1. Alligator: Dragons in Paradise: This potpourri of facts and fantasy at the Sulfur Springs Museum and Heritage Center explores our enduring fascination with the alligator and its symbolic role in Florida history. The newly opened exhibit includes artifacts such as alligator bags, shoes, purses, reproductions of crocodile and crocodile skulls and a variety of other alligator memorabilia. There is a series of accompanying lectures, called Wild Florida, which includes a talk at 2pm on Sunday by the former Tampa Bay Times environmental journalist Craig Pittman. He will talk about his book Cat tale, which deals with the Florida panther, the most notable return in the history of the Endangered Species Act. Free. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday. 1101 E River Cove St., Tampa. 813-935-9402. sulphurspringsmuseum.org.
2. Pioneer nights: Leave your kids ages 6 to 13 to spend a night of friends, activities, a campfire and a pioneering-style stay at the Boyd Hill Pioneer Settlement, a living history museum next to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve. $ 20 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday. 2900 31st St. S, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7326.
3. Fun Family Fun Run: Dress up and get ready to go crazy with the Largo racing series with a special twist to entertain them. On Saturday there is a 5-mile family party and pool that starts at 8 a.m. $ 10 for one person and $ 20 for the family. Highland Recreation Complex and Family Aquatic Center, 400 Highland Ave. NE, Largo. 727-518-3016. playlargo.com.
4. Breakfast with the animals: You and your family can chat with zoo keepers about what animals eat for breakfast while enjoying breakfast with animals such as hippos, giraffes, and cheetahs. Breakfast includes Nutella pancakes, donuts, fruit, bagels, coffee and juices. There will also be a fruit cutting demonstration and class, a photo with rhino and entrance to the zoo the rest of the day. $ 110, $ 85 members. Saturday from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park, 1101 W Sligh Ave., Tampa. 813-935-8552. zootampa.org.
5. Mermaids in the aquarium: This is the last week to capture a new type of marine life in the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Until Thursday, mermaids will swim in the newly expanded dolphin complex from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. You can take photos with a mermaid, and there are bright mermaid tattoos and clip-on hair extensions with colors available and mermaid cupcakes in the cafe. You can also swim with mermaids as part of a virtual reality experience. The aquarium has extended its hours until July 25, opening at 9 a.m. each day and closing at 7 p.m. Included with entry. $ 32.95, $ 26.95 between 3 and 12 years. 249 Wind passage. Clean water. cmaquarium.org.
