Thursday, May 28, 2015

50 Things To Do Around Tampa Bay This Summer

Hey guys!! 
Happy Thursday! How's everyone doing? 

Our summer started last week and while the Memorial Day weekend was filled with boating, beach, and a trip to visit family in Ft.Myers, our weekdays aren't always so adventurous.
 This whole summer thing kind of creeped up on me. Obviously I totally knew it was coming, but I guess I was in denial about needing to have a plan. 

Sophia doesn't start summer camps until mid-June, so until then I'll be trying to balance work with an adventurous and enjoyable summer, 

This summer will be a random mixture of office days, summer camp, vacations, and day adventures exploring our own backyard of Florida.

What are we going to do with all this freedom!? I do have a few ideas...

1. Have a Picnic

Pack up some sandwiches and fruit and head out to Vinoy Park to find a shaded area to lay down your blanket. It's a great way to have lunch by the water!

2. Homemade Flubber

Mix 3/4 cup of the water with 1 cup glue in a bowl. Stir this mixture until it is thoroughly mixed together. Set it aside.Mix 2 tablespoons of Borax with a 1/2 cup of water in a separate bowl. Mix thoroughly until all of the Borax is dissolved.Combine the two mixtures. Add several drops of food coloring until the mixture is the color you want it to be. Put the mixture in a plastic bag with a good seal. Knead the mixture for a few minutes. Keep it stored in bag when not using it.

3. Movie & Popcorn
Some great movies are coming out on DVD over the summer. Hit up the RedBox and grab the movie HOME. Pop some popcorn on the stove and make it a movie day. 

4. Visit the Florida Aquarium

There is so much to do at our local aquarium including a perfect splash pad area to cool off. 

5. Lowry Park Zoo

*Dads get in for free during Father's Day weekend with purchase of a child or adult full priced ticket

6. Curtis Hixon Park & Splash Pad


7. All Pearson Park & Splash Pad


8. Tampa Bay Rowdies Soccer Game


9. Tampa Bay Rays Baseball Game

Check out the Summer Concert Series line up

10. Explore Alderman Ford Park

For $2, explore nature tails and listen to the beautiful sounds of nature. For additional fee, rent a canoe!

11. Make Homemade salsa

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until desired consistency.One 14 oz can diced tomatoes, 1 can Rotel, 1/2 small chopped onion, 1 clove minced garlic, 1/2-1 seeded jalapeno,1 tsp honey, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp ground cumin, handful of cilantro, juice of 1 lime. 
12. Giraffe Rescue

Located in Dade City, FL, safari tours cost $75 per person.

13. Weeki Wachee

Florida's only spring-fed water park and live mermaids!

14. LegoLand


15. Rainbow Springs

Have a wonderful experience tubing down the river in some of the clearest water in Florida!

16. Tampa Bay Children's Musuem


17. Take a boat or ferry to Egmont Key

Whether you own a boat or can go by ferry ,go explore the land and lighthouse only accessible by boat. 

18. Big Cat Rescue


19. Make S'mores

Don't be boring, check out these life changing ways to make s'mores!

20. Common Ground Park in Lakeland, Fl


21. Visit a Farmer's Market

Visit ParksDale Farms Tuesday-Sunday until August and taste the best Strawberry Milkshake you'll ever have!

22. Ice Skate at Ice Sports Forum


23. Rent Tampa Water bikes and #RideTheRiver


24. Horseback Riding

Head over to HorsePowerforKids and enjoy a relaxing guided tour for $20. 

25. Take a bike ride along the Tampa Riverwalk or Bayshore Blvd.


26. Drive out to the beach for the sunset

It's no lie that it gets extremely hot outside. Sometimes too hot for the beach. On a day that is spent mostly indoors, switch it up and go out to the beach for the sunset. You won't regret it. Check sunrise & sunset times HERE

27. Bok Tower Gardens


28. Pick Fruits or Vegetables at a local U-Pick Farm
Visit THIS website to find an open farm with things to harvest all around West Florida.


29. Old McMicky's Farm
Closed on Monday, tours start daily at 9am.


30. Great Explorations Childrens Musuem & Sunken Gardens
Located right nextdoor to each other, make a day of it and visit both!


31. Clearwater Aquarium
Visit the famous dolphin, Winter and celebrate World Oceans Day on June 7th!


32. Explore Lithia Springs


33. Weedon Island Preserve

Located in Pinellas Park, Weedon Island had boardwalks, trails, and guided hikes. 

34. Orlando City Soccer 


35. Camp out in your backyard or living room

Have a tent? If not, build fort with sheets in your own living room!

36, Make homemade Ice Cream

One ingredient! Blend frozen bananas in a blender or food processor until smooth. Serve immediately. 

37. Dinosaur World


38. Cool off at Adventure Island


39. Have a water balloon fight

Even better, fill the balloons up with paint and wear all white for a colorful blast!

40. Watch FireWorks at Channelside on July 4th


41. Mosi


42. Volunteer 


43. Explore Ybor City


44. Beach Day

Take the day to feel the sand in your toes and build the best sandcastle you can!

45. Paint with your feet
Buy blank canvases or use construction paper. Put a brush between your toes and paint using only your feet


46. Grow a vegetable


47. Make homemade Popsicle

Puree 1 cup strawberries. Alternate adding vanilla yogurt and strawberry purree into popsicles mold. Freeze 

48. Drive-In Movie

Check movies and times at Ruskin Drive-In or Funlan Drive-In off Hillsborough 

49. Have a Tech-Free Day

Put all technology to the side and just enjoy your day, your surroundings, and your company.

50. Take a picture everyday

Don't let summer slip by without capturing memories. Take at least 1 picture each day. 

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