Will be coming in 5-7 days in October in Tampa. Need family fun ideas for a family of 5 (2 adults, 11 yr old, 4 yr old, 10 mth old). Suggestions?

Busch Gardens.

Aquarium, beach--swimming, shelling, sand castles and kites, one of the cruises (dolphin or the like), MOSI, Lowry Park Zoo....

Dali Art Museum in St. Petersburg close to Tampa- my then ten year old son loved it , even though he did not like most museums. The droopy watches, etc. caught his attention.

Also, I believe there is a Children's Museum close to it with all kinds of fun activities for both the children. Try googling for it.

Thanks for all the suggestions? Should I even consider trying to go to Disney World or just enjoying what the Tampa area has to offer? I've been before but didn't know about taking a 10 month old. Suggestions?

Also, what Hotel would you recommend in the area for a family & close to downtown? Budget (Less than $115 per night)

Is there a particular reason you want to be downtown? It's sort of dead at night downtown with the exception of Ybor City, and that is not for you with your children. You will also find yourselves traveling for restaurants.

You might prefer either staying at the beaches, or staying in the Rocky Point area of Tampa, which is on the water, Tampa Bay, but only about 15-20 minutes from downtown, providing you don't attempt the drive during rush hour, and about 35-40 to Clearwater Beach. There's a Chase, Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, Sailport (I'm not so keen on that), Radisson, which could be within your price range, although I haven't checked.

There are a few restaurants in that area, (Damons, Rusty Pelican, Bahama Breeze, and more (scads) by International Plaza, about 10 minutes from there. Going the other direction toward Clearwater, there are any number of chain restaurants, once you are off the causeway and on land again.

It's a little over an hour from this area to Disney. Your 4 year old would probably enjoy it, certainly the 11 yr old, but of course it would be lost on the baby and make for a very very expensive day!

We did the Sunsets at Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach with our kids. Bring some $1's to tip the entertainers.

Here's some info: http://travelwithkids.about.com/libr...ppixpier60.htm

Check out Homassasa Springs which has the manatee rescue and, for a great greek meal, check out Tarpon Springs.

Excellent ideas. In reference to OO's question about why we're thinking downtown? We are suppose to be at a conference being held in one of the Arenas there (don't have the name) for a few days & thought we might should stay downtown. However, if it's not too much of a hassel to stay 10-20 minutes away, we aren't opposed to that. What do you think?

St Pete Times Forum?? Biiig venue! If you have to be there by 8-9:30 in the morning, it'll take more than 10 minutes from Rocky Point area. 20 might do it, unless there is a wreck. If you must be downtown for meetings, that's probably where I'd stay.

You might be able to get one of the 3*'s in the downtown area for within your budget bidding on Priceline. Are you familiar with biddingfortravel.com or betterbidding.com? They give you tips on prices. I don't think I'd go under 3*, which would give you either the Hyatt, Marriott Waterside, or Westin (formerly Wyndham) Harbour Island. Marriott Waterside is on the Hillsborough River. Those are the 3 I'm most familiar with, but there is also an Embassy Suites downtown that might suit your needs better.

If your conference isn't lasting the entire stay, I'd stay downtown for the period you'll be in meetings. I take it you either have spare time or one of you won't be in the meetings, in which case you can do the downtown activities, Aquarium, and those more convenient from downtown such as Lowry Park Zoo and Busch, then change hotels and stay at the beach for the remainder of the time. I love the beaches from Clearwater to St Pete Beach...if you've never been, they are simply beautiful, with the softest whitest sand, and great shells, blue green water which will still be warm enough for swimming while you are there.

I have to admit, I am partial to Caladesi State Park. You drive over to Dunedin to the Honeymoon Island State Park, park there, and then take a short boat ride over to Caladesi. It was recently voted the second most beautiful natural beach in the US. It's a beautiful beach, the kids can play in the water, and they even have a concession stand. This way you get a boat ride and a beautiful beach outing all in one.

Here's info: http://www.floridastateparks.org/caladesiisland/

I think going all the way to Disney and back in one day might be a little tough.

I vote Rocky Point as well - it's a great place to stay and it is close to both downtown and the beaches. We've seen dolphins many times in the water right there. If you only have to drive into downtown Tampa one or two days, this will be fine. But if you have to drive in every day, then maybe you would want to stay closer to downtown. I just don't know what decent hotel you'll get in downtown for your price range, unless you score something on priceline.

Birder, I love Caladesi as well. Beautiful spot. We used to run up there from Clearwater Beach. As recently as a year ago Frommers was swearing that was impossible. I was tempted to go with a darned camera. We do it, and not by boat! Too long for hello and family however.. CWB to the northern most tip of Caladesi (from which you can see Honeymoon Island) is 6 miles round trip.

Similar to Caladesi, but easier to get to, (so more people as well) is Ft Desoto just south of St Pete Beach. It's a state park with the absurd admission charge of .35!! Unreal.

These are rare sightings, but some of the things I've seen in the vicinity of Rocky Point: a flamingo...not a roseate spoonbill! Cars were stopping on the Courtney Campbell to stare. I called Busch and they think it was a lone chick, blown into the vicinity by Andrew. They'd had reports of it before, but that was the first and last time I saw it. Two spotted eagle rays, skimming along just feet from shore and what gorgeous creatures they are! Baby (about 3.5') hammerhead shark--saw him several days running, always in the same spot along the causeway. Lots of dolphin, not uncommon, and less frequently, manatees. October is late for seeing manatees though. Then there's the run of the mill snook, which can be huge, and horseshoe crabs, to say nothing of all the birds. There's the bald eagle I've mentioned before, and inevitably, osprey perched on the light poles looking for lunch.

For these reasons, this is where I'd stay if not staying at the beaches, but as we agree, not if you have to brave rush hour every day. It can be a bear, and getting worse by the day.

OO - how amazing! A flamingo! I've only seen one in the wild, and they are truly stunning creatures.

Now let me get this straight - you can go by foot from north Clearwater beach to Caladesi? Does it require wading? Too cool!

No wading at all birder. The cut was closed by a storm before we first tried it years ago. Caladesi hasn't been an island since we moved to Tampa. Of course my info is only as good as last year, our last run up there and major storms could reopened the cut...or bring even more sand in, filling it more completely. It has been solid land the entire way since at least '98 or so, when we first did it. If you are good walkers, go for it. Park at that large lot north of the circle adjacent to the Palm Pavillion, and go from there. You'll encounter the "Welcome to Caladesi Island State Park" sign well before you get to the boardwalk area, and there are protected habitats inland along the way. It's a stunningly beautiful walk and you'll meet few others!

Thank you, thank you, thank you guys. I am really looking forward to exploring this area. After reading the details you've given, I think 'skip' Disney & go for the fun exploring around the beaches & other fun things to do. Sounds like I can fill up most of my time just staying in & around these areas. Thanks again!

how about Ft. desoto....from the spanish-american war i think. and it has a great beach.