I'm thinking about taking my kids (ages 5 & 12) to Tampa from Dec 26th - Jan 1st. Other than Busch Gardens, where should we go? Is there enough to do within a 50 mile radius of Tampa (excluding Orlando) to keep the kids entertained for 4 days? Any recommendations?

I live 20 minutes west of Tampa. My kids are 3,5,7,9,12. Other than Busch Gardens or Orlando there is not much else to do. There is the beach of course (if you are from up north, Flordians do not go to the beach in December). We go to Orlando alot with our kids for entertainment. Otherwise, there is the typical movies, ice skating, etc. Sorry I cant help you further!

Excluding the theme parks in Orlando and not being beach season, you're going to be a little limited for activities in the Tampa area in December.

That being said, a few suggestions would be the Ringling Bros. Circus Musuem in Sarasota (more enjoyable than it sounds). The pier in St. Pete's might be a good stop on the way back to Tampa. Tarpon Springs is a little cheesy, but a good place to find Greek food and desserts. It's the sponge capital of the world and is like a small Greek fishing village.

Actually, there's the Motel Aquarium near Sarasota which is perfect for youngsters your kids' ages. It's on City Island next to sarasota and quite easy to find. There's also some of the prettiest beaches there on Lido, Longboat Key and Siesta Key. There's also a number of other places around sarasota that are great.

Todd, the Tampa aquarium is wonderful and the kids are the perfect age for it. (Aquarium in Sarasota is Mote Marine-not "Motel"...a typo, I'm sure)

Lowry Park Zoo is another favorite--all age groups. We actually enjoy that more than Busch, as neither of us is much into amusement park type rides.

MOSI..Museum of Science and Industry and the IMAX there in North Tampa. Not so sure about your 5 year old with MOSI...I haven't looked at it with a 5 yr old in mind, but most everyone loves IMAX!

The boats go all year from Clearwater, Cap't Nemo's Pirate ship and the Screamer. As the name implies, the Screamer is LOUD, but seems to be plenty popular. I'll often see dolphins playing in its wake so they must enjoy it too, and that is certainly a treat for kids of all ages to watch.

One other possibility, this one for viewing manatees in the wild (more or less), is the TECO power plant where manatees congregate in it's warm water discharge during the winter. There is a nice boardwalk going out into the bay, plus viewing platform and educational films, all manned by retired TECO employees. It's a terrific public service. Manatees loll around in this warm water in droves, enjoying fresh water drinks from a hose there etc. They are truly in the wild, free to come and go, but the desire to "go" just isn't there. You are assured of seeing them in cold weather.

Another spot for manatee watching which you all may enjoy even more as there are other animals, is the Homosassa State Wildlife Park, north of Tampa, and an easy day trip. In this case though, the manatees are not in the wild.

And of course, last but not least, the beach...fun even on cool days for the kids. You'd be amazed at the diehard beach goers, even in January, stretched out picking up their FL tans while those who live here enjoy the beach in jeans and sweatshirts...bathing suits safely put away until April at the earliest! I've seen people in the water all winter though more often than not they are either very young or...Canadian.

With good weather, you should have a terrific 4 day stay with more than enough to keep everyone happy.