Hey Guys, I am back with fun, cheap or free things to do in Pasco County Florida. If you don’t know what’s going on check out my post Things to do in Florida by most popular counties. My family and I want to share the amazing things we do in Florida that are fun, cheap, or free.
If you are visiting Florida we want to give you some cheap, fun things to do with your family while in the state. I hope you continue to come back to keep up to date when I post about a new county. Please sign up for our newsletter to get the posts delivered right to your inbox.
If you are coming to Florida this summer leave a comment on here or message me in our Facebook Group. I will direct you to some good eats and places to go with your family.
The whole point of Our Redonkulous Life is to promote family adventures and to make memories. When finding things to do we try to stick with things that are either educational, outdoors, or plain ol’ fun for us. So without dragging the post on let’s get into the fun, cheap, or free things to do in Pasco County Florida.
Things to do in Pasco County Florida
Places to win in Pasco County
Stop N’ Play
The first stop on the fun, cheap or free things to do in Pasco County Florida… is when we want to stay semi-close to home we head to Stop N’ Play. This place has been around for as long as I can remember. When we started going I was about Mikayla’s age (10) and to see it still there… operational is amazing. I can now take my kids to my favorite spot and they think its cool.
Stop N’ Play is an arcade with lots of games for kids and toddlers as well as indoor mini-golf. They always have deals going on. Our Favorite is for 20 bucks you get 100 tokens and 2 rounds of mini-golf. Check out the promotion here. You earn tickets and get little prizes from the gift shop. Nothing fancy, but it’s still fun.
We can’t forget to mention the concession stand… that has slush puppies. Slush Puppie is my favorite kind of “Icee”. It’s perfect for summer and it tastes amazing. We always have a good time here at Stop N’ Play and think more people should come to enjoy it!
Places to play
Sim’s Park
Again, because I was born and raised in Pasco County. You best believe I will be including Sim’s Park in the fun, cheap, or free things to do in Pasco County Florida. This, as well as Stop N’ Play, were my 2 favorite places to go as a child. Sim’s Park has come a long way from when I was a kid. New Port Richey has put money into making this a hangout for all ages.
When I was a kid Sim’s Park was wooden, but oh man it had so many twists and turns. Going to the park to play tag was the best ever.
Now that they have put money in to build it up, they have more festivals, carnivals, and events there. On the Weekends we enjoy a movie in the park. The car gets loaded up with our dinner, drinks, and blankets. Playtime on the jungle gym till the movie starts and then enjoy the movie they are playing that weekend.
We enjoy the festivals and carnivals that Sim’s Park offers as well. In March they have Chasco Fiesta, to celebrate Indian heritage. You can’t forget the New Port Richey Caribbean Carnival and Festival in August. Most of all we celebrate Pride in October.
Don’t skip out on the day trip either, It is such a good place to go during the day. Go enjoy a picnic, play at the jungle gym, or in the water at the splash park. There is so much to enjoy at this park.
Places to hike in Pasco County
Starkey Park
When we want to get a good hike in, this is where we go. Starkey has so many trails and jungle gyms to play on. We spend our days exploring off the trail and finding hidden treasure spots. It’s a popular spot to have birthday parties because of the pavilions and picnic tables.
They use the wide-open field when you first enter for stargazing. You bring your telescope and they bring the stars. That’s not true, but they give you the open space to get an awesome view of them.
Not only do they have all that I mentioned above, but they make great use of their rental cabins in the offseason. In October for Halloween, they turn the cabins into haunted houses and it only costs a dollar to get in.
Around Christmas, they turn the cabins and some trails into a light show. One of our must-sees every year. Starkey is another one of those places we pack up lunch and head out for a day in nature.
Places to soak up the sun
New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center
A lot of the events that happen in Sim’s Park are in huge part to the NPR Aquatic Center. Anyone can enjoy their amenities for a small fee. Straight from their website, it says: “One need not be a City of New Port Richey resident to enjoy the amenities at the Aquatic Center!”
This is the place we went to Fusion Con, Here is the post if you wanna check it out. The Aquatic Center does Pool movie nights as well. You can chill in the pool in a floaty and watch a movie or just swim around.
What I find amazing here are the waterslides they have. They only have 2 but the kids love them. We also enjoy watching the kids at the skate park. Anyone can come to use that at any time at their own risk.
What more could you ask for? For a small fee for the day, you have access to the diving boards, basketball/tennis courts, and a ballet studio, plus so much more…
Places to enjoy movies in Pasco County
Joy-Lan Drive-in
Joy-Lan is one of 2 drive-in theaters semi-close to us. Going to the drive-in was another one of those great childhood memories I had growing up in Pasco. Coming up on October 31st, they will have been operating out of Dade City, Florida for over 69 years. They are also the last drive-in theater in Pasco County.
Granted we could watch a movie at home, but what is the fun in that? There is something so fun about packing up the car with our dinner, drinks, and snacks. You can’t forget the pillows and blankets, though.
It costs 6 bucks per person 10y + and 2 bucks for 4-9-year-olds. Joy-Lan is only open Wednesday- Sunday. They play the newest movies and do also provide a snack bar, with reasonable prices. We either see a matinee show at the Spring Hill Theater on Saturdays or we are at Joy-Lan.
Hope you enjoyed the post!
There you have it guys… I hope you enjoyed the fun, cheap, or free things to do in Pasco County Florida. Coming up next will be either Hernando County, Hillsborough County, or Pinellas County. I am working on them all at the same time.
In my previous post, I stated I wanted to make an ultimate Florida guide, so if you would like that emailed to you. Please sign up for our email list.
Let me know in the comments below If you are from Florida what are your favorite fun, cheap or fun things to do and why? If you are going to visit Florida let me know what you have questions about or want to know more about. I have lived here my whole life.
Until Next Time, Have a Good Day!
I really need a Florida vaycay! The New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center sound especially up my alley, but all these activities and places look worth a visit. Thank you for sharing!
My home town isn’t much, but they are trying.
These are some great places to check out. I love the drive in movie theater. Up here in New Hampshire we have one too but it is only open in summer. The aquatic center looks like a lot of fun too. I miss the warmer weather already!
This looks fun!! We usually go to Florida to visit my in-laws. My kids will surely enjoy their time at Stop n Play and Aquatic Center. Great way to burn their energy. LOL. I would love to experience drive in theater too!
These are great. It’s not about how much you spend it’s the memories that make it last. Thanks for sharing!
after reading your travel story shared it really making me wishing badly to be able to travel around freely, this 2020 really bored & just stay home year for me due to the pandemic 🙁 sigh….Wish to travel to pasco country florida in the future. cheers, siennylovesdrawing
what a great assortment of things to do in Pasco County Florida! I love all the parks and fun kids activities but in particular, I love all the outdoor activities you found. What better way to do something fun and memorable and FREE than to go hiking!
I love that there are a lot of things that we can do in Pasco County, Florida that are cheap or free! I can’t wait to be able to travel safely again and without restrictions. Would love to go to Sim’s Park and try doing drive-in theater at Joy-Lan!
You paint a very good picture… I already have a few places in my bucket list when next I’m in Florida and I’m def’ adding Pasco County. Thanks.
Florida is on my travel list for next year and I would surely try to visit Pasco county as it looks like a great place to have some fun with the family. I am going to get in touch with you when I start planning my trip to Florida. Thanks 🙂
Do you know if Starkey will be doing the cristmas thing this year!? I’m trying to do all the normal Christmassy things we can this year!
Wow this looks so much fun place.I liked you have mentioned free things to do which is awesome. Also the drive in theatre sounds so much fun.
Very informative post. Hope one day I will have opportunity to visit the beautiful county.
Thanks for sharing this awesome list! I often go spend time in unfamiliar places and end up bored because I’m not aware of cool places to visit
It’s great that you have all those fun places close to your home. I’m not familiar much with places around the US as I haven’t been to the US but I think that growing up in Pasco County is such an ideal place for a kid considering all the great memories in your childhood.
i will recommend this place to my sisters and parents who lives in tampa,florida….they might be looking for a holiday destination….how far is it from tampa?
great list! makes me want to travel there. fun is the best but it’s even better when it’s cheap or even free at all
Such an amazing travel guide around Florida. I would share this with friends living around there.
I love the Aquatic center the most in Florida. Other things are good too 🙂