VISITING Tampa · Cigar City
Visiting Tampa with toddlers and little kids: the plan.
Downtown has the Glazer Children’s Museum, Curtis Hixon Park and the main library side by side; ZooTampa is a short drive north. Here’s a day or two, with nap time built in.
Top 4 can’t-miss spots
#1Downtown, by Curtis Hixon Park
Glazer Children’s Museum
Babies under 1 are free; Florida residents save $5.
$27.95 eachBabies under 1 freeIndoor
See it in the guide→
#2Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Go early before the heat.
See it in the guide→
#3Downtown
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Pair it with the children’s museum.
Free
See it in the guide→
#4Downtown, 900 N. Ashley Dr.
John F. Germany Public Library
Baby Time runs on Friday mornings.
FreeIndoor
See it in the guide→
Nap breaks built in
One day or two in Tampa
A couple of big stops, a real lunch and a nap in the middle. Tap a stop for the full listing.
If you have one day
MORNINGGlazer Children’s MuseumOpens at 9:30 · Downtown, by Curtis Hixon Park · $27.95 per person
LUNCHUleleBy the river · Tampa HeightsNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPWater Works ParkPlayground and splash pad · Tampa Heights, 1710 N. Highland Ave. · FreeIf you have two days
Day 1 is the one-day plan above. Day 2:
MORNINGZooTampa at Lowry ParkA full morning · Lowry ParkNAPBack to the hotel for nap. If your little one sleeps best in the car, take a loop.
AFTER NAPJohn F. Germany Public LibraryLibrary time · Downtown, 900 N. Ashley Dr. · FreeWhere to stay
Kid-friendly areas near the big attractions
Pick the area by the stops you’ll make most, then plan around nap.
WALKABLEDowntownWalk to the Glazer, Curtis Hixon and the Riverwalk.Near Glazer Children’s Museum, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and John F. Germany Public Library
Eat
Easy restaurants near the big stops
Kids’ menus, quick service and a short drive from the attractions. Prices come from each restaurant’s own menu.
Plan B
Rainy-day backup plan
If the forecast turns, swap the outdoor stop for one of these. More options: indoor play places in Tampa.
Before you go
Practical tips
Parking, strollers, changing tables and the best times to go.
Florida residents
Bring a Florida ID for the Glazer’s resident price.
Visiting in November or December?
Santa and Christmas lights in Tampa
If your trip lands in the holiday season, these two pages have the dates, prices and booking links.
On a budget
Free and cheap wins for visitors
Spend less without skipping the good stuff.
This week
Happening while you’re here
This week’s top events in Tampa. The full list, with hours and the forecast, is on the this-week page.
#1Sat 4–8:30pm
Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat
The 10th annual Riverwalk Trick-or-Treat: trick-or-treating, a costume contest, a Thriller flash mob and Ghostbusters on the lawn at 7:15pm. Costumes encouraged.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
#29am–5pm
Guppyween at The Florida Aquarium
Trick-or-treating on Oct 24 and 25, creepy-critter animal encounters, character appearances and costumed divers, aimed at the littlest monsters and merfolk.
Aquarium admission
Hours, food & parking→
#34–10pm
Creatures of the Night at ZooTampa
Halloween nights at the zoo with costumed characters, spooky entertainment and themed treats. The zoo suggests Friday or Sunday for the best visit.
Included for everyone with a Zoo Fun ticket or zoo membership
Hours, food & parking→
#4Sat 2–6:30pm
A Night at the Museum at the Tampa Bay History Center
The 15th year of the History Center’s family Halloween party, with costumed characters and activities on every floor. Pick a timed entry when you buy.
$20 per person
Hours, food & parking→
#5Sun 5–6:30pm
Trunk-or-Treat at First Pres Tampa
About 40 decorated trunks with candy and prizes for the best trunks. Dinner plates can be pre-ordered.
Free
Hours, food & parking→
Good questions
Visiting Tampa with toddlers: the FAQ
Is Tampa kid-friendly?
For a family with kids under 6, yes. Our Tampa guide lists 15 places we checked for little kids, plus 4 free places and 3 picks for babies and toddlers. This page adds 1 easy restaurant near the big stops and free storytimes at 2 library systems. This week’s list has 29 dated outings for ages 0–6. See free things to do in Tampa and this weekend’s list.
How many days do you need in Tampa with a toddler?
Two: the Glazer and Curtis Hixon Park one day, ZooTampa the next.
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