fun things to do in tampa

Laura Madden

6 mins read

Apr 01, 2024

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7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Tampa

Do you want to plan a trip to a place where you can find all the best things in the world? Tampa, as a destination, should be on the top of your list. From the vibrant beach life to the mouthwatering food scene, this sunshine state has so many Tampa things to do that your hours will fall short, but excitement will not. In this blog we will list down 8 reasons that will convince you to add Tampa to your travel bucket list.

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Beautiful Beaches

The sunshine state keeps things cool with its crystal-clear beaches. Not only can you build sandcastles on a family vacation, but you can also groove in the eclectic clubs that are lined alongside the Tampa beaches.

Clearwater Beach

Clearwater Beach is known for its beaches and inviting waters. Visiting this beach will give you a small-town feel. This beach is one of the best beaches for its lineup of fine restaurants and family-friendly lodgings, as well as exciting beach fun things to do in Tampa.

St. Pete Beach

St. Pete Beach is an excellent option for planning a family vacation and unique things to do in Tampa, because it is a scenic area famous for its long sandy shores and calm water flows.

Honeymoon Island

Are you looking for a place to relax but also to have fun? Then look no further than this serene sanctuary where you can bask in the sun, search for shells, and walk the lush pathways.

Fort De Soto Park

You will find unpolluted and splendid beaches with historical landmarks in Fort De Soto Park. This beach consists of 1,136 acres of five interconnected islands, home to beach plants, mangroves, and wetlands. Here, you can enjoy fishing, nature trails, camping, boating, and other Tampa things to do.

Waterfront Attractions

With miles of beaches and a growing tourist rate, Tampa has opened its gates for various waterfront fun things to do in Tampa. Let’s explore these.

Tampa Riverwalk

Take a leisurely saunter or pedal bike along this breathtaking waterfront walkway of about 2.6 miles, stopping wherever you like for parks, restaurants, and art/historical exhibits.

Bayshore Boulevard

Grass, trees, and water sports are everywhere. The possibility to take a walk, run, or ride on the world’s longest continuous sidewalk, covering a distance of 4.5 miles from downtown Tampa to Ballast Point Park, is what makes this place so unique.

Tampa Bay Water Taxi

Sail off on the Pirate Water Taxi heading by the beautiful Tampa Bay along the waterfront lookouts full of downtown places, restaurants, and other significant cultural attractions.

Dolphin Cruises

Explore dolphins’ action rides during Tampa Bay dolphin watch cruise and see how these friendly creatures entertain and play as they swim through the waters. As you sail the bay, you will have fun and learn about Tampa’s general ocean life and the ecosystem from the awesome tour guides.

Thriving Food Scene

You obviously want to tour a state with loads of scrumptious food, right?  Rumor has it that Tampa has a sea of delightful food options and do dive in. Let’s explore where to find the best food in Tampa.

Fresh Seafood

Experience fresh Gulf catch with a Spanish touch at restaurants like the Columbia Restaurant, which specializes in seafood prepared in different styles.

Cuban Cuisine

There are many Cuban delis in Tampa where you can taste authentic sandwiches and pastries. Head into the Ybor city center and enjoy the historical food at La Segunda Central Bakery.

Farm-to-Table Eateries

Pay a visit to trendy farm-to-table restaurants such as Oxford Exchange and Ulele, where farmers’ fresh produce is available in a huge variety of delicious dishes prepared and served with love.

Craft Breweries

Cap your meal at Tampa’s best cold craft beer breweries, such as Tampa Bay Brewing Company and Cigar City, which are reputable for smooth beers that leave an impression on taste buds and the mind.

Outdoor Activities

As if great food and beaches weren’t enough, Tampa is becoming the top destination for visitors with many outdoor fun things to do in Tampa. Adventure awaits around every corner in Tampa’s great outdoors.

Kayaking

Paddle through mangrove tunnels and experience the wonders of the Hillsborough River and Weedon Island Preserve; you will be immersed in this area and explore the fascinating wildlife thriving in scenic beauty.

Hiking

Slip on your hiking boots and explore the Lettuce Lake Park, Alafia River State Park, and the Upper Tampa Bay Trail. These parks allow one to encounter indigenous birds and animals and relax in the calm surroundings and lush vegetation.

Biking

Explore Tampa’s natural scenery on a bike tour along the Tampa Riverwalk, Bayshore Boulevard, and the Courtney Campbell Causeway Trail, furnishing a spectacular bay skyline.

Fishing

Get onboard the charter boats in Tampa Bay and hook your share of big ones as you try your luck on snook, redfish, and tarpon, among other species.

Golfing

To become a pro in golf, you can play at some amazing courses, including Innisbrook Resort, TPC Tampa Bay, and Westchase Golf Club, which provide a great challenge and natural beauty.

Family-Friendly Attractions

If you’re planning a trip with family, you’ll be happy to know that the family Tampa things to do scene is as bright as Tampa’s sun.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Hop on wild rides such as puzzle ship or black mamba, get viewed from close-distance animals, and feel the thrills of live performances at this African-themed adventure park.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

Approach and pay close attention to more than a thousand animals at this top-notch zoo worldwide, such as giraffes, elephants, and tigers. Additionally, you will be able to learn more about conservation and the efforts being made therein.

The Florida Aquarium

This best-in-class aquarium, having ice-blue miracles, is just right to give an experience of interactive exhibits, touch tanks, and theater-like fun things to do in Tampa that are perfect for children and adults alike.

Glazer Children’s Museum

Invigorate your child’s imagination and inventiveness with an educative tour combining hands-on exhibits and play zones built around and emphasizing science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics (STEAM).

Adventure Island

The hottest spot in the city for hipsters is this Tiki-themed water park with plenty of thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and wave pools perfect for this year’s season’s hottest events and a day of family water fun underneath the shining sun.

Rich History

Tampa gives every kind of visitor a reason to step on its land. Here is one for history lovers- Tampa boasts an intriguing history which you can discover at many places.

Ybor City

Step on the historic streets of Ybor City, which in its origin was the cigar world headquarters, and visit the Ybor Center of History and Culture State Park to uncover the roots of its immigration and glittering past of the cigar industry.

Henry B. Plant Museum

At the gathered spot at the old Tampa Bay Hotel (now Henry B. Plant Museum), you can experience the opulent architecture and Victorian-era furnishings.

Tampa Bay History Center

Travel through the colorful history of Tampa’s past by encountering interactive presentations, artifacts, and displays that reveal the multiple cultures Tampa’s people have nurtured.

Tampa Theatre

Enjoy the movie-going magic at the true-to-life Tampa Theater, a fantastic movie theater fully preserved movie palace that is old enough to have been restored in the 1920s and which screens classic films, live performances, and special events all through the year.

Tampa Union Station

Gaze at the magnificence of Tampa Union Station, an imposing Beaux-Arts style building and National Historic Landmark from 1912, which is basically the gateway to the city. This station is one of the best indoor playground in Tampa for history enthusiasts.

Romantic Getaways

For someone who is visiting Tampa with their special someone, they won’t regret not booking flights tickets for Paris. There are many romantic things to do in Tampa, and here’s how you can experience them.

Sunset Cruises

Sail at dusk on a romantic sunset cruise along Tampa Bay, which will spruce up your honeymoon atmosphere to make you feel like you are making a toast to the shimmering water and the city skyline while drinking.

Waterfront Dining

Cater to your culinary cravings as you dine under candlelight at one of Tampa’s bayfront restaurants and set your site on the twinkling lights of the bay while having the best seafood and gourmet dishes from the kitchen and homemade cocktails from the bar.

Couples Spa Retreats

Unwind in a top-notch resort or wellness retreat where you and your beau can take yourselves on a couples massage or a spa treatment for some tranquility with ease and special care.

Beach Picnics

Pack your picnic basket and drive down towards one of the romantic beaches in Tampa. Have your dinner basking in the sweet moments of silence, the dance of the stars, the beach breezes, and the rustling palm trees overhead.

Boutique Hotels

Take a step back and retreat to a boutique hotel or bed-and-breakfast: the place for a romantic getaway where all details are accounted for. You will get luxurious accommodations, intimate settings, and exquisite service to satisfy all your desires.

Laura Madden

Partnerships & Events Manager

With a flair for creating meaningful connections through food, Laura excels in crafting unique and engaging human experiences. Her calm and friendly approach makes complex problems look like a piece of cake. When she's not forging and fostering partnerships in hospitality, she's out trying new restaurants in town.

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