gasparilla

A great site listing the family-friendly activities for Gasparilla 2013!

http://gasparillapiratefest.com/extravaganza2/GE_index.html

Florida Fossil museum

The kids and I visited the Mulberry Phosphate Museum on our trip home from Dinosaur World. This little gem is in the middle of a very small town about an hour from Tampa, Mulberry Florida. Although the museum itself is small, it is neatly organized with lots of information and artifacts from Florida dating back millions of years. A small train caboose is also attached to the museum which offers a glimse into the early life of Florida residents and miners. Mulberry is known for being the "phospate capital of the world", rich in phosphate which is critical to grow the crops that feed us today! Beside the museum is a Fossil Pile, with material provided by Mosaic Industries. The material consists of rock, shell, and within the piles, fossilized teeth and shells can be unconvered. My kids loved sifting through the piles for treasures, as did I! The trip was information, interesting, and fun for all of us. Although the museum is free, they depend on donations, so be sure to leave a gift for all their wonderful efforts.

dinosaur world

Great place to visit with kids under 10...the fossil dig was a hit, and the playground and picnic area a no-brainer!

a great "wing" spot

The food at Wings Gone Wild isn't fancy, but it is simple, good, and fairly inexpensive. We took the kids and enjoyed a pretty day sitting on their front porch, watching football and enjoying a light lunch. The restaurant itself is not fancy...it's more of a bar. But it's open and fun, and the outdoor seating is ideal for families. They also offer a generous military discount, and offer weekly specials.

a great site for Tampa events

This site is very user-friendly and up to date.