8 Cheap Things To Do In Tampa Bay This Weekend

CLEARWATER, FL — Finding new and interesting things to do over the weekend can be tough. Finding things to do on a budget can be even tougher. Fortunately, Patch has you covered!

Here’s a roundup of ideas from across Tampa Bay of free or cheap activities you might want to check out the weekend of July 28-30:

Watch A Free Movie On The Beach

If free entertainment is in the family budget, Clearwater Beach is the place to be on Friday, July 28. That’s when Sunset Cinema at Pier 60 continues with a free showing of “Toy Story.” Folks are urged to bring out their blankets or low-lying lawn chairs to take in the antics of Buzz and Woody. The show gets started at dusk. Popcorn and other concessions will be available for purchase. To find out more, visit Sunsets at Pier 60 online.

DillyDally At The Dali Museum

Families who want to enjoy a hands-on day of activities that exercise creative energies may want to head down to St. Petersburg’s Dali Museum, One Dali Blvd., on Saturday, July 29. The museum is playing host to “DillyDally with Dali” from 11:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The free event takes place in the Stavros Classroom on the museum’s first floor. It features games, puzzles, arts and crafts suitable for the entire family, museum officials say. The event is completely free, but admission to see the museum itself does come with a ticket price. Folks should also prepare to pay parking fees. For more information, visit the Dali Museum online.

Chow Down On Some Grouper

The St. Pete Grouper Seafood Fest takes place from 6 to 10 p.m. July 28 at Port St. Pete, 250 Eighth Ave. The event is free to attend, but indulging in the food and beverages will come at a price. Entertainment is also planned. To find out more, visit the event’s Facebook listing.

Celebrate Fourth Friday

Folks who love free and cheap things to do may want to stake out some time on Friday to take part downtown Tampa’s Fourth Friday celebration. The event includes lots of freebies and special promotions, such as free entry at the Henry B. Plant Museum, the Tampa Bay History Center and other venues. For a rundown of all participating locations and their promotions, visit Fourth Friday Downtown Tampa online.

Check Out A Rodeo

Anyone who has ever wanted to see bronco busters in action may want to make the drive to the far reaches of Polk County Saturday night. The Westgate River Ranch, 3200 River Ranch Blvd., is playing host to a rodeo from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. To find out more, check out the details on the Visit Central Florida website.

Splurge At A Farmers’ Market

Siesta Key Village plays host to a farmers’ market each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Featuring fresh fruits, vegetables and other vendors, the event takes place at 5104 Ocean Blvd. What makes it even better is the market is just a hop, skip and jump to the beach that’s been named the best in America. To find out more about the market, visit it online.

Stroll Riverwalk

If getting out and stretching the legs after a long week in the office sounds like a plan, Bradenton’s Riverwalk is a great place for free family fun any day of the year. The walk along the Manatee River spans 1.5 miles and includes public arts installations, a skate park, splash pad and tidal discovery zone, among other attractions. There’s also a fishing pier for folks who want to cast a line. The main entrance to the Riverwalk is located at 452 Third Ave. W. in Bradenton. To find out more, visit Realize Bradenton online.

Explore Ybor City’s Saturday Marking

This weekly event takes place in historic Ybor City from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through September. It runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday, rain or shine, from October through April. The event sets up in Centennial Park at the corner of Eighth Avenue and 19th Street. To find out more, visit the market online.

Image via Shutterstock