The Tampa Bay area is currently enjoying a run of successful sports teams. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is more than just the Buccaneers, Rays, and Lightning, as nearly 40 million visitors attest.
Look into art galleries, museums, public artwork, and murals. 35 miles of soft white sand beaches. Explore Ybor City, Cuba’s “Cigar Capital of the World,” and learn about the city’s history dating back over a century. That’s just the beginning.
Arriving at Tampa Bay
Daily international and domestic flights arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA) and St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE). Travelers can also arrive by Amtrak at Tampa’s historic Union Station or by ship at the Port of Tampa.
When you arrive, you can rent a car or hail an Uber or Lyft, both of which are readily available. Over a 2.7-mile stretch, it connects downtown to the Channel District and Ybor City.
Enjoyable Activities in Tampa
Tampa’s Riverwalk follows the Hillsborough River from the Channel District to Tampa Heights. The Riverwalk also includes public art, parks, restaurants, cafés, and museums in addition to the Amalie Arena. A mile east of the children’s museum is the Best Richardson African Diaspora Literature & Culture Museum, which contains educational artifacts and information about the literary and cultural history of the African Diaspora.
Cross Bay Ferry ($20 round-trip for adults) connects downtown Tampa and downtown St. Petersburg. Numerous restaurants and bars, as well as art installations and the St. Petersburg Museum of History, can be found in the 26-acre waterfront park.
The Dalí Museum, about a mile south of the pier, houses over 2,400 works by Salvador Dalí. In addition, the museum hosts rotating surrealist exhibits. Over 3,000 images of Vincent Van Gogh’s paintings are on display in the exhibition “Van Gogh Alive”.
The Florida Aquarium on the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay Watch Discovery Center on St. Pete Pier, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, which is home to Winter the Dolphin from the “Dolphin Tale” films, are all worth a visit.
The Gastronomic Scene in Tampa
The Tampa Bay dining scene has exploded in the last decade, with independent restaurants dominating. Chef Ferrell Alvarez of Seminole Heights’ Rooster & the Till is a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award. The city of Tampa is well-known for its Cuban heritage. At La Segunda and The Columbia in Ybor City, West Tampa Sandwich Shop and La Teresita in Tampa, and Pipo’s Cuban Cafe in St. Pete, authentic Cuban sandwiches with ham, pork, and salami (a Tampa addition you won’t find in South Florida) are worth a visit.
Tampa’s two food halls, located on opposing sides of the Riverwalk, offer a wide range of cuisines. At Armature Works, a traditional food hall with indoor and outdoor seating, chefs create culinary masterpieces in shipping containers.
Lodging in Tampa
The JW Marriott Tampa Water Street (beginning at $299 per night) recently opened in downtown Tampa, near the Riverwalk and a trolley stop. The 26-story luxury hotel has over 500 guest rooms and suites, a pool, and several dining options.
Another new addition to Tampa is the Hotel Haya in Ybor City (from $159 per night). The 178 rooms at the hotel include a private pool and two restaurants serving coastal fare and Cuban classics. Meanwhile, the Opal Sands in Clearwater Beach (from $280 per night) was named one of Florida’s Top 30 Resorts.
A Place for Dogs
There is also a dog-friendly beach on Davis Islands, accessible via a bridge from downtown Tampa, and a $5 parking fee across the bay in Fort De Soto Park, located south of St. Pete Beach. Hair of the Dog Park Bar in Seminole Heights is a traditional dog park with bar service. Dog-friendly hotels in Tampa include the Le Méridien Tampa (from $156 per night), Sandpearl Resort (from $240 per night), and The Don CeSar (from $349 per night).
Conclusion
Sometimes, your next weekend getaway is just around the corner. Now that you’re well aware of all the fun you could have from a trip to Tampa, it’s safe to say you can visit your next destination. Don’t spare any more time and book those tickets today!
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