My 8yr old and I are traveling from the East coast of Florida to Tampa for an sleepover with Girls Scouts at Busch Gardens. I'd like to go over a day early and see something on our own.

We've heard great things about MOSI and am considering that. I'd consider an Art Museum. Maybe Lowry Zoo? We've been to Florida Aquarium and love it, she was young when we were there and might not remember it. Any other ideas? Am I missing anything? Which do you recommend for a mommy/daughter visit?

Any place unique and kid-friendly for dinner?

Have been to MOSI, Busch Gardens, and the aquarium, and will definitely endorse them as good kid-friendly choices. Haven't been to the zoo.

Again, haven't been to these, but there's apparently a waterpark near Busch Gardens called Adventure Island as well as a big cat refuge called Big Cat Rescue. No idea how these are.

Orlando is a couple of hours from Tampa... is there anything there you have not seen?....

My sister lives near Tampa and takes her boys to MOSI. They have also liked the Aquarium. We have been a a Rays game there too with our boys. I can't say it feels like Wrigley but there were a lot of things for the kids to do at the game.

Big Car Rescue...........I'll have to Google that one.

No interest in the Orlando attractions, looks like MOSI is on most 'to-do' lists.

Art Museums?

The Tampa Museum of Art reopened in a new building last year, it's right downtown; next door is the brand new children's museum, the Glazer Museum! And both are on a lovely riverfront park. The art museum has a cafe that serves a nice lunch and gelato. All in all, I'd say you'd enjoy the two museums and the park! Btw, the current exhibit at the art museum is Degas, and it includes one of the ballerina sculptures.
http://glazermuseum.org/
http://www.tampamuseum.org/

Just making sure you know it's actually Big Cat Rescue -- as in lions and tigers -- not Big Car Rescue -- as in monster trucks. Probably just a typo.

ROTFL................yes, a typo, for sure. My daughter aspires to be a vet so the 'cat' sounds better than 'car', for us.

NEWBe, thanks, I'm going to look at these too.

You're welcome! I've heard good things about the Big Cat Rescue, too.

The best things are the tampa rays and busch gardens and i know your not interested in checking out orlando but it wouldnt be a bad idea to at least give orlando a chance its only a short ride from tampa

With all due respect, there is more than enough to do in Tampa, and the drive to Orlando from Tampa is godforsaken. Honestly, 90 minutes is not exactly a short ride, and it only takes 90 minutes if there are no problems on I-4, a highway prone to extreme traffic headaches. OP has one day: choosing just one theme park would eat up that entire day and add 3 hours of drive time to boot.

NewbE... Maybe you didn't see that the poster is coming from the East Coast of Florida to Tampa... soooo Orlando is on the way... the idea is to stop there on day one and then continue on to Busch Gardens for the sleepover...

Exactly and I've got from tampa to orlando in 60 mins its not that bad

garyt22, you're right, I stand corrected. If Orlando is on the way, fine. OP did say she had no interest in the Orlando attractions, but OK.
blueresort, when people say it takes 60 minutes, I cough and say, yeah, to the very edge of Orlando, maybe, by some definition; to the point where they're getting out of the car at their destination in Orlando, no way. We'll have to agree to disagree on that one!

yea i guess

Thank you all. I will be driving from the West Palm Beach area, so SR60 is the route, not near Orlando or attractions. You have given me lots of great input.

Reporting back.............we spent the night by Veterans Pkwy so that the trip to Big Cat Rescue was close in the am. Had a great king room at the Country In for $99 and enjoyed a breakfast there too. Big Cat offered a 1.5 hour tour (kids 10yrs+) through the property. We enjoyed it very much. We had a guide and group of about 20. Small gift shop.

Then on to MOSI. We lucked out with a price special of $5 and no parking for 'American Soldier Day'. Our brief visit of 3 hours was perfect. You could spend lots more time there but it was a great air conditioned pit stop on a hot day. Lots of great hands on exhibits.

We proceeded on to Busch Gardens for our sleepover wih the Girls Scouts. Fun packed weekend. Thanks for the ideas everyone.