Tampa tends to get overlooked compared to other cities in Florida. Most folks head down to Miami, Orlando or take the Disney route. When you take a closer look at Tampa you realize that it has a few awesome beaches, several major theme parks, a zoo, an aquarium, and some of the best nightlife on the Florida coast! Don’t be fooled by its urban sprawl or low key demeanor, Tampa has a lot going on.
Tampa Bay Beaches
Ben T. Davis Beach
7740 W Courtney Campbell Cswy, Tampa, FL 33607
White Sand 🏖️ Blue Water 🌊 Swimming 👙 Sun 🕶️ Volleyball Games🏐
If you're vacationing in Tampa and looking for a close-by beach with powdery white sand and calm water, head over to Davis Beach. This is the closest beach to downtown Tampa and the locals' favorite tailgate spot. Davis offers ideal proximity to the airport for travelers who value efficiency. For those looking to work up a sweat, Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings are often populated by local volleyball players. This is one of the best spots in town to watch the sunset and is located adjacent to the new Courtney Campbell Trail, a four-mile biking and pedestrian bridge.
Davis Island Beach Picnic Island
Davis Islands Beach Tampa, FL 33606
Dog-Friendly 🐕 White Sand 🏖️ Blue Water 🌊 Sun 🕶️
Davis Island is located right outside of downtown Tampa. If you’re vacationing with your dog or just love dogs, this is a good spot to hit. Although the beach itself is off limits to dogs, most of the area is dedicated to being a dog park where canines can run off-leash. Davis Island has fluffy white sand and little-to-no rocks. Anchored boats sometimes crowd the beach in front of this sandy spot, making it difficult for swimming very far.
Picnic Island
Picnic Island Blvd Tampa, FL 33616
Dog-Friendly 🐕 White Sand 🏖️ Blue Water 🌊 Sun 🕶️ Playground 🎢
A hidden gem in South Tampa, this spacious park is the perfect place to bring the family to relax or have a picnic. Children can enjoy the sand playground and beach. Picnic Island Park offers a sand volleyball court and a disc golf course. A smaller dog beach is located near the boat and pier.
Tampa Bay Attractions
Busch Gardens
🎢Roller Coasters 🦓 Zoo 🍟Restaurants
This is by far the largest theme park in the Tampa Bay area. Busch Gardens does a great job of combining two things in one place, a zoo, and roller coasters. You can easily spend the day here as a couple or as a whole family and have a good time.
The Florida Aquarium
Alligators🐊 Sea Creatures 🐢 Sharks 🐬 Swim with fish 🐠
Located right in the center of downtown Tampa is one of the best aquariums in Florida. Featuring over 20,000 aquatic plants and animals the aquarium is home to cool creatures like sea dragons and sharks while also featuring interactive exhibits like a stingray touch tank and outdoor water park for the kiddies. If you have the time, book the Wild Dolphin Eco Tour while you are there. You’ll experience a tour of the Tampa Bay as you go out searching for wild dolphins on a comfortable ship.
Lowry Park Zoo
Elephant 🐘 Tiger 🐅 Zebra 🦓 Restaurants 🍟
Voted a #1 Zoo in the US by Parent’s Magazine the Lowry Park Zoo is a great little place located north of Downtown in an older part of Tampa. With over 1,500 animals in the zoo, there are varied exhibits from the animals of Australia to an Asian Aviary. On top of that, the zoo features an in-depth Florida Wildlife exhibit, along with lots of other play activities for kids and families.
Big Cat Rescue
Restaurants 🍟 Cats 🐈
Big Cat Rescue is a must-visit for any animal lover. Many animal sanctuaries are designed with their visitors in mind, this one exists for a different purpose, for the sanctuary and protection of over 100 big cats. Taking a guided tour through the park allows you to get up close and personal with these beauties while seeing them relax in the next best thing as their natural habitat.
Cigar City Brewing
Craft Beer 🍻 Distillery tour 🍺 Food 🥨
While Tampa Bay isn’t exactly famous for its beer scene, there is one relative newcomer that has taken the city by storm. Since 2009 Cigar City Brewing has been creating a line of innovative and high-quality craft beers that’ll knock your socks off. If you are planning on traveling to the Tampa area it’s well worth it to stop by their website and book a tour. If you don’t have the time for a tour, their tasting room has a crazy deep selection of many brews that are not available in cans but are available by the growler.
Ybor City
Dance Party 👯🏿♀️ Historic neighborhood 🏠 Restaurants 🍔
If you are looking for some exciting nightlife or just a bit of old Tampa history, Ybor city is the place to be. By day it’s a quaint small city filled with brick paved streets and historical buildings from the area's roots as the premier cigar rolling city in America. Ybor city has the only piece of land owned by Cuba in the US, Jose Mari Park. At night though, Ybor city does it’s best to become Tampa’s version of Bourbon Street. With frequent night parades and other event’s, it’s not uncommon to find yourself in the middle of a street party in Ybor. On top of that, Ybor is home to the majority of the area’s best night clubs.
Where to Eat
Bern’s Steak House
Steak house 🥩 Dessert Room 🍨 Wine 🍷
Bern’s Steakhouse is a Tampa staple that is frequently featured on national lists of best steakhouses. It’s the combination of their premium dry-aged steaks, produce that is mostly grown fresh in their own organic garden, and the warm and romantic atmosphere. Still looking for more? Well, what if I told you that when it’s time for dessert you actually head upstairs to a separate and private desert room. In this room, you can select from an enormous list of desserts while sitting in a booth made of giant wine casks while listing to your choice of radio stations. Local’s tip, ask the host for a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar, it’s impressive.
Brocato’s
Sandwich 🥪 Deviled Crab 🦀 Cuban Food 🇨🇺
If there are two things you have to eat while you’re in Tampa it’s a Cuban Sandwich and a Deviled Crab. First off, if you’ve never had a Cuban Sandwich in Tampa, you’ve never had one quite like the one you are going to have at Brocato’s. In addition to the succulent roasted pork, ham, cheese, and pickles you’ll find on a regular Cuban, Tampa Cuban’s spice their sandwiches up with the addition of some delicious salami. On to Brocato’s other specialty, Deviled Crabs. Imagine a giant balled up crab cake that’s deep-fried and served with hot sauce. Quick tip, don’t go to Brocato’s at lunchtime. You’ll wait in a huge line that runs out the door. Go around 11 or 2.
Yummy House
Cantonese food 🇨🇳 Family Style 👪 Noodles 🍜
The Yummy House features authentic Cantonese style cuisine. There is nothing on the menu that isn’t good. While the atmosphere of their original location isn’t great, the food more than makes up for it. Everything is served family style on large dishes and is intended for sharing. Looking for a tasty delight? The salt and pepper Calamari is to die for. If you plan on visiting note that they do not serve beer or wine, but you can bring your own!
Sa Ri One
Korean Food 🇰🇷 Noodles 🍜
Tucked away on a side street in the West Shore area, you’d never know this place existed unless someone told you about it. They feature all the classic Korean dishes you’d expect to find at a typical Korean Restaurant along with some of the harder to find specialties. If you are looking for something that isn’t on the menu, you can normally request it to be made. If you’ve never had Korean food but want to give it a try, a good place to start is the Bulgogi (Koren BBQ Beef) or the Dolsot Bi Bim Bop (a mix of rice and veggies served in a hot stone bowl). Want to know how good Sa Ri One is? They don’t even have a website.
Vallarta’s
Mexican Food 🇲🇽 Burrito 🌯
If you are looking for authentic Mexican food with very generous portions Vallarta’s is the place to go. With 3 locations in the Tampa Bay area, it’s an easy choice for a quick and satisfying meal. Their lunch specials are pretty affordable and the food quality is solid. If you are looking to try something a little more exotic than the usual burritos and enchiladas, go for the Molcajete. It’s a combination of chicken, steak, and shrimp layered in between veggies, cheese, and ranchero sauce. It’s a HUGE portion so if you order it, plan on sharing.
Where to stay in Tampa
Le Méridien Tamp ★★★★
Price Range: $200 - $250
🅿 Parking available 🏊 Outside Pool 🐶 Pet-friendly
Le Méridien was once a century-old Historic Federal Courthouse. It now provides the perfect romantic location for couples. This hotel features an on-site fitness center and an outdoor pool.
Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel & Marina ★★★★
Price: $300 - $350
🅿 Parking available 🏊 Pool 🅦 Free WiFi in the lobby
This is a beautifully transformed, waterfront hotel that sits adjacent to the Tampa Convention Center. Select a Stay Well room to enjoy amenities like air purifiers and vitamin-infused showers. Visit the rooftop to take a plunge in the pool or stop by the state-of-the-art fitness center.
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay ★★★★
Price: $300 - $350
🅿 Free parking 🏊 Pool 🅦 Free WiFi 🐶 Pet-friendly 🚌 Airport transfer
This hotel is set on a beautifully landscaped waterfront, located three miles from Tampa International Airport and Bay Street. It’s just moments away from shopping and sports arenas in Tampa Bay. Retreat to enjoy award-winning dining with stunning bay views.
