Looking for something to do with the kids or maybe those visiting relatives between Christmas and New Year's? Have no fear, exhausted hosts, we have lots of destination ideas to keep your brood occupied:
Sunshine State 'snow'
From Friday through Tuesday, the Florida Aquarium in Tampa is bringing back its Holiday FantaSea, with extended hours, a real snow play area that opens at noon every day, a Christmas light show set to music and holiday-themed activities. Open 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Friday-Tuesday.
Included with admission: $23.95, $20.95 for seniors 60+, $18.95 for kids 3-12. 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. Prices are generally about $2 cheaper if you buy them online at flaquarium.org.
Florida natives
One of the busiest spots in the Tampa Bay area this week will be an out-of-the-way power plant. That's because nothing impresses those Northern relatives more than a herd of manatees. This time of year, the gentle sea cows love the warmer water coming out of TECO's Big Bend power station in Apollo Beach. The company's Manatee Viewing Center is open to the public and welcomes visitors to check out our state's most popular mammal. There's even an environmental education building, with colorful education displays about the manatee and its habitat. You can also inspect actual manatee bones and piece together puzzles.
Outside, stroll the butterfly gardens and the center's habitat loop trail – a winding route along an oyster-shell path — and a boardwalk that takes you to a wildlife observation tower with a 50-foot-high vantage point. There are picnic tables there if you decide to pack a lunch.
The center is closed at 3 p.m. Christmas Eve and all day Christmas Day, but it's otherwise open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Best of all, it's free at 6990 Dickman Road in Apollo Beach. See tampaelectric.com/manatee for live webcams.
Get outside
Work off all that eggnog and get some excercise on a bike or a hike.
•For bicycle riders, check out the Pinellas Trail, an urban trail stretching from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg. The 47-mile trail has rest stops and parking plazas along the path, and the county's trail guide, found at pinellascounty.org/trailgd, has maps and even a list of bike and skate rental shops found near the trail.
• Kids can improve their short game with a free bucket of range golf balls every day through Jan. 4 at Ace Golf in Brandon and Riverview. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Ace Golf locations are at 820 S Kings Ave., Brandon, and 12910 Boyette Road, Riverview. The offer is good 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. For details, see ace-golf.com.
• The Upper Tampa Bay Trail is a beautiful set of paved trails that stretches nearly 8 miles, starting just east of Oldsmar and heading north. For walkers, bicycles and skaters, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is mostly shaded. There are lots of restrooms, water stops and picnic areas along the way. The main park trailhead is at 9201 W Waters Ave., Tampa.