Vacationing in Tampa? Eight easy ways to save on your Tampa vacation with the family and still have fun.
You shouldn’t have to take out a small loan to have a great vacation. There are many ways to save money and still have a fabulous time with your family, especially if your vacation destination is Tampa.
Here are eight great ways to save while enjoying a vacation full of fun. Please note that some of these offers include affiliate links which may offer us a small compensation if you purchase through their link at no additional cost to you. We only suggest companies we truly love and believe in.
1. Buy a Tampa Bay CityPASS®. This is the way to explore some of the greatest attractions that Tampa has to offer for one low price. The Tampa Bay CityPASS® includes prepaid admission to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay plus admission to four other attractions: The Florida Aquarium, Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and a choice between Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) or the Chihuly Collection. CityPASS® ticket booklets are good for nine days starting from the first day of use.
2. Get a good deal on a deal sites. You can find some great deals on local attractions on popular deal sites. Simply go to the things-to-do section and explore. Deals and discounts can change at different times, but some of the great deals currently being offered include half-price tickets to see a Tampa Bay Rays baseball game, 65% off bowling and shoe rental at AMF bowling, and discounted admission to Yacht StarShip. You’ll also find discounts on restaurants around the area, from pizza places to lobster joints.
3. Book a home away from home. Booking a rental home gives you options that go beyond a basic hotel room, especially when traveling with a family. Not only will everyone get their own bedroom, you’ll get more than one bathroom, which can be a lifesaver. A living room provides a place to relax for an afternoon or evening, and a full kitchen is a great way to save a lot of money. Buy a few things for breakfast, make lunches at the rental, and you’ll have more money to splurge on dinner or other fun activities.
Find out what other vacation rentals in Florida are renting for!
4. Use the coupons that are located at hotels. When you walk into your hotel, you might see a rack of booklets and pamphlets for area attractions and food. They look like common brochures, but many are actually filled with coupons. These can include discounts to local attractions that you’re probably planning on doing anyway, as well as discounts to local restaurants.
5. Eat for less. Let your fingers to the walking; on your computer, that is. Before your vacation even begins, go online to capture some amazing restaurant deals in Tampa. You’ll get a list of different places to eat that offer discounted certificates to save money when you dine. You’ll find a variety of discounts such as $10 certificates for $4 at some places, or $25 certificates for $10 at others. You’re going to eat anyway, why not save money doing it?
Spend $10 for a $25 Certificate at a local restaurant!
6. Get entertained for less. You’ll find a coupon book for over 10,000 cities across the U.S. and Canada–and Tampa is no exception. Whether you’re looking for discounts on fine dining, a day at the zoo, a cool movie, or even a round of golf, you’ll find coupons that give you 2-for-1 deals and discounts up to 50% off.
7. Visit free Tampa attractions. There are plenty of cool things to do in Tampa that are absolutely free.
Heritage Village in Largo is a 21-acre living history museum featuring some of Pinellas county’s most historic buildings. You’ll also find 33 historic attractions including a railroad depot, historic homes, and an old-fashioned general store.
Florida Botanical Gardens is a beautiful paradise of 100 acres that features tropical and subtropical fauna and flora, unique botanical species, wildlife, and butterflies. The Children’s Trail delights young visitors as they learn about nature through music and games.
The Manatee Viewing Center is where you’ll learn all about these large, plant-eating, warm-blooded marine animals in their natural setting. Watching these majestic creatures in action makes the mile long trek to the tower worth it.
The Ringling Museum is the place to be on Mondays when the Museum of Art is free. It features an extraordinary collection of galleries, sculptures, and rotating exhibits.
8. Hit the beach. After all, the beach is always free and it’s one of Tampa’s best assets. Plan at least a half day to enjoy and explore. Great options include:
- Honeymoon Island State Park for fishing, swimming, surfing, and wildlife watching (there is a fee for parking).
- The beachfront paradise of Pass-A-Grille Beach, where you can park the car and walk to the beach, boutiques, and outdoor markets as you cast your cares to the wind
- Sunsets at Pier60 in Clearwater, a daily festival unlike no other that celebrates and features artisans, crafters, performers, and amazing sunsets. Visit the outdoor Sunset Cinema for a movie feature every Friday and Saturday night.
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