Traveling to a new state or a new country is thrilling, but many students (including myself) are on a budget. A wonderful thing about going to a city school is the ability to find adventure right around the corner, in a convenient and cost-effective way.
If you feel like you’re in a rut and need to get out of the house, or you just want to seek out a new, fun experience with friends on a Saturday, there are many options to do so in the Tampa Bay area. Here are a few recommendations for seeking adventure close to campus:
- Escape Room
If you want to be transported to a different time or place and solve a mystery with friends, you should try an escape room! Can You Escape? is a 15-minute drive from campus, and costs approximately $35 per person. An escape room is a great way to tap into your imagination and test your puzzle-solving skills. It’s also a great way to bond with family and friends.
https://www.pexels.com/photo/light-man-people-woman-5427442/ cottonbro studio
- Skydiving
If you’re a daredevil looking for more of a thrilling adrenaline rush, skydiving is an activity that will definitely get your heart racing! Jump Florida is a 40-minute drive from campus and costs about $150-$200. Although it’s more pricey than the other options on this list and needs a bit more planning in advance, it’ll definitely be worth it to cross it off your bucket list. If outdoor skydiving isn’t within your budget right now, indoor skydiving is a great alternative. iFly Tampa is an indoor skydiving experience that’s just a 15-minute drive from campus. It costs about $65-$85 per person, with two flights each.
Photo courtesy of Otra ruta.
- Rage Room
If the stress of finals is getting to you or you need to unleash some of your angst, a rage room is the perfect outlet to do so. A rage room is a room filled with materials that you can smash and break with baseball bats and hammers in a contained and safe environment. Smash Room Tampa is a 15-minute drive from campus and costs $50 for a 20-minute individual session. They also offer many different group sessions for longer amounts of time at the same price.
Photo courtesy of cottonbro studio.
- Windsurfing
Windsurfing is a great and fun form of exercise, and it’s always nice to try a new activity with friends. Windsurfing is a combination of surfing and sailing, where each individual stands on a surfboard connected to a sail that they use to coast through waves. North Beach Windsurfing in St. Pete offers individual lessons for $190 per person or group lessons for $125 per person. It’s one of the more expensive activities on this list, so a good watersport alternative could be renting paddle boards in St. Pete.
Photo courtesy of Costas Antwnakakis.
- Weeki Wachee
A student favorite, Weeki Wachee is a must-do during your time in Tampa. Weeki Wachee is a state park that has beautiful blue springs in which visitors can rent paddle boards or kayaks and coast through. Both options are $32 per person. It’s the perfect way to spend a Saturday if you want to leave the city for a bit and enjoy the amazing nature Florida has to offer. The one downside is the hour-long drive to Spring Hill, so I would recommend going with a group of friends!
- Explore Downtown St. Pete
Downtown St. Pete is a 30-minute drive from campus and offers many new experiences. The area is covered in vibrant street art, and there are a lot of different food options that you need to try. My food recommendations include Bodega, Pacific Counter, and Spice Culture Express, just to name a few. They also have clothing and crystal shops to peek your head into.
- Go-karting
If you’re on a budget, go-karting is an easy way to get an adrenaline rush. Tampa Bay Grand Prix is a 15-minute drive from campus and is only $19 per person to race. Each race lasts about 45 minutes. This is a great way to unleash your inner child and get out of the house for a bit. It’s active, but also doesn’t require a lot of athleticism.
Photo courtesy of Alex Urezkov.
- Axe Throwing
Even though axe throwing is an activity that may take a bit more athleticism, Axe Throwing Tampa is a 13-minute drive from campus and costs $35 per person. If you really want to step outside your comfort zone and test your abilities, this is a great activity for you. This would also be perfect if you want to go on a really memorable date. Although it’s intimidating, at Axe Throwing Tampa, they have safety precautions in place and instructors to guide you through it all.
Photo courtesy of Airam Dato-on.
