1. Adventure Island

   Editor's pick

   Tampa : 10001 McKinley Drive, Tampa, 33612

   Adventure Island's 30 acres provide water-soaked excitement for guests of all ages. The park's laid-back Florida Keys theme is punctuated with corkscrew slides, waterfalls, a giant wave pool and a rambling river.The 17,000-square foot Endless Surf produces rolling waves up to 5 feet high. Paradi …

2. BayWalk

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 151 Second Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 33701

   BayWalk is anchored by a 20-screen Muvico Theatre that also features an IMAX theater and The Gallery, which shows primarily limited release films and serves alcohol to those 21 and up. The shopping complex itself has fallen on hard times and has just a handful of tenants in its two-story complex.

3. Beach Drive shopping district

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 200 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   The Shoppes at 400 Beach along a side street on St. Pete's waterfront include Savory Spice Shop where you can find all sorts of specialty and everyday spices. It's worth a stop just to inhale the exotic scents. Sweet Divas Chocolates offers confections, Champagne and gifts. C2 Fine Art features  …

4. Channelside Bay Plaza

   Editor's pick

   Channelside : 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602

   The lively Channelside retail, nightclub and restaurant destination is situated along the water on the southern edge of downtown, near the Port of Tampa. It is anchored by Channelside Cinemas 10, which includes an IMAX theater. Hot spots include the hip Aja club and Splitsville luxury bowling al …

5. Downtown Disney

   Editor's pick

   Lake Buena Vista : 1590 E Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, 32830

   Downtown Disney is the place to go when you've had enough, at least for a while, of the theme parks or want late-night entertainment. Its divided into 3 sections: Downtown Disney West Side, Downtown Disney Marketplace and Pleasure Island. The innovative Cirque du Soleil La Nouba live entertain …

6. Explore A Shore sprayground at the Florida Aquarium

   Editor's pick

   Channelside : 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602

   Even if you don't go inside the Florida Aquarium, there's plenty for kids to do. The 2-acre Explore A Shore water zone features watery waves, slippery slides, gushing geysers and an assortment of animal models. There's a two-story, 24-foot pirate ship where kids can fire water cannons, and climb …

7. Florida Aquarium

   Editor's pick

   Channelside : 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 33602

   The aquarium, located near the Port of Tampa, has more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals in its various exhibits. Unlike other aquariums that might feature dolphins or other large mammals, the aquarium focuses on telling the story of water in Florida. The exhibits follow a "drop"  …

8. Giddens Park

   Seminole Heights : 5202 N 12th St., Tampa, 33603

   This Southeast Seminole Heights neighborhood park provides lots of opportunities for fun for the whole family. There is a fully-equipped playground, with splash pad and interactive fountain to cool off in hot summer months, sports courts and plenty of open space for games and a dog park for your …

9. Goodfellas Cafe & Winery

   Sarasota : 4571 Clark Road, Sarasota, 34233

   Winemaking store (both fruit and varietal wines) and cafe, with wood-fired pizzas, pastas, paninis, sandwiches; plus gourmet foods, olive oils, imported beers and espresso bar.

10. Hernando County Fairgrounds

    Brooksville / East Hernando : 6436 Broad St., Brooksville, 34601

11. John's Pass Village and Boardwalk

    Editor's pick

    North Pinellas beaches : 150 John's Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach, 33708

    Located along the waterfront as you enter Madeira Beach from the south, this popular Tampa Bay tourist attraction features restaurants, shopping, personal watercraft rentals, fishing charter boats and just about any other Florida tourist activity you can imagine. It's a great place to take visit …

12. Josiah Cephas Weaver Park

    Dunedin : 1249 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin, 34698

    The park's 14 acres, split by Bayshore Boulevard, stretch to the shore of the Intracoastal Waterway and the grassland along the Pinellas Trail. Oaks and Sabal and Washingtonia palms form a canopy over portions of the park, which is dotted with picnic benches, grills and walking trails. A 1920s b …

13. Keel & Curley Winery

    Plant City : 5210 Thonotosassa, Plant City, 33565

14. Kiwanis Sprayground at Highlander Park

    Editor's pick

    Dunedin : 1937 Ed Eckert Drive, Dunedin, 34698

    The 3,000-square-foot Kiwanis Sprayground has a non-slip surface, no standing water and is ADA accessible. The fully automatic system offers a fun way to beat the heat as recirculating water sprays, gushs, dumps and pours from a variety of whimsical devices. Kids can dodge a crocodile that shoot …

15. Mahaffey Theater

    Editor's pick

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 400 First St. S, St. Petersburg, 33701

    The Mahaffey Theater is a bayside jewel of a concert hall. This 2,030-seat theater has waterfront views and European box-style seating, which is perfect for the orchestra and dance performances it hosts. It's the usual home for Saturday night Florida Orchestra concerts during its season, but it  …

16. North Greenwood Recreation Complex and Pool

    Downtown Clearwater : 900 N Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater, 33755

    The North Greenwood pool is 25-meters with a 1-meter diving board. A plunge pool features a twisting, 140-footlong, two-story water slide. For young children, the activity pool comes with water playground and shade structure. Kids can enjoy a water slide, palm trees with coconuts that tip out wa …

17. Red Door Wine Market

    Lakeland : 733 E Palmetto St., Lakeland, 33801

    Lunch and dinner in a California wine country tasting room setting.

18. Riverwalk

    Editor's pick

    Downtown Tampa : 601 Old Water St., Tampa, 33602

    The Riverwalk concept has been around since the mid 1970s but didn't start taking shape until Mayor Pam Iorio made it one of her signature projects when she took office. The $27 million, 2.2-mile walkway will link the Channel District to Tampa Heights along Garrison Channel and the Hillsborough  …

19. Ross Norton Recreation and Aquatic Complex

    Downtown Clearwater : 1426 S Martin Luther King Jr. Ave., Clearwater, 33756

    Ross Norton Aquatic Complex features three different pools for the entire family to enjoy. Included in the three is an activity pool and water playground ideal for smaller children. It features water cannons, kiddie slides, waterfalls, and a baby bungee.Recreation card and annual Play Pass hold …

20. Skipper's Smokehouse

    Editor's pick

    Tampa : 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, 33613

    Skipper's is an institution. Generations of music lovers have called themselves regulars at this classic, Old Florida-themed establishment. Not only does it provide a spacious outdoor concert area, communal benches and beachy sand add even more charm, and its restaurant serves some of the best F …

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