10 Reasons Your Kids Will Love Tampa Bay

Florida has a ton of family-friendly vacation destinations to choose from, but Tampa Bay should be at the top of your list. The waterfront city has something to appeal to every family whether you favor the great outdoors or a cultured museum. Most importantly, the city is built for families with loads of attractions that appeal to kids like zoos, aquariums and theme parks. Here are the top 10 reasons your kids will go crazy for a family trip to Tampa Bay.

Dolphins and sharks and turtles, oh my! Between the Florida Aquarium in Tampa and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, kids will love learning about life under the sea. At the Florida Aquarium, you can play in a splash pad and take the Wild Dolphin Cruise to see the friendly creatures in their natural habitat. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to Winter the Dolphin from Dolphin Tale and educates visitors on marine life rescue.

What kid doesn't love pretending to be a pirate? Thanks to Tampa's pirate folklore, specifically the legend of Jose Gaspar (also known as Gasparilla), there are multiple opportunities to get into the spirit of buccaneering. Families can ride the Pirate Water Taxi as a means of transportation up and down the Hillsborough River while learning some tidbits about the history of the city. Gasparilla's Pirate Ship sits docked in the river but comes to life in order to capture the city of Tampa Bay during Gasparilla Pirate Festival each January through March.

Maria Montessori once said, "Play is the work of the child." Tampa takes that to heart with two museums specifically designed for children to learn through fun and games. MOSI, or the Museum of Science and Industry, invites kids to explore scientific principals from a different angle using hands-on experiments and exhibits to get them thinking outside the box. Glazer Children's Museum offers community-minded exhibits that let kids imagine themselves in different roles from doctor to pizza chef. Who said learning has to be boring?

Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay is the perfect destination for a day of excitement for the whole family. Preschoolers can enjoy Sesame Street Safari of Fun with toddler-friendly rides, splash pads and show, and older kids will love the thrilling roller coasters, the Congo River Rapids and the Serengeti Safari tour. There's something for everyone inside this amusement park!

There are lots of options for the young sports fan in your family. If you're visiting Tampa during February and March you can watch the legendary New York Yankees play a spring training game at George M Steinbrenner Field. Tampa Bay is also home to other pro sports teams like the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning and the MLB Tampa Bay Devil Rays. No matter what time of year you visit, your family will find a team to cheer for.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is an inspiring place for animal lovers with a focus on conservation and protecting endangered species. Kids will have the chance to feed rhinos or hang out with tortoises and penguins. There's even a section of the zoo dedicated to toddlers with rides, a splash pad and a wallaby walkabout. Head to Big Cat Rescue in Tampa to learn about rescuing exotic cats and saving them from extinction.

Introduce your kids to some culture in Ybor City, a National Historic Landmark District in Tampa. Wander the neighborhood and soak in the diverse cultures while pointing out the wild chickens that roam the streets. Stop at the Ybor City Museum State Park to learn about the history of the area and enjoy the peaceful gardens. Don't leave without introducing your kids to an authentic Cuban sandwich!

One of the many draws of beautiful Tampa Bay is the ability to get outside and get active year round. Hike through Hillsborough River State Park, go biking along the Riverwalk, rent a paddleboard, canoe or kayak and spend some time on the Hillsborough River. It's a short drive from downtown Tampa to the beaches of St. Petersburg and Clearwater, so your kids can also enjoy splashing in the waves and playing in the sand.

Speaking of spending time outside, Tampa is a mecca of playgrounds, parks and splash pads that are perfect for sunny days. Parents can relax on benches in the shade while their energetic little ones climb and run. Water Works Park is perched on the Hillsborough River and includes a climbing structure and a splash pad, so it's perfect for families looking for a place to relax at the end of the Riverwalk. There's even a pirate ship playground at Fort De Soto Park just a short drive away.

When you're going out to eat with your family, especially if you have very young children, you're not necessarily looking for the most elegant atmosphere. You want affordable, somewhat quick food with lots of options so that even your pickiest eater will find something they want to eat. Tampa has loads of options for you, the most unique being Armature Works, an industrial-looking food hall with every type of food stall and cuisine you could imagine. Other great family-friendly restaurants include Ulele and Datz.