Having lived in the Tampa area For 28 years Id say most advice given was right on Lowry Park Zoo (its great with new additions to it now) The aquarium is cool , MOSI (museum of science and industry) is pretty cool and they have an IMAX theatre there but its all science realted shows, Busch Gardens is cool but their prices rank right up there with Disney, Adventure Island- part of the BG family- is cheaper and fun. Its a water park that opens early with heated water until it warms up..., theres the St. Pete pier, and beaches The best beach in Florida is Ft Desoto and thats by the beach voting things really nice. Theres tons of other stuff but it requires some drive time