How to spend an extra 24 hours in the Tampa Bay area

From climbing challenges to Strawberry Festival fun, it’s sure to be one to remember.

Murals at Perry Harvey Sr Park depicting Black icons of the Tampa Bay area. The murals are in black and white and apartment complexes are in the background.

Perry Harvey Sr. Park is named after the famed union leader and civil rights activist.

Photo via City of Tampa

Leap Day is upon us, TBAY.

This extra day is added to the calendar every four years to keep it synchronized with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. How will you make the most of an extra day in our beautiful slice of the Gulf Coast?

We have a few ideas:

Take our recommendations

  • Try a new-to-you coffee shop, and then submit your favorite spot to our coffee shop bracket.
  • Up your “me time” by doing more of what you love — reading, working out, or volunteering in the community.
  • Spend a few more precious hours with your life partner. Book a dinner resy or inventive date night using our list of faves.
  • Explore Tampa + the Burg with a new lens, using our roundup of local murals. Pro tip: Post them to Instagram and tag us and we might just share your creation.

A few local event options

  • Leap Year Run presented by On Running | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. | St. Pete Running Company, 6986 22nd Ave. N., St. Pete | Free | Join fellow TBAY track stars for a trek around the Burg + and complete the Leap Year Streak Challenge (any kind of exercise for 29 minutes every day in February).
  • Florida Strawberry Festival 2024 | Thursday, Feb. 29-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City | $4-$15 | Spend the day with a very TBAY celebration full of fair rides, performances by artists like Jordan Davis + the Black Eyed Peas, and plenty of berry-themed food + drinks.
  • Leap Day Leap of Faith | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Empower Adventures Tampa Bay, 423 Lafayette Blvd., Oldsmar | $74 | Zip Line Adventure participants can take on the additional climbing challenge completely free.
More from TBAYtoday
Fit the Surf n’ Turf Alfredo Sundae and other fair delights into your budget.
Get in on the action this Super Bowl Sunday with six local watch parties featuring big screens, a chili cook-off, and food + drink specials.
These local donation sites will collect items like clothing, home goods, diapers, and other things that people may need.
The grand opening of the alpine event is on Friday, Feb. 6 in Northern Italy. We’re imagining how it would go down in the Tampa Bay area.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
See which Tampa Bay gems made OpenTable’s “2026’s Top 100 Romantic Restaurants.”
Tampa Bay’s beloved coffee joint is making its first move into Pinellas and Sarasota counties.
The city’s long-awaited two-way bike lane is nearly complete.
The new 31-story condo tower is one of the latest changes to the South Tampa skyline.