Tampa, Florida, is one of the most visited cities in the Southeast, and it keeps getting better. Between a buzzing downtown waterfront, a historic district shaped by Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants, world-class theme parks, and some of the best beaches in the U.S. less than an hour away, there’s something for every kind of traveler.
Nature lovers can paddle a cypress-lined river, families can spend a full day at the zoo or aquarium, thrill-seekers can tackle towering roller coasters, and foodies can eat their way through food halls and historic cafés. And when it’s time to cool off, you can book a day at one of the many hotel pools in Tampa without booking an overnight stay.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Tampa, plus our favorite ResortPass hotels in and around the city for a poolside reset between adventures.
1. Stroll the Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is the easiest way to see the best of downtown in a single afternoon. The roughly 2.5-mile path hugs the east bank of the Hillsborough River, connecting Sparkman Wharf in the Channel District to Armature Works in Tampa Heights, with public art, murals, and historical monuments along the way.
Plan a few stops: Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (splash pads, a playground, and a dog run), Water Works Park (kayak launch and splash pad), and the Pirate Water Taxi for a hop-on, hop-off ride along the river. Bookend your walk with a meal at Sparkman Wharf, an outdoor food hall built from repurposed shipping containers, or Armature Works, a restored early-1900s streetcar warehouse turned food hall with a rooftop bar. Both are free to enter.
2. Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a 335-acre theme park that pairs some of the best roller coasters in Florida with an African-inspired zoo. Coaster fans can line up for SheiKra, Montu, Cheetah Hunt, and Iron Gwazi, one of the tallest and fastest hybrid coasters in North America.
Not a thrill-seeker? The Serengeti Plain safari, animal encounters, and live shows easily fill a full day. The park’s newest addition, Lion & Hyena Ridge, debuted in spring 2026 and expands the lion habitat to nearly 35,000 square feet with glass viewing areas and shaded walkways. Visiting in the fall or winter? Look for seasonal events like Howl-O-Scream and Christmas Town.
3. Adventure Island
Right next door to Busch Gardens on McKinley Drive, Adventure Island is Tampa’s go-to water park. Expect high-speed slides, a racing slide, a wave pool, and a relaxing lazy river, plus splash zones for little ones. The park is seasonal, typically open spring through early fall, so check the calendar before you go.
Want more splash-worthy ideas? See our roundups of the best water parks in Florida and the top lazy rivers you can book on ResortPass. And don’t forget your water and sunscreen!
4. Ybor City
Ybor City is Tampa’s historic Latin quarter and a National Historic Landmark District. Founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers and settled by Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants, it was once known as the “Cigar Capital of the World,” and you can still watch cigars being hand-rolled in shops along 7th Avenue.
Grab a Cuban sandwich and café con leche, tour the Ybor City Museum State Park, and say hello to the neighborhood’s famous free-roaming chickens. Don’t miss the Columbia Restaurant, which opened in 1905 and is the oldest restaurant in Florida. After dark, 7th Avenue becomes one of Tampa’s liveliest nightlife strips.
5. The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is a 250,000-square-foot attraction on the Channel District waterfront, just steps from the Riverwalk. Exhibits follow a drop of water from Florida’s freshwater springs through the wetlands and out to the coral reefs, with sharks, sea turtles, otters, penguins, and more along the way.
Kids love the outdoor splash pad and water play area, and adventurous visitors can book behind-the-scenes experiences, including swimming or diving with the aquarium’s sharks.
6. ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is home to more than 1,000 animals across habitats inspired by Florida, Africa, Asia, and Australia. It’s also known for its conservation work, particularly its manatee critical care center, one of only a handful of facilities in the country that rehabilitates injured and orphaned manatees.
Families can feed giraffes, hand-feed lorikeets, and cool off at the splash areas. It’s an easy half-day outing just north of downtown.
7. Tampa Museum of Art
Set along the Riverwalk in Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art is known for its sleek, modern building and one of the largest collections of Greek and Roman antiquities in the Southeast, alongside rotating contemporary exhibitions. After dark, the building’s facade lights up with Leo Villareal’s LED installation, Sky.
Make it a culture day: the Glazer Children’s Museum is next door, and the Henry B. Plant Museum, a Victorian-era hotel with silver minarets on the University of Tampa campus, is just across the river.
8. Tampa Bay History Center
A Smithsonian affiliate on the waterfront, the Tampa Bay History Center covers roughly 12,000 years of Florida history, from the region’s first peoples to Spanish explorers, cigar makers, and cattle ranchers. The pirate-themed Treasure Seekers gallery, with a walk-through replica ship, is a hit with kids.
It’s a great way to escape the Florida heat for a couple of hours, and it pairs perfectly with an aquarium visit or a stroll through Sparkman Wharf next door.
9. Hillsborough River State Park
About 30 minutes northeast of downtown, Hillsborough River State Park is one of Florida’s oldest state parks and one of the few places in the state with Class II rapids. Hike roughly seven miles of shaded trails, rent a canoe or kayak, fish, or picnic under live oaks. Keep an eye out for alligators, turtles, wading birds, and the occasional river otter.
Closer to the city, Lettuce Lake Regional Park offers an elevated boardwalk through a cypress swamp and an observation tower that’s perfect for birdwatching.
10. Take a day trip to Clearwater or St. Pete Beach
Tampa itself isn’t on the Gulf beaches, but some of Florida’s best sand is less than an hour away. Clearwater Beach is known for its powdery white sand, calm water, and the nightly Sunset Celebration at Pier 60, while St. Pete Beach offers a laid-back vibe and iconic resorts like the “Pink Palace.” Downtown St. Petersburg is also home to The Dalí Museum and a lively waterfront.
Planning a beach day? Check out our guides to Clearwater pools and St. Petersburg pools to pair your beach time with a resort day pass.
Best ResortPass hotels in and around Tampa
Now that you have your itinerary, you’ll need a place to lounge by the pool and recharge. With ResortPass, you can book a Day Pass, Cabana, Daybed, Day Room, or spa experience at top hotels without staying overnight. It’s the perfect daycation. Here are some of the most popular ResortPass hotels in and around Tampa:
JW Marriott Tampa Water Street
Located in downtown’s Water Street district, steps from the Riverwalk and Amalie Arena, this luxe hotel features two resort-style pools, private cabanas, cocktails, and bites with skyline and water views. Day Passes, Family Passes, and Cabanas are available on ResortPass.
Hilton Tampa Downtown
Perfect for a midday break between museum visits, the Hilton Tampa Downtown offers a rooftop pool, a whirlpool, poolside cocktails, and a fitness center near the Riverwalk. Book a Day Pass, Daybed, or Day Room on ResortPass.
The Don CeSar
St. Pete Beach’s legendary “Pink Palace” has been a Gulf Coast icon since the 1920s. Day guests can enjoy two heated pools with poolside concierge service, a white-sand beach, and spa amenities. Reserve a Day Pass or spa treatment on ResortPass.
TradeWinds Resort
A family favorite on St. Pete Beach, TradeWinds offers multiple pools, beach bars, waterfront dining, and plenty of activities across its Island Grand and RumFish Beach properties. Day Passes, Family Passes, and Day Rooms are available on ResortPass.
Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach Resort and Suites
Right across from Clearwater Beach, the Hyatt Regency offers an oceanfront pool, private shaded cabanas, and drinks served poolside, all within walking distance of Pier 60 for sunset. Book a Day Pass, Cabana, or Day Room on ResortPass.
JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa
For a full day of luxury, this beachfront resort pairs a stunning pool deck with cabanas, daybeds, beach access, and a full-service spa offering massages, facials, and couples treatments. Explore all options on ResortPass.
Want even more options? Browse all hotel day passes in Tampa, or see our picks for the best hotel pools in Florida. Sailing out of Port Tampa Bay? Check out the best Florida cruise port hotels you can book on ResortPass.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Tampa
What are the best things to do in Tampa?
Top things to do in Tampa include walking the Tampa Riverwalk, riding coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, cooling off at Adventure Island, exploring historic Ybor City, and visiting the Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Many visitors also take a day trip to Clearwater Beach or St. Pete Beach, both less than an hour away.
What are some free things to do in Tampa?
Some of the best free things to do in Tampa include strolling the 2.5-mile Tampa Riverwalk, relaxing at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, browsing the food halls at Armature Works and Sparkman Wharf, and exploring the streets of Ybor City. Lettuce Lake Regional Park is another low-cost outdoor option, with a small parking fee.
What is the best time of year to visit Tampa?
Spring (March through May) and fall (October and November) are generally the most comfortable times to visit Tampa, with warm, sunny days and lower humidity. Summers are hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms, and Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.
How far is Tampa from the beach?
Tampa is not directly on the Gulf beaches, but Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are both roughly 30 to 45 minutes from downtown Tampa by car, depending on traffic.
What is there to do in Tampa with kids?
Tampa is very family-friendly. Kids love Busch Gardens, Adventure Island, the Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, the Glazer Children’s Museum, and the splash pads at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. For a relaxing pool day, many Tampa-area hotels offer Family Passes on ResortPass.
Can I use a hotel pool in Tampa without staying there?
Yes. With ResortPass, you can book a Day Pass, Cabana, Daybed, or Day Room at hotels in and around Tampa, including JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Hilton Tampa Downtown, and beachfront resorts in Clearwater and St. Pete Beach, without booking an overnight stay.
See more of Tampa with ResortPass
Not sure how to pick just one? With ResortPass, you won’t have to! ResortPass gives you access to more than 2,000 hotels and resorts around the world. Instead of paying for a full night’s stay to swim in a gorgeous pool or relax at a hotel spa, book a Day Pass and enjoy the amenities, then head out to your next Tampa adventure. Planning a family trip? Don’t miss our list of the best family vacation spots.
