With its blend of historic architecture and modern landmarks, a mixture of Cuban and Spanish cultures, vibrant business districts, and beautiful waterways, Tampa is a lovely place to work, play, and unwind.
Downtown is awake with urban parks, including the gorgeous Tampa Riverwalk and hip bars. They also have innovative restaurants, outstanding refurbishments, and turn-of-the-century buildings.
For the locals and visitors alike, there’s no shortage of things to do in Tampa. Whether it’s navigating along the Hillsborough River, sampling tequila at a margarita festival, enjoying a pro football or a hockey game, riding a thrill-coaster at Busch Gardens, or watching an opera at the Straz Center.
Tampa is famous for being a great city for all ages and tastes. They offer hotel accommodations that fit all budgets. It doesn’t matter whether you’re traveling with your families, and outdoor adventure seeker, a foodie, or a wine connoisseur.
Once known as the home for all cultures and settlers, Tampa is still a welcoming place for those seeking fun, opportunity, and a chance to try new things.
While a short, 30-minute drive to the beaches, Tampa’s real beauty lies in its city life.
Ybor City, founded around the Cuban cigar-rolling industry in the late 1800s, is now world-renowned as a hot nightlife spot. Its old red brick establishments are now filled with lively music, cocktails, and late-night dancing.
Downtown is now filled with young condo residents, and with them came a product of new fusion-cuisine dining options, craft cocktail, and beer bars. They also hold regular festivals, concerts, and events in the well-kept Curtis Hixon Park.
The nearby Hyde Park, an upscale shopping and dining district, is home to boutique stores and national brands. They also have authentic restaurants and bars.
But one of the great things about Tampa is that you can venture outside of the city to find plenty to do off the beaten path.
If you’re into fun and adventure like hiking, biking, paddling, or bird-watching, you can visit one of the Tampa area’s many parks and preserves. This includes the Hillsborough River State Park in Thonotosassa or the Lettuce Lake Park in north Tampa.
Rent a kayak or walk the trails amid serene surroundings. Watch the beautiful Florida birds, pop-up turtles, lazy gators, and the occasional manatee. You can also bring your fishing gear and picnic lunch for the whole family, or spend a romantic afternoon in a canoe for two.
For an exciting look at one of the Tampa Bay area’s iconic animals, check out the TECO Manatee Viewing Center. The best time to visit the center is from late fall through early spring.
During these times, you can see a manatee sanctuary packed with dozens upon dozens of gentle giants huddled in the habitat’s warmer waters.
There are many adventures to be had in Tampa’s museums and theme parks, well known to visitors from across the country.
Busch Gardens has plenty of rides, shows, and attractions to line up a whole weekend. Meanwhile, the nearby Adventure Island water park offers exciting drops and relaxing wading pools.
The impressive Tampa Museum of Art is right next to the Glazer Children’s Museum, making for an excellent outing for the entire family.
“Instagrammable” Spots in Tampa
Whether you’re a social media influencer or would love to capture special moments on Instagram, Tampa Bay has picture-worthy spots!
Behold the most inspirational, photo-worthy places in the Tampa Bay area:
Vinoy Park
Vinoy Park in St. Pete is one of the most loved and scenic parks in the city. With its waterfront views, lush greenery, and plenty of tall palms, it’s perfect for catching that classic Florida-esque photo.
When you visit Vinoy Park, you’ll see art installations on the lawn, boats in the nearby marina, and possibly even lovers enjoying the sun on a picnic.
Plus, the park hosts festivals and events year-round, so you may also capture a live performance for the right timing.
Clearwater Beach
Earning the title of “Number 1 Beach in America” doesn’t come easily. Yet, year after year, Clearwater Beach is placed in the top rankings and for a good reason.
The beach shows no shortage of beauty with its white sugar sand and dazzling water.
The area also features the newly-built Walk Promenade, a wide range of water-based activities, and several city events.
For these reasons and many more, Clearwater Beach is not only fun to enjoy, but it also makes for a truly unique photo opp.
Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is an approximately 3-mile walking trail that runs through “everything Tampa.”
It’s set alongside the scenic Hillsborough River and leads you through some of the downtown area’s best sights. This includes Laurel Street, which is full of photo-worthy art.
Their city bridges are illuminated with LED lights after dark and change color every 30 seconds. There’s also the Glazer Children’s Museum, which is perfect if you’re traveling with little artists-in-the-making.
Point is if you have to prove your Tampa adventure to your followers via photographic evidence, trust when we say this is the place to create it.
Food and Drink
Tampa Bay’s cuisine is just as unique and rich as its culture. Sip on great offers at our waterfront bistros and bars. Take a bite into the culinary assortment.
Explore fine dining or farm-to-table restaurants and enjoy fresh seafood and authentic Spanish dishes:
Dining Options
The City of Tampa is committed to the slow and consistent re-opening of restaurants. Thus, they are closing select streets to increase eatery footprints for outdoor and patio dining.
Whether you are ready for some al fresco dining at your favorite restaurant or still looking for comfortable curbside options, Tampa Bay is ready to serve you.
Craft Beer
The way of brewing a great-tasting beer requires more than hops and barley.
It takes hard work and an artist’s vision to create a brew that stands out from the rest. That’s why the art of beer making has stood an integral part of establishing Tampa Bay as one of the top craft beer scenes in the country.
Ice Cream Places
Tampa Bay has earned the national headlines for its great food and craft beer. Now you can also add excellent ice cream to our taste temptations.
In Tampa Bay, ice cream arrives rolled, layered, fruity, spiced, vegan, or served in doughnut cones. Thanks to the creations of Armature Works and Astro Ice Cream, you’ll even get a chance to taste liquid-nitrogen ice cream in fall. And the best part about Tampa Bay, you enjoy our ice cream year-round.
Events in Tampa Bay
Residents of Tampa Bay will make any excuse to celebrate. That’s because this is a great time to break out the fireworks, parade floats, food vendors, and live entertainment.
Here are the area’s fantastic line-up of festivals and events:
Foodie Festivals
Capture Florida’s most local flavor on your plate and in your glass during foodie festivals.
Indulge in the traditional and tasty Tampa Cuban sandwich and discover who’s creating the best of the best at the annual Cuban Sandwich Festival. This event is hosted at Ybor City’s Centennial Park.
Bite into Tampa Bay’s Italian fare at Festa Italiana, a three-day festival honoring Ybor City’s Italian community more than a century after it was introduced.
There you can taste homemade wines, play Bocce Ball, and dine on delicious authentic Italian cuisine.
Capture a world of wine in your glass at the Annual Bern’s WineFest. Bern’s Steak House is home to the world’s most massive wine list, with over 6,000 unique signature labels. You’ll also get to try hundreds of wines with perfectly paired bites.
LGBT Events
When it comes to having fun, Tampa Bay has it all under the sun. There’s a trove of discoveries waiting for you from art festivals and culinary delights to dazzling dance clubs and outdoor adventures.
Explore the brick-lined streets of GaYBOR, a GLBTA-friendly collective of 200+ businesses located in Ybor’s historic city that provides a delicious restaurant scene.
Craft Beer Festival
It’s always the best time for a beer-cation in the perfect destination, Tampa Bay. You don’t have to go far to bottoms-up at some of the best breweries in the nation.
Local flavors and cultures are mixed to create original brews as unique as Tampa Bay. Whether you’re seeking a brewery, a bar, or a festival, craft the perfect experience in Tampa Bay.
Gasparilla Season
For more than a century, the legendary pirate José Gaspar has invaded Tampa Bay annually. This event boasts two treasure-filled months of parades, festivals, and other excitement.
The Gasparilla Season is the United States’ third-largest parade. It features road races, music, art, and film. Thus, the entire destination flourishes with activities for everyone for eight weeks.
Tampa Bay is Florida’s most welcoming destination. It offers hidden treasures that are waiting to be discovered. This includes the bold nightlife in clubs, restaurants, and bars.
You can also indulge in some world-class shopping or have an incredible adventure at their many local attractions.
Whatever you are looking for, you’ll indeed find it in Tampa Bay.