The unofficial end of summer is nearly here and we’re sharing some of the best things to do Labor Day weekend in Tampa Bay with the kids!
Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend to reconnect with your family or a last hoorah for the summer, we’ve got you covered.
Related: 20 + Things to Do this Weekend in Tampa Bay (For weekend only activities and special events.)
TOP PICKS FOR THE BEST LABOR DAY WEEKEND IN TAMPA BAY WITH THE KIDS
Since we live where the world vacations, we are going to start with the most obvious thing to do this Labor Day weekend that’s absolutely family-friendly…
Head to the Beach!
The gulf waters may not exactly be refreshing in the dead of summer…but if you just can’t resist the call of the sea, head to the coast for at one of our favorite family-friendly beaches for a lazy beach Labor Day in Clearwater, St. Pete or beyond. And besides, it just doesn’t get more summery than a beach day, especially during Labor Day weekend.
Arrive early to stake out your spot in the sand, complete with snacks and plenty of water. Just remember – no glass bottles.
One of our favorite beaches to go to with the kids is Caladesi Island State Park. It takes a little work to get there, but it’s sooo worth the effort. We’re sharing all you need to know about how to plan your visit to Caladesi Island here.
Go Tubing this Labor Day
Nothing says lazy Labor Day quite like floating down a lazy river or natural spring in an inner tube. If you don’t mind a bit of a drive, these tubing spots are 2 hours or less from Tampa, and the cool water temperatures will provide a welcome reprieve from our steamy summer temperatures.
Make sure to plan ahead though, as parks typically reach capacity early in the peak summer months.
Cool off at a water park
It pretty much feels like the dead of summer all year long in Tampa Bay, so a water park is always a good idea, right?? We’re super lucky to call Tampa Bay home because there are several amazing water parks with at least one that’s not too far from your house.
This year, we even have a new place to play with the addition of the Southshore Bay Lagoon in Wimauma. Read all about it in our list of the best water parks for families in Tampa Bay!
Labor Day lounging by a Tampa Bay pool
Treat yourself and the kids to an indulgent pool day on Labor Day to celebrate the long weekend. You can book a day pass for just the pool through sites like ResortPass. Participating hotels include Clearwater’s Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach, St. Pete’s The Don CeSar, and more.
Although beware, day passes can be extremely hard to come by on holiday weekends (…like Labor Day), especially in the summertime.
Extend your stay by booking a staycation at a local resort with a sweet Tampa Bay pool. Here are our favorite Tampa Bay hotel pools, including options for day use and those exclusive to overnight guests.
Go zip lining in Tampa Bay
Feel the need for speed?? If your family has some adrenaline junkies, then consider a day going zip lining at one of the many parks in Tampa Bay.
Several of thee zip lining parks have areas dedicated just for the youngest kiddos so they can also experience the thrill too. We’re sharing our favorite places to go zip lining with the kids on Labor Day weekend in Tampa Bay here.
Get WILD at ZooTampa!
If you haven’t been to ZooTampa in a bit, definitely make some time to go because they’ve expanded, adding a new area to see Florida panthers up close and personal and other creatures that call Florida home.
Don’t forget they have the splash pad and Roaring Springs, so you might get wet. This is why we recommend bathing suits for the kids and a small towel. You can also plan to upgrade your day at ZooTampa to feed a giant tortoise, feed a rhino, and more!
Go on a Sunset Boat Tour
Labor Day weekend booze cruise with sunset views…sign us up! This post about the best susest cruises in Tampa Bay details all of our favorite sunset tours and cruises ranging from dinner cruises to dolphin watching and kayaking.
Since you likely have the kids with you on Labor Day weekend, channel your inner pirate and go cruising from downtown Tampa on the Lost Pearl Pirate Ship!
Go experience local exhibits before they leave Tampa!
There are some cool exhibits we’ve been able to enjoy all summer including two that are about to move on to their next stops, so go and experience now before it’s too late!
Dinosaurs Around the World at MOSI | Through September 5th
Travel back in time on a dinosaur adventure! Tour an Earth very different from today, before the continents as we know them existed, when lush landscapes covered Africa, and Antarctica was filled with greenery. Witness the Age of Reptiles come to life with advanced animatronics and immersive design elements.
Grab your prehistoric passport to Pangea and discover how plate tectonics, land bridges, and volcanic activity allowed dinosaurs to roam all corners of the globe. The exhibit is included with general admission.
Storyland at Glazer Children’s Museum | Through September 11
This summer, GCM will turn seven beloved and award-winning picture books into three-dimensional play and bi-lingual learning environments highlighting the six pre-reading skills defined by the Public Library Association and Association for Library Service to Children.
Step into the pages of The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Snowy Day, Where’s Spot, If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Abuela, and Tuesday. Designed for children from birth through eight years old, Storyland will engage visitors in storylines and literacy activities.
Have an ultimate family beach day with A Boat Day
Enjoy a private boat excursion departing from the Clearwater, Indian Rocks Beach and Dunedin areas, this is a favorite for locals and travelers alike. See dolphins up close, explore sandbars and the pristine state park barrier islands, search for shells, snorkel for sealife, or just relax in the beautiful Gulf waters.
Professional Boat Captains are at your service to provide a safe and relaxing day for all. Choose from 7 amazing family friendly boats, 4 FUNships which are very large, luxury pontoon boats featuring a second story and a waterslide, or 3 Deck boats which are suited to sport, speed and lounging.
A Boat Day rental boats are perfect for family/friends reunions, Birthdays and Bachelor/Bachelorette parties. Their Clearwater area boat trips range from a 2 hour Sunset Tour to an all day 8 hour Adventure, and can accommodate 1-50 people including the baby and their grands. A Boat Day is TripAdivsors #1 Boat Tour in Clearwater and often described as the “best day of our vacation”, come see why!
Go see the Artemis 1 launch.
Since the first launch attempt on August 29 was scrubbed due to an issue with engine number 3, stay up to date with NASA to see if they’ll try again when the next launch windows open on Friday, September 2 and then Monday, September 5.
Tickets to watch the launch from the Kennedy Space Center are sold out, however, there are several viewing locations on the Space Coast. We’ve got all the details about how to watch a rocket launch here.
We want to warn you– there will be a TON of traffic, especially since it’s Labor Day weekend. If you pack your patience and plenty of snacks and water, and give yourself more than enough time to get to your viewing spot (we’re talking HOURS of time because traffic was bananas on Monday for the first launch attempt), it’ll be an unforgettable day.
Book a Labor Day Weekend Getaway!
Use the extra day off of work to plan a long Labor Day weekend getaway or staycation. From dude ranch glamping at Westgate River Ranch to a beachfront staycation at the Tradewinds Islands Resorts, we’ve dishing on all the details you need to know before you go. Or, take advantage of one of these other Florida staycation ideas.
Plan your fall adventures in Tampa Bay!
Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer and that means….it’s almost, FALL Y’ALL! That’s right, we said it…in fact, we’ve been planning for it for months now!
We’v curated a list of Fall Festivals, Pumpkin Patches, Halloween Events and MORE just for families in Tampa Bay. We’re parents too and we know we’re only sharing the places to go we know will be worth the time and effort.
We’re also dishing on a favorite event that’s BACK in 2022. While it’s not in Tampa Bay, it’s about an hour away–Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party! Event nights are selling out fast, so if you’re thinking of going, we suggest booking your tickets as soon as possible.
Labor Day Weekend Events
Downtown Concert at Rock the Park
Thursday, September 1, 6:30pm
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
This free monthly music series showcases musical talents of all genres. A perfect way to start the Labor Day weekend.
FREE admission
First Friday Art Walk in Gulfport
Friday, September 2, 5-9pm
Downtown Gulfport
It debuted as the premiere art walk in Pinellas County in 1993, and since then Gulfport’s First Friday Art Walk welcomes the region’s most innovative artists for a showcase of creativity and community among the vibrant restaurants and storefronts along scenic Beach Boulevard. Great chance to for a Gulfport Labor Day trip!
FREE Admission
Planning a weekend escape? Check out our guide to spending Labor Day Weekend 2022 in Orlando.
