Americans are cutting back on expensive activities due to the recession. We are now looking for affordable or free fun activities that both adults and children can enjoy. These activities are plentiful in the Tampa Bay region.

Tampa Bay Beaches

The beautiful beaches of Tampa Bay are known for their white sand and warm Gulf of Mexico waters. This area is a great place to spend a day with your kids. It's easy to spend many days at the beach you choose, whether it be Clearwater or St. Petersburg beaches or Honeymoon Island. You may have to pay parking fees but the benefits of swimming, snorkeling and shelling, as well as picnicking, can make up for it.

Movies

A movie is a great way to spend summer nights with your family. There are many options in Tampa Bay where you can catch a movie for free. Clearwater's Sunsets at Pier 60 festival features live entertainment, vendors, and a screening of a family-friendly film. Weather permitting, the event is held every Friday and Saturday night throughout the summer. On select days in the summer, free movies will be shown at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Tampa.

Many larger theaters offer free, or nearly free, summertime movie programs. Muvico Theaters, for example, offer free admission to kid-friendly movies at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday in the summer. Regal Cinemas offers their Regal Summer Movie Express program on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. It shows movies at 10 a.m. for $1. All proceeds go to the Will Rodgers Institute. This institute is dedicated in part to medical research on cardio-pulmonary disease and education about healthy living.

Yuengling Brewery

Although the Yuengling Brewery is open to all ages, the Yuengling Brewery offers free tours for adults. Although the Pottsville brewery was established in 1829 and is considered America's oldest brewery, you can still enjoy the traditions and brewing skills of founder David G.

You can enjoy Yuengling while you visit the Tampa location of the company. Enjoy a guided tour of the brewery that lasts one hour and fifteen minutes. You'll be able to learn more about the brewery's history and the brewing process. Even a Yuengling beer sample will be available for you to enjoy. The tours run from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday.

Tampa Electric Manatee Viewing Center

Florida is best described by the sight of a pod manatees together in one location. You can do this at the Tampa Electric Manatee Observing Center in Apollo Beach. The Manatee Viewing Center is located at Big Bend Power Station. It was established in response to large manatees flocking to the discharge canal of the power station, which allowed warm and clean water to flow back into the bay.

Manatees prefer warmer water, so Tampa Bay's temperature is 68 degrees or lower. The discharge canal was the ideal place for them to stay warm. These gentle giants can be viewed daily from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., except on holidays. The Manatee Viewing Center has free parking and admission.