Here's FTF's guide to the best attractions to visit with the family and kids of any age in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Tampa is one of the largest metropolitan areas in all of Florida. It offers visitors zoos, aquariums, and some truly one-of-a-kind amusement parks. Are you thinking about spending some extra time in central Florida? The city of Tampa takes full advantage of every local attraction to create summer-long and drop-in day camps for local and visiting children, based on each attraction's educational mission. Here are some examples of the top ones, with contact information:

Busch Gardens Adventure Camps 877/BGT-CAMP
Museum of Science and Industry Summer Science Camp 813/987-6000
Florida Aquarium Sleep with the Fishes 813/273-4015

For more information about what these institutions offer the camp-goer or the casual visitor, read on.

Fun For the Kids

(Toddler to Age 8)

Children's Museum of Tampa
7550 North Boulevard
Tampa, FL 33604
813/935-8441
This hands-on, interactive museum encourages the entire family to learn and have tons of fun doing it. There is even an interactive miniature community, Safety Village, to explore.

Lowry Park Zoological Garden
1101 W. Sligh Avenue
Tampa, FL 33604
813/935-8552
Lowry Park Zoo includes a Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center, native Florida Exhibit, Primate World, Asian Domain, aviary and a petting zoo. If you don't have a chance to swim with the manatees in person, be sure to drop in.

Dinosaur World
5145 Harvey Tew Rd
Plant City, FL 33563
813/717-9865

Here's a parkful of over 150 lifesize dinosaurs that stand perfectly still! Like its sister park in Kentucky, Dinosaur World Florida allows visitors an experience not unlike walking through a prehistoric picture book. There's also a "fossil dig" activity that lets kids find and take home their own small fossils. The pathways are paved and though there are no food facilities, picnicking is allowed.

Fun For Older Children

(Up to Age 18)

Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI)
4801 East Fowler Avenue
Tampa, FL 33617
813/987-6000
MOSI is the largest science center in the Southeastern US, and home to the only IMAX Dome Theatre in Florida. It features more than 450 hands-on exhibits for hours of "edutainment" with school-age children.

Big Red Balloon
Meeting Place: 11702 N. Dale, Mabry Highway
813/969-1518
This site-seeing company takes you on a panoramic view of Tampa's bays, backyards, and beaches. This is a three and a half hot air balloon flight, available only to kids 5 years and older; a minimum of 48 inches height (to see over the sides of the basket) is required of all.

Canoe Escape
9335 E. Fowler Ave.
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
813/986-2067
Visitors take a tour-guided trip down the Hillsborough River. Guides will point out turtles, river otters, birds, and other animals. The daring can paddle through "alligator alley". These trips include paddling instructions as well as drop-offs and pick-ups at designated launch spots along the river.

Fun For the Whole Family

Adventure Island
4500 E. Bougainvillea Ave.
Tampa, FL 33617
888/800-5447
Adventure Island water park offers 25 acres of water attractions within a laid-back Key West atmosphere. The park includes a blend of high-splash slides, corkscrews, water falls, and a wave pool. Children have their own play area, while adults have a championship sand volleyball complex.

Busch Gardens Africa, Tampa
10001 N. McKinley Drive
Tampa, FL 33612
888/800-5447, 813/987-5082
This popular attraction has 10 distinct themed areas that bring a little of Africa to the Tampa area. The park has 335 acres of family entertainment including "Gwazi" (the largest and fastest "dueling" pair of wooden roller coasters), smoother rides, water play coasters, some VR and motion control rides, and other great attractions. Its Safari by Train and outdoor crafts displays will interest your little ones.

The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
813/273-4000
At Florida Aquarium visitors get up and close with thousands of aquatic creatures from frogs to sharks. It is a good place to explore the beautiful creatures of the water, and one of the country's best designed marine life habitats. Definitely a city highlight, with several family sleepovers annually.

Big Cat Rescue
12802 Easy Street
Tampa, FL 33625
813/920-4130
Formally known as Wildlife on Easy Street, this park offers two-hour-guided tours of their fantastic collection of large and exotic cats. There are even Feeding Tours on which visitors can help feed the animals. Cabins are also available for overnight rental, to experience the nightly howling of the residents. Due to the "up close and personal" nature of these safari tours, children under 10 are not permitted on the regular tours, though there are regularly scheduled kids tours on weekends.

George M. Steinbrenner Field
1 Steinbrenner Drive
Tampa, FL 33614
813/875-7753
The Yankees' other field, this it the World Champions' spot for spring training. Come here to get your autographs and get a first- hand look at what it takes to be a baseball champion.

For more information about the Tampa area and a list of local accommodations, contact the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800/44-TAMPA.