playground, and other family attractions such as outdoor cafes, picnic and sunbathing areas, gift shops, arcades, and a championship white sand volleyball complex.  

Busch Gardens Adventure Park 3605 East Bougainvillea Avenue, Tampa, FL 33612, 813-987-5082, The ultimate family adventure park, this amusement park offers an array of fascinating attractions based on exotic encounters with the African continent including a unique blend of thrilling rides, one of the country's premier zoos complete with over 2,700 animals, live shows, restaurants, shops, and interactive games. 

Florida Aquarium, The 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-273-4000, 800-FLFISH-1, Discover over 10,000 aquatic plants and animals which represents over 600 different species while at this aquarium that is among the top aquariums in the world. Visitors will see animals such as sharks, otters, gators, birds, and exotic sea dragons plus enjoy daily dive shows and animal encounters while visiting this aquarium. more... 

GameWorks 1600 East Eighth Avenue, Suite A147, Tampa, FL 33605, 813-241-9675, Created as the ultimate entertainment destination for people of all ages, this unique venue combines the best games, attractions, music, video, and technology in a dynamic environment. The Jax Grill and the HopScotch Lounge are on site for a complete entertainment experience, as well as over 180 games for all ages.  more... 

Kid City, The Children's Museum of Tampa 7550 North Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33604, 813-935-8441, A hands-on museum which is designed like a real city where children can journey through the streets and become firefighters, shop in a grocery store, drive their own cars, and explore 13 child sized buildings full of fun, interactive, educational exhibits.  more... 

Malibu Grand Prix 14320 Nebraska Avenue, Tampa, FL 33613, 813-977-6272, This is a family entertainment center featuring Grand Prix style racing, a state-of-the-art game room, a miniature golf course, batting cages, and go-karts.  

American Victory Mariners Memorial & Museum Ship 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, Located at Berth 271, 813-228-8766, This 56 year old merchant ship served during World War II, as well as during the Korean and Vietnam wars as a military cargo carrier, and is being transformed into a world-class museum, memorial, and a "ReLive History" cruising ship. Tours are available of the shop where you will get a first-hand view of the restoration process. 

Artists Unlimited 223 North Twelfth Street, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-229-5958, The only fully programmed visual arts facility in the Bay area, this facility features working artists studios and three galleries in which a full exhibition schedule shows an array of artwork to the public every six to eight weeks. Art classes for all age groups are also available. 

Henry B. Plant Museum 401 West Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33606, 813-254-1891, Be transported back in time to the turn-of-the-century when you visit this exquisite museum that is located within the circa 1891, National Historic Landmark Tampa Bay Hotel which was built by Henry Bradlye Plant. The building features splendid Moorish architecture surrounded by spectacular tropical gardens and the museum is filled with art treasures from the original resort, European furnishings, and a permanent exhibit on the Spanish American War. 

Tampa Bay History Center 225 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-228-0097, A regional history museum that features special and permanent exhibits on a wide variety of subjects that relate to this region's rich history. Visitors can also learn about collecting, preserving, interpreting, and exhibiting artifacts while at this museum. 

Tampa Museum of Art 600 North Ashley Drive, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-274-8130, Renowned for their permanent collection of contemporary art and classical antiquities, this museum also hosts an array of traveling exhibitions and offers a full range of educational programs. A museum gift store is also on site. 

USF Contemporary Art Museum 4202 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33620, 813-974-4133, An extensive collection of contemporary art is displayed at this museum that also offers symposiums, lectures, workshops, and visiting artist presentations. more... 

Big Cat Rescue 12802 Easy Street, Tampa, FL 33625, 813-920-4130, A nonprofit big cat sanctuary that is home to over 175 big cats in naturalistic enclosures, including 140 endangered felines. Visitors can stand three feet from a 750 pound tiger, hand feed a cougar, and touch a wildcat while at this sanctuary. more... 

Lowry Park Zoo 1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa, FL 33619, 813-935-8552, One the finest zoological parks in North America and one of the best mid-sized zoos in the country, this zoo features over 2,000 animals, including rare and endangered species, that are housed in surroundings similar to its natural habitat. 

University of South Florida Botanical Gardens 4202 East Fowler Avenue, #238, Tampa, FL 33620, 813-974-2329, This botanical garden is nestled on ten acres of landscape displays and collections and features beautiful carnivorous plants, begonias, palms, orchids, butterflies, birds, and tropicals. A plant shop and a bookstore are also on site. more... 

Museum of Science and Industry 4801 East Fowler Avenue, Tampa, FL 33617, 813-987-6100, Home of the only IMAX dome theatre in Florida, this museum is the largest science center in the Southeastern United States and they features a wide range of entertaining, enlightening, and exciting interactive exhibits for people of all ages. A planetarium is also on site for visitors to enjoy.  

Yacht Starship Dining Cruises 223 South Twelfth Street, Tampa, FL 33602, 813-223-7999, Set sail on an unforgettable cruise aboard the Starship, the only 180 foot dining super yacht of its kind in Tampa Bay. Sightseeing, lunch, dinner, and private charter cruises are available.