25 cheap dates under $25 in Tampa Bay that are actually good

Hooch & 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 Johnson

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/Website

Take 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 Wolf

Dig 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/Facebook

Grab 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/Website

Pinellas 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/Facebook

Take 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/Facebook

Cigar 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 Bay

Mosey 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 Pete

Gulfport 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/Website

Go 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/Website

Bike 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.com

Honeymoon 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/Facebook

Cuscaden 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/Twitter

Hit 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/Facebook

Crack 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/Facebook

Tampa 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 via Tampa Museum of Art/ Facebook

St. 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/Website

Take 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 Farms

Visit 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 Flickr