Free and Cheap in Tampa, Florida

1. Admire native and exotic plants at Florida Botanical Gardens

Florida Botanical Gardens are a 182-acre public botanical garden facility, home to 10 landscaped visitor gardens and over 10,000 native and exotic plants. The gardens, which were opened to the public in 2000, are located in Tampa suburb Largo and are open to the public every day of the year for free during daylight hours. Demonstration gardens include an herb garden, a tropical fruit garden, a native plants garden, a cacti and succulent garden, and a butterfly garden. A tropical walk is also offered, along with a vinery display and a relaxing tropical courtyard. Natural areas offered at the site include McKay's Creek, which is home to significant aquatic habitats. Visitors can explore the gardens' beautiful public art, including murals, mosaic benches, and water fountains. A children's trail area also offers outdoor musical instruments and an interactive butterfly puzzle for young visitors.

12520 Ulmerton Rd, Largo, Florida 33774, Phone: 727-582-2100

2. Step back in time at The Henry B. Plant Museum

The Henry B. Plant Museum is a unique public museum on the campus of the University of Tampa preserving the 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, a former Victorian railroad resort that was constructed by transportation entrepreneur Henry B. Plant. The opulent resort, which was designed by architect J.A. Wood, was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1972 and was listed on the American Institute of Architects' Florida Architecture: 100 Years, 100 Places list in 2012. It preserves the splendor and charm of the original historic resort, with original furnishings kept intact as a living history museum. Exhibits detail the building's history as a Gilded Age resort and its use during the Spanish-American War.

401 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606, Phone: 813-254-1891

3. Stroll along the Tampa Riverwalk

Tampa Riverwalk is a gorgeous 2.6-mile pedestrian trail and public park spanning the length of the Hillsborough River within downtown Tampa, open to the public for visitor use daily. The riverwalk project's inspiration dates back to the 1970s, though construction was completed on the project between 2002 and 2016. Today, the riverwalk traverses downtown Tampa's Arts District and provides access to a number of the city's top tourist attractions, including the Tampa Museum of Art, Glazer Children's Museum, and Curtis Hixon Park. In all, it begins at the city's Channelside District and travels to the city's Water Works Park at Tampa Heights. A wide variety of beautiful public art is showcased along the trail, including the Historical Monument Trail, which presents bronze busts of prominent city civic figures.

4. Learn about the history of firefighting at The Tampa Firefighters Museum

The Tampa Firefighters Museum preserves the history and culture of the Tampa Fire Department, located adjacent to the Tampa Fire Rescue Station One in the city's downtown district. The 18,000-square-foot museum is housed within the city's former fire department headquarters, operated between 1911 and 1974, and has been designated as a local historical landmark by the City of Tampa. Visitors can view a variety of exhibits at the museum, including restored historic fire trucks and fire equipment and a variety of uniforms worn by city firefighters over the years. The museum is free and open to the public daily, also offering a gift shop and fire safety awareness classroom for student education.

720 E Zack St, Tampa, FL 33602, Phone: 813-964-6862

5. Take the kids to Heritage Village

Heritage Village is a 21-acre living history complex, preserving some of Pinellas County's most historic buildings and businesses. The museum is free and open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays during the morning and afternoon hours, with the exception of county holidays. 33 preserved historic attractions may be explored by visitors, including a general store, a railroad depot, and historic homes, churches, and school buildings. The village's visitor center offers free permanent and rotating art and history exhibits, and living history demonstrations are presented on site throughout the year, including smoke house and sugar cane mill demonstrations. Though the museum is free to enter, donations are strongly suggested to aid with future museum operations.

11909 125th Street N, Largo, FL 33774, Phone: 727-582-2123

6. Learn about local history at Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center

Sulphur Springs Museum and Heritage Center chronicles the history of Tampa's Sulphur Springs neighborhood, which became a nationally-renowned tourist attraction during the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to its mineral hot springs, shopping arcade, and alligator farm. The museum is housed within Mann-Wagnon Memorial Park and was opened to the public in 2010. Exhibits detail the rise and fall of "Florida's Coney Island," along with the neighborhood's African-American history and the park's former natural history museum, which operated until the 1970s. The museum is open to the public for free Wednesdays through Saturdays, with additional Sunday hours during public special events.

1101 E River Cove St, Tampa, FL 33604, Phone: 813-935-9402

7. Enjoy the view from Ballast Point Park and Pier

Ballast Point Park and Pier is located on the east coast of south Tampa, where it provides a popular outdoor recreational green space. There are plenty of free activities for the whole family to enjoy including boating, fishing and picnicking. The popular fishing pier is free to use and you can rent equipment on site. If you would like to bring along a picnic you are free to enjoy your meal at one of the picnic shelters. Younger children will enjoy the large children’s playground and the splash pad. Most of the facilities at the park are free with the exception of the fitness center (requires a membership) and the Gazebo which may be rented for outdoor functions.

Ballast Point Park and Pier, 5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611, 813-274-8184

8. Don't miss The Manatee Viewing Center

The Manatee Viewing Center is a federally-designated Florida state manatee sanctuary, opened to the public for free daily during business hours between November and mid-April. The center strives to educate Tampa area residents and visitors on environmental and biological issues related to the Florida manatee and its natural habitat. Interactive visitor exhibits are offered at the center for visitors of all ages, including exhibits on the manatee's life cycle and its natural and environmental challenges. Exhibits also detail the operations of Big Bend Power Station, which provides environmentally-friendly energy for the Tampa region. Center staff and volunteers are hosted on site to answer visitor questions and offer additional information. Outside, the center is home to award-winning butterfly gardens, a habitat loop trail, and a wildlife observation tower.

6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572, Phone: 813-228-4289

9. Check out the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts

The Gasparilla Festival of the Arts is one of Tampa's biggest annual cultural events, hosted each year during the first weekend in March. The event showcases some of the nation's most accomplished and exciting emerging and mid-career artists, awarding nearly $75,000 USD in annual prizes, including the $15,000 Best of Show Award. Artists present works in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, photography, printmaking, glass, jewelry, ceramics, and mixed media. Works by young artists are also showcased, along with a full weekend of live performances and a children's activity area. Local Tampa food trucks and beverage vendors are hosted on site throughout the event, including beer and wine vendors.

10. Visit the Gasparilla Pirate Fest

Gasparilla Pirate Fest is the third-largest annual parade in the United States, hosted each January in Tampa Bay. The parade is named in honor of infamous 18th and 19th century pirate Jose Gaspar, who operated throughout coastal Florida. A full weekend of pirate-themed entertainment is offered each year, including a Gasparilla Invasion reenactment with more than 750 swashbucklers and a four-mile-long Parade of Pirates, which attracts more than 300,000 annual spectators. Free seating is offered for the parade, though visitors can also upgrade to reserved seating for an additional fee and better views. After the parade, the celebration continues at the Gasparilla Pirate Fest Street Festival, which offers live musical performances and food trucks.