Low on cash? Looking for a cheap Valentine’s Day date? Just don’t want to spend a lot of money your significant other? It’s all good. Tampa Bay is packed with great date ideas that are $25 or less. Here are a few ideas to get the wheels of love turning.
Reach the stars without leaving the ground at SPC’s Planetarium
6605 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg, (727) 341-4320, Click here for more info
Forget the clouds, you can spend a night with your head in space at SPC’s planetarium. There are two shows every Friday at 7 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. (When the college is in session, of course.) Admission is first-come-first-served, and nobody is allowed in after the show begins, so show up early. Guests even have access to the observatory and portable telescopes after the 45-minute show is over.
Photo via SPC Planetarium/WebsiteTake a hike on Lettuce Lake’s Boardwalk
6920 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, (813) 987-6204, Click here for more info
Entry at Lettuce Lake is $2 per car, and another $25 gets you a canoe or kayak rental. If you want to stay dry, or you’re just feeling lazy, skip the paddle and search for gators from the boardwalk.
Photo via Colin WolfDig for cute finds at Wagon Wheel
7801 Park Blvd N, Pinellas Park, (727) 544-5319, Click here for more info
Wagon Wheel is notorious for its cheap finds and, according to its website, “If you can’t find it here, it probably doesn’t exist.” The flea market has been around since 1966, has over 2500 vendors every weekend, $1 parking and gives everyone a free hotdog and Pepsi. Is there really more to say?
Photo via Wagon Wheel/FacebookGrab some conch fritters and watch the sunset at Ballast Point Park
5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
The park is free and provides a great view of Downtown Tampa’s skyline. Pick up some conch fritters at Taste of Boston, sit on the pier and enjoy the sunset or watch local fishermen reel ‘em in.
Photo via City of Tampa/WebsitePinellas County Heritage Village
N. 11909 125th St, Largo, (727) 582-2123, Click here for more info
Pinellas County Heritage Village is a 21-acre, open-air park. It has an archive library with more than 2,000 volumes, photos, maps and other materials. Docents in “period costumes” offer tours and demonstrate embroidery, basket making, quilting, weaving and more.Admission is free (though donations are accepted).
Photo via Pinellas County Heritage Village/FacebookTake a $10 ‘Backstage to Balcony Tour’ of the Tampa Theatre
711 N Franklin St, Tampa, (813) 274-8981, Click here for more info
The tour runs about an hour and a half and takes you all over the theater—surprisingly, from the backstage to the balcony. You’ll hear about history, stories (including ghost stories) and other anecdotes spanning its lifetime. And the whole thing costs just $10.
Photo via Tampa Theatre/FacebookCigar City brew tour
3924 W Spruce St, Tampa, (813) 348-6363, Click here for more info
Take a 40-minute guided tour through Cigar City Brewing for only $8. Tours run Wed.-Sun. 12 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 4 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and come with a collectible tasting glass. Anyone can tour, but only visitors 21+ can drink.
Photo via Visit Tampa BayMosey around St. Pete’s Sunken Gardens
719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
Take a stroll around the unique 4-acre garden with meandering paths that combine lush tropical areas with flowing ponds and waterfalls. Hunt for butterflies in the aviary, and explore exotic trees with flowers and fruits.
Photo via City of St PeteGulfport art walk
3101 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, (727) 322-5217, Click here for more info
From 6 p.m.-10 p.m. every first Friday and third Saturday, The Gulfport Art Walk features new artists. Featuring sculptures and paintings, jewelry, photography, folk art, upcycled items, handmade/designed clothing, body products and more.
Photo via Gulfport Merchant’s Association/WebsiteGo to Cuba without leaving Ybor
1303 E 8th Ave, Tampa, (813) 274-5188Click here for more info
Why not tell your friends you went to Cuba for Valentine’s Day? This small park belongs to Cuba—and is right by all the bars in Ybor.
Photo via City of Tampa/WebsiteBike or scoot around Downtown St. Pete and take a mural tour
719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
Florida CraftArt brings city-goers mural tours of downtown St. Pete. You can take a walking tour on Saturday mornings from 10 – 11:30 a.m. Bike tours are offered every first Saturday of the month, and you can visit their site for a full schedule. Heads up: You can ride your own or rent one from them.
Photo via Visit W3Schools.comHoneymoon Island
1 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, (727) 241-6106, Click here for more info
Nature lovers can search for osprey nests, seashells on the shore line, look around the gift shop or just enjoy the snack bar. The park boasts several nature trails and bird observation areas. You can even swim, fish or snorkel. (They also offer beach wheelchairs.)
Photo via Honeymoon Island/FacebookCuscaden Pool
2900 N 15th St., Tampa, (813) 242-5302, Click here for more info
If you’re looking to go swimming for V-day, look no further. The Cuscaden Park Pool has a vintage feel, and with four lanes and a water feature right next to it, you’re bound to have fun.
Photo via ragu4u/TwitterHooch & Hive
1001 W Cass St, Tampa, (813) 251-1234, Click here for more info
Every Wednesday night, Hooch and Hive hosts their Wednesday Night Open Jam. They even offer “Liquid Courage Hour,” from 8 p.m.-9 p.m. with $1 shots, beers, and drinks. Use it to warm up your voice, or cheer on the brave ones taking the stage (like Juan Wauters, pictured here.)
Photo via Michael JohnsonHit up happy hour at Remedy, and explore the Riverwalk
1213 W Waters Ave, (813) 915-9180, Click here for more info
A downtown Tampa star, do not miss the half-price happy hour offerings from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Grab a cheap bottle of wine at Duckweed market and walk down to Kiley Gardens amphitheatre to sit on the stoop for some relaxation and conversation.
Photo via RemedyTampa/FacebookCrack a few cheap cold ones and hit the arcades at Lowry Parcade and Tavern
1213 W Waters Ave, (813) 915-9180, Click here for more info
In addition to pinball machines and old school arcade games, they host trivia nights and events with drink specials and live music. Bring your quarters, get drunk, and don’t break anything with that air hockey puck.
Photo via lowryparcade/FacebookTampa Museum of Art
120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, (813) 274-8130, Click here for more info
Tour the 66,000 square-foot facility’s touring exhibitions, along with their live-in exhibits seven days a week. Tickets are $15 and you’re right by all the bars and restaurants on Riverwalk.
Photo viaSt. Petersburg’s free art walk every second saturday
719 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
From 5 p.m.-9 p.m. every second saturday, the local galleries and studios stay open late to bring patrons the St. Petersburg Art Walk You can even pop in to the Morean Arts Center and the Chihuly Collection during the same hours for a look at their art too.
Photo via Creative Loafing/WebsiteTake a weekend wine tour at Keel & Curley
5210 Thonotosassa Rd, Plant City, (813) 752-9100, Click here for more info
For just $5, tour the winery and brewery on a Saturday or Sunday. Each 30-minute tour comes with a trolley ride and behind-the-scenes experience. They happen every hour from 1 p.m.–4 p.m.
Photo via Keel & Curley Winery at Keel FarmsVisit Vinoy and then walk down Beach Drive
701 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg, (727) 893-7441, Click here for more info
Start with coffee at Black Crow’s Old Northeast location, 722 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg, and work your way down to the water at Vinoy Park for the sunset. (Yes, the sun rises facing this park, but the sunset is beautiful too.) After dark, walk over to Beach Drive (Parking is free at Vinoy) for drinks, food, and a look at all the art in the storefronts. Make sure to stop by Kilwins for an ice cream cone or chunk of house-made fudge.
Photo via CityofStPete FlickrBrew Bus tour
4101 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, (813) 990-7310, Click here for more info
Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Brew Bus offers a Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. Pre-sale tickets are $10 and walk-ups are $15. Visitors can begin at any location, get off and hop back on as they please.
Photo via Brew Bus/ FacebookUSF Botanical Gardens
12210 USF Pine Drive, Tampa, (813) 974-2329, Click here for more info
Walk around the 16-acre living collection of plants, animals and natural habitats belonging to the USF Botanical Gardens. There are over 3,000 specimens, and students get in for $1 with their ID. Talk about good vibes.
Photo via USF Botanical Gardens/ FacebookHideaway Café, St. Petersburg open mic on Thursdays
1756 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (727) 644-7895, Click here for more info
Every Thursday, Hideaway Café hosts the “Living Room Open Mic W/ Rebekah Pulley” from 6 p.m.-12 a.m. and encourages all singer/songwriters to express their talents. On Monday, Feb. 10, the Listen Up Film Series is hosting a screening of the movie “Fiddlin’” at the cafe.
Photo via Hideaway Cafe/ FacebookExplore Sawgrass Lake
7400 25th St. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 217-7256, Click here for more info
Established in 1972 to provide Pinellas Park with flood protection, Sawgrass Lake Park has turned into a local getaway lying about 10 minutes from downtown. Whether you’re searching for gators, birds, armadillos or pokemon go players, there’s something here for every couple.
Photo via Colin WolfWalk around a cemetery
5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, (813) 274-8615, Click here for more info
The city owns and operates four cemeteries (Jackson Heights, Marti/Colon, Oaklawn, and Woodlawn), totaling about 40 acres with over 29,000 recorded burials. Oaklawn, Tampa’s first cemetery, even offers a walking tour, and was deeded in 1850 as a final resting place for “White and Slave, Rich and Poor.”
Photo via Tampagov.net
