Whether you’re a resident or visitor to the Tampa Bay Area, you may find yourself trekking to the mall with the family in tow. Shopping with kids is not an easy chore. If you have to head to a mall, wouldn’t it be nice to go to a mall that was family-friendly? You not only could do your own shopping, your kids could have fun too.
Thankfully, the Tampa Bay Area offers more than a dozen malls for your shopping pleasure. To help our readers out, we decided to spend a month driving across the Tampa Bay Area in search of the most family-friendly malls.
Our criteria for a family-friendly mall included:
1. Shopping variety
2. Ability to entertain kids of different ages
3. Convenience
4. Food options
5. Family-Friendly events throughout the year
Here is the five best family-friendly malls that our family enjoyed the most:
The Mall at Citrus Park made the top of our list for it’s ability to keep families of all ages entertained. The indoor “Main Street” vibe with boulevards and fountains provides a fun theme to the mall. Westfield Citrus Park has a little bit of everything, including the Regal Cinemas Movie Theater that also includes an arcade area for older kids. Younger children can climb and hide on the two play areas located in the mall.
The food court is conveniently located at the center of the mall with a colorful family dining area for younger children. Perfectly sized children tables make it fun for the kids to dine at the mall. The family lounge has private nursing rooms and a nice play area for the kids. With daily weekday events at the Learning Express Toys Store there is always something to do.
Unique features of this Tampa Bay Area Mall
The Westfield Citrus Park mall has a little bit of everything and the layout, and restaurants make it a stress free shopping experience.
Family-Friendly Things To Do:
–Ride Carousel
-Regal Cinemas Citrus Park 20
-Weekly Family Events at Learning Express Toys Store
–Two Kids Play Areas
–Family Lounge, with TV and microwave
Family-Friendly Services:
–Smarte Carte Strollers
–Family Parking
–Private Nursing Area for Moms
–Baby Changing Stations
–Dining tables for small children
Department Stores: JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears, and Dicks Sporting Goods
Retailers: 140+ stores
Restaurants/Dining: Grimaldis, Johnny Rockets, BJs Restaurant Brewhouse, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, and more.
Westfield Citrus Park
8021 Citrus Park Town Center
Tampa, FL 33625
(813) 926-4644
The Sky-view ceilings gives the Brandon Westfield a very airy and open feel in it’s more than 1,100,100 sq ft space. This mall is a young family’s dream location for fun play areas where kids can climb and enjoy the colorful animal characters with ample space to move.
Family-friendly dining at the spacious food court has a variety of food options to please every kids appetite. Chick-fil-A, Chipotle, Panera Bread, Subway, and Five Guys Burgers and Fries is just a few of the selections available.
Family lounges located in the mall helps families recharge, take in a kid-friendly TV program, or simply play with toys. The Brandon Westfield Mall is huge enough to get a nice walking exercise through all the shops. Plan for extra time exiting the mall, traffic can become congested.
Unique features of this Tampa Bay Area Mall?
The family lounges, kid play area and reading nook are some of the malls best features.
Family-Friendly Things To Do:
–Ride Carousel
–Monthly Family Events
–Two Kids Play Areas
–Reading Area with free children’s books to use
–Two Family Lounges, with TV and couches
Family-Friendly Services:
–Smarte Carte Strollers
–Family Parking
–Private Nursing Area for Moms
–Baby Changing Stations
–Dining tables for small children
-Curbside-to-go service for restaurants. Call in, pick up and take home without having to get out of your car.
Department Stores: Dillards, JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears, and Dicks Sporting Goods
Retailers: 190+ stores
Restaurants/Dining: Bahama Breeze, The Cheesecake Factory, Chipotle, Five Guys Burgers and Fries, Red Robin and more.
Westfield Brandon
459 Brandon Town Center
Brandon, FL 33511
(813) 661-6255
Home to the only Ice Skating Rink inside of a Tampa Bay Area Mall is Westfield Countryside! Skating classes and regular public skating is available. åÊWith two floors to explore all the shopping options, food court, and electronic charging stations will easily extend your stay at this mall.
You can even go grocery shopping for healthy and organic foods at Whole Foods Market, which is anchored to the mall.
Unique features of this Tampa Bay Area Mall?
Ice Skating year-round, Cobb Theatres, and large kids’ play area makes this mall very family-friendly.
Family-Friendly Things To Do:
-Ice Skating Rink in the center of Mall
-Cobb 12 Theatres
-Mini Train Rides
-Large Play Area for kids
-Shop at Whole Foods Market for groceries
-Wide selection of restaurants to enjoy with the family
Family-Friendly Services:
-Family Parking
-Smarte Carte trollers
-Family Lounge with toys
-Free Wifi and charging stations
-Baby Changing Station
-High Chairs for Young Children
Department Stores: Dillards, JCPenney, Macy’s, Nordstrom Rack, and Sears.
Retailers: 170+ stores
Restaurants/Dining: P.F. Changs China Bistro, Grimaldis Pizzeria, BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse, Charleys Grilled Subs, Pita Grill and more.
Westfield Countryside
27001 US Highway 19 North, Suite 1039
Clearwater, FL 33761
(727) 796-1079
If you’re definitely planning on dining at a restaurant while visiting a Tampa Bay Area mall, then you should definitely visit the WestShore Plaza mall with the family. Multiple restaurants like P.F. Chang’s Bistro and Maggiano’s Little Italy offer a wide array of dining options that are family-friendly. Valet parking is also available.
H & M, bebe, Old Navy, and Macy’s make up some of the 100 plus stores at WestShore Plaza. Food court offers healthy food options like Evos and familiar dining from Chick-fil-A. Nursing area and changing stations can be found in the women’s restroom.
Unique features of this Tampa Bay Area Mall?
The selection of restaurants and anchored movie theater qualifies this mall for our list.
Family-Friendly Things To Do:
-AMC West Shore 14 Movie Theater
-Weekly Family Events at Learning Express Toys Store
-Monthly Family Events through Connect Kids
–Play Area for Kids
-Wide selection of restaurants to enjoy with the family
Family-Friendly Services:
-Single and Double Strollers for rental
-Private Nursing Area
-Baby Changing Station
-High Chairs for Young Children
Department Stores: Dillards, JCPenney, Macy’s, Sears and Dicks Sporting Goods
Retailers: 100+ stores
Restaurants/Dining: P.F. Changs China Bistro, Maggiano’s Little Italy , Seasons 52, Grimaldis Pizzeria, Evos, Little Greek and more.
WestShore Plaza
250 WestShore Plaza
Tampa, FL 33609
(813) 286-0790
The Shops at Wiregrass is the ideal mall for families who prefer to venture outdoors for an open air shopping experience. Pets are apart of the family too, they can easily enjoy strolling the sidewalks of the stores and many eating areas are pet-friendly.
A great combination of luxury shops like Coach, Gucci, and Talbots while also including JCPenney, Macy’s and Dillards shops makes for a great shopping selection.
Easy access to the shops on Paseo Drive offers great convenience for families who quickly want to shop at their favorite retailer.
There is always something going on at The Shops at Wiregrass, and many of the family events are free or really cheap. Williams-Sonoma offers free Junior Chef Classes on a weekly basis and Wiregrass Ranchers offers free kids events.
Unique features of this Tampa Bay Area Mall?
Probably the mall with the most family events on a weekly and monthly basis, easy access to your favorite shops and restaurants.
Family-Friendly Things To Do:
-Wiregrass Express Train Ride
-Weekly FREE Ranchers Kids Club Events
-Monthly Family Events
-Seasonal Outdoor Fairs
-Bi-monthly Fresh Market
-Western Play Area for Kids
-Wide selection of restaurants to enjoy with the family
Family-Friendly Services:
-Strollers for rental
-Family Restrooms and Nursing Lounge
-Complimentary Wheelchairs & Motorized Scooters
Department Stores: Dillards, JCPenney and Macy’s.
Retailers: 100+ stores
Restaurants/Dining: Moes Southwest Grill, Panera Bread, Grillsmith New American Grill, Yomato Japanese Steak House & Sushi Bar, Red Robin, and more.
The Shops at Wiregrass
28211 Paseo Drive, Suite 100
Wesley Chapel, FL 33543
(813) 994-2242
This post was originally written in 2015. Love this article? Check out our Community Event Calendar or Sign Up to receive our weekly weekend newsletter to find out more family-friendly things to do in the Tampa Bay Area.
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Whats’s your favorite family-friendly mall in the Tampa Bay Area?
