Things to Do

Treasure Island and the surrounding Gulf Coast area is one of the most activity-packed destinations in Florida — and we're not just saying that because we live here. Whether you're looking for full-throttle water sports, a lazy day on a paddleboard, world-class museums, or something that'll make your teens actually put down their phones, this area delivers. Here are our personal favorites — the places we send our own guests, recommend to our own friends, and visit ourselves.

🌊 ON THE WATER

Parasailing The Pass
The only parasailing company right here on Treasure Island, run by the legendary Captain Tony with 18 years of experience and a boatload of five-star reviews. Soaring 400–600 feet above the turquoise Gulf with views stretching across the coastline is a bucket-list experience. Single, tandem, and triple flights available. Free parking included. 🪂Perfect for teens and thrill-seekers! 📞 (727) 367-3597 | Book here!

Mad Beach Paddle Sports
Right here on Treasure Island at 11165 Gulf Blvd (next to the Waffle House), Mad Beach rents bikes, e-bikes, kayaks, paddleboards, and SUPs, and offers guided paddle tours out to the sandbar and mangroves. Weekly bike rentals available — great for guests who want wheels for their whole stay. Say hi to Chewy the dock dog while you're there! 🐶 Guests at Funshine Pointe Capri can launch paddleboards directly from the private Intracoastal dock. | Visit Website

Island Marine Rentals
Jet skis, pontoon boats, deck boats, paddleboards, scooters and bikes on Boca Ciega Bay. Dolphin sightings are common out on the water. Book in advance on busy weekends. 🐬 Great for families and groups! | Reserve Here

Glass Bottom Kayak Tours
Transparent kayaks that let you see straight through to the Gulf floor — spot sea life, rays, and fish right beneath your seat. Small group tours through mangroves and out to sandbars. Genuinely unlike anything most people have done before and perfect for photos. | Check it out!

The Giant "Hippo" Waterslide
A four-story inflatable waterslide right on the beach at 10400 Gulf Blvd — open daily 9am–5pm, weather permitting. Yes, it's for adults and teens too! Cabana rentals, paddleboards and kayaks also available on site. 🛝Kids and teens love this one! | Click here!

John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
Just 10 minutes up the road in Madeira Beach, John's Pass is a charming waterfront hub with unique shops, restaurants, boat tours, jet ski rentals, and live entertainment. The covered boardwalk means you can wander even on a rainy day. ⚓ A perennial favorite of our guests! | johnspass.com

Pirate Boat Tour — Royal Conquest
Set sail on the Royal Ship Conquest out of John's Pass. Kids absolutely love this cruise — swashbuckling activities, costumes, and plenty of on-deck fun keep them busy the whole time. I took my son on this trip when he was 7 years old and he still talks about it every time we see the ship set sail. Parents love the views and the complimentary beer and wine. 🏴‍☠️One of my all-time top recommendations for families! Book here!

Sunset Cruise, Dolphin Tours & Fishing Charters 🎣🐬
Several operators offer dolphin tours, sunset cruises, and fishing charters departing from Treasure Island and nearby marinas. Marine 13 Boat Charters gets consistently rave reviews from families — small, intimate boats that make for a much more personal experience than a crowded party boat. Even teenagers who think they're too cool for "tourist stuff" tend to melt when dolphins start jumping alongside the boat. Fishing charters are also available for guests who want to try their luck on the Gulf or the Intracoastal. | Check it out!

🎮 FUN & ENTERTAINMENT

Atomic Claw Arcade — Treasure Island 🆕
Tampa Bay's first Japanese-style "clawcade" is right here at 245 107th Ave on Treasure Island. Over 60 claw machines stocked with Pokemon, Naruto, Disney, Nintendo and more — and unlike the old rigged machines, these are actually built for you to win. The owner hands out bags because you're going to need them! Plays start at $1–$2. Perfect for teens, kids, and honestly everyone. | atomicclaw.com

Sandbox VR — Full-Body Virtual Reality 🆕

Florida's first full-body VR experience at 2228 Central Ave in St. Pete. Haptic vest, motion sensors, private holodeck — battle zombies, fight pirates, or compete in Squid Game-style challenges with your group. Every session ends with a personalized highlight video. We've been twice with friends and would go again in a heartbeat. Book in advance — it fills up fast! Teens will talk about this for weeks. | sandboxvr.com

Intense Escape — Escape Rooms

At 10681 Gulf Blvd right here on Treasure Island (above the Chase Bank), Intense Escape offers multiple rooms from family-friendly adventures to genuinely scary challenges. TripAdvisor award winner for multiple consecutive years. Book ahead — it fills up fast on rainy days and weekends. Great for older teens and adults! | intenseescapefl.com

The Capybara Café 🆕

The most talked-about new experience in Tampa Bay — 25-minute guided encounters with capybaras, lemurs, wallabies, fennec foxes, armadillos, skunks and more at 4703 Park Street N. in St. Pete. Run by Noah's Ark Sanctuary, every visit supports animal rescue and conservation. Teens who discovered capybaras on TikTok will absolutely lose their minds here. Book well in advance! 📞 (727) 430-4135 | capybaracafestpete.com

St. Pete Segway & Golf Cart Tours 🛺

Evan and I love jetting around downtown St. Pete on our own Segways — but since you probably don't have yours handy, we recommend booking a guided tour! Segway tours are a blast, or if you'd prefer something more relaxed, a golf cart guided tour takes you through the Waterfront District, exclusive neighborhoods, restaurants, and the arts scene. Both are great ways to see St. Pete without driving yourself. Browse and book both through our personally curated Viator recommendations collection! Funshine Viator

🏛️ MUSEUMS & CULTURE

The Dalí Museum
One of the most unique museums in the entire country — home to the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's work outside of Europe. The building itself is an attraction, and the collection is endlessly fascinating for adults and older kids alike. Plan to spend a few hours. 🎨 A must for art lovers and curious minds! | thedali.org

Chihuly Collection/Morean Arts Center 🎨

The fantastical glass creations of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly, housed in a stunning dedicated gallery in downtown St. Pete. Even people who don't consider themselves art enthusiasts tend to be blown away. But here's a hidden gem within the hidden gem — they also offer glass blowing classes where you get to make your own piece. I took the class with my ladies group and we made the most beautiful glass flowers. Fair warning: it is HOT in there from the furnaces, which actually makes it a perfect activity for a cold Florida day! Highly recommended for a unique and memorable experience. | moreanartscenter.org

Floridarama
Formerly known as Fairgrounds St. Pete, Floridarama is an indoor explorable world of playful immersive art exhibits featuring works by over 70 artists from Florida and around the globe. Fun, colorful, and extremely photogenic. 📸 Great for couples and Instagram lovers! | floridarama.art

St. Petersburg Pier
The iconic St. Pete Pier is a destination in itself — shops, restaurants, an aquarium, and stunning views of the bay. Don't want to walk the whole length? Hop on the free shuttle that will take you out to the end! Head up to the rooftop bar for some of the best views and photo opportunities in all of St. Pete. There's also a playground for the kids, and be sure to check their events calendar before you go — they regularly host outdoor movies, pickleball, and all kinds of fun happenings throughout the year. Free to walk. 🚶

Clearwater Marine Aquarium
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of marine animals, and a visit here is both educational and genuinely moving. Kids can see rescued dolphins, sea turtles, and other marine life up close and learn about conservation in a hands-on environment. About 30 minutes from Treasure Island.

🛍️ MARKETS & LOCAL FAVORITES

Corey Avenue Sunday Market — St. Pete Beach
Every Sunday morning, Corey Avenue in St. Pete Beach transforms into a lively open-air market with local vendors, fresh produce, artisan goods, food, and live music. It's just a quick drive from both Funshine Pointe Capri and Funshine Sunset Beach — an ideal way to start a Sunday morning before heading to the beach. Arrive early for the best finds and grab a coffee while you browse! 🤫 A true local favorite that most tourists don't even know about.

Saturday Morning Market — Downtown St. Petersburg
One of the largest outdoor markets in the Southeast, the Saturday Morning Market runs every Saturday in downtown St. Pete along the waterfront. Fresh local produce, artisan food vendors, crafts, live music, and an incredible atmosphere. About 25 minutes from Treasure Island. ☕ Pair it with brunch in downtown St. Pete for a perfect morning! | https://saturdaymorningmarket....

🌆 DAY TRIPS WORTH THE DRIVE

Downtown St. Petersburg
World-class restaurants, craft cocktail bars, the famous Saturday Morning Market, street murals, and more — downtown St. Pete is one of the most vibrant small cities in Florida. Just 25 minutes away, and easily accessible via the SunRunner bus if you don't want to drive. Don't miss it!

Gulfport
Just across the causeway, the artsy little village of Gulfport is a local favorite — quirky galleries, great restaurants, and a laid-back waterfront scene. We love it for a casual lunch or dinner out. Check out Stella's for breakfast — you won't regret it. There's even a Gulfport Food & History Tour if you want the full experience!

Dunedin
One of Florida's most charming small towns, about 35 minutes north. A thriving craft beer scene, gorgeous waterfront, great restaurants, and the famous Honeymoon Island State Park just minutes away. 💑 A perfect day trip — especially for couples!

Apollo Beach — Manatee Viewing at the Power Plant
This is one of my absolute favorite local secrets and I've taken every single member of my family here when they visit — it never gets old. The warm water discharge from the Tampa Electric power plant attracts hundreds of manatees, especially on cold days when they huddle in the warm outflow. Watching these gentle giants up close is genuinely jaw-dropping. It's free to visit and the viewing platform puts you right above the action. About 45 minutes from Treasure Island. Best visited on a cold day from late fall through early spring — mostly closed during summer. If you're visiting between November and March, do not miss this. 🦭 | tampaelectric.com/manatees

Tarpon Springs
Florida's historic Greek sponge diving community, about 45 minutes north. Authentic Greek food, a working sponge docks waterfront, fascinating history, and a completely different vibe from anywhere else in the area. 🇬🇷 A truly unique Florida experience.

🎢 THEME PARKS & SPORTS

Busch Gardens Tampa
One of the best theme parks in the Southeast, Busch Gardens combines thrilling roller coasters with a genuine safari-style wildlife experience — all in one park. About 45 minutes from Treasure Island and absolutely worth a full day. A hit for families, teens, and thrill-seekers alike. 🎢 Buy tickets in advance for the best rates!

Tampa Bay Rays — Baseball at Tropicana Field
Catch a Tampa Bay Rays game at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg — just 25 minutes from Treasure Island. Tons of our guests have made a Rays game part of their trip and loved it. Great atmosphere, affordable tickets, and a fun night out even if you're not a die-hard baseball fan. Check the schedule — if the timing lines up with your stay, it's a no-brainer!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — NFL Football
If your visit falls during NFL season (September through January), catching a Bucs game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is a fantastic experience. About 45 minutes from Treasure Island, and the energy on game day is electric. Check the schedule when planning your trip! | buccaneers.com

Spring Training Baseball — March
If you're visiting in March, you are in luck — the Tampa Bay area is one of the best places in the country to catch MLB Spring Training. The games are relaxed, the stadiums are intimate, tickets are affordable, and you can often get surprisingly close to your favorite players. Several teams train right here in the area:

⚾ Philadelphia Phillies — BayCare Ballpark, Clearwater (30 min)
⚾ Toronto Blue Jays — TD Ballpark, Dunedin (35 min)
⚾ Pittsburgh Pirates — LECOM Park, Bradenton (1 hr)
⚾ Baltimore Orioles — Ed Smith Stadium, Sarasota (1 hr 15 min)

Spring Training is one of those quintessential Florida experiences — grab a cold beer, sit in the sunshine, and watch the pros warm up for the season. ⚾ Highly recommended!

📖 WANT TO GO DEEPER?

We've put together some detailed guides on our blog with even more personal recommendations and insider tips:

🌴 YOUR PERFECT GULF COAST HOME BASE

All of the above is even better when you're staying somewhere that feels like home. At Funshine Getaway, our thoughtfully renovated properties in Treasure Island and Largo put you right in the heart of it all — minutes from the beach, perfectly positioned for day trips, and hosted by someone who genuinely knows and loves this area. Book direct at funshinegetaway.com for the best rates, and reach out to Nancy at (813) 810-8574 with any questions. We love helping guests plan their perfect trip! 🌅