Free and cheap things to do in the Tampa Bay area in November

Sharon Kennedy Wynne, Tampa Bay Times
·4 min read

As we navigate higher prices for everything from school supplies to groceries, the cost of entertaining ourselves has also gone up. In this space we regularly will take a look at some of the deals to be found and highlight things happening around the Tampa Bay area that won’t break the bank.

Here are some options in November:

Sanding Ovations: Be on the lookout for world champion sand sculptors when they descend on Treasure Island for this annual competition starting the weekend before Thanksgiving. While the weekend itself brings fun things like fireworks on Nov. 19 and live music on the beach Nov. 17-20, the sculptures tend to last for weeks after the competition has ended. It makes for a great outing if you have family visiting for Thanksgiving. You’ll find the sculptures just off the Treasure Island beach access at 10400 Gulf Blvd. sandingovationsmasterscup.com.

Glass blowing: St. Petersburg put itself on the map of the glass art world, first by bringing acclaimed artist Dale Chihuly for an exhibit that later turned into a permanent collection housed in a museumlike gallery of works by the superstar glass artist. And in 2019, the esteemed Glass Art Society held its 48th conference in St. Petersburg, bringing an international community of artists and collectors. At the top of every hour Wednesdays through Sundays, from 1 to 4 p.m., you can see live glass-blowing demonstrations at the Morean Glass Studio. The demonstration is included with admission to the Chihuly Collection, located across the street. Or you can pay $10 to check out resident glass artists creating unique works of art. All of the pieces are for sale in the adjacent glass shop at 714 First Ave. N, St. Petersburg. 727-822-7872.

Fall corn mazes: Only in Florida do you have to put on sunscreen and pack some water bottles to get through a corn maze, but darn it, the calendar says it’s fall and we have corn mazes. Polk City’s Harvest Holler Corn Maze runs through Nov. 13. The farm has family activities including a maze, an animal adventure hayride, a cow barrel train, tire swings, a slide and a miniature golf course. $15, $12 ages 2-12/seniors/military, 1 and younger free Fridays through Sundays at 950 Tavares Road, Polk City. 352-895-8687. harvestholler.com. Sweetfields Farm in Masaryktown has a corn maze and pumpkin patch running through Nov. 6 with mazes, a tree house play area, tumbleweed rollers, jumbo foosball, pitcher pump duck races, crafts, pedal tractors, a harvest barn, pumpkin patch, visits with animals and photo ops. $10.75, 2 and younger free. 117250 Benes Roush Road, Masaryktown. 352-279-0977. sweetfieldsfarm.com.

Cuban Pathways: The Tampa Bay History Center recently won a Gold Exhibition Award from the Southeastern Museums Conference for “Cuban Pathways,” its guide through 500 years of Cuban history and its Tampa connections. It is on exhibit until Feb. 11, telling the story through the lenses of individuals whose labor, political crusades and search for refuge illustrate Cuba’s complex history. There is an exhibit tour every Monday and Friday at 1:30 p.m. and every third Saturday at 1:30 p.m. from the Wayne Thomas Gallery on the fourth floor. Tours are included with museum admission. $16.95, students and seniors $14.95, age 6 and younger free. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at 801 Water St., Tampa.

Free Mondays at Ringling: One of the area’s most glamorous and most Gatsbyesque mansions belonged to the 19th century showman and his wife, John and Mable Ringling, whose home and art collection are available to tour in Sarasota. The man who produced the circus that was billed as the “greatest show on Earth” also had an eye for classic art that is on view at the Ringling Museum. Those elephants and clowns paid for the stone statues, carved gems, Renaissance-era paintings and gold jewelry that reveal the quality and depth of Ringling’s astonishing art collection. Enjoy free admission every Monday to a museum that is home to 21 galleries plus a spacious courtyard filled with sculptures. Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 5401 Bay Shore Road, Sarasota. 941-359-5700. ringling.org.