Must-See Places To Take Out-of-Town Visitors In Tampa Bay

TAMPA BAY, FL -- While Tampa Bay is lacking in the usual winter activities such as snow skiing and snowball fights, there are still plenty of activities to get visitors in the holiday spirit -- even if you're wearing shorts. Here are some suggestions:

* Busch Gardens has extended its Christmas Town Village until Jan. 6. The theme park has been dressed as a Christmas wonderland offers holiday shows, merry merchandise from around the world, tasty treats, winter whiskey and wine tastings, the Jingle Bell Express, "Elmo's Christmas Wish," Rudolph's Winter Wonderland, a sing-along train and a Santa buffet.

* The Lights of Lake Park will continue nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. through Dec. 31 at Lake Park Estates, 109th Avenue North and Lake Park Drive in Largo. Click here for maps. Visitors can walk or drive through. There will be candy canes for the kids and dog treats for furry friends.

* The 41st annual Oakdale Christmas Light Display will continue nightly from 6 to 10 p.m. through Jan. 3 .at the Oakdale Christmas House, 2719 Oakdale St. S., St. Petersburg. It features more than 500,000 lights, a manger scene with 150 pieces visible from Bethel Avenue and a walking yard tour of the half-acre property that includes several waterfalls, fountains, an 18-train HO scale railroad and 16 carnival rides and animated figures.

* The Florida Botanical Gardens Foundation and Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources is hosting the 18th annual Holiday Lights in the Garden event at Florida Botanical Gardens, 12520 Ulmerton Road, Largo, through Sunday, Dec. 31, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m., weather permitting. Each evening of Holiday Lights in the Gardens includes food, drinks and ice cream. The family-friendly event will run A donation of $5 per person is suggested for guests over the age of 13.

* Holiday Lights at Largo Central Park will continue nightly from 6 to 11 p.m. through New Year's Day. This family-friendly annual tradition presented by the City of Largo features a spectacular holiday light display, carousel and seven-story Ferris wheel that offers a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the 70-acre Largo Central Park and more than two million LED lights. Park admission is free. Rides are $5 each.

* Another can't miss holiday event is the Wonderland of Lights & Santa's Village at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds, 215 Sydney Washer Road in Dover. The display features a mile-long drive-through display of holiday lights and animates figures that will amaze holiday lovers of all ages. Visitors are also invited to visit Santa's Village which features visits with the Big Guy himself, horse-drawn wagon rides, camel strolls, a circus show and a variety of fair foods. Wonderland of Lights runs from 6 to 9 p.m. weekdays and 6 to 10 p.m. on the weekends through Dec. 29.

* From Dec. 26-31 from noon to 5 p.m., kids can enjoy a real snow play area at The Florida Aquarium. To top off its holiday offerings, the aquarium will host The Polar Express 4-D Experience through Jan. 11 from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the 13-minute show, guests will feel the snow and smell hot cocoa with the help of 4-D effects.

* ZooTampa at Lowry Park has been transformed into a winter wonderland for the zoo's annual tribute to the holidays, Christmas in the Wild. From twinkling lights and seasonal holiday treats and refreshments to the wonder of wildlife at night, Christmas in the Wild will take place through Dec. 30 after 4 p.m. Christmas in the Wild offers a variety of entertainment including a 50-foot animated Christmas tree complete with 12,000 dancing lights, 2,000 ornaments, an 8-foot star and a light show that runs every 30 minutes.

* Curtis Hixon Park located along the Tampa Riverwalk has been transformed with the sights, sounds and activities of the holidays. Open until Jan. 5, the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park features entertainment, shows, holiday crafts, food vendors and a 5,000-square-foot ice rink. For complete details on all downtown Tampa holiday events, click here.

Images via ZooTampa, Busch Gardens, City of Tampa, Florida Botanical Gardens

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