Maid Connection

Rent a canoe from Canoe Escape, located minutes from downtown Tampa. Take the whole family on a paddling adventure on the Hillsborough River that surrounds a 16,000 acre wildlife preserve. Pack a lunch and bring your camera to capture pictures of the alligators, snakes, turtles and birds you'll see on your adventure.

Where's the beef? It's at the Florida State Fair, held annually at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa. You'll be attending the official state fair where the Sunshine State shows off its agricultural might. For 11 days, there's a corral full of indoor and outdoor exhibits, rides, craft shows, musical acts and wild foods like chocolate-covered bacon to taste. You won't want to miss this experience.

Meet a koala bear, discover a Primate World and adopt an animal at Tampa's Lowery Park Zoo. Listen to tigers roar at the Asian Domain, watch black panthers prance at the Native Florida Wildlife Center and discover the best vantage point to hang out with the monkeys. The zoo also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits and attractions.