Things to Do in Tampa: Dive into Adventure at The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium in the Channelside district is a solid pick if you're spending a day in Tampa, whether you've got kids in tow or not.

Start with the Wetlands Trail, which showcases native Florida wildlife like alligators, otters, and free-flying birds. From there, the Coral Reef Gallery gets you close to colorful fish, stingrays, and sharks in a simulated reef setup. If you've got kids, the Splash Pad is a good outdoor break, and the 4D Theater runs interactive shows.

There are also behind-the-scenes tours and the Wild Dolphin Cruise, which takes you out into Tampa Bay to actually spot dolphins in the wild. They run seasonal events too, like a Halloween Spooktacular and holiday exhibits.

It's easy to get to from downtown Tampa and makes for a good day combining conservation education with actual fun.