50 Things to Do in Tampa
Tampa, located along Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida, is a relaxed, yet spirited community with a rich cultural heritage. Early Greek, Cuban, and Italian immigrants settled in the area, drawn to its temperate climate and seafaring ways. Today the Tampa-St. Petersburg area is home to over 2.7 million residents and offers visitors a diverse mixture of culture, sports, arts, natural beauty, museums, and theme parks.
Here are 50 activities to get you started after landing at the Tampa airport:
1. Get wet and wild at Adventureland Island.
2. Tour the authentic WWII American Victory Ship.
3. Go antique shopping on Central Avenue.
4. Shop for bargains at the Big Top Flea Market.
5. Explore the Dali Museum.
6. Sip Chardonnay at a Tampa Bay winery.
7. Visit charming Tarpon Springs, the “sponge capital of the world.”
8. Ride the rides at Busch Gardens.
9. See the planes take off while you dine at the revolving restaurant, C.K’s at the airport Marriott.
10. Learn about West Florida history at Ybor City.
11. Enjoy an old-fashioned Florida amusement park at Cypress Gardens.
12. Take the kids to the David L. Mason Children’s Museum.
13. Explore gulf plants and animals at the Florida Aquarium.
14. See dinosaurs and more at the Florida Museum of Natural History.
15. Ride a historic train at the Florida Railroad Museum.
16. Enjoy the sunset at Fred H. Howard Park.
17. Buy a tome at Haslam’s Bookstore, the oldest bookstore in Florida.
18. Relive history at Heritage Village, a living museum of 19th culture.
19. Enjoy hiking, canoeing, camping, and more at Hillsborough River State Park.
20. Visit the manatees at Homosassa Springs.
21. Enjoy a performance at the Largo Cultural Arts Center.
22. Explore the Lowry Park Zoo.
23. Feed the pelicans on the St. Petersburg Pier.
24. Learn about local history at the Dunedin Historical Society Museum.
25. View indigenous Florida plants and flowers at the University of South Florida Botanical Garden.
26. Soak up some rays at Clearwater Beach.
27. Hear the Florida Orchestra at the Mahaffey Theater.
28. Have a hot dog at Mel’s.
29. Enjoy the hands-on exhibits at the Museum of Science and Industry.
30. Shop for bargains at Prime Outlets, Ellenton.
31. Shop for Christmas decorations year-round at Roger’s Christmas House in Brooksville.
32. Watch a play at Ruth Eckerd Hall.
33. Sample Cuban cuisine at La Ideal Cafeteria in West Tampa.
34. Take a glass-bottom boat ride in Silver Springs.
35. Visit the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Arts.
36. View antique cars at the Tampa Bay Automobile Museum.
37. Go to a Tampa Devil Rays baseball game.
38. Cool off at WaterPlay at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills.
39. See the mermaids at Weeki Watchee.
40. Take an airboat ride up the Withlacoochee River.
41. Hike the Pinellas Trail.
42. See a little bit of Old Florida in St. Peterburg’s Old Northeast neighborhood.
43. Take in a Tampa Buccaneers football game.
44. Ride a historic streetcar in Ybor City.
45. Enjoy a steak at Bern’s Steakhouse.
46. Take a dinner cruise around Tampa Bay.
47. Try your luck at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
48. Charter a boat and fish for big game fish in Tampa Bay.
49. Savor the seafood at Skipper’s Smokehouse.
50. Hit the links at one of Tampa-St. Pete’s scores of golf courses.
Enjoy even more activities. Click here to save money on discount hotels in Tampa, St. Petersburg or anywhere.
Categories: Things to Do
