This Spring Break Triple Threat in Tampa is Easy on the Wallet

Still looking for last minute spring break plans that won't devastate your wallet? You should definitely consider visiting Tampa Bay for these three reasons: the Beaches, Busch Gardens, and the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Tampa Bay area consistently offers visitors high-quality fun, that's also easy on a Spring Breakers’ wallet. You will find plenty of Free things to do, good deals at theme parks, and a fantastic Student Rush plan if you are an NHL hockey fan!

Spring Break in Tampa is Easy on the Wallet Thanks to this Triple Threat

When you think Tampa Bay one of the first things to come to mind is generally the sugar sand white beaches surrounding the area. Warm water, white sand and great sunsets, can it get any better?  Well, in a word, yes, it can!  Consider a trip to Honeymoon Island State Park where you experience all those things along with trails, nature, and seclusion. 

 
Prefer people watching to bird watching, check out these area beaches, Clearwater Beach for touristy fun and Key West like sunsets nightly on Pier 60. Looking for a family-friendly beach?  Head to Indian Rocks Beach and Indian Shores where you will find parking easy, several places with beach access, quaint stores, restaurants and a neighborhood feel. St. Pete Beach in the shadow of the Don Cesar offers plenty of picture perfect sun-filled moments, great shopping and fabulous restaurants too. No matter which beach you choose, you are only an hour away from Downtown Tampa!


Clearwater Beach photo courtesy of Pixabay

Busch Gardens offers first-rate entertainment and a park filled with fun things to do.  You do not have to like roller-coasters to enjoy a day at Busch!  With entertainment from live concerts to ice skating, exceptional food, beer, games, animals, rides, shopping and more Busch Gardens is a full day of fun.  Tickets start at $92, but check their website, they offer special deals often! 

 
Did you know Busch Entertainment has two great theme parks in Tampa? Across the street from Busch Gardens, you find Adventure Island with  (6) slides, (4) pools, Splash Zones for the kids and plenty of sun and sand if you want to tan!  Opening March 10th, in conjunction with the start of Busch Gardens famous Food and Wine Festival, a day of thrills at Adventure Island is affordable at $54.99.  You can get a two park pass for $102.

We call it "Hockey in Paradise". This March you can attend any one of nine home games on the “Student Rush”, plan if you are a Spring Break hockey fan.  Text and you can receive an available seat at a marked down Student Price. This is not restricted to instate schools and available to all Spring Breakers visiting Tampa!  Offered by Coca-Cola here are the details:

  • Get a student rush code of the day by joining our student rush text club by texting RUSH to 61873. The student rush code of the game will be necessary for wristbands.
  • Students may get their wristband from the McDonald's Ticket Office at Amalie Arena during regular business hours on the day of the game. Wristbands will be handed out all day during business hours, no longer just 2 hours prior to puck drop.
  • Student Rush presented by Coca-Cola tickets are available 30 minutes before game time for high school and college students in Bolts gear, 15 minutes before game time for all other high school and college students.
  • Tickets will be available for ALL Lightning home games and start at $20 for the best upper-level seat available or standing room only. Lower level tickets will be offered for select games at an increased price based on opponent.
  • Students wearing Lightning gear will be wristbanded and numbered. This allows for students to walk around Thunder Alley before the game. Wristbanded students must be back in the Student Rush line, near the stage, 30 minutes before puck drop in order to be escorted into the ticket office.
  • Students in non-Lightning gear are encouraged to wait in line to keep their place and will not be wristbanded. They will be escorted to the ticket office 15 minutes before puck drop.
  • One ticket per student.
  • We do set aside a number of tickets per game, but for high demand/sellout games, the best ticket available may be standing room only. 
  • If you lose your wristband prior to the 30-minute mark before puck drop, you will be given a new wristband with that current spot in line. You WILL NOT be able to regain your original place in line.
  • Available for purchase at the McDonald's Ticket Office at Amalie Arena only.

The McDonald's Ticket Office opens at 9:00 am on game days and remains open until 30 minutes after the end of the game. (813.301.2500)


Photo of Lightning arena at Amalie courtesy of Flikr Free usage photo by dougbutchi

Tampa Bay offers it all for Spring Breakers looking for fun without breaking the bank!  From some of the best beaches in the country, an animal theme park, a water park, and first-class NHL Hockey with a team in the hunt to secure a Playoff spot you are sure to have a memorable break! Be sure to check out all the great Things to Do in Tampa, don't miss our Restaurant guide, and connect this Spring Break in the 813! Nothing beats the sightseeing in Tampa Bay! Come, this Spring Break and experience paradise!

(Cover photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)