Fun Things To Do Memorial Weekend in Pinellas County

Looking for fun things to do Memorial Weekend in Pinellas County?  Whether you are interested in spending the day at the beach, or at a Memorial Day Veteran's Service, from the southern tip of St. Pete Beach to Trinity, we have you covered.  Perhaps you want to spend the weekend, or have a date and want something unique and interesting to do one day, if so we have got "the List" for you!  Check out the fun things to do this Memorial Weekend including both family-friendly and adult ideas:
 

Memorial Services, Parades, More

Veterans Memorial Service at Bay Pines begins Monday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. at Bay Pines National Cemetery located at 10,000 Bay Pines Blvd., the only National Cemetery in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties the Bay Pines service is the largest observance of Memorial Day in the area. Veterans, their families, friends, and the general public are invited to attend, more than 3000+ visitors are expected.  On Saturday, May 28th, volunteers from the community mark the 35,000+ graves at the cemetery with U.S. flags to honor the men and women who proudly defended our freedom as service mean and women. This year's speakers include U.S. Rep. David Jolly, and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. (R) Martin Steele.  Lt. Gen. Steele rose from private to three-star general as he served three tours of duty on two continents. Lt. Gen. Steele is the longest serving COO in the history of the Marines. Melissa Eichman from Bay News 9 will MC and musical performances will be provided by the Brass Ring Quintet. Vietnam Veterans who attend the ceremony receive a special lapel pin in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. Shuttles will provide transportation to and from parking areas, the venue is handicapped accessible.  A sign language interpreter will be available for the hearing impaired.  The ceremony will be held rain or shine.  Please plan appropriately for inclement weather.

8th Annual Memorial Day Fun Fest takes place Monday, May 30th, from 10 am - 3 pm. The museum, if you have not been, displays a spectacular military history collection. Tampa Bay Magazine named this interactive, dynamic, exciting and informative museum the Best of the Bay in 2009. Truly a great way to view and experience military history this is not a place you visit, it's a place to get involved!  Animated dioramas put you in the action with accurate accounts by individuals who lived through battle. Walk history from WWI to present day at the 8th annual Family Fun Fest and enjoy an obstacle course, bounce house, face painting, a video game truck, a tractor pit, WWII re-enactors, the Bomber Girls, museum tours, and military vehicle rides. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. The memorial ceremony begins at noon with Congressman David Jolly and local veterans. This event is wheelchair friendly, and Walgreens will provide free beach balls for the kids. Immerse yourself in military history this Memorial Day. Tickets are $10 adult and $5 for children ages 4-12. 

 
Dunedin Concert Band in Freedom Park “Parade Your Patriotism” takes place Sunday the weekend before on May 22nd at 5:00 pm in John R Lawrence Pioneer Park at 420 Main Street in Downtown Dunedin. It's free to attend, a $10 donation is recommended to support this wonderful band and all they do for the community. Bring your chairs, pack a late lunch/early dinner and relax as they perform your favorite patriotic songs LIVE in downtown DUNEDIN!

Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony Join the City of Largo in honoring those who have lost their lives fighting for us May 30 at 7 pm in Largo Central Park's Military Court of Honor. The evening will include a color guard presentation, music and a wreath presentation in remembrance of our fallen soldiers. Free and open to the public bring chairs or blankets and celebrate freedom, recognize sacrifice, pay your respects at Largo Central Park, 101 Central Park Drive. This event is wheelchair accessible.
 

Family Friendly Things To Do Memorial Weekend in Pinellas

Yankees at Tampa Bay Rays Salute to Veterans, Sunday May 29 at 1:10 pm. MLB invites you to recognize Armed Forces veterans across the world and in our community as you watch the Rays take on the New York Yankees from a discounted seat in the Lower Level and receive a Salute to Veterans t-shirt for just $29!  Teams are planning special pre-game presentations commemorating the men and women who protect our country. Special Event tickets are subject to dynamic pricing, when purchased through their website using the password VETS1. The deadline to purchase your Salute to Veterans Day ticket is Friday, May 26 at 11:59 p.m. ET. Groups of 10 or more receive additional discounting, preferred seating, and a scoreboard welcome. To place your group order, call 727-342-5719 or email groupsales@raysbaseball.com

Beach it at Fort De Soto Park, Tour and Bring a Picnic.  A grand idea any day! Enjoy the beach, rent a canoe or kayak and take in the natural beauty as far as the eye can see. Fort De Soto Park offers a wealth of bird life, sea life, wild life and plant life. The largest park in Pinellas County Fort De Soto covers 1,136 acres across five interconnected keys. The keys are home to beach plants, mangroves, wetlands, palm hammocks, hardwoods and several native plants. Each playing its role in the preservation and protection of the natural environment. The beach also provides refuge to the loggerhead sea turtle, which nests between April and September, so many teachable moments at Fort De Soto! Named America’s Top Beach in 2009 by Trip Advisor, in 2005, “Dr. Beach,” named Fort De Soto the nation’s #1 Beach! They have a boat launch, reserved picnic shelters, playgrounds, concession stands, restrooms, trails, fishing piers, and you can hop on the ferry to Egmont Key!  Self-guide yourself through the Fort and Museum with the handy online guide, print it off, pack a picnic lunch and dinner, grab your beach gear and head out to explore, staying for sunset.  Don't forget your camera!

Camp Overnight At Fort DeSoto  Why not make it a weekend, check online to see if you can reserve or consider grabbing one of the 'walk-up' sites.  The Park System has procedures in place allowing for last minute campers to grab a spot. Check the website for details. As frequent family campers at this park we enjoy the waterfront sites, hiking, proximity to the beach, kayaks and canoes. We have seen manatees, dolphins, dozens of bird species and witnessed a loggerhead come up out of the water to lay her eggs, dragging herself back to sea while camping at Fort De Soto Park.  

Hooters Clearwater Beach Uncle Sam Memorial Day Weekend 5K With Optional Swim Prefer to workout on Memorial Day, many of us do! You are in luck, The Clearwater Beach Uncle Sam Memorial Day Weekend 5K is one of 4 annual races held by the Hooter's group. All registrants receive a Hooter's race T-shirt and a cool finisher's medal at the line. Following the race move across the street to Hooters Clearwater Beach where you get free Hooters wings and Michelob Ultra. Awards are presented at the after-party to the top 10 males and females in each race!! Check in opens at 8 am in front of Pier 60. You can opt-in for the Ocean Swim beginning at 9 am, the 5K kicks off at 10 am Sunday, May 29th. 

Free Memorial Day Water Ski Show on Tower Lake in Oldsmar.  Come out Saturday May 28th at 5:30 pm to cheer the team on as they entertain you in preparation for Southern Region Tournament in Sarasota on June 18th at the  FREE Water Ski Shows at Tower Lake

Photo courtesy of Ski Club Facebook

Hike Sawgrass! Sawgrass Lake Park is one of those places you could drive by all your life and never know it was there. Chances are good you have passed it many times heading south on 275 from Clearwater to St. Petersburg.  Peering out the window as you pass you might think you are seeing a bit of a golf-course in the woods; fact is, it is a fabulous park, a place Pinellas students visit on field trips. We totally loved it the first time we 'discovered' this gem hidden in Pinellas County; years later we continue to visit as often as we can.  Here's how we did it: Before leaving the house we grabbed backpacks, water and our favorite hiking sandwich, watercolor paper, a couple small aluminum pie pans (tart size) a handful of watercolor paint tubes and paint brushes.  We take hats, binoculars and a camera.  Sawgrass Lake Park is good-sized at 400 acres and boasts one of the largest maple swamps on the Gulf Coast of Florida. The kids love the park’s mile-long boardwalk and half-mile dirt trails where we saw snakes, birds, butterflies, plants and animals in their natural settings tucked away in the most densely populated county in Florida. Herons, egrets, ibis, wood storks, alligators and turtles can be seen along the canals and lakes from the trails, boardwalk and observation tower. We eat in the tower and watch the alligators. You will find plenty of places to pull up a rock, sit and paint! Each of us had our own watercolor pad, when ourr 'masterpieces' were dry we'd close them up and tuck them away until our next adventure. As difficult as it was, we left them intact, not tearing anything out to display it.  You will treasure their watercolor painting pad looking back and remembering great day spent under the trees at Sawgrass, the beach, wherever you explore and spend time together.

Bike the Pinellas Trail. The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail runs from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs. A great place to walk, jog, skate or bike it is sure to be busy Memorial Day. You will find rest stops with restrooms, drinks, bike racks, trash cans, telephones, trail maps and water. Paved parking areas with benches and trail map stations. Besides the nature paths you will also come across areas of commerce including, bars, restaurants, craft breweries like 7venth Sun Brewing and shops along the way. Get out, get some fresh air Memorial Weekend and check out the Pinellas Trail! 

Photo from Sawgrass Lake Park by permission Kim Langevin

Zipline at Empower Adventures in Oldsmar, the FIRST Zipline park in the Bay area! Empower Adventures is located at 423 Lafayette Blvd. Come fly Memorial Weekend at Zip On! Take the family or group of friends for an unforgettable Memorial Day zip from a 55-foot-tall start tower! They have a total of five zip lines, a 100-foot suspension bridge and an adventure park with log bridges, catwalk bridges, steps, tires, and poles. Do something different and get your Zip On! Zip over Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve, empower yourself on the ropes course, zip through the dark on a moonlight zip or combine the experiences for 3 - 4 hours of fun and excitement! (Note: They are not officially open but you can book your fun now!) 

Try the New Cobb Tyrone Luxury10 Theater. This state-of-the-art digital theater is an immersive movie-going experience you must try! Enjoy your BIG reserved reclining seats at the New Cobb Tyrone Luxury10 Theater; go early or stay after the movie to dine in Cobbster's Kitchen & Bar (MENU) or take your meal to your seat!  Just want snacks? Pop through the walk-through concession including a barista bar and homemade New York style pizza you can buy by the slice or as a pie! Grab a cocktail or beer and enjoy the new releases.  X-Men will be out, Nice Guys, Alice Through the Looking Glass and more.  Click the link to see what's playing. Tickets are: Adult - $11.00 / Matinee (4 pm and earlier) -$8.00 / Child (ages 3-12) -$7.75 / Seniors (60 & older) -$8.00 Student/Military (With Valid ID.) - $10.00 3D: Add $3.00

Memorial Day movie Marathon Order red, white and blue Patriotic Popcorn beforehand and plan to spend the day binge watching patriotic movies like, Hamburger Hill, Glory, Saving Private Ryan and The Longest Day, all found on Forbes.com's list of the Top Ten Memorial Day Movies. Set up a backyard theater or cuddle with family on the couch as you watch these classic military themed movies while munching on favorite snacks. The idea is not to budge, so keep you phone handy and order delivery when it's time to eat! (Funny how TV changed the word 'marathon' to mean NO physical activity, right!)

Catch a flick at the Drive-In Sadly the two Drive-Ins in Pinellas County have gone dark with the sale of the 28th Street Drive-In, but you can still experience the Drive-in across the bay in Tampa! Head to Fun Lan Drive-in at 2302 E. Hillsborough Avenue with the family or your favorite date and experience the past this memorial Day! Chuck, now in his 70's has worked the drive-in since Day1 in 1950! The Fun-Lan is thriving; and screening your choice of 3 sets of double features on each of its three screens. It has both traditional speakers and a local FM broadcast for the soundtrack if you prefer. Admission is $3.50 for adults, kids under 10 are admitted free! See what's playing here!
 
Staycation at Tradewinds Island Grand Resort, they have two kids clubs creatively created with kids for kids. Lil Kids and KONK allow your children (ages 4-12) to learn about where they are, it's environment and importance as they explore the beaches and waterways. They can try off-shore fishing and enjoy gulf-themed fun listening to an old pirate captain spin tales of the sea. They can delve into KONK club to paint and create, celebrate a birthday, and more.  With you they can ride the lazy river circling and winding its way through the resort and play in the 15K+ water park on site. On 20 acres and with 10 restaurants & bars, 5 swimming pools, Cabanas, Hammocks, live swans, a 3 story tall triple slide, Dive - In Movies, a spa, tennis courts, paddle boats and Gazebos it's not difficult to imagine why The Tradewinds is listed as one of the Top 100 Family Resorts in the US. Check their website for availability. Grabbing rooms at the last minute can be a bargain for local residents looking to Staycation. 
 

More Adult Fun Things To Do Memorial Weekend in Pinellas County

Memorial Day Sandbar Concert off Weedon Island. Sunday May 29th from Noon to 5:30 pm you can attend a concert in the waters off Weedon Island. Yes, at the 9th Annual FREE Floating Sandbar Concert the stage floats and you pull up to this one in your motor boat, kayak or canoe.  Depending on the tide the water is either waist or ankle deep in spots, you can easily stand. Pack your sunscreen, coolers, water chairs, and rafts for a day of great music with fun people on the water at Weedon. 

 
Photo by permission of Sandbar Concerts

Spend the Day at Safety Harbor Resort and Spa or choose to Staycation Memorial Weekend at the state's first spa celebrate 90 years with a special $90 per day room rate! Add a spa package and renew your energy in Florida's only natural mineral spring resort spa. Explore this historic landmark and the quaint shops, restaurants bars and breweries located in an near beautiful Safety Harbor, FL. The Bay Breeze package is a local's best bet, Perfect for a quick getaway the Package includes a gorgeous guest room or full suite, a complete Buffet Breakfast each day and either a 25 min. Spa Massage, 25 Min. Spa Facial, Espiritu Springs Mineral Bath or Herbal Wrap.  You also have access to the 50,000 sq. ft. spa and fitness center, including the Spa Sanctuary and Tranquility Garden, all regularly scheduled fitness classes, pools, saunas, steam rooms and whirlpools. No minimum stay is required; packages range from $127 per night for a Signature King room to $227 a night for Full Suite with a pool or Bay view. Pamper yourself this holiday. 

Play Shuffleboard! The St. Petersburg Shuffleboard Club will be open Friday May 27th during normal hours, 7 pm to 11 pm and will be open to members the rest of the weekend. How long has it been since you played? Trust us, it is just as much fun, if not more fun today! Consider buying a membership and playing more often, Friday nights are FREE and run by club member volunteers. Things you should know before you go:

• This is a private recreational club, where you are the guest.
• Courts are first come first served and they limit to two courts per group, and eight people per group.
• No walking on the courts.
• You can bring food and drinks. No glass bottles on the courts.
• No smoking, excessive drinking, bad language, etc.
• Please clean up around your court when you’re finished.
• Keep Friday nights free with a suggested donation of $2 for non-members
• Open from 7-11 PM, weather permitting.
• Please do not grab equipment earlier than 7 PM, let the volunteers set up.
• Well behaved dogs are welcome. Please bring a water bowl with you, and clean up after your pet.

Membership is inexpensive! Only $30 pp individual or $50 per family for the year.  As a single member you can bring 1-3 guests with you to play, as a family two adults and all children are included, you can bring up to 5 guests and take 2 courts. Located at 559 Mirror Lake Dr. N. | St. Petersburg Ten years young join the shuffleboard movement, head over to have some fun and join people of ALL ages as they enjoy the outdoors playing a centuries old game that never lost its appeal.

Take the Historical Vinoy Hotel Tour and grab Lunch Friday or Saturday May 27th or 28th.  Take a tour of this historic Grande old hotel where you will find its history not only below your feet in the original 1920's hand-made quarry tiles and over-head in the pecky-cypress beams but on the walls in historical vignettes placed to familiarize you with this amazing place! The hotel has a storied history, one worth knowing! Call the hotel's Navigator to book a one-hour tour or a tour with lunch beneath the restored frescoes in Marchand's.  Lunch, learn, and live the history of The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club on a docent-guided tour of the historic building and gardens. Listen to tales of bygone galas, how the hotel came to pass, about the famous guests who frequented the Grand Dame, and visit a comprehensive history exhibit with artifacts before stepping into Marchand's for a 4-star lunch. Tours depart at 10:30 Wednesdays through Saturdays.  The tour is only $10 per person, add the three-course lunch in the stunning, historic dining room, for $27 per person. Following the tour, we recommend grabbing a glass of wine or craft cocktail on the Veranda. Sit in a rocker or lounge on a comfy couch, relax as the breeze slows caresses your cares away at this gem of a hotel!

Segway St. Pete. Take the Ultimate tour, a Sunset tour or the VIP tour with Segway St. Pete! The ultimate 70 minute Segway tour experience takes you through Historical St. Petersburg. Limited to six people through radio equipped safety helmets you can experience beautiful architecture, the world class Dali Museum and the elegant Renaissance Vinoy Hotel.  Explore movie film locations along the waterfront and marinas where you will see the site of the first commercial flight. Never ridden a Segway before? No problem, they offer a FREE 20 minute Segway orientation before every tour! It is easy fun and informative! Cost is $50 pp, tours leave at 11:30 am and last 90 minutes, you must be 11 years old to tour. Sunset Segway tours leave at 3:00, 5:00 and 7:00 pm, and include information about 'haunted' buildings and ghostly apparitions!  The VIP tour includes a picnic lunch and admission to The Dali Museum. Cost is $95 pp. The VIP tour is available Tues - Sun only at 11:30 am.  Ride captain, ride this Memorial Day - learn to Segway!

Go on a Beach Jolley Trolley Tour and explore aboard the Suncoast Beach Trolley . The trolley system is extensive, allowing you to get your grouper on as you explore area beaches, restaurants and local attractions without worries regarding directions, a DUI or parking your car. Hop on the Beach Trolley and tour the Gulf Beaches from Clearwater to Indian Rocks, Indian Shores, Redington Shores, North Redington, Redington, Madeira, St. Pete Beach and Pass-a-Grille.  Check out the landscape and attractions near one stop or several as you get a complete view of our Gulf Coast communities.  Find new shopping and dining spots you might have passed up when driving.  Up to three children, five years old or younger, ride free with an adult, full-day unlimited ride passes are your best bet at only $5. Trolleys arrive at their stops every 20 to 30 minutes between 5 a.m. and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 pm on Sunday and Monday. Enjoy Pier 60 at sunset, or The Clearwater Marine Aquarium, pristine Sand-Key, Indian Rocks Beach and John's Pass, St. Pete Beach & Pass-a-Grille where you can shop Corey Avenue and explore 'The Don" and the Gulf Beaches Historical Museum.  (psssst - be sure to stop at the Original Candy Kitchen in Madeira-the bus driver will know!) With countless opportunities for wining, dining, karaoke at Friendly Tavern or craft beer from Mad Beach Brewing you can spend the day or the weekend 'the island way' on the gulf shores of Pinellas County.

Craft Brewery Tour - Get that Uber app and plan your attack. With 31 craft breweries in operation or soon to open you have MANY choices.

Farm Stand / Meal Plan. Huh? What is that? With food at the center of most people's thoughts when planning a holiday, Memorial Weekend is kicking off summer and we are thinking BBQ and Blueberry Pie! Why not start this holiday differently by planning a trip to local U-Pick farms to gather Blueberries, why grab them from the store?  The result of this year's bumper crop means farms are over-loaded and begging us to pick, pick, pick!  Prices are down so grab more than you need and freeze the blueberries you don't use; let's help a farmer this year! Plan your Memorial Weekend meals ahead of time and shop local produce stands, markets and farms for the freshest ingredients. Better yet, get inspired, let the produce inspire your dish, see what they have and go from there! What will you be serving this year? Can you buy any of the ingredients direct from a local farm? Check out this comprehensive list of farms and fresh markets stands in Tampa Bay:

  
We hope you enjoy this list of Fun Things to Do Memorial Weekend in Pinellas County and try one if not several of the experiences listed.  Please let us know in comments below if we overlooked anything and we will add it! Have a safe and happy Memorial Day Weekend as we salute our troops, paying tribute to those who lost their lives. While Memorial Day is a fun celebration of our freedom we must never forget, freedom comes at a price.  Believing a picture is worth a thousand words we hope the following photo inspires gratefulness for the sacrifice others made to keep us safe. Thank you to all who serve from the MyArea Network family at 727area, 813area, 407area, 352area and 512area.com.  
Note:  Title photo made using Studio Graphic App photo and Canva Graphics