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The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive,
Tampa
Excerpt from The ParentGuide® blog, ParentTalk
Just smile and wave boys
Wednesday, August 26th, 2009
 Those Penguins from Madagascar are so cute. I love them so much that I have four of them staring at me right now. Little toys that wobble like Weebles are perched on the shelf above my monitor to remind me that life needs to be silly and fun. I took their advice and escaped to the Florida Aquarium (ON A WEEKDAY!) where I was surprised to meet a couple of their own real penguins up close and personal.
They were pretty cute too as they waddled the perimeter of of their rug curiously inspecting the shoes of the little kids gathered around for a closer look. Oh how hard it must have been for them to keep their little fingers off of those penguins. OK, it was hard for me to resist reaching out to pet them. “Who wants a penguin for a pet?” asked the trainer. “Me, me, me,” I said to myself silently joining in the at least 50% show of hands. “Well, penguins shoot their poo about four feet and they do it about every fifteen minutes,” the trainer instructed with a sly smile. Hmmm, maybe not.
For me, it was a rare outing with a mom friend and other kids on a Wednesday. Did I mention it was during the week? We took a break from our work-at-home routines and took the kids to celebrate the end of summer and the start of school. The kids raced about looking at fish, turtles, birds, alligators, sharks, jelly fish, star fish and of course, Nemo. And Nemo’s daddy.
“Look at this mommy!” was the mantra of the day as we went from small tank to big tank to HUUUUGE tank. After a stop at the sting ray petting tank, we headed out to play at Explore A Shore. How fun! A spray park with a pirate ship, a big sand box and other outdoor toys.
The whole day was a perfect mix of passive and active exploration for the kids. Me and little man were sad to leave, so I checked out their pre-school programs and membership plans. I have to say they have some nice offerings for parents of young children. They have an Aqua Tots program that has a different program each week. They also have a home school science class for ages 3 - 5 that meets once a month. For older children, they offer field trips, sleepovers, birthday parties, home school classes and School Year Aqua Camps for holidays and teacher work days.
For students who excel, they have the Sea Star program to reward good grades and good attendance with a free ticket. I don’t have space to go into all they do for conservation, but you can read about it and much more at www.flaquarium.org.
I definitely think an annual pass for me and my son would be perfect so we can attend the Aqua Tots sessions or just take a day to go visit Nemo or play at the splash park. A two-person pass is only $95, so we can have a lot of affordable fun for an entire year.
I don’t really need my smiling penguins to remind me to get out and enjoy life, but they sure do bring me a smile when I’m in here writing all alone. Yep. There I go. Hee Hee. “Just smile and wave boys! Smile and wave…”
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Affordable Movie Madness for Families
Touchstar Cinemas, Seminole, FL
Beach Theater, St. Pete Beach
Sometimes, a “staycation” need last only a few hours to feel like you’ve actually escaped. A good movie may only take two hours out of your day, but it’s a great way to beat the summer heat and get away without having to travel far. The only problem is that the price of admission makes going to the movies a rare treat for many budget-conscious families. After all, it’s about $9 a ticket for an adult, with kids falling into the $6 to $7 range at most megaplex theaters.
But there is some good news for film buffs and their families.
 Touchstar Cinemas in Seminole offers regular-priced adult admissions for only $7.50, with kids’ prices set at just $5. And if you happen to hit a matinee, you’ll pay only $5 a person. You’ll enjoy first-run movies in a Cineplex environment and even save enough to buy that delicious tub of hot, buttery popcorn. Touchstar even offers “Bargain Tuesdays” with admissions as low as $3.75. Contact the theater for more information about Bargain Tuesdays as some restrictions apply.
St. Pete Beach’s famous Beach Theater also offers a wonderful movie-going experience that won’t break the bank. Adult admission for an evening flick only costs $7, and kids, seniors, students, etc. are only $5. Matinees (all showings before 5:00 p.m.) cost only $5 per person. The movie theater shows first-run movies, along with some art flicks. It’s a single screen, old-time theater, so check the start times carefully, as they may be alternating showings of two movies. Oh, and the theater offers the usual concession fare at along with some notable differences; mom and dad can enjoy glass of wine or a beer, including some fine imported varieties. The prices of concessions are very reasonable.
Seminole 8 Touchstar Cinemas
7990 Liberty Lane
Seminole, FL 33772
727-391-6666
http://touchstarcinemas.com/
Beach Theater
315 Corey Avenue
St. Pete Beach, FL 33706
727-360-6697
http://www.beachtheatre.com |
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Fort DeSoto
Tierra Verde, FL
It regularly ranks as the top, or one of the top, beaches in America, and while others travel thousands of miles to visit it, we in Tampa Bay have the privilege of enjoying this sandy, watery wonder any time we want.
Fort DeSoto is more than a beach or park; it’s a blend of Florida history, pristine beauty and abundant nature all wrapped up in a white sandy beach. Spanning more than 1100 square acres and across five interconnected islands, the park features:
- 7 miles of gorgeous beaches
- fishing piers
- boat launches
- hiking/biking trails
- camp sites
- picnic areas
- snack bars
- nature trails
- a dog park
But the heart and soul of this unique destination is unquestionably the fort and the cannons, all reminders that, at one time, this beautiful beach escape was armed for battle and teeming with Union soldiers. Visitors to the fort can climb and snap pictures in front of the structure, made of a mixture of concrete and shell (yes, you can see the shells). They can also enjoy Kodak moments in front of the cannons on grounds. Then, once they’ve had their fill of history and exploring, they can retreat to beach again and again.
Fort DeSoto
3500 Pinellas Bayway S.
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
Park Office – 727-582-2267
Campground Office – 727-582-2267
www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_Ft_Desoto.htm |
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Ocala National Forest on the Silver River
Our favorite Stay-cation is located in Ocala National Forest on the Silver River. We bring our own canoes (or you can rent them there for cheap). When we get to hot, we jump in the cool 72 degree water. We have seen wild boar, turtles, tons of fish (the water is like glass), sea otters.... But our favorite is the WILD monkeys!!!! They have populated the area since they were brought in for black and white Tarzan movies sixty years ago! We have seen monkey families of around 30! When we decide to make it a weekend trip, we stay at the park in a "cabin" for $100 a night. Its a 2 bed/1 bath cabin, includes: linens, full kitchen, family room and screened in rap-around porch. Sleeps 6. Ocala is a wonderful, slower-speed area... A great place to enjoy the nature and get some peace and quiet! Info at: www.floridastateparks.org/silverriver
Lisa, Tarpon Springs |
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Caspersen Beach in Venice, FL.
My family’s favorite day trip is Caspersen Beach in Venice, FL. My daughters love playing on this beach. My youngest daughter, who is 20 months, loves Caspersen Beach because it isn’t crowded. The water is clear and she can play in the tidal pools that form on the beach when the tide changes. There is also a covered playground, picnic tables, and grills walking distance from the beach. My older daughter, 7 years, and I love to find shark teeth along the beach. The teeth can be found just lying on the water’s edge. We usually come home with six or seven shark teeth. We also enjoy collecting shells for the house. My fiancé likes building sandcastles with the girls. They use sea shells to decorate the castle and build moats to protect it. Caspersen is a wonderful way to spend an inexpensive day with the family.
Angela, St. Petersburg, FL |
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Nickelodeon Family Suites
In less than an hour and a half you can take your family to one of the most action-packed hotels ever, and the best part is, you’ll probably end up having just as much fun as your kids.
With super Florida resident deals, (including coupons for stuff you’ll want to buy once you are at the hotel anyways) and low rates, it’s also friendly on the wallet as far as family vacations go.
Orlando’s Nick Hotel is unlike anything you’ve experienced at a regular “family” inn. Just wait until you walk into the lobby. Your kids will probably run to the bean bag chairs to watch whatever Nick show is playing on the TV while you check-in. The walk to your room is the best. There are life-size colorful characters like SpongeBob, Jimmy Neutron, Dora, you name it, painted all over the walls. There are two huge pool complexes that seem more like water-parks than anything else: flumes, slides, streaming sprays are everywhere and there are tons of families just like you running around enjoying themselves.
Then there are the rooms. A little bit of adult privacy goes a long way, and your room will be decorated a bit more tamer than the kid’s in your KidSuite, which is usually themed to one Nickelodeon character and has bunk beds or twins and is sectioned off by a curtain. But don’t worry; you won’t be in the room very much because you’ll be participating in live poolside games with your kids led by the always-on-their-game entertainment team in loud green button-ups, competing in quiz-style competitions in Studio Nick at night, grabbing a bite at the Nick Mall, where Nickelodeon characters frequently make appearances or getting green slime dumped on you from a 400-gallon tank which happens each day at the pool. (Fun fact: there’s also a Nick After Dark supervised program on select nights, so if you time your visit right, you can even get away for a while for an adults-only excursion!)
The hotel just started offering a new celebration for guests with birthdays too. So if someone in your family has a birthday within 30 days of your stay you can reserve a spot at the daily party with SpongeBob.
Overall, Nick Hotel is one of those hotels that you can go where you don’t need to schedule other activities for the day because there is so much to keep your entire family busy. Rest up though, because you’ll be laughing and playing from sun up to sun down. Check out www.nickhotel.com for more. |
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Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo
It’s time for summer family fun in the Sunshine State! Introduce your family to ours at Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, named the #1 Zoo in the U.S. by both Parents magazine (2009) and Child Magazine (2004). See more than 2,000 exotic and endangered animals from around the world including tapirs from Asia, kangaroos and wallabies from Australia, elephants and white rhinos from Africa, and animals from our own backyard like the Florida panther. Don’t miss our newest and some say “cutest” resident, Bundaleer, the Queensland koala.
The golden days of summer have brought the new Aussie addition – the Queensland koala – to the Zoo’s Wallaroo Station habitat area, a 4.5-acre Australian-themed area designed with families in mind. Bundaleer, the handsome 10-year-old male koala, is settling in to his new habitat comfortably situated next to his marsupial cousins in the Kangaroo Walkabout.
Get up-close and personal with exciting interactive exhibits that are great for the entire family. Meet an African white rhino and feel its armor-like skin, get eye-to-eye with a giraffe on the feeding platform or encounter a slippery cownose stingray at Stingray Bay.
The fun doesn’t stop there! Enhance your visit at the Zoo with more to do and enjoy rides for all ages. Cool off in the summer heat on the new Gator Falls flume ride, show your stripes on the Tasmanian Tiger mini-coaster or experience an African excursion on the Safari Ride. Throughout the day, families can also enjoy educational keeper talks, water play areas and more.
Looking for a sizzling summer deal? Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has great ways to go green and save some green too.
For Florida residents who stay closer to home this summer, Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo has introduced a “Summer Family Fun Pass.” The Summer Pass includes unlimited daytime admission June 1-August 31, 2009 with unlimited amusement rides for $69.95 for a family of four (two adults/two children); additional family members in household are $20 per person. Details available at the Zoo’s ticket windows.
Take a ride on the wild side during Summer Safari Nights July 24 or August 14 with extended hours until 8:30 p.m., featuring free rides after 5 p.m. Beat the heat and catch a glimpse of exciting nocturnal animals who are active in the evening like the new bushbabies. Extended hours are included with Zoo admission.
Visit Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo on Sunday, July 19 for $5 Day, where all guests can enjoy everything the Zoo has to offer for the extra low price of $5 per person, ages 3 and up.
There is always something new to see and do at your Zoo! Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is located at 1101 W. Sligh Avenue in Tampa, one mile west of I-275 (exit 48). The Zoo is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours on designated summer nights. Visit LowryParkZoo.com or call (813) 935-8552. |
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Honeymoon Island State Park
There are hundreds of beautiful sandy beaches in Florida, but Honeymoon Island State Park has become our family favorite. There are so many outdoor activities to do and enjoy at this family stay-cation. We've spent full days basking in the sun, swimming and snorkling and collecting seashells on the shore. The gulf currents deposit amazing shells on the shore. Our daughter loves the variety shells they can collect.
As nature lovers we like to ride our bikes or walk along the trails bird watching, looking for natures surprises of plants and wildlife. Remember to watch for the snakes - this can be a frightening experience if not prepared.
We usually pack a picnic lunch and make a day of the park. There's a snack bar and shower available.
It's a 20 minute drive from our home in Oldsmar. We just follow State Road 586 to the extreme west end that brings us across the Dunedin causeway.
Info. at www.floridastateparks.org/honeymoonisland
Linda, Oldsmar, FL |
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Zephyr Water Park
We went to Zephyr Water Park which is a spectacular, fun park and the most important point is that it is FREE!
It has a big lake where you can go around it rollerblading, with bicycle or stroller, on one side. My kids love it because it has the swing, slides, different things for children to play on and most exciting is the splashing water in different ways, meanwhile I meet other moms and share conversation with them...my 2 boys and I enjoy it a lot.
The Park address: 38116 5th. ave, Zephyrhills, FL 33542 (SR 54 and Gall Blvd./301)
Info. at www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/Water1227.asp
Daisy, Wesley Chapel |
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