10 Best Things to Do in Tampa

Tampa is one of the cities in Tampa Bay, considered an important commercial hub due to its museums, cultural and recreational attractions. In addition, its proximity to the waters of the Gulf offers the opportunity to enjoy water activities, while its natural parks make the city an ideal destination for explorers.

During your stay in Tampa , you won't have to worry about what to see and do, as the city has many places and activities to enjoy while discovering its cultural, historical and natural heritage. You can take a speedboat ride around Tampa Bay, visit Busch Gardens and learn about African wildlife, explore downtown Tampa on foot, sample the diverse cuisine offered by the old Ybor neighbourhood, among other things.

If you love speed and water activities, then a speedboat adventure around Tampa Bay is a great option during your stay in the city. You'll enjoy a privileged panoramic view from the water and discover interesting local wildlife such as manatees and birds.

As you drive the speedboat, you'll have the opportunity to see the impressive skyline of the city and its surroundings, identifying places such as:

• Ben T David Beach, with its fine sand and beautiful palm trees.
• Weedon Island Preserve, a large natural area with trails and kayaking routes.
• Apollo Beach Nature Reserve, a quiet beach popular with birdwatchers.

Once the boat starts, you will experience a unique adrenaline rush, the breeze caressing your face and the vibrant natural environment. For this adventure, you can book a speedboat tour in Tampa Bay and enjoy the company of an expert who will guide you through the vastness of the Gulf waters.

Useful information

• Price: €168 per person is the average price for this experience.
• Duration: approximately a couple of hours.
• Advantage: you will enjoy an adrenaline-filled aquatic adventure while taking in a different perspective of the city.

Visiting Busch Gardens theme park is another thing to do in Tampa. It is a large recreational space that is home to amazing African wildlife and also offers a range of mechanical attractions for the whole family. You'll have an unforgettable experience.

You'll travel by off-road vehicle through a natural area of approximately 65 acres, where you'll encounter exotic animals such as rhinos, zebras, ostriches, various species of antelope, gorillas, and you can even feed some giraffes, which, like the rest of the animals, live freely on the plains.

In addition, when you purchase tickets to Busch Gardens in Tampa Bay, you can ride the park's more than 10 roller coasters. And if you are travelling with children, they will enjoy the playground and safari attractions specially designed for them.

Useful information

• Admission: approximately €101 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 10:00 to 17:00; Friday and Saturday, 10:00 to 18:00 and 19:00 to 1:00; Thursday and Sunday, 10:00 to 18:00 and 19:00 to 00:00.
• Advantage: you will get a close-up view of African wildlife and have fun on the rides.

A very popular destination in Tampa is Adventure Island water park . From challenging slides to peaceful inflatable rides, this place has endless attractions where you'll have a blast.

When you buy tickets to Adventure Island in Tampa Bay, you can hop on a surfboard and ride the artificial waves at Endless Surf; get your adrenaline pumping as you descend the Aruba Tuba; or float peacefully down a canal on a doughnut at Rambling Bayou.

You'll also have access to Shaka-Laka Shores, a water play area for the little ones. Inside the park , you'll also find several food stalls and restaurants where you can recharge your batteries while enjoying delicious food and drinks.

Useful information

• Admission: around €53 per person. (Does not include food and drink in the restaurants).
• Opening hours: Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Monday to Friday.
• Advantage: you'll have a great time on the slides and other water attractions.

If you want to awaken your curiosity and feel like a kid in the process, the Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa, known as MOSI, is a place you can't miss. Its facilities feature interesting interactive exhibits ranging from simple optical illusions while lying on a bed of nails to a virtual reality simulator, among other things.

Some of the museum's highlightsthat you can enjoy are as follows:

• The Amazing You exhibition, which will allow you to delve into the world of the human body. Anatomy, nutrition and the importance of exercise.
• The Tampa's Own exhibition, which focuses on the history of the city through a series of artefacts.

The planetarium, where you will have the opportunity to gaze at the starry sky.
The SIMP, a flight simulator in which you pilot an aeroplane in a controlled environment.

You will also find activities related to robotics and programming, and you will learn about energy sources and their impact on the environment. Children will enjoy a special area for playing and exploring. It is important to note that if you decide to purchase the Tampa Bay CityPASS® tourist card, you will have direct, queue-free access to this museum, as well as other attractions.

Useful information

• Admission: the cost of admission is approximately £22 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 10:00 to 17:00.
• Advantage: you will awaken your curiosity and have fun like a child through the interactive exhibits at this museum.

Tampa is a city where every corner tells a story and reflects the cultural diversity of the city. Take a guided tour of the centre of this interesting town and discover its architecture, iconic monuments, natural spaces and much more.

Accompanied by a local guide, you will walk through the city centre, taking in iconic sights such as:

• The University of Tampa, notable for its Mudejar architectural style. The building known as Plant Hall, formerly an important hotel in the city.
• The Tampa Theatre, an elegant building constructed in 1926.
• Curtis Hixon Park, a beautiful public space located along the Hillsborough River in the heart of the city.
• The Park Tower, built in 1973 and considered Tampa's first skyscraper.

Although you can do the activity on your own, with a local guide you will have the opportunity to learn about the history of each of the destinations you see, while enjoying the unique charm of downtown Tampa. In addition, you won't waste time finding your way around the streets, as the expert will take you directly to each place.

Useful information

• Price: this type of tour costs around €30 per person.
• Duration: the tour generally lasts an average of 3 hours.
• Advantage: you will discover the most emblematic places in the city centre, which form part of its rich historical and cultural heritage.

Tampa Zoo is a place where you will have the opportunity to connect with different species of animals from all corners of the world. You will enjoy an outdoor experience where you can explore a series of beautiful natural habitats on your own .

Throughout your tour of the zoo , you will see more than 1,500 animals, including the following:

• Asian fauna, including red pandas, Indian rhinos, Malayan tigers, and more.
• African fauna, represented by elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos, gorillas, lynxes, etc.
• Animals common in Florida, such as river otters, manatees, bald eagles, sea turtles, among others.

The zoo also offers the opportunity to interact with some animals. You can feed a giraffe or some birds, as well as swim with manta rays, among other things. In addition, you will enjoy educational talks where you will learn about wildlife conservation.

Useful information

• Admission: the cost of admission is approximately €46 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Advantage: you will see different species of animals and learn about their care.

One of the things you can do during your stay in Tampa is sample its cuisine. And what better way to do so than by visiting the city's oldest neighbourhood, Ybor. Among other things, this place is known as the city's gastronomic epicentre. Visit some of its restaurants and discover the rich culinary heritage they hide. You'll be pleasantly surprised.

When you arrive in the Ybor neighbourhood, all you have to do is venture out into the streets in search of the best places. For example, you can visit the famous Columbia Restaurant, whose history dates back to 1905 and is considered the oldest in the city. There, you can enjoy Cuban, Italian and Spanish specialities. Without a doubt, this is a must-see on your culinary tour.

Apart from the restaurants with their delicious culinary diversity, which include Mexican chiles rellenos, Spanish paella, Puerto Rican sofrito, among other dishes. You can also take the opportunity to spend some time in Ybor's cafés, such as Casa Blanca or El Molino, and try the famous Cuban sandwich (bread with roast pork, Swiss cheese, ham, pickles and mustard).

Useful information

• Admission: Admission to restaurants and cafés is free.
• Opening hours: between 11:00 and 22:00. (This varies depending on the restaurant or café).
• Advantage: you will delight your palate with the gastronomic diversity that the city of Tampa has to offer.

In downtown Tampa, you'll find the Florida Aquarium, another place to explore during your stay in the city. There, you'll have the opportunity to see a wide variety of aquatic exhibits featuring sea creatures ranging from tiny seahorses to fearsome sharks and much more.

At the aquarium, you can walk through an underwater tunnel while observing different species of sharks and rays. You will also explore various habitats with amazing creatures such as spiny lobsters that live under rocks, garden eels that hide in the sand, friendly otters, curious sea turtles, and more than 20,000 other species.

You will also enjoy an impressive coral reef garden and touch pools where you can interact with some Pacific species, such as starfish, sea cucumbers, and more. In addition, depending on the season, you will find special events at the aquarium related to Halloween, Christmas, and other holidays.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €35 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Advantage: you will see a multitude of marine species you never knew existed and learn about their preservation.

Taking a sunset boat trip around Tampa Bay is a magical experience. You'll see the city skyline and the surrounding area from a unique perspective. Feel the breeze caressing your face as the last rays of the sun colour the urban and natural landscape with their warm tones.

Once on board, you can sit on the deck and relax. You'll watch as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon, creating a true spectacle of light and shadow. In the distance, you'll see the iconic city with its landmark buildings and the famous Tampa Bay Bridge, among other sights.

As you sail, you may spot seagulls flying over the boat, pelicans, blue herons and, if you are lucky, some manatees floating gently in the water. Without a doubt, it is a magical setting. In addition, you can enjoy a buffet and an open bar on board, which is usually included in this type of activity.

Useful information

• Price: this river adventure has an average cost of €43 per person.
• Duration: a maximum of 2 hours.
• Advantage: you will enjoy a unique perspective of the city and its surroundings at sunset from the calm waters of Tampa Bay.

Experiencing free fall without risking your safety is another adventure you can enjoy during your stay in Tampa. You'll enjoy a unique and very realistic skydiving experience in a simulator. You'll feel the adrenaline rush through your body as you defy gravity.

The moment you enter the skydiving simulator tunnel, you'll begin to float in the air, experiencing the immersive sensation of free fall. You'll hear the wind roaring around you and feel your body movements become lighter and more fluid, allowing you to adopt various positions characteristic of real descents. Every second will feel like an eternity.

Throughout this experience, you will be accompanied by an expert who will teach you some positions to enhance the simulated flight experience. They will also provide you with a suit and safety helmet. Without a doubt, this is a challenging, exciting and very fun activity that you can do alone or with your travel group.

Useful information

• Entrance fee: the cost of this experience is €90 per person (approx.).
• Duration: the maximum duration is around 90 minutes.
• Advantage: you will defy gravity without risking your safety in this skydiving simulator tunnel.