20+ Free Activities in Tampa Bay, Clearwater & St. Pete for Easter

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Trying to save a little money while celebrating Easter this year? We’ve compiled a list of our favorite free things to do in Tampa Bay, Clearwater and St. Pete this Easter without a big budget, which is part of our Easter Events in Tampa Bay coverage.

Discover so many Free Easter Events and Things to do in Tampa, Clearwater & St. Pete!

[PS — Feel like a road trip? Check out Free Things to do in Orlando for Easter!]

1. Tampa Riverwalk

It doesn’t cost a dime to take a stroll along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk with your date this Easter. Stretching 2.6 miles, the waterfront walkway is popular with walkers, bikers and joggers alike. Free things to do and activities include monthly outdoor concerts, sightseeing, a self-guided public art walking tour and the spacious Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park which is the perfect place to set up an afternoon picnic.

[ICYMI: Looking for kids’ stuff for Easter in Tampa Bay like Easter Egg Hunts and Easter Events?]

2. Pinellas Trail

Stretching from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg, the 38-mile Pinellas Trail is a former railway that was repurposed as a multi-use trail, and is a great no-cost thing to do in St. Pete. Bring along your bike and hit the trail on two wheels making pitstops to check out the Tarpon Springs sponge docks, park for a refreshing brew (I love 7venth Sun Brewing in Dunedin) and stroll through hip downtown Dunedin. If you feel like making a side trip to the beach, you can follow another pedestrian trail across the Dunedin Causeway for a visit to Honeymoon Island State Park.

Admission for cyclists is $2 (close enough to free for a mention!). We love this idea to get moving and a free things to do in Tampa for Easter.

3. Hit the beach

A major perk of living in the Tampa Bay area is close proximity to the area’s incredible, award-winning beaches. Head to Madeira Beach this Easter to stroll the shops at John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk, or laze the day away on the quaint and full of character Anna Maria Island. Other local go-tos include St. Pete Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Fort De Soto ($5 beach parking), and Clearwater Beach. Or, do as the locals do and watch a sunset from Ben T. Davis Beach.

4. Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum

Walk just north of Vinoy Park in St. Pete and you’ll find Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum, a lush park filled with hundreds of palms. This tropical paradise offers 2 acres of waterfront zen where you can see more than 500 palms and cycads from around the world. Winding red brick paths lead you through the park and past open green spaces which serve as the perfect location for setting up a picnic. Parking and admission are free.

5. Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival

Soaking up a spectacular Gulf coast sunset is a favorite pastime of Tampa Bay locals. Why not turn the event into a full blown celebration this Easter by attending the nightly Sunsets at Pier 60 Festival on Clearwater Beach? Nearly every night of the year visitors, street performers, and artisans gather for a lively sunset celebration that’s a must anytime you’re in the area.

6. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

This waterfront park located steps from the Tampa Riverwalk offers abundant open-air breezes and draws many couples to its beautiful and sprawling green-filled space. Add this to your list of free things to do in Tampa for Easter.

7. Explore local nature preserves

The beach is always a solid choice for a free outdoorsy date, but for a different experience head to one of Tampa Bay’s local nature preserves this Easter. Boasting 3,190 acres, boardwalk trails and scenic observation decks, Weedon Island Preserve is ideal for nature lovers. Just 45 minutes from downtown Tampa you’ll find Brooker Creek Preserve, another free preserve spread out across 8,700 acres. Discover six unique hiking trails of varying lengths weaving through wetlands, oak hammocks, pine flatwoods and cypress swamps.

8. Self-guided mural tours Tampa/St. Pete

Get your art fix by embarking on a self-guided tour of Tampa Bay’s impressive murals. The City of Tampa has a helpful list of murals and their locations, and Tampa Downtown Partnership’s Downtown Mural Tour lists even more murals around town. But Downtown St. Pete is the best place to discover colorful murals and snap a few new photos with your boo. Go on a self-guided adventure for free with this mural map or spring for an organized walking mural tour of the area (this option isn’t free, but worth the splurge if you’re interested).

9. Florida Botanical Gardens

De-stress amidst spacious themed gardens and natural areas at Florida Botanical Gardens. Admission is free to this lush oasis and it’s also picnic-friendly, so pack a blanket and some snacks! Stroll the boardwalks, listen to the soothing water fountains, spot unique art and visit themed areas like a butterfly garden and succulent garden. The gardens are pet friendly and are open daily from 7am-5pm.

10. Saturday Morning Market Free Things to Do

Not quite on Easter Sunday, but close! Experience one of the top farmer’s markets in the US right here in St. Pete! Every Saturday morning, the Al Lang Field parking lot in downtown St. Pete comes alive with around 170 vendors during the Saturday Morning Market. Besides fresh produce and artisans selling unique goods, there’s live music and multiple options for grabbing a bite. The Saturday Morning Market runs from early October through late May, while the Summer Market, located at Williams Park, runs from June to August.

11. Jose Marti Park

Visit Cuba without leaving Ybor at Jose Marti Park. This small park (it’s only 0.14 acres) has been owned by the Cuban government since 1956, so yep, you’re basically going on a visit to Cuba when you step inside! The park honors José Martí, a poet, writer, literary figure and Cuban national hero. Combine this park with a visit to Florida Cane Distillery which is less than a 5-minute walk away.

12. Pack a picnic

Tampa Bay is home to dozens of scenic parks and trails that serve as the ideal setting for a romantic picnic — the perfect free things to do in Tampa for Easter. Pack up some gourmet cheese, meats and snacks and set up your own DIY feast with a scenic park as your backdrop. A few of our favorite options include Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Vinoy Park, Lettuce Lake Park ($2 entry fee) and Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum.

13. Courtney Campbell Trail

Looking to burn some serious calories this Easter? Pack up your bike and hit the Courtney Campbell Trail, a great free thing to do which stretches over Old Tampa Bay for 10 miles connecting Tampa and Clearwater. Make sure to stop periodically to look for dolphins or just soak up the view. Parking is available at Ben T Davis Beach. Check out more bike ride ideas here.

14. Wat Mongkolratanaram Buddhist Temple

Looking to do something out of the ordinary? Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida (Wat Tampa) is a gorgeous waterfront Buddhist Temple that’s free to visit. The best day to go is on Sunday for the weekly Sunday market, which features an assortment of Thai food plus Thai tea and coffee. The market typically runs from 9am-1pm, but this year they’re hosting their Songkran festival and will be open 9am to 3pm on Easter Sunday. You can also visit the main Temple when the grounds are open to the public, but make sure to respect Temple etiquette as outlined here.

15. Robinson Preserve

Instead of spending a full day at the beach, visit Robinson Preserve during your next visit to the quaint and full-of-character Anna Maria Island. It’s a free thing to do, explore the preserve’s multiple hiking trails and observation deck with views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. There’s also a designated kayaking trail. The park is open year round from sunrise to sunset.

16. Sunrise at Ballast Point Park

If you don’t mind rising early, make your way to Ballast Point Park to take in a beautiful sunrise over Hillsborough Bay. Stroll out along the 600-foot pier, soak up the views of the Tampa skyline, and bring along a picnic breakfast to enjoy afterwards. There are multiple picnic tables and open space throughout the park to sit and stay awhile.

17. Stroll Ybor City

Take a scenic stroll through the Ybor City Historic District for a fun way to spend an afternoon doing a free thing to do. Enjoy a free visit to Jose Marti Park and the Oakwood Cemetery or peruse the local art galleries. And for a nominal $4/person, you can stop by Ybor City Museum State Park housed inside a historic bakery from the 1920s. You’ll also be able to check out the museum’s cozy Mediterranean-style garden.

18. Tampa Riverwalk Public Art Walking Tour

Looking for a new way to explore the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk? Embark on a self-guided walking public art tour with this handy map as your guide, one of our favorite free things to do in Tampa for Easter. The tour includes 16 stops highlighting various works of art including sculptures, murals, mosaic and more.

19. Oaklawn Cemetery Walking Tour

Dating back to 1850, the historic Oaklawn Cemetery is an interesting, if a bit morbid, way to expand your knowledge of Tampa history. Here you can visit the graves of local historical figures, including Tampa’s first mayor, Joseph B. Lancaster, and Henry Laurens Mitchell, the 15th Governor of Florida. Follow the cemetery’s self-guided walking tour to visit the most notable graves, most of which include intriguing stories.

20. Upper Tampa Bay Trail

The Upper Tampa Bay Trail offers 7 beautiful miles of smooth riding for bikers (it’s great for walking, too!) in the northwest section of Hillsborough County. Bathrooms are plentiful along this scenic rail trail, as are picnic areas for snack breaks. Six trailheads provide access depending on where you want to kick off your ride this Easter, and a connection meets up with the Suncoast Trail for a longer ride. FYI: there is a $2 admission fee per vehicle if arriving by car.

21. Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center

Warm water discharging from a canal at Tampa Electric’s Big Bed Power Station has drawn manatees since 1986, and today the designated Manatee Viewing Center is a free place to see these gentle giants. The area is a designated manatee sanctuary and it’s best to visit during manatee season (winter months). While you’re there, walk the trail and boardwalk to climb the 50-foot observation tower.

22. Free Things to Do – Walking Tours

You don’t have to pay to join a tour to explore the city; many self-guided walking tours are available online and in person for free. Marvel at local buildings on an architecture tour through Downtown, Ybor City and Hyde Park. Or, join one of the Tampa Downtown Partnership’s free walking tours ($5 donation suggested if you can) October-May on select Fridays at noon. Or, enjoy the free Postcard Tour, an audio tour that will take you around the grounds of the historic Tampa Bay Hotel.

23. Catch a sunset

For a romantic and totally free activity, head to a local park or beach for spectacular sunset views this Easter. A few of our favorite local spots include Davis Islands Beach, Clearwater Beach (pair it up with the nightly sunset festival at Pier 60), and Anna Maria Island. Check out our post on the Best Places to Watch a Tampa Bay Sunset Together for more ideas.

24. Explore Bayshore Boulevard

Bayshore Boulevard is a beautiful road to explore on foot or by bike. Throughout the 4.5-mile, 10-foot wide continuous paved path, there are no intersections, breaks, or obstacles in your way. Time your ride to soak up views of the bay during sunrise or sunset. Looking at the mansions lining the other side of the road is fun, too!

25. TECO Line Streetcar System

The TECO Streetcar is a convenient and free way to get around Ybor, Channelside and parts of downtown. The 2.7-mile route gives you hop on, hop off access that’ll plant you within walking distance of stops like the Ybor City Museum, The Florida Aquarium, Sparkman Wharf, and Amalie Arena. Depending on the day, service starts either at 7am or 8:30am and continues late until 11pm, or 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.

26. Ben T Davis Beach

After a workout on the Courtney Campbell Trail, reward yourself with some beach time at Ben T Davis Beach, one of the many free things to do in Tampa for Easter. This sunny bayfront beach is a chill place to spend a few hours or catch a sunset. FYI: parking fees do apply here.

27. Instagrammable spots

Play tourist for the day and snap some new couple selfies together at some of the most picturesque locations in town, many of which are free to visit. Explore our picks for the best spots in Tampa and St. Pete.

Feature image credit: Tampa Riverwalk

And if you’re looking for some neat things to do with kids this month in Tampa, Tampa Bay Parenting’s weekend list of things to do is your ticket! They’re also sharing their favorite free things to do with the kids in Tampa Bay too!