Living right off the Gulf Coast gives us a front row seat to its stunning wildlife and vistas — and also means we have a bigger responsibility to keep it clear of trash. The Florida Aquarium — and Editor Bailey — are encouraging you to join Plastic Free July.
The annual campaign urges us to cut down on single-use plastics (Think: McDonald’s Diet Coke cups, produce bags, straws) to help end plastic pollution.
First, take the campaign’s Pesky Plastics quiz to see how much waste you actually create. Then, track this month using the (free and locally-developed) app Remora to see if you can reduce your use.
Planetarium Monday | 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Great Explorations Children’s Museum | Free with admission | Journey through the cosmos with multiple shows booked throughout the day.
Neon Summer: Immersive Art & Minigolf | 12-8 p.m. | FloridaRAMA | $30+ | Compete for the best score on the glow-in-the-dark, nine-hole course tucked inside the vibrant immersive art exhibit — then roam the rest of the magical venue.
Tuesday, July 8
Live Performance: Rebecca Penneys Piano Festival | 5:30 p.m. | The James Museum | $5+ | Enjoy performances by some of the most gifted collegiate-level classical pianists in the world at the Western art museum.
Wednesday, July 9
Nasser Al Rayess | 7 p.m. | Funny Bone | $45+ | Sit back and listen to the comedian use his wit and Arab-American perspective to weigh in on pop culture and current events.
“PUFFS” | Wednesday, July 9-Sunday, Aug. 3 | Times vary | Straz Center for Performing Arts | $35+ | Enjoy the story of the other kids who went to a certain school and conquered evil at the same time as a certain legendary wizard.
July Flower Crown Workshop | 6:30-8 p.m. | Armature Works | $38 | Bring on the Midsummer vibes by crafting your own halo of flowers using fresh Bunny Tails — your ticket includes a drink.
$3.38. That’s the average cost of a regular cup of black coffee in Florida. While we can’t guarantee prices will be cheaper in Tampa Bay, we can guarantee that the city’s coffee offerings are far from regular — just check out our guide to local coffee shops. (Coffeeness)
Biz
Tampa is the No. 5 city for digital nomads, according to a recent list ranking the best live-work-play destinations. Looking for a new gig? Scroll down for some job opportunities. (StorageCafe)
Shop
Pre-coffee Costco run? Executive members now have that option, thanks to the supermarket’s extended hours that went into effect last week. Executive members in Tampa can now access the W. Tampa Costco Warehouse at 9 a.m., Monday-Sunday. (Axios)
Mansion Monday
Welcome to your sanctuary, really. A 5,264-sqft unit in the Bayshore high rise, The Sanctuary, just hit the market. The 3-bed, 5-bath unit offers 360° water views, two balconies, two terraces, and private elevator. Take a tour.
Seasonal
Rosé all day? Say less. This local Blush & Bites summer menu at Terrace Grille is our new go-to for chilled sips and stylish plates, from brunch plans to cocktail catch-ups. Reserve a table.*
Sports
The Buccaneers O-Line was one of the best in the league last season, so can they take the leap to no. 1 this year? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Jobs of the Week
Calling all digital nomads. Take a peek at these remote jobs:
Busch Gardens is a firm favorite among TBAY visitors. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
We’re not kiddin’ around. From major attractions like the Florida Aquarium to hidden gems like Shuffle, there’s something in Tampa Bay for children of all ages. You’ll have no trouble entertaining the youngsters with this list of 30+ kid-friendly activities around TBAY.
🌳 Great outdoors
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, Weeki Wachee | Head out of TBAY with the whole family for a taste of Old Florida with mermaid shows, kayaking, and boat tours. Pro tip: Don’t forget binoculars. Kids will remember the mermaid shows and the Buccaneer Bay slides.
St. Pete Pier, St. Petersburg | Spend a perfect Saturday at the community hub — with a playground, splash pad, live music, and snacks just steps from each other. Kids will remember the nautical playground.
🎢 Thrill-seeking fun
Altitude Trampoline Park Tampa, Tampa | Keep kids active on rainy days at this activity space — the park has varied levels, so kids of most ages can stay active. Kids will remember playing dodgeball on trampolines.
A magnetic spice storage rack for your fridge. Stock with oils, spices, or go-to cleaning supplies to save valuable counter space + bring your kitchen organization to a whole new level.
Psst — It’s 28% off today as part of an early Amazon Prime Day sale. Check back tomorrow to see which Prime Day sales we think are worth The Buy.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
One of my favorite places in the Tampa Bay area is the Seaside Seabird Sanctuary. Tucked in amidst the beachfront motels and boogie board stores, the center houses a pod of pelicans, Great Horned Owls, Sandhill Cranes, and other recovering birds.
The nonprofit’s team rescues, recuperates, and watches over permanently injured resident birds aplenty. Pay our feathered friends a visit in Indian Shores from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Sunday.
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