The Best Free Things to do in Tampa Bay
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Enjoy the scenery at Boca Ciega Millennium Park
If you are looking for a great place to spend an hour or 2 in nature, Boca Ciega Millennium Park in Pinellas County does not disappoint. Out of all the preserves in the area, this one offers the most stunning vistas of the water via its’ 35 foot observation deck. The park is home to 7 diverse natural habitats and is also located along the Great Florida Birding trail. Take a walk along the nature trail, pack a picnic, bird watch, or enjoy canoeing on Boca Ciega Bay.
*Free parking (12410 74th Ave N, Seminole, FL 33772)
Observe an alligator in its’ natural habitat
Spring mating season and warm winter days (when gators are often seen basking in the sun) are the best times to plan your visit to a Tampa preserve. If it is too hot, the gators tend to stay underwater. On a mild, sunny winter day, head over to Lettuce Lake Park in Tampa, John Chestnut in Palm Harbor, A L Anderson in Tarpon Springs, or Weedon Island Preserve in St. Pete.
I have seen multiple gators at each of these gorgeous parks, with Tarpon being one of the best gator hotspots. Armadillos, tortoises, and plenty of interesting birds make a trip to any of these preserves even more exciting for the nature lover.
Marvel at the lush flora & fauna, & observe wildlife at The Florida Botanical Gardens
In Largo, you will find one of the Bay’s top free attractions. The gorgeous 182 acre Florida Botanical Gardens is open year-round. Although the spring and summer season can be a bit too hot to leisurely stroll around, fall and winter mornings offer the perfect mild conditions for a nature stroll.
In addition to exploring 30 acres of maintained gardens, you will also have the opportunity to see wildlife as well as rare scrub and sandhill habitat via the on-site nature trails. Be on the lookout for gopher tortoises, bald eagles, and armadillos. Bonus – this is also a great bird watching destination!
*Free parking & admission (12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, FL 33774)
Visiting the Florida Botanical Gardens
Explore the Tampa Riverwalk
One of the main sights of interest in downtown Tampa is a 2.5 mile long path known as Riverwalk. Although there are a handful of great restaurants and museums along this path, there are also plenty of fun free activities to enjoy as well. In addition to yearly events, you can also look forward to exploring great parks like Curtis Hixon, take a free yoga class, enjoy public art exhibits, and also explore a historical monument trail and heroes memorial.
Best of all, there are wonderful views of the bay for almost the entirety of the walk. Riverwalk is a fabulous place to get out and exercise, all while taking in some of the best scenery the city has to offer!
*Free street parking north of Kennedy Blvd after 6 (weekdays) and all day on weekends.
Spend a day of fun-in-the-sun at Fort De Soto Park
Fort Desoto Park is a popular tourist destination located just a few miles south of St. Petersburg. The white sandy beaches here often rank as the best in the country. Five interconnected islands, all featuring diverse natural habitat, comprise one of the Gulf’s most gorgeous parks.
There’s plenty of attractions here besides beaches including a beautiful 7 mile trail (I love this trail!), dog park/beaches, and tranquil nature trails which pass through a variety of Florida habitats including mangrove forests, palm hammocks, and hardwood forests.
*$5 parking fee (3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715)
