A rescued manatee at Clearwater Marine Aquarium; credit St. Petersburg-Clearwater CVB
St. Petersburg Family Attractions
Pier Aquarium
DESCRIPTION: A marine education center with a 2,000 square foot aquarium that lets you explore diverse marine environments such as has these habitat aquariums: Atlantic Ocean Aquarium, a three-tank 483-gallon grouping for Yellow Headed Jawfish, Atlantic Ocean animals and Moray Eel; Invertebrates Aquarium, a 448-gallon tank for corals and animals without spines and colorful fish. Pacific Ocean Aquarium, a 443-gallon tank for inhabitants from the exotic Pacific and Indian ocean. Pacific Coral Reef Aquarium, a 382-gallon tank for fish and other creatures made popular in Finding Nemo; also offers fun, informative, “hands-on” programs for kids.
ADMISSION: Adults under $10; age 6 and under enter FREE; $2.50 for everyone on Sundays
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-8p; Noon-6p Sun
ADDRESS: 800 2nd Avenue N.E at the Pier, St. Petersburg, FL MAP
PARKING: Two paid parking lots (Pelican and Dolphin) on The Pier; Valet parking available
PHONE: 727-821-6164
WEBSITE: http://www.pieraquarium.org
Great Explorations Children’s Museum
DESCRIPTION: A hands-on children’s museum with equal parts fun and education. Exhibits include Forever Family Art Gallery featuring personalized “portrait” blankets of children from the Tampa Bay, I Can Construct in afascinating life- sized tree house, Publix Super Markets is a child-sized market where kids can learn to make healthy choices and become responsible consumers, Engine Company 15: The Fire House, The Veterinary Office, Puppets on Parade and more.
ADMISSION: see website for pricing options; age 11 months and under enter FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sat 10a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 1925 Fourth Street North, St. Petersburg, FL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 727-821-8992
WEBSITE: https://greatex.org
Tropicana Field
DESCRIPTION: Build in 1990, its home to MLB Tampa Bay Devil Rays baseball team. Its the world’s only professional sports facility that features live cownose rays. Just behind the right center field wall, fans can touch 30 stingrays throughout the game in a 10,000 gallon tank. The venue seats 45,000.
BOX OFFFICE: Monday-Friday year round and Saturdays and Sundays during baseball season
ADDRESS: One Tropicana Drive MAP
PARKING: main lots net to the stadium $15 per car, remote lots $10 per car
PHONE: 888-326-7297
WEBSITE: https://www.mlb.com/rays/ballpark
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
DESCRIPTION: A small aquarium dedicated to public education, marine research, rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick and injured marine animals. CMA is involved with a number of marine science research initiatives, environmental conservation, including Marine Life Adventures which are special on-water excursions that enable visitors to gain a deeper appreciation for the area’s marine environment. Get your photo taken with a dolphins poolside for an extra fee.
ADMISSION: see website for pricing options; age 2 and under enter FREE
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Thu 9a-5p, Fri-Sat 9a-7p, Sun 10a-5p
ADDRESS: 249 Windward Passage, Clearwater, FL MAP
PHONE: 727-441-1790
WEBSITE: https://www.cmaquarium.org
Captain Memo Pirate Cruise
DESCRIPTION: A great family cruise on Disney-esque pirate ship with scruffy old pirate entertainment and lots of music. The Pirate’s Ransom ship was custom built to U.S. Coast Guard requirements in 1993 and is well maintained. The ship equipped with life saving jackets, life rafts, and ship-to-shore radio, plus clean restrooms and a professional sound system with a large variety of CDs; the 70 foot vessel carries 125 passengers. Yes, there really is a Captain Memo on this vessel and he has a history to share, “Ahoy, Mateys.”
ADMISSION: check website for pricing options; baby pirates enter FREE
DAYS & HOURS: daily 10a, 2p, 4:30p, 6p, 7p
ADDRESS: Clearwater Marina, Clearwater, FL MAP
PHONE: 727-446-2587
WEBSITE: https://captainmemo.com
