01
FRIDAY · ARRIVAL DAY
Land, exhale,
find the Gulf.
Today has one job: get everyone from the plane to pajamas. Anything beyond that is a bonus.
THE NORTH STAR
“Come home with sandy shoes,
not a completed checklist.”
Mornings hold the adventures. Afternoons belong to naps, pools, and whatever feels easy. Outdoor plans move with the sky.
THE WEEK, LOOSELY
Seven days.
Soft edges.
Think of this as a rhythm, not a reservation. Tap any day for the useful details.
Land, exhale,
THREE ANCHORS
The plans worth
leaving the beach for.
Each earns its place: one tactile, one spectacular, one wild. No filler attractions.
HorsePower
for Kids
Free-range farm wandering, pony rides, treehouse, corn pit, playgrounds, and an exit whenever the twins say so.
- Current posted price $14/person + $5/pony ride
- Family estimate $66, if both boys ride
- Before you go Reconfirm Saturday hours and pony availability
The Florida
Aquarium
Sharks, rays, turtles, reefs and wetlands—the trip’s biggest visual wow, and the reliable answer to a stormy morning.
- Current hours Daily, 9 AM–5 PM
- Tickets Date-based; under 3s are currently free
- Parking Prepay nearby parking when tickets go on sale
Fort De Soto
North Beach
Wide sand, lagoon-like shallows, room to roam, and a playground nearby. Save it for the clearest, calmest morning.
- Current hours Daily, 7 AM–sunset
- Parking $6 per vehicle + small app fee
- Call it After checking radar, heat and Gulf conditions
THE 7:30 AM DECISION
What does the
morning want?
Choose the forecast that looks most like today. The itinerary will do the rest.
OUR PICK
Go early to North Beach. Leave RumFish around 8:15, play before the heat builds, and head back when the boys fade—not when a clock says so.
THE USEFUL BITS
Everything that
gets us there.
OUTBOUND · FRI 18
DEN → TPA
11:21 AM3h 32m
Frontier F9 27484:53 PM
Frontier F9 27484:53 PM
HOME BASE · 6 NIGHTS
RumFish Beach
6000 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
Deluxe room · two double beds
WHEELS · BUDGET
Standard SUV
Pickup Fri 6 PM · TPA
Return Thu 6 PM · TPA
RETURN · THU 24
TPA → DEN
8:01 PM4h 07m
Frontier F9 274510:08 PM
Frontier F9 274510:08 PM
BEFORE WE FLY
Four small things.
Progress saves on this device.
FIELD NOTES
A few things
future us will thank us for.
September is still summer. Expect heat, humidity and quick thunderstorms. Outside early; water breaks often.
Pass-a-Grille is a snack, not a day. Use it for a short sunset stroll or easy meal when everyone has a second wind.
No event deserves automatic priority. As of Aug 12, no date-specific family event has earned a place over beach time. Recheck local calendars in early September.
The final full day stays blank. Wednesday is intentionally protected. Repeat the best thing—or do absolutely nothing.
Research notes & sources +
Operating details were checked August 12, 2026. Future schedules and prices can change; links below are the authority to recheck shortly before departure.
Florida Aquarium hours Florida Aquarium tickets Florida Aquarium parking HorsePower for Kids Fort De Soto Park RumFish Beach Resort