Tampa Bay Florida Travel Guide

With miles of dazzling waterfront, authentic Cuban culture, MICHELIN-Starred cuisine and nightlife, Tampa Bay has a million ways to play. All with an easy, laid-back vibe.

Plan your next getaway to Tampa Bay with TravelPlanners. Start your adventure in this exciting destination, where you can immerse yourself in the local culture before heading off to explore one of Florida’s stunning beaches with one of our Tampa Bay twin centre packages.

Alternatively spend a few days discovering all that Tampa Bay has to offer, from its lively Riverwalk and superb dining to a wide variety of accommodations and the historic charm of Ybor City before embarking on an exciting cruise. With endless activities and attractions, Tampa Bay truly has something for everyone.

Discover Tampa Bay in 2025 or 2026

The treasures of Tampa Bay are vast – from its Cuban heritage that is still vibrant today, its amazing food scene, serene rooftop cocktail bars, exhilarating thrill rides at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay, pedestrianized Tampa Riverwalk including the free TECO streetcar, museums, and excellent shopping of course. Tampa Bay really does have it all…..

Transport In Tampa Bay - No Need To Drive!

Once you’re in town, getting around Tampa Bay is a breeze. Beyond being very pedestrian-friendly, transportation options include a comprehensive menu of taxi services, free TECO streetcar, Pirate Water Taxi, and more.

Thrilling Attractions In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is family-friendly – as mentioned, the infrastructure is a big part of the reasoning for this, but in addition, Tampa Bay boasts a lot of attractions and activities for the entire family to enjoy together. As an extra bonus, it’s possible to save money by purchasing the Tampa CityPASS and Riverwalk Attraction Pass, which gives access to a wide range of attractions, and free access for the smallest children in most places (under 1, 2 or 3 years of age depending on the attraction).

Here are our suggestions for the three most exciting family friendly attractions in Tampa Bay:

#1 Glazer Children’s Museum is a fantastic home to permanent and traveling exhibitions dedicated to the creation of learning moments for children and families. Get nose to nose with Big John, the World’s Largest Triceratops, in an immersive and playful exhibit the kids are sure to love.

#2 Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure – an amusement park with thrilling rides and one of the best zoo in the country that boasts over 12.000 animals. Just across the street you’ll find Adventure Island®, a waterpark with unmatched levels of exciting attractions, water slides and more.

#3 The Florida Aquarium is conveniently located on the waterfront and near one of the TECO streetcar stops. Rated one of the best aquariums in the U.S., The Florida Aquarium welcomes visitors to experience a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals – including sea turtles, sharks, lemurs, and otters – with the goal of building awareness and inspiring conservation action. Children can play in the splash park while parents enjoy a cold drink in the bar next to it.

Adventure Unforgettably In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is not only a vibrant cultural hub, but also a champion of eco-tourism, encouraging visitors to protect the environment and embrace a balanced, nature-friendly lifestyle. With various eco-tourism initiatives, the region promotes sustainable travel while educating visitors on the mutual benefits of conservation..

Here are 3 interesting eco-tourism activities in Tampa Bay:

#1 ZooTampa at Lowry Park are leaders in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of Florida species such as the majestic manatees, the critically endangered Florida panthers and the iridescent indigo snakes. Visiting ZooTampa is worth it just to see the many animals but knowing that you are simultaneously supporting their good work for the conservation of Florida wildlife makes it even better!

#2 Manatee Viewing Center is quite the rare phenomenon, as the clear, warm discharge water of Tampa Electric has become a migrating spot for manatees to enjoy the warm waters every year, prompting them to build the viewing center for the greater public. You can visit the Manatee Viewing Center and see these gentle animals from November 1st to April 15th.

#3 Hillsborough River State Park is just minutes from downtown Tampa, This diverse park offers a refuge from city life with seven miles of nature trails and wonderful wildlife viewing.

Visit a breathtaking oasis of natural and historical significance. Stroll along the river rapids, enjoy camping, explore historic structures, share a picnic or view scenic landscapes.

Hillsborough River State Park provides many opportunities for outdoor recreation. From fishing in the Hillsborough River to hiking or biking on the trails or picnicking under pavilions built in the 1930s, there is something for everyone here.

Besides enjoying a living history lesson, visitors can view Class II river rapids, which are rare in Florida, and canoe or kayak along the scenic Hillsborough River.

Where to stay in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay has experienced a hotel boom in recent years, with over 2500 rooms added in the past 2 years.

If you want to have a unique experience in Tampa Bay, we recommend these 3 options:

#1 In October 2022 the first 5-star hotel in Tampa Bay opened. The Tampa EDITION is a gem of a hotel with luxury amenities and seven unique dining concepts under the guidance of MICHELIN-starred chef John Fraser.

#2 Hotel Haya blends Ybor City’s rich history with modern luxury, featuring stylish rooms inspired by the neighborhood’s Cuban and Latin roots. With its vibrant courtyard, locally inspired dining, and artistic touches, it offers a unique stay in the heart of Tampa’s historic district.

#3 The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street combines modern luxury with the sophisticated energy of Tampa’s Water Street neighborhood. Relax and bask in the Florida sun from the sixth floor resort-style pool with privates cabanas as you take in scenic water views.

Cultural Getaways

Without kids, there is also plenty to do in Tampa Bay. The cultural offers are overwhelming and there is so much to learn about Tampa’s rich history – involving both cigars and pirates.

#1 Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, next to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Museum or Art is a beautiful institution inside and out. Exhibitions celebrate ancient, modern and contemporary art, as well as sculpture, photography, painting, and new media.

#2 Tampa Bay History Center will teach you about the rich history of Ybor City as the cigar-manufacturing capital of the world in the 20th century, about the Buccaneer pirates that constructed a safe-haven in Tampa Bay, and many other fun facts about the history of Tampa.

#3 From 1926 the iconic Tampa Theatre has been a fantastic setting to experience both classic and contemporary films, as well as concerts under the stars.

Tampa Bay is recognized as a culinary gem in the U.S.
5 Tampa Restaurants awarded with MICHELIN stars.

In 2022, Tampa Bay earned inclusion in the first-ever MICHELIN guide to Florida, with a total of 30 Tampa Bay recommendations. As Tampa Bay is in riveting development, new restaurants are opening regularly, adding to the already rich culinary scene.

Here are three authentic culinary experiences you must try in Tampa Bay:

#1 Among the Michelin-recommended restaurants is the Columbia restaurant, Florida’s oldest restaurant from 1905 and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world!

#2 Armature Works at the northern end of the Tampa Riverwalk hosts a dozen dining options, among them the MICHELIN-recommended Steelbach and Oak & Ola.

#3 Sparkman wharf at the south end of the Riverwalk hosts new-age dining places creatively located in refurbished shipping containers and headed by top area chefs.

Explore Wildly in Tampa Bay in 2025 and 2026

Naturally, the landscape in Tampa Bay allows for many sporty activities as well. Here are 5 of the most fun outdoor activities in Tampa Bay:

#1 Kayaking – Rental is possible from Urban Kai at Armature Works at one end of the Tampa Bay Riverwalk, or from Riverwalk Rentals. Both kayaking and Stand-Up Paddling are amazing ways of viewing the Tampa Bay Skyline and attractions from the water. If you venture just a few minutes from downtown Tampa to Hillsborough River State Park, you have the option of kayaking or canoeing Florida’s only Class 2 rapids and enjoy the scenic landscape of the park.

#2 Fishing – As Florida is well-known for its unbelievable sport fishing, due to the proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the wide variety of species available year-round, fishing in the Tampa Bay area is a great option no matter what time of year you plan your visit.

#3 Hiking – There are several Nature parks in the Tampa Bay area that offer beautiful hiking trails. Visit the Alafia River State Park, the Hillsborough River State Park, Morris Bridge Wilderness Park, John B. Sergeant Sr. Memorial Wilderness Park, Upper Tampa Bay Park, or what about taking a ferry to Caladesi Island State Park and discover one of the state’s last undeveloped barrier islands? There, you’ll find a beautiful 3 mile beach and lots of wildlife – as well as a wooden inland hiking trail. The perfect getaway spot to get some exercise surrounded by beautiful nature.

#4 Ziplining – Experience the thrill of ziplining a total of 914 meters, while overlooking the wildlife and beautiful nature of Bayou Wilderness and Tampa Bay. Empower ADVENTURES in Tampa Bay, which is Trip Advisor 5-Star rated, offer 2-2,5-hour zip line adventures including 5 zip-lines and numerous aerial adventures such as suspension bridges.

#5 For unbelievable trails, visit Alafia River State Park. Just east of downtown, this park is one of the most favored off-road biking choices in Florida, offering more than 20 miles of single-track trails.

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