Local Guides
Five picks at a time, written by the people who live here, so the planning takes ten minutes and the week takes care of itself.
Beaches
The Best Beaches Near Tampa for a Family Beach Day
Clearwater Beach · St. Pete Beach · Indian Rocks Beach and more
Family Activities
Tampa With Kids: Five Days Out They Will Talk About All Year
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay · The Florida Aquarium · ZooTampa at Lowry Park and more
Restaurants
Where to Eat in Tampa When It Is Your Night Off
Bern's Steakhouse · Ulele · Green Lemon and more
Theme Parks
Theme Parks Near Tampa, From Busch Gardens to Orlando
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay · Adventure Island Water Park · Legoland Florida and more
Hikes and Outdoors
Easy Hikes and Wild Florida Near Tampa
Hillsborough River State Park · Weedon Island Preserve · Tampa Riverwalk and more
Day Trips
Day Trips From Tampa Worth the Drive
Clearwater Beach · Salvador Dalí Museum, St. Petersburg · John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Sarasota and more
Holiday Events
Christmas Lights and Holiday Events in Tampa
Busch Gardens Christmas Town · ZooTampa: Christmas in the Wild · Curtis Hixon Winterfest and more
Halloween Week and Thanksgiving, Sorted
Happening NowSelect nights through October 31, from 7pm
Haunted houses, scare zones and the coasters running in the dark. This one is for the teens and the grown-ups, so plan a movie night at the house for the little ones.
DetailsHappening NowFriday to Sunday nights through October 31, 4pm to 10pm
The zoo after dark with trick-or-treat trails, glowing lanterns and a family-friendly haunted neighborhood. Costumes welcome, strollers fine, nobody jumps out at the kids on the family trail.
DetailsFrom Oct 30October 30 to November 1 (moved from early October because of weather)
Steins, bratwurst, oompah bands and the river right there. Saturday runs all day, so the kids can come for the pretzels and the games before the evening crowd arrives.
DetailsFrom Nov 13Select nights from November 13 into early January
Millions of lights, Santa, hot cocoa and the rides open after dark. Included with park admission, so a day at the park turns into a holiday night without a second ticket.
Details
Beaches
Cape San Blas Beaches: Where to Put the Chairs Down
Cape San Blas · St. Joseph Peninsula State Park · Port St. Joe Beach and more
Restaurants
Where to Eat in Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas
The White Marlin and Oysterette · Krazyfish Grille · Joe Mama's Wood Fired Kitchen and more
Family Activities
Port St. Joe With Kids: Turtles, Lighthouses and Paddleboards
Forgotten Coast Sea Turtle Center · T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park · George Core Park & Cape San Blas Lighthouse and more
On the Water
Boats, Scallops and Kayaks on St. Joseph Bay
Bayou Boat Rentals · AquaBear Adventures · Lady J Charters and more
Halloween Week and Thanksgiving, Sorted
From Oct 15October 15 to 18
Forty-plus Nashville songwriters playing their own hits, unplugged, in bars and on porches around town. The Sunday finale at the Indian Pass Raw Bar is a Forgotten Coast rite of passage.
DetailsFrom Nov 6November 6 and 7
Florida's oldest maritime festival, now in its 63rd year, with oyster shucking contests, blue crab races, a parade and the Blessing of the Fleet. Apalachicola oysters are back this year.
DetailsFrom Nov 20Late November to mid December, free (the center posts exact dates each year)
Local businesses decorate dozens of trees and the town votes for a favorite, with story time, crafts and Mr. and Mrs. Claus on the schedule. A sweet hour in town between beach days.
DetailsFrom Dec 5A Saturday evening in mid December (the city sets the date each year)
Floats, fire trucks and candy down Monument Avenue at dusk, then Santa at the Cape San Blas Lighthouse. Small-town Christmas at its best, and the beach is still 70 degrees the next morning.
Details
Springs and Outdoors
Springs Near Apopka: Cold, Clear Water Ten Minutes From the Door
Wekiwa Springs State Park · Rock Springs Run at Kelly Park · Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive and more
Family Activities
Orlando Days Out From Our Apopka Home
Universal Studios Florida · LEGOLAND Florida Resort · Orlando Science Center and more
Restaurants
Where to Eat in Apopka When Nobody Wants to Cook
The Nauti Lobstah · Hall's on 5th · Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant and more
Hikes and Outdoors
Hikes and Nature Trails Near Apopka
Wekiwa Springs State Park · Rock Springs Run State Reserve · Little Big Econ State Forest and more
Halloween Week and Thanksgiving, Sorted
Happening NowSelect nights through November 1, 6:30pm to 2am
The biggest Halloween event in the country, with ten haunted houses and scare zones through the whole park. Strictly for the grown-ups and the brave teens, separate ticket required.
DetailsHappening NowFridays to Sundays through November 1, 10am to 6pm
Two hayrides, a corn maze with a toddler version, a pumpkin patch, the cow wash and a pumpkin cannon. The pumpkin patch and country store are free to walk into, the activity wristband is under twenty dollars.
DetailsHappening NowSaturdays and Sundays through November 15, 10am to 5pm
The big corn maze, a hay bale maze for the little ones, jumping pillows, hayrides and a farm market with the sweetest corn in Florida. Buy tickets online before you go, weekends sell out.
DetailsFrom Oct 24October 24 and 25, 9am to 5pm, free
Hundreds of artists fill the streets of one of Florida's prettiest small towns. Go early, park once, and let the kids pick a treat from the food court while you shop.
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