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Mom's day out (or off)

By SHARON KENNEDY WYNNE
Published May 10, 2007

Several bay area attractions are offering free goodies to moms on Sunday. But what she really might want is some free time. Check out these suggestions for where to take mom - or where to take the kids to give her a break.

MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY: Moms get into MOSI free on Sunday with paid child admission. See the new Disasterville exhibit that shows the science behind natural disasters. 4801 E Fowler Ave., Tampa. (813) 987-6100; www.mosi.org. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $19.95 adults, $17.95 seniors and $15.95 ages 2-12.

FLORIDA AQUARIUM: Moms get in free Saturday and Sunday with paid child admission. Check out the new 5, 000-gallon touch tank with cownose sting rays and bamboo sharks at 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 273-4000; www.flaquarium.org. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $17.95, $14.95 seniors, $12.95 ages 2-11.

LOWRY PARK ZOO: Moms admitted free with child admission Sunday to the 56-acre natural habitat zoological park at 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. (813) 935-8552; www.lowryparkzoo.com. 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $16.95, $15.95 seniors, $12.50 ages 3-11.

ORCHID AND ROSE FANTASY: Gorgeous flowers will be in abundance at this free event at the botanical gardens at the University of South Florida, with vendors selling orchids and rose bushes. Tampa Orchid Club members will be on hand to answer questions, and there will be live jazz in the gardens starting at noon. Free orchids for the first 100 mothers Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the gardens off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in Tampa. (813) 974-2329; www.cas.usf.edu/garden.

FLORIDA GULF COAST RAILROAD MUSEUM: Moms ride free on the vintage trains' 13-mile excursions with paid child admission Sunday. Trains depart at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on 83rd Street E behind post office in Parrish. $10 adults, $6 ages 3-11. Toll-free 1-877-869-0800; www.frrm.org.

MOTE MARINE AQUARIUM: Mothers admitted free with paid child ticket on Sunday, and there will be a special "Mommy and Me at Mote" event for mothers and their 2- to 5-year-olds to learn about the underwater world of marine mommies at 1 p.m. 1600 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota. (941) 388-4441; www.mote.org. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. $15, $10 ages 4-12.

WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS: Mothers admitted free with paid child admission both Saturday and Sunday. The Buccaneer Bay Water Park is open, as is the 200-acre nature park with underwater "mermaid" show and botanical gardens. U.S. 19 S at State Road 50 in Weeki Wachee. (352) 596-2062; www.weekiwachee.com. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily. $22.95 adults, $15.95 ages 3-10 (includes both attractions).

Take the kids out

DISNEY ON ICE: See the cast of The Incredibles, as well as Mickey, Minnie and other Disney favorites on ice through Sunday at the St. Pete Times Forum, 401 Channelside Drive, Tampa. (813) 301-2500; www.stpetetimesforum.com. $19.75-$41.75.

THREE DOG NIGHT AT BUSCH GARDENS: How fitting that the band that gave us the hit Mama Told Me Not to Come will perform at Busch Gardens on Sunday. The show starts at 5 p.m. and is included with park admission. Toll-free 1-888-800-5447; www.buschgardens.com, $61.95 adults, $51.95 children ages 3-9. Florida resident and advance discounts online.

COTEE RIVER SEAFOOD FESTIVAL AND BOAT SHOW: Sunday is Rockin' by the River day, with music from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Sims Park and Orange Lake areas of downtown New Port Richey. There also will be seafood specialties, children's activities, boat tours on the river and fishing talks. Admission is $2.

ALEX IN WONDERLAND AND BETRAYAL: Kids take over the stage in these two short plays by Venue Youth Theatre. The fractured fairy tales start at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Mainlands Plaza, 9125 U.S. 19 N, Pinellas Park. $7; $30 for family five-pack. Reservations, (727) 822-6194.

[Last modified May 9, 2007, 10:47:33]