Things to do in Tampa
Welcome to Tampa
Sunshine is a near constant in Florida’s coastal city of Tampa, which offers a range of fun-in-the-sun activities, from big amusement parks to boat tours. As a bonus for families, many of Tampa’s offerings are kid-friendly, including Busch Gardens Tampa Bay amusement park, the Lowry Park Zoo, and Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary. Of course, the water is a key attraction, and a kayaking tour, a stand-up paddleboard excursion, or cruising out on the Tampa Bay—or through the network of inland waterways—should be on your agenda. As you take to the water, be on the lookout for manatees, fish, dolphins, and birds. For a more beachy experience, take a guided day trip from Tampa to nearby Clearwater Beach, or head to St. Petersburg beach for a chance to sink your toes into white, sugar-like sand. Beat the heat in the Florida Aquarium, filled with 20,000 plants and animals, and know that you can pre-book tickets to scuba dive in its coral reef gallery. Dive deeper into biology, geology, and astrology at the Museum of Science and Industry, which includes 450 hands-on activities for kids that are both educational and entertaining, in addition to an IMAX theater, ropes course, and planetarium. Plan ahead and get a pass that allows entry into multiple attractions for one low price. To learn more about downtown Tampa’s beginnings, take a Ybor City food tour of the historic neighborhood, which pays homage to the city’s Spanish and Cuban roots.
Top 15 attractions in Tampa
Clearwater Beach
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
The Florida Aquarium
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Fort De Soto Park
Caladesi Island
Ybor City
Honeymoon Island
Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum
Tampa Adventure Island
Sunken Gardens
Tampa Museum of Art
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All about Tampa
When to visit
Raise a sail and chart a course for Tampa in the winter. Gasparilla Pirate Fest brings family-friendly revelry to the city every year. A boat full of buccaneers invades the Bay, taking over the city for a day of pirate-themed parties and parades. Gasparilla events actually take place for months, so visiting in spring means you can still experience the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. March also hosts the Tampa Pride festival and parade, as well as the Mayor’s River O’Green Fest.
Getting around
If you’ve brought your car—or even your bike, boat, or kayak—then you already have everything you need to explore Tampa’s beautiful city and surroundings. Visitors who arrived with nothing more than a suitcase and a smile are covered, too. Water taxis, Zipcar car shares, Coast Bike Share, and multiple bus routes are affordable, accessible, and reliable. A ride on the historic TECO Line from downtown’s Channel District to Ybor City is a must—especially if happen to be fond of mojitos and cigars.
Traveler tips
From NHL games at Amalie Arena to stingray encounters at the Florida Aquarium, downtown Tampa has a handful of amazing attractions. The hallmark sites, though, aren’t in the center of the city: Busch Gardens and ZooTampa at Lowry Park are in the north while the NFL stadium is west of downtown. MLB games throw out pitches in nearby St. Petersburg, but the short drive is worth it. St. Pete also is also home to the Salvador Dalí Museum and access to famous Clearwater Beach.