Homosassa, FL
Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
An underwater observatory puts you at eye level with wild manatees and thousands of fish inside a first-magnitude spring.
- Nature
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
Things to Do 1–2 Hours from Tampa Bay with Kids
8 kid-friendly adventures about 1 to 2 hours from Tampa Bay, nearest first.
- Under 1 hour (9)
- 1-2 hours (8)
- 2-3 hours (14)
- 3-4 hours (9)
About these times. Each estimate is a straight-line measurement from downtown Tampa, roughly central to the Gulf beaches either side, padded by 17% for winding roads and divided by a 55 mph average — so “about 1 to 2 hours” means roughly that, not a routed time. Traffic, where in Tampa you start, and the last few miles of park road can all move it by half an hour. Check a map before you load the car.
about 1 hr 15 min drive
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Crystal River, FL
Three Sisters Springs
The only place in the US where you can legally snorkel alongside wild manatees, plus a boardwalk view for families staying dry.
- Snorkeling
- Ages 6+
- ~3h
- Paid
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Dunnellon, FL
Rainbow Springs State Park
Swim in a wide, shallow first-magnitude spring with a sandy entry, waterfalls and a paddling run - one of Florida's easiest springs with toddlers.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Apopka, FL
Kelly Park Rock Springs
A natural lazy river near Orlando: the spring run carries you gently for about twenty minutes, then you walk back up and do it all over again.
- Tubing
- Ages 3+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 1 hr 30 min drive
Apopka, FL
Wekiwa Springs State Park
A big spring swimming basin twenty minutes from Orlando, with canoe rentals on the Wekiva River and thirteen miles of trail.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 2 hr drive
Altoona, FL
Alexander Springs Recreation Area
A first-magnitude spring in Ocala National Forest with a rare gently sloping sand bottom - the easiest spring entry in Florida for small kids.
- Swimming
- Ages 2+
- ~4h
- Paid
about 2 hr drive
Silver Springs, FL
Juniper Springs Recreation Area
A seven-mile canoe run through narrow jungle-like creek in Ocala National Forest, plus a 1930s stone millhouse and a CCC-built spring pool.
- Kayaking
- Ages 8+
- ~5h
- Paid
about 2 hr drive
Silver Springs, FL
Silver Springs State Park
Glass-bottom boats have run over these springs since the 1870s. Paddle the run yourself to find the wild monkeys along the bank.
- Kayaking
- Ages 3+
- ~3h
- Paid