Want a vacation but unable to get away? Take a staycation instead! A staycation is a vacation where you stay home and explore your local area. It’s a great way to get out, have fun, and relax without spending much, or any money.
Here are four of our favorite (and free) staycations in Tampa.
4 Free Tampa Staycations
Head Outdoors
The Tampa Bay Area is home to hundreds of public parks, trails, beaches, and waterways. Why not take advantage of these great locations on your Tampa staycation? If you love the outdoors, Tampa has something for you. Below are some of our favorites:
- Head to any of the public beaches for a day in the sun.
- Watch the sunset at Sunset Beach on Treasure Island.
- See manatees and learn about local ecology at Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center.
- Spend the day at Fort De Soto Park.
- Hike the trails through 5 different ecological systems at Brooker Creek Preserve.
Play Tourist
A fun way to enjoy your Tampa staycation is to play tourist and experience the city as if it’s your first time visiting. Why? It helps you fall in love with the city all over again.
Here are some of our favorite free tourist activities in Tampa:
- Ride the TECO Streetcar.
- Take an Instagram-worthy mural tour.
- Stroll the Tampa Riverwalk.
- Catch a free concert at Curtis Hixon Park.
Learn Local History
Love history? You’re in luck. There is no shortage of ways to get your history fix in Tampa. Spend a day exploring the Pinellas County Heritage Village. It’s a 21-acre living history museum with 28 structures that date back to the mid-nineteenth century. These include a school, sponge warehouse, railroad depot, store, church, and homes. The best part? You get to participate in hands-on activities like blacksmithing, fiber arts, and cooking. You can take a guided tour or stroll through at your own pace…all for free!
Travel the World without a Passport
Tampa is a melting pot that offers plenty of ways to explore different cultures and places without needing a passport. Two of our favorite places to travel without a passport are Ybor City and the Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks.
Ybor City is a little bit of Cuba located in the heart of Tampa. It’s the only neighborhood on Florida’s west coast to be designated a National Historic Landmark District. Spend the day wandering down 7th Avenue learning all about this vibrant community. It’s home to unique architecture, historical buildings, numerous shops, and delicious restaurants.
The Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks is the sponge capital of the world. It helped build a large Greek community which makes it a great place to visit Greece without a passport. Visit the sponge docks to learn all about the industry and community. Then, wander through the many Greek restaurants, bakeries and shops to experience a little bit of Greece right in Tampa’s backyard.
Taking a vacation doesn’t necessarily mean spending a lot of money or traveling. Exploring your city is a great — and affordable — way to learn more about your home. These free Tampa staycations activities are a great way to have fun and save money in the Tampa area.
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