Cheap Entertainment in Tampa, Florida
ARTS & CULTURE
University of South Florida Contemporary Art Museum (FREE) — Recently honored with a substantial Andy Warhol Foundation Gift of 150 photos produced by the artist, this museum curates exhibits more about stimulating dialog than having pretty pictures. Come to see cutting-edge exhibits from lesser known artists.
Ybor City Museum — Cigar fan or not, visit Ybor City Museum to get a glimpse at what life was like in this small city — the historic Latin district — 100+ years ago. Remember before iPhones & airplanes? See the small casitas — cottages built for the cigar workers’ families — the Garden, a great rendition of a 19th century Mediterranean-style patio, & the city’s old theater. A permanent exhibit reflects the history of the people & institutions of this area. Check in advance to see what events are taking place.
Museum of Science & Industry (FREE for members of one of the 200+ museums participating in the ASTC Passport Program) — A large science center with a planetarium, hurricane & flight simulators, a bicycle you can ride across a tight rope strung 50 feet above the ground, dinosaur bones, & rotating exhibits including the most recent, Bodies.
NATURE
USF botanical gardens ( admission for students; adults) — While you’re at it, might as well take a quick stroll through the 10 acres to see butterflies, carnivorous plants (always popular), cacti, herbs, bamboo, & plenty of other more common trees & plants.
Lowry Park Zoo (FREE for reciprocal members at 100 national zoos) — Parents have consistently rated Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo the best in the nation with good reason. It has very original sleepovers (when was the last time you snored in a manatee pool?), the 2,000 animals are all housed in relatively spacious natural habitats, & the flume ride makes a perfect way to cool off.
Camp Bayou preserve (FREE) — On the Little Manatee River in Ruskin, the 160-acre Camp Bayou preserve packs diverse Florida habitats into a small space. It offers a Nature Center, Fossil Museum, Native Peoples Camp, butterfly habitat, native plant gardens, canoe launch, & trails through pine flatwoods, hardwood hammocks & wetlands. Admission to get into Camp Bayou is free.
Children’s Movies (Free) — A number of theaters in Tampa are running popular kid’s movies for free all summer. Movies include Nim’s Island, Alvin & the Chipmunks, Shrek, & more. Click here for the full listing.
And, if you’re planning a Florida holiday this fall or winter, here are two events you may want to check out:
Guavaween ( kids, adults) — A Ybor city Halloween celebration. Once the kids parade is done & they are safely packed away at home, 80,000+ converge on this little area to do the adult revelry version.
Gasparilla — By far one of the biggest winter celebrations south of Times Square. Think Mardi Gras with pirates instead of alcoholics. This Tampa tradition begins with a ship full of pirates coming ashore, doing a mock takeover of the city via parade & plenty of merrymaking. Alas, they are kind enough to also organize a ton of family-personable & adult-personable events including a parade, street festival & games. While some events are free (most mentioned before), a whole host of others will set you back dearly if you want to participate. This includes the pirate brunch, rides, & of course food & drink.
Samantha Chapnick is a New York writer who scours international destinations looking for what hasn’t been found.