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Fun Things to do in Tampa
Florida
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city guide
The population of Tampa is approximately 392,800 making it the 3rd largest city in Florida and the 53rd largest city in the United States. Tampa is part of the metropolitan area most commonly referred to as the "Tampa Bay Area" which has an approximate population of 3 .1 million. It is located on the west coast of Florida with an average annual temperature of 73.1 degrees. Tampa's economy is founded on a diverse base that includes tourism, agriculture, construction, finance, health care, government, technology, and the Port of Tampa which is the largest port in the State of Florida.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Tampa is from September to December. For those key four months of the year the vacant hotels offer fire-sale prices to lure you in. The months from May to August are the busiest at the area attractions, plus the weather can be uncomfortably muggy.
Fun city facts and activities
- If you think Tampa has little more to its name than Tom Brady, youre in for a treat. Sports certainly do shine here, but the best things to do in Tampa Bay range from white sand beaches to world-class museums, art galleries, and trendy restaurants.
Youll find a shiny and bustling downtown thanks to ambitious developments, while the city has plenty of roots to explore in Ybor City, Tampas most historic district (at the turn of the century, it was world-famous for its booming cigar industry). After exploring the city by day, be sure to end your night at one of the best restaurants in Tampa, or relax with a cocktail at one of its ritzy lounges.
Neighborhoods to explore
- Downtown Tampa
Palma Ceia
Beach Park
Hyde Park
Westshore
Restaurants
Food Specialties
- Sure, this city is well-known for its nearby beaches and championship winning sports teams. But when you need to refuel, some of the best restaurants in Tampa are right around the corner (believe it or not, some are even tucked inside the citys top hotels).
Some of Tampas most ambitious new restaurants have popped up around the citys revitalized areas, meaning you can check off some Tampas top attractions while eating top-notch foodyoull find restaurants along the buzzing 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk or even tucked inside the Heights Public Market (a reimagined 1901 streetcar warehouse), just for starters. Ranging in style from authentic Cuban food in Tampas historic Ybor City (this is the birthplace of the iconic Cuban sandwich, after all) to sweet and smoky BBQ, theres no shortage of flavor here.
Tampa Offbeat activities
Free or cheap things to do
1. Take a pirate cruise: Tampa is home to some of the most popular pirate cruises in the country. Enjoy the sights of Tampa Bay while listening to live music, stories of the high seas, and pirate tales aboard the Jolly II Rover Pirate Ship.
2. Visit the Florida Aquarium: Explore the world of marine life and experience an unforgettable journey through the wetlands, oceans and more.
3. Visit the Ybor City Museum State Park: This museum focuses on the rich cultural heritage of Tampa's Latin Quarter, and features exhibits and programs that highlight the city's unique history.
4. Go on a swamp tour: Enjoy a guided tour of the swamps of the Tampa Bay area, where you can spot alligators, manatees, and other wildlife.
5. Take a Segway tour: Explore the city in a unique way with a guided Segway tour of the Tampa area.
6. Take a river taxi: Hop
Fun things to do in with kids
Free or cheap things to do
1. Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is an adventure that the whole family can participate in.
There are rides, family-friendly activities, and several thrills for everyone to enjoy.
2. Rabbit Hole Escape Games
Spending a few hours at Rabbit Hole Escape Games is one of the best things to do in Tampa with kids.
3. Horse Power for Kids and Animal Sanctuary
If you are looking for cheap family activities, this is a great place to consider. This is an incredible animal sanctuary that is home to several farm animals and exotic species.
4. Lettuce Lake Regional Park
If you are wondering what to do in Tampa with kids, this is one of the first stops to hit.
The park is spread over 240 acres and has something to do for everyone.
5. Glazer Childrens Museum
If you are looking to visit Tampa with kids, Glazer Childrens Museum is a must-visit.
The museum offers several learning opportunities and allows families to enjoy activities together.
6. TECO Line Streetcar System
The system spans over 2.7 miles and is a great way to hop between happening landmarks in Ybor City, Downtown Tampa, and more.
7. Tampa Riverwalk
This 2.6-mile-long path or trail along the Hillsborough River is one of the best kid-friendly attractions in Tampa, Florida.
8. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
This is an incredible city park that has interactive fountains, a lot of open space for kids to run around, and several programs organized throughout the year.
9. AirHeads Trampoline Arena
This is a great form of entertainment for families to enjoy indoors.
This is also a great place to spend the day in case of inclement weather.
10. George M. Steinbrenner Field
If you are a fan of the New York Yankees, this is the spring home of the famous team.
This is also home to the Tampa Tarpons.
City data and FAQ
What is Tampa most know for?
Pirates, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Yankee training grounds, Ybor City, Cuban cigar factories, Night life. The Tampa River Walk etc. Salt_
Howard Miller Lives in Tampa, FL (2004 Present)
Is Tampa worth visiting?
Hell, yeah what are you trying to say about my city? The city of Tampa is a cosmopolitan city, but with a retro vibe, its a city where new life is being breathed into old buildings with new bars and shops. Ybor City, the former cigar capital of the world, was once a booming area of the trade then left for many years and has been transformed into a new cool part of town. With bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Tanya Williams Lives in Tampa, FL (2014 Present)
Tampa Bay is worth visiting because it includes St Petersburg and Clearwater Beach (voted best beach in America). Ybor city and the Armature Works are two places I like in Tampa. Tampa on its own is nice but I prefer other destinations like Naples or south Florida.
David Herbert Lives in Florida (1985 Present)
Yes. Great restaurants, like the original Columbia, with Flamenco shows, Block party every weekend in Ybor, with lots of live music, if you like live music, check out Skippers Smokehouse. All kinds of things to do during the day, museums, Florida Aquarium, etc. If you go to Ybor at night, STAY ON 7th Ave,, dont wander off on the side streets. I love the Dali Museum, but thats across the bay, in St, Pete.
Ferd Janklow Lives in Florida (1952 Present)
Absolutely. We have Bush Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo, the beaches. Ybor City in Tampa. Some really great restaurants just stay away from the chains like Olive Garden etc. Just north is Weeki Wachee. Orlando is less than an hour away. There is a lot.
Howard Miller Lives in Tampa, FL (2004 Present)
Tampa Bay as a whole area_Yep. Lots of things to do. Especially if you are into water activities. Fishing, diving. Shelling ( mostly women like that aspect ) good nightlife abounds. 90 minute drive gets you to lots of destinations that are worth a day to see. Sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico are are photo ops. Lots of things to get lost in doing
Chet Simonetti - Lives in Saint Petersburg, FL
Are two days enought to visit Tampa?
Two days is probably not enough to see Tampa, but depends on what you want to see. I am somewhat odd in what I want to see: Im really into architecture (my undergrad was in architecture and architectural history) so I spend a lot of time just looking at buildings when I visit a city. Im also into skateboarding and Tampas a big city for that. Tampa also has one of the largest Middle Eastern populations (mostly Lebanese and Jordanian) in Florida in the Temple Terrace neighborhood, so I want a couple nights just to eat at all the delicious restaurants there.
Mike Walter Lived in Orlando, FL
Do you need a car to visit Tampa?
Getting around Tampa is almost impossible without a car, but there are other ways like taking the. The Hart bus. Day unlimited Hart ride is. Local & limited express costs $4. Cash fares.
Tanya Williams Lives in Tampa, FL (2014 Present)
