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Sun, Museums, and Theme Park Fun: Tampa Bay for Big Families

    Thursday Travel Thoughts

    Tampa Bay

    Best known for soft white beaches and crystal-clear water, the Tampa Bay area of Florida offers a world of vacation opportunities for big families. This laid-back area features excellent museums, top-rated beaches, the thrills of Busch Gardens, and much more.

    The city of Tampa is home to several museums that will appeal to large families. One family favorite is The Museum of Science and Industry, or MOSI. At MOSI families will feel the force of hurricane winds and the heat of a forest fire, ride a bike 30 feet above ground, and see thousands of native butterflies in an outdoor garden. MOSI is home to Florida’s only IMAX Dome Theater and the largest science center in the nation created just for kids.

    Florida is famous for its theme parks and the city of Tampa is no exception. Busch Gardens features 335 acres of Africa-themed excitement. The whole family will enjoy seeing animals such as giraffes, rhinos, and zebras in a natural environment. Adrenaline seekers will get a thrill from rides such as SheiKra and Montu, while the little ones will have a ball at Sesame Street Safari of Fun. Families can see former shelter animals perform amazing stunts and sing along to Motown’s greatest hits by attending some of the many live shows. The park also offers two interactive 4D adventures and shopping to suit every taste. Located just across the street from Busch Gardens is Adventure Island which offers 30 acres of Florida and Caribbean themed waterpark fun.

    The Tampa Bay area is home to a diverse assortment of beaches that will suit any taste. Popular and lively Clearwater Beach is located just across the Intercoastal Waterway from the serene and sparsely populated Sand Key. Shell Island, just a short boat ride from Clearwater Beach, is a tiny island that is known for big seashells. St. Pete Beach and Bradenton Beach offers quiet beaches situated in quaint towns. Because every beach in Tampa Bay has a different personality, be sure to do some research to determine which will best suit your family’s preferences.

    The Tampa Bay area has numerous hotels that accommodate big families, with several suitable for groups of eight. SixSuitcaseTravel lists many hotels that sleep 5, 6, 7, 8. Whether families choose to stay on a beach or inland, they will not be disappointed.  With such a diverse assortment of activities, Tampa Bay offers the very best in big family entertainment.

     

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    Theresa Jorgensen

    Theresa Jorgensen

    Theresa Jorgensen is a mother to four children including twins. She recognized the necessity for a comprehensive resource of hotels that cater to big families with rooms and suites for 5, 6, 7, or 8 people in a single room while traveling with her own family. In 2008, she established SixSuitcaseTravel to compile a database of such hotels. Over time, the website has grown to include travel advice, itineraries, road trip suggestions, national park guides, and more. Theresa takes pleasure in assisting other big families in creating unforgettable travel experiences.