Tampa's 4 Pirate-Themed Attractions For Memorable Family Fun, According To Parents

Home to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa, Florida, is no stranger to pirates and salty scallywags. Fortunately for families traveling with kids, a good number of the top attractions are kid-friendly or geared specifically for young lads and lasses.

Unlike Orlando and other Florida cities overflowing with pirate-themed miniature golf courses, Tampa's history of piracy is rooted in something deeper than shipwrecked greens and lost treasure at the 18th hole. From the annual pirate "attack" staged to promote tourism to a feared 18th-century captain, José Gaspar, who may or may not have raided ships off the coast, Tampa's pirate past has the right balance of fact and fantasy to engage any child.

While there are adults-only pirate attractions in Tampa (like Morgan's Cove Tavern), our ranking focuses on highly rated activities specifically for children under 12. Our recommendations are based on the experience of parents and families who have personally visited these attractions, drawing on input from reviews on Google and Reddit and local guides like Kid Approved Tampa. As many of the activities in this ranking are outdoors, the best time to visit Tampa is between October and April. However, if you're planning to include a stop at Disney World or Universal Studios in Orlando, recently ranked America's "Happiest Holiday Destination," you'll want to avoid the holiday rush at the end of December. 

If you only have time for one swashbuckling voyage in Tampa with your family, the Pirate Adventure Cruise on the Lost Pearl is a solid option. Board a bright red vessel that looks straight out of the 1700s, and sail through Tampa Bay with a crew of pirates. Past visitors note that kids love games like the limbo and the entertaining crew, while parents enjoy the chance to sit back and watch the scenery.  

However, the water cannons are the real memory-maker. On a hot day, the splash of cool water is a welcome break from the heat. "The crew did a fantastic job with the games and made his day extra special. 'Mommy the pirates know my name! Mommy don't wash my arm so the tattoo doesn't come off! Mommy I got to shoot a cannon,'" relayed one happy parent in a Google review. 

The ship departs from the Tampa Convention Center downtown, so it's easy to plan an excursion around other activities. Billed as an "all ages" cruise, it's best for children old enough to take advantage of the games and comfortable with 90 minutes on the water. Another option is the Sunset Cruise (also on the pirate ship), which likely won't have as many kids, but parents report that the staff go out of their way to accommodate and make the trip fun for everyone. 

Despite the humdrum name, the Tampa Bay History Center is the kind of museum your kids will actually want to visit. From European explorers and Indigenous communities to over 500 years of maps, the center takes a deep dive into Floridian and Tampa-specific history, but it's the pirate exhibit that captures children's imaginations. 

Occupying much of the fourth floor, the curated exhibit weaves a narrative of piracy more vivid and historically grounded than Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" or other pop culture privateers. As you stroll past 18th-century cannons and genuine lost treasure, you'll come across the main event — a 60-foot wooden replica of a pirate ship from the 1700s. Kids also enjoy the "Fate of a Pirate" show, a holographic experience that takes visitors through the life of a pirate. "The interactive exhibits and 4D mini movies were an absolute hit with my children! I would recommend coming here for any family vacationers looking to do something educational and fun on their trip," per one mom in a Google review.

Ideal if you're traveling with a stroller or multi-generational family, visitors note the elevators are spacious. Plan to spend between two and three hours, depending on the age of your kids, and take a moment to enjoy the views of Garrison Channel from the fourth floor. 

Established in 1904, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival celebrates the legend of the Spanish pirate José Gaspar and is one of Tampa's most raucous celebrations. However, with designated public drinking zones and long bathroom lines, it tends to cater to adults and can be overwhelming for kids.

Fortunately, the family-friendly Children's Gasparilla comes just before the more adult-oriented festivities. Both are celebrated each year at the end of January, and the Children's Gasparilla is hosted the week before the Gasparilla Pirate Festival kicks off. The schedule changes every year, but one of the highlights is the Children's Gasparilla Parade, one of the largest children's events in the United States. In January 2026, approximately 150,000 people attended the parade along the waterfront, watching pirate ship floats so detailed they looked seaworthy descend on Tampa. Don't forget to bring a bag for all the beads, trinkets, and candy your kids catch.  

"We recently moved here and I took my kids to this for the first time today," explained a parent on Reddit. "It was incredibly well planned, there was plenty of beads for all the kids, the floats were great, and law enforcement was nothing but patient and protective." Although the parade is free, it's possible to reserve seating closer to the action, so your little ones can catch more goodies thrown from the floats. A giant firework show closes out the event, while the airshow is another standout moment. Don't forget to check Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park's kid-friendly paradise for events before and after the festival.

For visitors who only have one day in Tampa and want to see all the sights with a side of pirate narration and local history, the Pirate Water Taxi is a solid choice. Featuring a fleet of six, the taxis alternate between a weekday and weekend schedule with stops along the Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa. 

With a "hop on, hop off" design, the taxi leans further into the realm of transportation than a true attraction in and of itself. However, some consider it a better option than Uber or other ride-sharing apps and praise the narration aspect of the tour. "We learned tons about a place we only thought we knew all about. Their boats were very clean and appeared to be well maintained," praised one family in a Google review. There's also an air-conditioned section that's a retreat for overheating kids (or parents) between sights.

During the narration, you'll learn fun facts and tidbits about Tampa's history, which includes pirate stories. A word of caution: boarding the taxi requires a little leap, which may be difficult for small children or parents traveling with a lot of gear. 

Tampa is a mecca for all things pirates. However, many of the top pirate-themed events, attractions, and shops are geared toward an adult audience. Our recommendations aim to guide families towards highly rated attractions (or events) that allow children to explore the imaginative world of pirates.

Our recommendations are based on reviews and other opinions provided by parents and guardians on Reddit's r/tampa, Google reviews, Tripadvisor, and local Facebook groups, such as Exploring Tampa. We also relied on insights from area guides such as Kid Approved Tampa and Tampa Bay Parenting, while comparing personal accounts with the information found on each attraction's website. 

Our author also draws on her own experience as a parent traveling with kids to pinpoint features that make a day out with the family a little easier. In the same vein, we make note of anything that could detract from family enjoyment, but might not be on the radar of other tourists. For more pirate-themed adventures in the Southeast, join Blackbeard's Trail on this North Carolina road trip.