We can agree on one thing. It’s been a steamy couple of weeks in Tampa Bay. Ahhh, summer is here.
Now that the school year’s over, we’d like to bring you some suggestions for cooling off with the kiddos — or without.
- Splash in style at Kate Jackson’s lion fountain splash pad. The stone predators spray you with cool water, and there’s a playground + ample parking so you can chill out all afternoon.
- Race down the slides while being sprayed with mist at Tarpon Springs Splash Park. The nautical-themed playground also is home to stingrays and a manatee that spew surf.
- Cool off from a walk down Bayshore with a visit to Ballast Point’s splash pad. The pad has flowers that spray water + overhead buckets that overflow onto the kiddies. Plus, you can stop by Taste of Boston at the park afterward for a seafood feast or scoop of ice cream.
- The St. Pete Pier is the ultimate place for the whole fam to cool off. There’s a huge splash pad to romp through, lounge chairs to keep an eye on the kids, and fresh lemonade for sale at the next-door concession stand.
- Looking for a full day of summer fun? You could spend hours at Carrollwood Village Park with its massive splash pad, arboretum, skate park, and challenge course.
- Meet the big kahuna. At Tampa’s Water Works Park, a bucket fills with water and dumps it on its eager recipients. Plus, there’s ample picnic tables and greenspace beside the park for hosting birthday parties or playdates. Pro tip: sometimes manatees pull up the nearby Hillsborough River.
- We’d be remiss not to include the pups. Mutts & Martinis just opened this past weekend in St. Petersburg. The Central Avenue spot has a massive puppy pool — and a covered bar with lots of icy drinks.
Did we miss your favorite sudsy spot? Let us know, we may just put it in the newsletter.
