5 Easy Day Trips from Tampa for Families This Summer
If you're looking for ways to keep the kids entertained (and off the screens), you're in the right place! From free parks to ferry rides, these five family-friendly Florida day trips are packed with adventure — and best of all, you can do them in a single day and still make it home by bedtime.
Bonnet Springs Park & Florida Children’s Museum | Lakeland, FL
Bonnet Springs Park is a must-visit in Central Florida — and it’s not just me saying that. It was named USA Today’s Best City Park in 2025, and it’s completely free to explore.
Just outside of downtown Lakeland and easily accessible from I-4, this 168-acre park has something for every age:
A welcome center, coffee shop, café, and rooftop garden bar
Multiple playgrounds, a butterfly garden, nature center, and a treetop canopy walkway
A treehouse and scenic trails — plus a tram that makes it easy to get around in the summer heat
If you’re looking to cool off indoors, the Florida Children’s Museum is located right inside the park. The museum features two floors of hands-on exhibits designed to spark creativity and keep kids engaged.
Don’t miss the Celebrate the Day Parade — a fun tradition where kids march through the museum and out the door to end the visit on a high note.
Showcase of Citrus | Clermont, FL
Looking for a true taste of Old Florida? The Showcase of Citrus offers a unique family-friendly experience on a 2,500-acre estate, family-owned and operated since 1989. With over 50 varieties of citrus grown on-site, it’s a spot where kids and adults can learn, play, and enjoy fresh Florida flavor.
Be sure to try their famous 100% natural orange juice slushies and creamsicles, available year-round. Wander the property to meet farm animals like goats, pigs, chickens, a miniature horse, a donkey, a camel, and more.
But the real highlight is the Monster Truck Tour.
These massive vehicles — retrofitted school buses with monster truck tires — take guests on a wild ride through the estate. Along the way, you’ll spot zebra, watusi, water buffalo, alligators, snakes, and a variety of exotic and native birds — many of which can only be seen from the tour route.
Myakka Elephant Ranch | Myakka City, FL
Looking for a truly unforgettable experience? Head south to Manatee County and visit Myakka Elephant Ranch, a non-profit conservation center dedicated to the care and protection of elephants.
The ranch offers several hands-on, educational experiences — but one of the most memorable is the Rise and Shine Caretaker program. Limited to just 8–10 guests per day, this 60-minute experience gives visitors the chance to help prepare breakfast, feed favorite treats, and even assist in bathing one of the ranch’s Asian elephants — all while learning about elephant care and conservation. Children must be at least five years old to participate.
Another favorite is the Elephant Spa Enrichment, where groups of up to 25 guests work together to spray, scrub, and bathe the elephants. Children ages 4 and under can attend with an Educational Encounter ticket, but they are not permitted to participate in the bathing portion of the experience.
All of it adds up to the kind of hands-on adventure your kids will never forget!
Tubing the Rainbow River | Dunnellon, FL
For the ultimate family-friendly outdoor adventure, head to Dunnellon and spend the day tubing on the Rainbow River— one of Florida’s most stunning spring-fed waterways.
Hop on a tube and let the gentle current carry you past crystal-clear water, lush greenery, and wildlife galore. The river flows at about one mile per hour, giving you plenty of time to relax and take in the scenery. Keep an eye out for fish, turtles, frogs, river otters, and a wide variety of birds along the way.
There are two main ways to enjoy this experience, depending on how much time you have:
KP Hole Park: Start here for a longer float — about four hours — and drift downstream at your own pace.
Rainbow Springs State Park Tubing Facility: Prefer a shorter trip? This option offers an approximately 1.5-hour float. You’ll rent your tube on-site, take a tram upriver, and float back to the tubing exit point.
Both options offer easy access, beautiful views, and an unforgettable way to cool off and connect with nature.
Egmont Key State Park | Accessed via Fort De Soto
Looking for an island escape that feels like a faraway adventure — without ever leaving Tampa Bay? Egmont Key State Park delivers just that, and it’s easily accessible by ferry from Fort De Soto in southern Pinellas County.
Catch a ride with Hubbard’s Marina, which offers a five-hour experience, including three full hours on the island. It’s a perfect outing for families with curious kids and adventurous spirits.
Once you arrive, you can explore historic ruins, walk shaded nature trails, hunt for seashells, snorkel in shallow waters, and relax on some of the most pristine beaches in the region. Egmont Key is also a great spot for spotting dolphins and seabirds — a hit with kids of all ages.
Things to keep in mind:
There are no stores or drinking water on the island.
Be sure to pack plenty of water, snacks or lunch, sunscreen, and any beach gear your family might need.
Sturdy sandals or water shoes are helpful for little explorers walking through sandy or rocky areas.
Whether your kids love history, nature, or simply playing in the surf, this unique island adventure is one they won’t forget.
