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These 5 Waterparks Near Tampa Are Going To Make Your Summer AWESOME

Discover some of the best waterparks near Tampa, perfect for family fun and beating the heat.

Updated Jun 9, 2023

Written by 

Jennifer Young

When it comes to beating the heat, waterparks are a great place to be. If you are in or around the area, you'll find some of the best waterparks near Tampa, all perfect for the entire family. Water slides, lazy rivers, splash zones, and wave pools are just a few of the fun attractions at these waterparks in Tampa.

1. Adventure Island

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Management/Trip Advisor

This 30-acre waterpark is located across the street from Busch Gardens and offers several amazing attractions, including Aruba Tuba, Colossal Curl, Rambling Bayou and Endless Surf - Adventure Island's awesome 17,000-square-foot wave pool. Learn more about Adventure Island, an awesome water park in Tampa.

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2. Aquatica

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worldwidetraveler73/Trip Advisor

Located in Orlando, this 60-acre park has something for everyone, no matter the age. There are two wave pools, a man-made beach, body slides, raft slides, tubes, lazy rivers, and more. It is one of the best waterparks near Tampa! Learn more about Aquatica.

3. LEGOLAND Water Park

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s0utine/Trip Advisor

More than just a waterpark near Tampa, LEGOLAND is the perfect destination for LEGO lovers. Located within LEGOLAND is LEGOLAND Water Park. Here, there are several attractions for all ages, including the Lazy River ride, Joker Soaker play area, and a variety of water slides. Learn more about visiting LEGOLAND Water Park at its website.

4. The Floating Water Park

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TripAdvisor/management

The Floating Water Park at St. Pete Beach features inflatable slides, trampolines, and loungers. The 15,750-square-foot inflatable water park near Tampa is located behind the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort. Read further on about the Floating Water Park.

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5. Florida Aquarium Explore A Shore

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yelp/Julissa G.

Editor's note: Unfortunately, this site is permanently closed. Explore A Shore is a fun outdoor play area that's located at the Florida Aquarium. It features climb-on animals, water jets, a pirate ship complete with cannons, and a wave water slide. Explore A Shore's address is 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, Florida 33602.

There are so many amazing waterparks near Tampa. Which ones are your favorites? Tell us in the comments!

For more ways to cool down, check out these swimming holes in Florida.

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Nature|Waterfalls

A Trip to Paupack Falls When Pennsylvania Has Frozen Over Is Positively Surreal

Paupack Falls in Pennsylvania offers stunning views year-round and can be enjoyed from the cozy Glass Wine Bar at Ledges Hotel.

Updated Nov 7, 2024

Written by 

Beth Price-Williams

Wintertime adds a touch of magic, especially after a snowfall, to the landscape. Even if we're not exactly fans of the bitter cold, we can still admire the beauty that comes with the cold weather. If you've not been to Paupack Falls in Pennsylvania when it's frozen, you're in for a real treat. Even better, you can drink in the sheer beauty of this waterfall near Hawley, PA as you stay cozy and warm with a delicious meal. Paupack Falls in Hawley promises stunning views - whether it's gushing in the spring or frozen in the winter - no matter the time of the year you visit. If you've never been to this waterfall near Hawley, add it to your bucket list. Paupack Falls is perhaps the most easily accessible waterfall in Pennsylvania.

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Nestled next to Ledges Hotel, home to Glass Wine Bar, the waterfall provides an idyllic backdrop for photos. Spend just a few minutes admiring one of the prettiest waterfalls in Pennsylvania. Sunlight sparkles off of the frozen waterfall, especially after a fresh snowfall.

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Getty Images / Serhii Prystupa / Moment

After the sun goes down, Paupack Falls shimmers in colorful lights. Ledges Hotel welcomes overnight guests and also features a popular restaurant. Glass features indoor dining with spectacular views of Paupack Falls.

Glass's menu features an assortment of delicious dishes - from bone-in pork chop to potato gnocchi. Snacks and bites include such favorites as mac and cheese, mixed pitted olives, and braised meatballs. Because the restaurant is so popular, reservations are strongly encouraged. Learn more on the official website of Ledges Hotel. Or, go to the Facebook page of this hotel, restaurant, and waterfall in Pennsylvania.

When's your favorite time of the year to visit Paupack Falls in Pennsylvania? Have you stayed at Ledges Hotel or dined in the restaurant? Let us know in the comments! Did you know that you can see three frozen waterfalls at Ohiopyle State Park? Bundle up for a wintertime visit.

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Trip Ideas|Small Towns

The Dreamy Vermont Town That Grabs Everyone’s Attention At Christmastime

The fictional town of Pine Tree, Vermont featured in the classic movie "White Christmas" might be the most visited town at Christmastime.

Updated Nov 7, 2024

Written by 

Natalie Clunan

What is your favorite classic Christmas movie? Off the top of my head, I can name about 10 of them that I absolutely love. But there are a select few that are always on my list to watch every year. One in particular is the all-time classic “White Christmas.” And I know I am not the only one who dreams of having a white Christmas in the town of Pine Tree, Vermont - the fictional town of the classic 1954 holiday movie. Each year, thousands of people visit the small town - at least in their imaginations - for the spirit it brings to the holiday season. Of course, you won't find it on any map. The town is as make-believe as Sesame Street. But that doesn’t stop us from bringing the town to life on our big-screen TVs and laptops in our state as well as all over the country.

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gazebo with Holiday Christmas decorations on snowy village green in winter

For decades, viewers have been tuning in to "White Christmas" as one of their tried-and-true holiday traditions. The heart-warming romantic musical comedy is set in the fictional town of Pine Tree, but not a single frame of the movie was shot in Vermont.

Most of the popular movie was filmed on the sound stages at Paramount Studios with a few sections filmed at locations in Southern California. While the film may have been shot on the West Coast, it certainly captures the quaint New England charm of small-town Vermont.

"White Christmas" was the biggest box office hit of the year when it was released in 1954. The feel-good message with a Hollywood happy ending touched the souls of many. And now more than six decades later, children and adults alike dream of snow for the holidays.

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Rebecca Siegel/Flickr

The beloved Columbia Inn and its hometown of Pine Tree may not be real, but they are perhaps the most visited places during the holidays. Families gather together to enjoy the timeless snapshots of the essence of Vermont captured in this film.

What is your favorite Christmas tradition or holiday movie? While you can't visit Pine Tree, Vermont, you can go cut one down to bring home and decorate. Visit this picturesque Christmas farm to find your tree, take a wagon ride, and a whole lot more.

Already in the holiday spirit? It's never too early to start putting up Christmas decorations.

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