Looking for a romantic and memorable date night with your partner without breaking the bank?
Look no further than the Tampa Bay, Clearwater, and St. Pete areas.
We’ve compiled a list of our favorite free things to do, from monthly festivals to art and walking tours, local attractions, and more.
Our top 30 activities are updated quarterly, so you can always find something new and exciting to do.
Keep scrolling to discover the best free activities in the Tampa Bay area and make your next date night one to remember.
Discover so many Things to do in Tampa, Clearwater & St. Pete!
Looking for fun and unique things to do in the Tampa Bay area that won’t break the bank?
Look no further! Here are 51 budget-friendly attractions and free things to do in Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete that you can enjoy any time of the year.
1. Tampa Riverwalk
Take a stroll along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk and enjoy the waterfront view.
This 2.6-mile walkway is popular with walkers, bikers, and joggers alike.
You can also enjoy monthly outdoor concerts, sightseeing, a self-guided public art walking tour, and the spacious Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which is the perfect place to set up an afternoon picnic.
2. Pinellas Trail
Bring along your bike and hit the trail on two wheels making pit stops to check out the Tarpon Springs sponge docks, park for a refreshing brew and stroll through hip downtown Dunedin.
If you feel like making a side trip to the beach, you can follow another pedestrian trail across the Dunedin Causeway for a visit to Honeymoon Island State Park, and get your free map and guide for the best experience.
3. Fourth Friday Tampa
Every fourth Friday of the month, head to the Tampa Riverwalk for an arts and culture crawl in celebration of Tampa’s downtown!
Grab your lanyard at the Straz Center for access to free admission at the Henry B. Plant museum and other discounts and cultural exhibits that vary month-to-month.
Some venues along the Riverwalk also offer drink specials if you’re looking to sip and stroll on a budget – or for a beautiful free thing to do, just enjoy the sunset!
4. Hit the Beach
Head to Madeira Beach to stroll the shops at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, or laze the day away on the quaint and full of character Anna Maria Island.
Other local go-tos include St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Fort De Soto ($5 beach parking), and Clearwater Beach.
5. Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Walk just north of Vinoy Park in St. Pete and you’ll find Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, a lush park filled with hundreds of palms.
This tropical paradise offers 2 acres of waterfront zen where you can see more than 500 palms and cycads from around the world.
Winding red brick paths lead you through the park and past open green spaces which serve as the perfect location for setting up a picnic.
6. Hyde Park Fresh Market
The first Sunday of every month, head to Hyde Park Village for Fresh Market.
This local farmers market is a local favorite free thing to do, and features more than 80 vendors and also lots of good dog spotting (bring your dog!).
7. Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival
Attend the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival on Clearwater Beach.
Nearly every night of the year visitors, street performers, and artisans gather for a lively sunset celebration that’s a must anytime you’re in the area.
8. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
This waterfront park located steps from the Tampa Riverwalk offers abundant open-air breezes and draws many couples to its beautiful and sprawling green-filled space.
It’s also home to a variety of recurring events, including monthly free outdoor Rock the Park concerts and more.
9. Pinellas County Heritage Village
Home to 33 historic structures, the Heritage Village bills itself as a “living history museum.”
Step into Pinellas County’s past while exploring bungalows, homes, a sugar cane mill, church, store, and more in addition to the museum exhibits located within the Welcome Center.
10. St. Pete Second Saturday ArtWalk
On the second Saturday of each month, galleries throughout St. Petersburg’s Waterfront Arts District, Central Arts District, EDGE District, Grand Central District and the Warehouse Arts District stay open from 5-9pm for an epic art walk.
11. Gasparilla
Experience the epic Gasparilla Pirate Fest, which includes the legendary Gasparilla Invasion and Parade of the Pirates.
This is one event you don’t want to go into without a solid plan.
12. Explore Local Nature Preserves
Boasting 3,190 acres, boardwalk trails, and scenic observation decks, Weedon Island Preserve is ideal for nature lovers.
Just 45 minutes from downtown Tampa you’ll find Brooker Creek Preserve, another free preserve spread out across 8,700 acres.
13. Self-Guided Mural Tours Tampa/St. Pete
Get your art fix by embarking on a self-guided tour of Tampa Bay’s impressive murals.
The City of Tampa has a helpful list of murals and their locations, and Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Downtown Mural Tour lists even more murals around town.
But Downtown St. Pete is the best place to discover colorful murals and snap a few new photos with your partner.
Go on a self-guided adventure for free with this mural map or spring for an organized walking mural tour of the area (this option isn’t free, but worth the splurge if you’re interested).
14. Florida Botanical Gardens
De-stress amidst spacious themed gardens and natural areas at Florida Botanical Gardens.
Admission is free to this lush oasis, and it’s also picnic-friendly, so pack a blanket and some snacks!
Stroll the boardwalks, listen to the soothing water fountains, spot unique art, and visit themed areas like a butterfly garden and succulent garden.
The gardens are pet friendly and are open daily from 7am-5pm.
15. Saturday Morning Market
Experience one of the top farmer’s markets in the US right here in St. Pete!
Every Saturday morning, the Al Lang Field parking lot in downtown St. Pete comes alive with around 170 vendors during the Saturday Morning Market.
Besides fresh produce and artisans selling unique goods, there’s live music and multiple options for grabbing a bite.
The Saturday Morning Market runs from early October through late May, while the Summer Market, located at Williams Park, runs from June to August.
16. Instagrammable Locations
Embrace your inner tourist and capture memorable couple selfies at some of the most scenic spots in the city, many of which are free to access.
There’s too many to name, but this video has all our top picks and more!
17. Sunday Yoga in the Park at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Unwind every Sunday at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park with the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s free community yoga class, Yoga in the Park.
Held on Sundays at 5pm (6pm in the summer months), each class is led by instructors from local studio Lucky Cat Yoga.
While this class is technically free, a suggested donation of $5 is appreciated.
18. 3rd Thursday Tampa
Join the monthly food truck street festival in Downtown Tampa’s Channel District at 3rd Thursday Tampa.
This monthly event features a rotating lineup of food trucks, live music, and craft beer and wine available for purchase.
It’s a fun and free way to spend a Thursday evening in Tampa.
19. Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center
The Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center, located at the St. Pete Pier, is a great place to learn about the Tampa Bay estuary and the efforts to preserve and restore it.
The center offers a variety of exhibits, programs, and events throughout the year.
Admission is free.
20. Tampa Bay Farmers Market
The Tampa Bay Farmers Market is a great place to find fresh produce, local honey, and handmade crafts.
The market is open every Saturday from 9am-3pm and is free to attend.
21. Tampa Bay Greenways and Trails
Explore the great outdoors on the Tampa Bay Greenways and Trails.
These trails offer a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the natural beauty of the Tampa Bay area.
The trails are free to use and are open year-round.
22. Ybor City Saturday Market
Every Saturday, Ybor City comes alive with the Ybor City Saturday Market.
The market features a variety of vendors selling everything from fresh produce to handmade crafts.
The market is open from 9am-3pm and is free to attend.
23. Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Beer lovers should check out the Tampa Bay Brewing Company, which offers free tours of their brewery.
The tours are available on Saturdays and Sundays and include a tasting of some of their most popular beers.
24. Tampa Bay Downs
Horse racing fans can visit Tampa Bay Downs, a thoroughbred racetrack in Tampa.
Admission is free on weekdays and $3 on weekends.
25. Tampa Bay Blues Festival
The Tampa Bay Blues Festival is a must-attend for blues enthusiasts.
This annual event features renowned blues artists and is held at the scenic Vinoy Park.
While the festival itself requires a ticket, you can often enjoy the music from nearby for free.
26. Tampa Bay Seafood Festival
Seafood lovers should not miss the Tampa Bay Seafood Festival.
This annual event showcases a variety of seafood dishes from local restaurants and vendors.
Admission is usually free, with food and drinks available for purchase.
27. Tampa Bay Beer Week
Celebrate the craft beer scene during Tampa Bay Beer Week.
While some events require tickets, there are plenty of free tastings, brewery tours, and special events at local bars and breweries.
28. Tampa Bay Book Festival
Book lovers can indulge in their passion at the Tampa Bay Book Festival.
This event features author readings, book signings, and panel discussions.
Admission is generally free, making it a great opportunity to meet local authors and discover new books.
29. Tampa Bay Film Festival
The Tampa Bay Film Festival showcases independent films from around the world.
While some screenings require tickets, there are often free events, workshops, and panel discussions for film enthusiasts.
30. Tampa Bay Art Festival
Explore the vibrant art scene at the Tampa Bay Art Festival. This event features local artists displaying their work, live music, and food vendors.
Admission is free, offering a great opportunity to support local artists and enjoy the community atmosphere.
Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Pete offer a wealth of activities that don’t require spending a lot of money.
From cultural festivals to natural parks, there’s something for everyone to enjoy without breaking the bank.
Keep an eye on local event calendars for the latest free happenings in the area!