Best 8 Things to Do in Tampa

Tampa, Florida, is one of the most visited cities in America, and for good reason. Rich in history and culture, Tampa is a fun-filled vacation destination for tourists of all ages. No matter what your interests are, the city has something for you!

Tampa offers a wide array of diverse, hands-on attractions. If you’re a nature lover, go for a hike or fish amongst the wildlife. Prefer to stay inside? Visit one of the many museums or art galleries. Thrillseekers can pick between the city’s premier amusement parks, and foodies can explore the rich cuisine scene.

The bottom line is that whether you’re a kid or a grownup, there is so much fun to be had. We’ve compiled a list of things to do in Tampa to help make your visit the best trip ever.

1. Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art is a renowned cultural hub in Tampa, Florida. If you want to get a better understanding of Tampa’s heritage, this beautiful institution is a great place to start.

The modern, sleek, and minimalist architecture, designed by Stanley Saitowitz, houses several different exhibitions throughout the year that feature local and international artists. You can expect to view a good share of both historical pieces and contemporary art.

Need a little help getting around the museum? The Tampa Museum of Art offers guided tours and hands-on workshops for guests of all ages. Other educational offerings include film screenings, public lectures, and exciting art festivals.

2. Hillsborough River

The Hillsborough State River Park is one of Tampa’s most popular attractions. The Hillsborough River spans 60 miles through west-central Florida and comes to an end in Tampa Bay.

This location is a must-visit for anyone wanting to get active and immerse themselves amidst Tampa’s wildlife and natural ecosystems. If you and your family are looking to exercise during your Tampa getaway, this spot provides you with the chance to go kayaking, canoeing, or on a guided boat tour.

The area is filled with thriving plant life ranging from submerged vegetation, floating plants, herbaceous plants, and even invasive species. Animals native to the area continue to reside in the park thanks to conservation efforts. Visit the Hillsborough River, and you might spot some turtles, alligators, otters, owls, and more.

Visitors can also take a stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk located in Downtown Tampa and pass by beautiful parks, museums, and dining locations. Some of the most popular waterfront restaurants are Ulele, The Sail Pavilion, and Anchor & Brine.

3. Busch Gardens

Busch Gardens is a premier theme park famous for its unique blend of thrilling rides and animal exhibits. Located on McKinley Drive, the 335-acre park welcomes over 3,000,000 visitors every year.

Amongst the most impressive rides are the SheiKra, Montu, Tigris, and Cheetah Hunt roller coasters. However, the real pièce de résistance is the Iron Gwazi. This is the tallest North American roller coaster and the fastest hybrid coaster in the world.

Don’t worry if you’re not a big thrill seeker. There are fun things for everyone at Busch Gardens. In addition to family-friendly rides, you can watch live entertainment like the Turn It Up ice skating show, the Let’s Play Together show starring Sesame Street characters, and the Critter Castaways show featuring rescue animals.

Perhaps the most famous part of Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the animals! Visit the Edge of Africa, Jungala, and Serengeti Plain exhibits to see exotic animals living in large, scenic enclosures. Get hands-on and feed some giraffes, or get up close and personal with the African penguins!

4. Adventure island

Adventure Island Tampa, located on McKinley Dr just across from Busch Gardens, is a 30-acre waterpark popular with Tampa locals and tourists.

At Adventure Island, there is more than enough fun to go around. The park has over 10 thrilling water slides, including the Rapids Racer, Solar Vortex, Vanish Point, Caribbean Corkscrew, and Aruba Tuba.

There are multiple kid-friendly attractions like Castaway Falls, an interactive splash and play area equipped with slides, soakers, spray jets, and three 1,300-gallon tipping buckets. Young guests should also check out Shaka-Laka Shores, the park’s central kid play area.

The whole family can go for a swim at Endless Surf, the park’s 17,000-square-foot wave pool, featuring rolling waves every 10 minutes. Or, for a more relaxing time, they can mosey down the Rambling Bayou lazy river. This tube ride is half a mile long.

Don’t forget your water and sunscreen!

5. Ybor City

Ybor City is a historic district in Tampa. It was first developed by Spanish and Cuban immigrants in the late 1800s, spearheaded by the successful entrepreneur and cigar manufacturer Vicente Martinez-Ybor. By the 1900s, Ybor City had earned the title of “cigar capital of the world.”

Fast forward to the 21st century and the historic neighborhood is now a designated Historic Landmark in the United States. Visitors can head down to Ybor City in the Tampa Bay area and enjoy tours and museums.

Amongst these museums is the Henry B. Plant Museum, located in what was formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel. The Tampa Bay Hotel was first opened as a railroad resort by Henry B. Plant in 1891. Guests can take a peek into the past and see what the hotel looked like at the height of its opulence.

Ybor City also boasts a vibrant nightlife. Take a nighttime ghost tour in one of Ybor’s many supposed haunted locations. Or, if you’re not a big fan of spirits, you can drink them instead! Ybor is chock-full of bars and dance clubs with DJs and live music. Dance to a wide array of genres ranging from Latin music to the blues.

6. Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is a stunning 250,000-square-foot aquarium located in downtown Tampa. This popular tourist destination, committed to coral restoration and rehabilitating injured animals, is the perfect spot for the whole family to learn about marine life and ecosystems.

One of the most popular exhibits is the Coral Reef habitat, which features a floor-to-ceiling underwater viewing of vibrant sea creatures and simulates coral reef ecosystems.

Another popular spot is Ocean Commotion, an interactive play zone designed with young guests in mind! Kids will have the opportunity to learn about marine life and conservation, all while having fun.

If you want to take your aquarium visit to the next level, you can try SeaTREK. SeaTREK is a guided underwater tour in one of the 15-foot-deep habitats. Guests will get up close and personal with sharks, fish, and sea turtles!

7. ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a jaw-dropping zoo and conservation center. Across the property’s 63 acres of land, you will have the opportunity to see animals from all over the world.

Some exhibits specialize in wildlife native to Florida such as alligators and black bears. Other exhibits are devoted to educating guests on animals from different parts of the globe. For example, the Wallaroo Station showcases kangaroos and koalas, Safari Africa has elephants and zebras, and the Asian Gardens put Malayan tigers on display.

ZooTampa also has loads of interactive experiences with the animals. You can feed giraffes and rhinos by hand, pet giant tortoises, meet adorable koalas, hang out at an aviary surrounded by lorikeets, and head to the manatee viewing center to watch injured manatees get mended back to health.

8. Tampa Bay History Center

The Tampa Bay History Center does an incredible job at encompassing the culture, history, and heritage of the areas around the Gulf Coast.

Various exhibits rotate in and out, but permanent exhibits include The Tampa Bay Timeline (which maps out 12,000 years of Tampa Bay history), Coacoochee’s Story (which educates on the life of historic Seminole leader Coacoochee), and the Touchton Map Library (which features over 6,000 preserved cartographic materials).

Escape the Florida heat, learn about the city’s heritage, and grab a treat at the museum’s cafe. The Columbia Cafe pays homage to Florida’s oldest restaurant, the Columbia Restaurant. Enjoy Spanish and Cuban cuisine like Cuban sandwiches and Tapas.

Be sure to include this impressive educational site the next time you and your family visit Tampa Bay.

See More of Tampa With ResortPass

Now that you have the perfect itinerary for your next trip to Tampa, you’ll need to figure out where to lay by the pool and recuperate. There are so many beautiful resorts in and around Tampa for you to choose from.

Here is a list of some of the best Tampa, Florida resorts:

Not sure how to pick just one? With ResortPass, you won’t have to! ResortPass provides you with the chance to make day trips to over 1,000 beautiful hotels around the world.

Instead of paying for a full night’s stay to swim in a gorgeous pool or use a hotel’s spa facilities, you can purchase a Day Pass instead! You and your family can enjoy a resort’s amenities before moving on to the next one or returning to the comfort of your home.