The Ultimate Travel Guide to Tampa [2026]: Best Attractions, Tips & Insider Secrets

Tampa, a city located along Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida, is the largest city in West Central Florida.

Tampa has some of the finest beaches in the world, for example, Tampa’s Clearwater Beach is a natural fine white sand beach that attracts tourists from all over the world every year.

As a historic trading port city, Tampa is home to many historic buildings and cultures from the Cuban trade period. Tampa is also home to a number of aquariums and zoos that are home to many local sea creatures as well as exotic creatures from around the globe. There are also several amusement parks in Tampa.

So, whether you like to explore history, get close to nature, or are looking for an exciting excursion experience, Tampa can be a rewarding and flexible travel destination.

Tampa is close enough to Orlando that you can put the two places on a tour together, with the two just under a 2-hour drive apart.

Recommended Travel Credit Cards: Marriott Credit Card | Sapphire Credit Card

What to see in Tampa? What should you expect?

Tampa has many attractions worth visiting or touring, including natural beaches, several museums related to history, literature and art, zoos, botanical gardens, aquariums that offer close encounters with natural flora and fauna, and parks that offer several amusement rides.

Playing at the Beach

Tampa is surrounded by one of the most famous beaches in the world: Clearwater Beach.

Tampa’s beaches are listed below:

  • Clearwater Beach
  • Ben T. Davis Beach
  • Sand Key Beach
  • Sunset Beach
  • Indian Rocks Beach
  • Fort de Soto Beach (Fort De Soto Beach)
  • Honeymoon Island State Park
  • St. Pete Beach

Attractions related to History and Literature

  • Tampa Bay History Center
  • Tampa Museum of Art
  • Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
  • American Victory Ship Mariners Museum
  • Museum of Science & Industry
  • Ybor City Saturday Market

Getting closer to nature’s flora and fauna

  • Henry B. Plant Museum
  • The Florida Aquarium
  • ZooTampa at Lowry Park
  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  • The Tropics Boat Tours
  • Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
  • Lost Pearl Tour

An exciting park experience

  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • Adventure Island

CityPass Card v.s. RiverWalkPass Card

When you visit, you can purchase a CityPass card or a RiverWalkPass card, which allows you to visit multiple attractions with a single purchase.

It will be much cheaper compared to buying tickets for each attraction individually.

CityPass card

The CityPass card supports the inclusion of 5 attractions:

  • Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
  • The Florida Aquarium
  • ZooTampa at Lowry Park
  • Clearwater Marine Aquarium
  • The Tropics Boat Tours Dolphin or Sunset Cruise or Museum of Science & Industry

Valid for 9 days from entry to the first attraction Price: $114 (ages 3 to 9), $129 (ages 10 and up)

Purchase Links

RiverWalkPass Card

Both one-day and three-day passes are available for eight attractions/locations spread around the Tampa Riverwalk Trail, including:

  • The Florida Aquarium
  • Pirate Water Taxi
  • Tampa Bay History Center
  • Tampa Museum of Art
  • Glazer Children’s Museum
  • H.B. Plant Museum
  • Florida Museum of Photographic Arts
  • American Victory Ship

Each pass can only be used once per attraction. Prices are: one-day pass, $35-$55, three-day pass $49-$79.

Purchase Links

Best time to visit Tampa?

Tampa’s summer months (May through August) are characterized by high temperatures and precipitation, making travel physically uncomfortable and coinciding with the summer vacation period, which is also heavily traveled, so it’s recommended to avoid this time of year if time permits.

The climate is comfortable from January to April and from September to December.

However, based on previous years’ hotel and airfare prices, the January to April period will be more expensive than the September to December period, so overall, traveling to Tampa during the September to December period is the best option for a comfortable climate, few tourists, and lower travel costs.

Which planes fly directly to Tampa?

The main commercial airport in Tampa is: Tampa International Airport, the airport code is TPA, and this is the best airport to visit Tampa.

There is also a relatively small airport: the Peter O. Knight Airport with the airport code TPF.

Of course, you might also consider flying directly to Orlando (airport code MCO) and traveling two hours to Tampa.

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

The drive from TPA airport to the city takes about 10 minutes by car.

The following is information on direct flights within the United States to TPA Airport.

Direct Flight City (Airport Code)flight timedirect airline
Dallas, Texas
(DFW)
2 hours and 23 minutesAmerican
Frontier
Spirit
Dallas
(DAL)
2 hours and 15 minutesSouthwest
Houston, Texas
(IAH)
2 hours and 05 minutesUnited
Southwest
Spirit
Los Angeles, CA
(LAX)
4 hours and 42 minutesAmerican
Alaska
Delta
United
San Francisco, CA
(SFO)
5 hoursAlaska
United
New York, NY
(EWR)
2 hours 46 minutesUnited
Spirit
JetBlue
Boston, MA
(BOS)
3 hours and 31 minutesDelta
JetBlue
Spirit
Las Vegas, NV
(LAS)
4 hours and 24 minutesSouthwest
Frontier
Spirit
Atlanta, GA
(ATL)
1 hour 28 minutesDelta
Southwest
Frontier
Spirit
St. Lous, MO
(STL)
2 hours 08 minutesSouthwest
Frontier
Denver, CO
(DEN)
3 hours and 25 minutesFrontier
United
Southwest
Salt Lake City, UT
(SLC)
4 hours and 01 minutesDelta
Southwest
Miami
(MIA)
1 hour 04 minutesAmerican
Fort Lauderdale
(FLL)
1 hour and 15 minutesSilver
Southwest
Spirit
Seattle
(SEA)
5 hours and 18 minutes.AlaskaDelta
Phoenix
(PHX)
3 hours 55 minutesAmerican
Southwest
Chicago
(MDW)
2 hours and 34 minutesSouthwest
Frontier
Chicago
(ORD)
2 hours and 34 minutesAmerican
United
Spirit
Southwest
Washington
(IAD)
2 hours, 22 minutes.United
Birmingham
(BHM)
1 hour and 20 minutesSouthwest

Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF)

It takes about 10 minutes to rent a car from Peter O. Knight Airport (TPF) and drive to downtown Tampa.

Below is information on direct flights within the U.S. to Peter O. Knight Airport [Source].

Direct Flight City (Airport Code)direct airline
Dallas, Texas (DFW)American
Frontier
Spirit
Dallas (DAL)Southwest
Houston, Texas (IAH)United
Southwest
Spirit
Houston, Texas (HOU)Southwest
Los Angeles, CA (LAX)American
Alaska
Delta
United
San Francisco, CA (SFO)Alaska
United
New York, NY (JFK)Delta
JetBlue
New York, NY (EWR)Spirit
United
JetBlue
Boston,MA(BOS)Delta
JetBlue
Spirit
Las Vegas, NV (LAS)Southwest
Frontier
Spirit
Atlanta, GA (ATL)Delta
Southwest
Frontier
Spirit
St. Lous, MO(STL)Southwest
Frontier
Denver, CO(DEN)Frontier
United
Southwest
Salt Lake City,UT (SLC)Delta
Southwest
Miami (MIA)American
Fort Lauderdale (FLL)Silver
Southwest
Spirit
Seattle (SEA)Alaska
Delta
Phoenix (PHX)American
Southwest
Chicago (MDW)Southwest
Frontier
Chicago (ORD)American
United
Spirit
Southwest
New Orleans (MSY)Spirit
Southwest
Birmingham (BHM)Southwest
Washington D.C. (IAD)United
Washington D.C. (DCA)American
Southwest

What are the traffic and road conditions in Tampa?

Tampa is located along Tampa Bay on the west coast of Florida and can be reached by car via Highway 4 and Highway 275.

You can also take an Amtrak train to Tampa Union Station. Reservation Links

Within the Tampa metropolitan area, the HART public bus system, the TECO Line streetcar system, and the Pirate Water Taxi system dominate.

HART public buses have multiple routes;

TECO Line is a local specialty streetcar with 11 stops and free rides;

The water cab has 17 stops along the Hillsborough River, and RiverWalkPass cards can be used in addition to purchasing a boat ticket.

Map of the public transportation system:

Tampa Public Transportation
Image source

How are accommodations in Tampa organized?

Tampa’s overall area is small and the airport is close to the city, so the hotels are all relatively centralized, and most of them are built in the coastal area, where you can get a nice view of the ocean, and good reputation hotels are available:

#1. Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.4/10.0 805 reviews

#2. The CURRENT Hotel, Autograph Collection ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 319 reviews

#3. Tampa Airport Marriott ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.5/10.0 678 reviews

#4. Tampa Marriott Water Street ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 509 reviews

#5. Hotel Haya ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.0/10.0 524 reviews

#6. Hotel Alba Tampa, Tapestry Collection By Hilton ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 391 reviews

#7. Hyatt Place Tampa Busch Gardens ⭐⭐⭐ 8.2/10.0 1,197条评价

#8. Hyatt House Tampa Airport/Westshore ⭐⭐⭐ 9.2/10.0 455条评价

#9. Holiday Inn Express and Suites Tampa I-75 at Bruce B. Downs, ⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 627条评价

#10. Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Ybor City Downtown ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 545 reviews

#11. Courtyard by Marriott Tampa Northwest/Veterans Expressway ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.1/10.0 338 reviews

#12. Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District ⭐⭐⭐ 8.7/10.0 1,304条评价

#13. Hyatt Place Tampa Airport/Westshore ⭐⭐⭐ 8.2/10.0 1,176条评价

#14. Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 846 reviews

#15. Hampton Inn Odessa Trinity ⭐⭐⭐ 9.3/10.0 376 reviews

#16. Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.4/10.0 374 reviews

#17. Comfort Suites Tampa Airport North ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.3/10.0 409 reviews

#18. SpringHill Suites Tampa North/Tampa Palms ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.6/10.0 365 reviews

#19. TownePlace Suites by Marriott Tampa Casino Area ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.9/10.0 324 reviews

#20. Home2 Suites By Hilton Tampa Westshore Airport ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.9/10.0 251 reviews

#21. Embassy Suites Tampa Downtown Convention Center ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.1/10.0 878 reviews

What are some good restaurants in Tampa?

Tampa cuisine features seafood and Cuban cuisine, but also offers a wide range of flavors from around the globe to satisfy the tastes of different visitors, with quality restaurant recommendations available:

#1.Ulele 4.5/5.0 (6,308 reviews) map

#2.Eddie V’s Prime Seafood 4.7/5.0 (2,638 reviews) map

#3.Datz 4.5/5.0 (6,044 reviews) map

#4.Seasons 52 4.5/5.0 (2,630 reviews) map

#5.Green Lemon 4.6/5.0 (3,278 reviews) Map

#6.Columbia Restaurant 4.5/5.0 (13,972 reviews) Map

#7.Bella’s Italian Cafe 4.5/5.0 (1,676 ratings) map

#8. Daily Eats 4.6/5.0 (2,445 reviews) Maps

#9.Happy Fish 4.3/5.0 (1,152 reviews) Map

#10.Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar 4.6/5.0 (2,192 reviews) map

#11.Ocean Prime 4.7/5.0 (2,878 reviews) Maps

#12.Bulla Gastrobar 4.6/5.0 (2,633 reviews) map

#13.Oxford Exchange 4.6/5.0 (4,2000 reviews) Map

#14.La Teresita Restaurant 4.3/5.0 (9,210 reviews) map

#15.Bahama Breeze 4.5/5.0 (14,362 reviews) map

#16.Water + Flour 4.6/5.0 (1,196 reviews) map

#17.Pal Campo Restaurant Tampa 4.3/5.0 (3,394 reviews) map

#18.Yeoman’s Topgolf Swing Suite 4.5/5.0 (2,580 reviews) map

#19.Olive Garden Italian Restaurant 4.3/5.0 (3,147 reviews) map

#20.The Melting Pot 4.6/5.0 (1,395 reviews) Map

#21.Hula Bay Club 4.3/5.0 (3,447 reviews) map

Safety Tips

Tampa has a better urban security environment, which makes it relatively safe to visit, but you still need to be aware of some of the common do’s and don’ts of traveling:

  • Purchase travel medical insurance before you travel, just in case;
  • Keep your valuable possessions close to your body;
  • If driving yourself, take all valuables with you when you leave your vehicle;
  • Do not consume drinks or food offered by strangers.

What are the famous beaches in Tampa?

Tampa’s most famous beach is Clearwater Beach.

Other popular beaches include Ben T. Davis Beach, Sand Key Beach, Sunset Beach, Indian Rocks Beach, Fort de Soto Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park and St. Pete Beach. Beach, Honeymoon Island State Park, and St. Pete Beach.

Clearwater Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5.0 (4,386 reviews)

Google Maps

Clearwater Beach, located in the town of Clearwater, is one of the most popular beaches in the country, with sand as fine as sugar, crystal clear water, smooth waves, and year-round temperatures that make it ideal for sunbathing or water sports, walking on the beach, watching sea birds, enjoying a spectacular sunset at Pier 60, or visiting the renowned Clearwater Marine Aquarium near the beach.

Take a walk on Clearwater Beach to see a variety of seabirds, enjoy a breathtaking sunset from Pier 60, or visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium near the beach to see how this world-renowned aquarium rescues, treats, and releases marine life. Or visit the Capitol Theatre in town for a great art show.

Ben T. Davis Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.3/5.0 (1,461 reviews)

Google Maps

Located just 10 minutes from Tampa Airport and 15 minutes from downtown, Ben T. Davis Beach is one of the largest public beaches in Tampa.

The beach is lined with palm trees and paved pathways, so it’s highly trafficked, and you can enjoy a relaxing day of sunbathing, playing beach volleyball, biking, or just walking around, as well as swimming in the ocean, kayaking, or paddle boarding.

In the evening, the place acquires an unforgettable view of the sunset. The beachside is equipped with facilities such as restrooms, picnic tables, and barbecue grills, making it suitable for friends’ gatherings and family outings.

Sand Key Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5.0 (1,385 reviews)

Google Maps

Sand Key Beach is not far from Clearwater Beach but is more secluded and less crowded for those who want a quieter beach relaxation experience. Sand Key Beach has a nearly snow-white, snowy sand, and is surrounded by a geology of dunes, salt marshes, and a variety of wildlife and birdlife.

You’ll find tons of different kinds of shells on Sand Key Beach, and there’s a good chance you’ll see sea turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs; when you do spot them, keep a safe distance from them to avoid harming them.

Sunset Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5.0 (2,463 reviews)

Google Maps

Sunset Beach is known for its spectacular sunset views and waves, and you can enjoy a very spectacular sunset view here in the evening. It is also very popular with surfers as it is located between two rocky jetties, so the high winds can create waves of varying levels.

Indian Rocks Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5.0 (4,954 reviews)

Google Maps

Indian Rocks Beach is one of the popular public beaches in Tampa that is easily accessible. The sand here is also white and has a fine texture, so you can comfortably trip on it and enjoy the summer sun. The waves here are relatively smooth, so it’s perfect for families, where kids can feel free to build sand boils and collect shells along the shore, while adults can experience a variety of water sports such as paddle boarding and kayaking, or snorkeling and other underwater sports. You can see many species of birds flying by, and sometimes dolphins playing in the offshore waters can be spotted right on the beach.

North Fort De Soto Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.8/5.0 (4,199 reviews)

Google Maps

Voted the most family-friendly Tampa Bay beach by Parent Magazine, the North Fort de Soto beach tier offers calm waters, white, soft sands, and naturally occurring terrain such as tide pools and sandbars to explore a variety of beach vacations, and is equipped with amenities such as pavilions, bathrooms, restrooms, picnic tables, lifeguards, and playgrounds, making it one of the most happening beaches in the area! One of the most lively beaches in the area.

Honeymoon Island State Park

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5.0 (17,607 reviews)

Google Maps

Honeymoon Island State Park is one of the best-protected and pristine attractions in the area, with several main beaches on the island, including South Beach, North Beach, and Pet Beach. South Beach is perfect for swimming, kayaking, or snorkeling, and is equipped with picnic tables, restrooms, and other amenities for relaxing, while North Beach has varying levels of waves for surfing. At Pet Beach, you can enjoy creeking and surfing with your pet. You can also watch a wide variety of birds, such as fish eagles, and there is a trail on the island where a large number of fish eagles live in groups.

St. Pete Beach

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5.0 (353 reviews)

Google Maps

St. Pete Beach is famous for its adjacent pink hotel, Don CeSar, which faces the white sandy beach and is very recognizable. In addition to Don CeSar, there are many other high-end hotels and shopping venues, etc., as well as a lot of popular restaurants and food stalls, so in St. Pete Beach, you can enjoy a full range of exclusive experiences, relaxing on the beach, swimming in the water, experiencing kayaking, snorkeling aquatic life viewing, shopping and dining and enjoying hotel services and much more.

Tampa three-day itinerary

Tampa’s attractions are mainly located in the city, north, and west of the coast, mainly related to history, literature and art museums, natural flora and fauna landscape, usually 3~4 days can visit a few major attractions.

first day

For beaches in Tampa, we recommend Clearwater Beach. If you still have time, you can also visit Ben T. Davis Beach and Honeymoon Island State Park, among many other beaches.

the morrow

Follow the Tampa Riverwalk to several RiverWalkPass-applicable attractions, and if it’s a Saturday, you can start your trip with a stroll to the Ybor City Saturday Market, or you can dine at the market halfway through the day.

The RiverWalkPass card applies to attractions related to history, literature, and nature, so you can decide which venues to visit according to your preferences.

In the evening, visit the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and watch the sunset on The Tropics Boat Tours.

third day

There are a few attractions north of Tampa, but for fun, you can go to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay or Adventure Island, as Busch Gardens is a better deal with a CityPass card. If nature and flora are the main focus, you can go to ZooTampa at Lowry Park and Busch Gardens.

If you have enough time, visit the Museum of Science & Industry.

Lastly, depending on the time of day and the availability of Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center, decide if you want to see the manatees in the wild.

Can’t Miss Attractions in Tampa

The Florida Aquarium

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0 (17,251 reviews)

Website|Google Map

The Florida Aquarium is home to more than 8,000 animals, including sharks, turtles, otters, and more, and is divided into different exhibits to show the living conditions of the animals. The aquarium also offers courses on marine conservation, such as the Coral Conservation Program, in which the aquarium not only participates in coral conservation initiatives but also shows visitors the secrets of coral growth and the importance of protecting coral.

The aquarium is tour-based and you can usually spend 2 to 3 hours visiting all areas.

The Aquarium supports the use of both CityPass cards and RiverWalkPasses.

The Florida Aquarium 1
The Florida Aquarium 2
The Florida Aquarium 3

American Victory Ship Mariners Museum

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5.0 (1,260 reviews)

Website|Google Map

American Victory Ship (American Victory Ship) built in 1945, responsible for World War II, and the Vietnam War, sailed in the waters, transporting important supplies, is the United States is only one of the four remaining World War II warships, as a National Historic Landmark stays in Tampa Bay, and converted into a museum for tourists to visit, you can enter the ship’s cabin, visit the crew’s lounge, cafeteria, learn about crew life through historical objects to understand the history of World War II, while the museum will also provide educational tours to understand the work process of firefighters, law enforcement, and military working dog training process, and so on. You can enter the ship’s cabin, visit the crew’s lounge and mess hall, learn about the crew’s lives, and learn about the history of World War II through historical objects.

The U.S. Victory Ship Naval Museum supports the use of RiverWalkPass cards.

American Victory Ship Mariners Museum 1
American Victory Ship Mariners Museum 2

Tampa Bay History Center

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5.0 (1,398 reviews)

Website|Google Map

The 60,000-square-foot, three-level Tampa Bay History Center showcases 12,000 years of local history through numerous artifacts and films. “The Cuban Trail” shows visitors the once-popular cigar industry and the ancient history of Ybor, the oldest neighborhood in the area, while “The Treasure Hunters” shows European explorers arriving in the area and the history of pirates in the area. There are also many interactive displays for children to enjoy.

The center’s Columbia Cafe is the oldest Spanish restaurant in the entire state of Florida, serving authentic Spanish cuisine, as well as Cuban-style cuisine.

The Tampa Bay History Center supports the use of RiverWalkPass cards.

Tampa Bay History Center 1
Tampa Bay History Center 2

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.1/5.0 (320 reviews)

OfficialWebsite|Google Map

Built in 2001, the museum displays a large number of personal works from famous photographers from home and abroad, and will also start paid or free photography courses for different groups of people in order to spread the culture of photography.

The outer wall of the museum is like a huge wall of photographs, so if you are interested in photography, you can talk a little time to visit.

The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts supports the use of RiverWalkPass cards.

Florida Museum of Photographic Arts 1
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts 2

Tampa Museum of Art

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5.0 (1,045 reviews)

Website|Google Map

Built in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art displays an extensive collection of ancient and contemporary art. It includes the largest collection of Greek and Roman antiquities in the southeastern United States, as well as contemporary sculptures, photographs, and paintings, and also displays popular new media works and more.

The museum also offers different classes and lectures to provide all kinds of people with the opportunity to get up close and personal with and make works of art. As a tourist attraction, if you are interested in artwork, you can spend a little time visiting.

The Tampa Museum of Art supports the use of RiverWalkPass cards.

If you’re traveling with little ones, you can also visit the adjacent Glazer Children’s Museum, which offers a variety of interactive activities and children’s discovery camps that are perfect for a half-day of fun.

Tampa Museum of Art 1
Tampa Museum of Art 2
Tampa Museum of Art 3

Henry B. Plant Museum

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0 (795 reviews)

Website|Google Map

Formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel, the museum was built in the Moorish style, with a large collection of ornate European and Oriental furniture and artwork, and a beautiful tropical garden. (In 1933, the south wing of the hotel was platted as the Tampa Municipal Museum, with the rest of the building owned by the University of Tampa, which was renamed the Henry B. Botanical Museum in 1974 and is now a U.S. Historic Building.

A visit to this small museum will take you into the past through the exhibits and architectural settings to learn about the illustrious history of Tampa Bay hotels.

The Henry B Botanical Museum supports the use of RiverWalkPass cards.

Henry B. Plant Museum 1
Henry B. Plant Museum 2

Ybor City Saturday Market

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0 (170 reviews)

Google Maps

Ybor City is one of Tampa’s oldest neighborhoods, and the Ybor City Saturday Market is a one-stop shop for the local vibe, offering a wide variety of local dining and food booths, as well as art booths, where you can stroll through the market on Saturdays, buy the freshest food available at the time, view the work of local artists, and experience Tampa at its purest. The market is a great way to get a taste of life in Tampa.

The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. between October and April and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. from May through September.

Ybor City Saturday Market 1

Lost Pearl Tour

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0 (55 reviews)

Reservations|Google Maps

The iconic red boat offers a 1.5-hour sailing excursion with free drinks on board. There are also “pirate training” activities offered during the cruise, such as how to bluff like a pirate, experience water cannon fire, and sometimes even see dolphins during the cruise. Boarding is near the Tampa Bay History Center.

Lost Pearl Tour 1
Lost Pearl Tour 2

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5.0 (15,835 reviews)

Website|Google Map

This is an aquarium that combines a marine life rescue station and an exhibition gallery that has rescued a large number of wildlife such as dolphins, turtles, and otters, where you can learn about the rescue and treatment process of marine life and how they are returned to the wild.

Famous for the movies Dolphin Tale and Dolphin Tale 2, the Aquarium offers a field trip to learn about Winter’s rescue and how she lived afterward, as well as to learn about the life of Hope, a permanent resident of the Aquarium. Or join one of the Aquarium’s organized boat tours and learn about the local marine ecosystem on a guided tour!

The Aquarium supports the use of CityPass cards.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium 1

Here’s a clip from the movie Dolphin Tale

Clearwater Marine Aquarium 2

The Tropics Boat Tours

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5.0 (1,859 reviews)

Website|Google Map

Boat tours offered by The Tropics Boat Tours, which include boat tours to explore wild dolphin-infested waters during the day or to enjoy sunset views from the ocean at sunset, are the most popular boat tours out in the area, with boarding points near the Clearwater Marine Aquarium.

Tropical Boat Tours supports the use of CityPass cards.

The Tropics Boat Tours 1
The Tropics Boat Tours 2

A few spots north of downtown Tampa:

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.6/5.0 (20,333 reviews)

Website|Google Map

The Tampa Zoo originated in the 1930s as the Animal Protection Society, caring for and rescuing wildlife, and then expanded, officially opening its doors to visitors in 1988 to become the zoo it is today.

Covering over 56 acres and home to over 1,300 animals, the zoo features tropical animals. You can get up close and personal with giant tortoises, and Indian rhinos, and feed giraffes or koalas at the zoo. Learn about manatees and see them up close at the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital, which specializes in rescuing injured or sick manatees or caring for orphaned manatees.

Zoo Map:

ZooTampa at Lowry Park Map
Image source

The Zoo supports the use of CityPass cards.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park 1
ZooTampa at Lowry Park 2
ZooTampa at Lowry Park 3

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.5/5.0 (75,215 reviews)

Website|Google Map

Busch Gardens is one of the most popular parks in the area and hosts a variety of events at different times of the year, such as Oktoberfest in the summer and a special Halloween event in October. The park also has a large number of amusement rides, including a variety of roller coasters. The park also offers the Serengeti Safari, a 30-minute tour that allows you to get a close-up look at African wildlife and even participate in activities such as feeding giraffes, making you feel as if you are actually in the Serengeti plains of Africa.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay supports the use of CityPass cards.

Park Map:

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Park Map
Image source
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 1
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 2
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 3

Adventure Island

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.2/5.0 (10,516 reviews)

Website|Google Map

Adventure Island is a large water park located about eight miles northeast of downtown Tampa. The park offers water slides with varying difficulty factors, as well as wave pools, floating rivers, and more, so if you’re heading to Tampa during the summer months, you can spend a day at Adventure Island and enjoy the water park.

Paradise Map:

Adventure Island Map
Image source
Adventure Island 1
Adventure Island 2

Museum of Science & Industry

⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3.9/5.0 (3,872 reviews)

Official website

The museum allows visitors of all ages to experience the fascination and fun of science, technology, and industrial techniques through a wide range of exhibits and interactive programs. You can experience the magic of riding a bicycle 30 feet above the ground on a 1-inch cable, take your driver’s license test and learn about cutting-edge commuting in the Meridian Shuttle, or try your hand at designing things with cubes, bricks, gears, curves and cylinders in the Imagination Playground.

Outside the museum, Sky Trail® rope courses and Zip Line zip line experiences are offered for visitors of all ages.

The museum supports the use of CityPass cards.

Museum of Science Industry 1
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Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.7/5.0 (6,519 reviews)

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Many manatees live in the drainage ponds of the Big Bend Power Station, and when the water in the bay is too cold for them, they swim here for warmth, so the area has been transformed into a viewing center where you can see how manatees live, rest and eat in the wild, as well as an educational gallery with manatee skeleton specimens on display.

Tampa Electrics Manatee Viewing Center 1
Tampa Electrics Manatee Viewing Center 2

Manatees in Tampa

Tampa Electrics Manatee Viewing Center 3

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