Visit Tampa

Cigar factories turned into bars and restaurants, a riverside promenade several kilometers long, manatees in winter and fine sand beaches less than an hour away: Tampa offers a more authentic Florida than its neighbors, to explore over four or five days.

Why choose Tampa in Florida?

Tampa is the major city on Florida's west coast, at the head of a vast bay opening onto the Gulf. It combines a historic Cuban and Spanish quarter unique in the United States, Ybor City, with quick access to the beaches of Clearwater and St. Pete Beach. Its airport, 15 minutes from downtown, makes it a practical base for the whole Gulf coast.

Tampa's must-sees

A theme park, an aquarium, a palatial hotel, Florida's oldest restaurant and a surrealist museum.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Theme and animal park known for its big roller coasters and African species roaming large habitats. A full day is needed.

Florida Aquarium

Channelside aquarium devoted to Florida's ecosystems, from wetlands to coral reef, with boat trips on the bay depending on the season.

Henry B. Plant Museum

Former luxury hotel from 1891 topped with silver minarets, now part of the University of Tampa. Its rooms recreate the splendor of the golden age of rail travel.

Columbia Restaurant

Founded in 1905 in Ybor City, it is Florida's oldest restaurant. Tiled dining rooms, Spanish and Cuban cuisine and flamenco shows on some evenings.

Dalí Museum

In St. Petersburg, the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's work outside Europe, in a concrete building pierced by a glass bubble.

What to see in Tampa, neighborhood by neighborhood?

Downtown and the Hillsborough riverfront

The Tampa Riverwalk follows the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel for about 4 km, from Armature Works to the Channelside district. Allow half a day on foot to cover it, stopping at the art museum and crossing to the Henry B. Plant Museum on the opposite bank. Early morning, before the heat, or sunset are the best times. A water taxi links the main stops, and the free TECO streetcar runs to Channelside and then Ybor City in about twenty minutes.

Ybor City, the old cigar makers' quarter

Founded in 1886 around Vicente Martinez Ybor's cigar factories, the district drew Cuban, Spanish and Italian workers whose social clubs, wrought iron balconies and cuisine remain. Half a day covers 7th Avenue, the Ybor City Museum State Park and a Cuban sandwich. A few shops still hand-roll cigars in front of visitors. At night, especially on weekends, 7th Avenue becomes Tampa's bar strip, louder than it is picturesque.

Hyde Park and Bayshore Boulevard

Southwest of downtown, Bayshore Boulevard follows the bay for about 7 km with a continuous balustraded sidewalk, a magnet for joggers and cyclists early in the morning. Behind it, Hyde Park lines up 1910s and 1920s homes, shady lanes and the small open-air Hyde Park Village shopping area. In late January, Bayshore hosts the big Gasparilla parade, when a pirate ship invades the city: hotels sell out that weekend, so book months ahead.

Seminole Heights and the north side

About ten minutes north of downtown, Seminole Heights has kept its 1920s bungalows and built a reputation for chef-driven restaurants and craft breweries along Florida Avenue and Central Avenue. Further northeast, about 20 minutes from downtown, Busch Gardens combines roller coasters and African wildlife: plan a full day and arrive at opening. ZooTampa, on the Hillsborough River, rounds out the family options in half a day.

St. Petersburg, across the bay

30 to 40 minutes by road over the bridges spanning the bay, St. Petersburg deserves at least a day. The Dalí Museum holds the largest collection of the painter's work outside Europe, in a building with a spectacular glass atrium: allow two hours. The waterfront, the redeveloped pier and downtown's murals are then easy to explore on foot. To the south, the cable-stayed Sunshine Skyway bridge over the mouth of the bay offers one of the most photogenic drives in Florida.

The Gulf beaches, from Clearwater to Pass-a-Grille

The white sand and calm Gulf water are about 45 minutes from downtown. Clearwater Beach is the liveliest, Pass-a-Grille the quietest, with its sunsets and low-rise houses, and Fort De Soto Park, further south, the wildest. Hurricanes Helene and Milton hit these barrier islands hard in 2024: some hotels and businesses reopened gradually, so check the status of your lodging before booking. Avoid the causeways to the beaches around 4 pm on weekends.

Frequently asked questions about Tampa

Why are there free-roaming chickens in Ybor City?
They descend from poultry kept by cigar workers' families in the early 20th century. They have become a symbol of the district and are protected by the city. You will see them on 7th Avenue sidewalks and in the state museum's garden.
When is the Gasparilla festival in Tampa?
The big pirate invasion usually takes place on a Saturday in late January: a pirate ship sails into the bay, then a parade rolls down Bayshore Boulevard. The festival continues with a night parade in Ybor City and events through March. Book your hotel very early.
Where can I see manatees near Tampa?
The Apollo Beach viewing center, about 40 minutes south, draws dozens of manatees into the warm water discharged by a power plant. It is open from November to mid-April, admission is free and cold mornings are the most rewarding.
Should I stay in Tampa or Clearwater Beach?
For a beach-focused stay, Clearwater or St. Pete Beach saves daily drives. For Ybor City, restaurants and Busch Gardens, Tampa is more convenient and often cheaper. Many travelers split their stay, with three nights on each side of the bay.
Can I combine Tampa with the Orlando theme parks?
Yes, Orlando is about 1.5 hours away via Interstate 4, often longer at rush hour. A week lets you spend three or four days in the theme parks and finish on the Gulf beaches near Tampa.
Have the beaches near Tampa recovered from the 2024 hurricanes?
Hurricanes Helene and Milton damaged many buildings on the Pinellas barrier islands, from Clearwater to St. Pete Beach. The beaches are accessible, but rebuilding has been gradual and some businesses reopened late: check recent reviews before booking.
Can you still watch cigars being rolled in Ybor City?
Yes, a few factories and shops on 7th Avenue still employ rollers who work by hand in front of customers. The Ybor City Museum State Park tells the story of the industry, which turned out hundreds of millions of cigars a year at its peak.

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