Tampa

Tampa has everything you have always associated with Florida! Palm trees, great subtropical weather, and wonderful beaches.
On the west side of Florida, the city of Tampa is the perfect location from which to start exploring the wonderful Tampa Bay Area. This city has so much to offer! If you’re looking for an adventurous trip, you can explore one of its many great beaches, from Ben T. Davis Beach to Davis Islands Beach, or rent a water bike to see the Hillsborough Riverwalk from a completely new perspective! Are you exploring this city with your children? Don’t worry, here there are plenty of activities for them too! Busch Gardens is one of the most popular attractions in the city with its heartbreaking roller coasters, waterslides, and many live shows! Tampa is also the perfect location for culture lovers. The Tampa Bay History Centre and Henry B. Plant Museum will teach you everything you need to know about the past of this wonderful city. You can explore ancient, modern, and contemporary art at the Tampa Museum of Art or bring your children to the Glazer’s Children's Museum for an experience they will never forget! Tampa is also home to one of the biggest aquariums in Florida, the Florida Aquarium, home to over 9,000 animals! If you love animals, then you cannot miss the Manatee Viewing Center, where every year manatees seek refuge from the cold weather. What else is there to say? Whether you’re visiting with your family, your partner, or simply by yourself, you will fall in love with this city!
St. Petersburg, Florida at Tampa Bay
Aerial view of St. Petersburg, Florida at Tampa Bay

Tampa is located on the East side of the US, in the state of Florida. The city is located in the famous Tampa Bay Area, on the West side of Florida, and is the biggest city in this area. Tampa is surrounded by two bodies of water, Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, both of which flow into the Gulf of Mexico. The city is divided in two by the Hillsborough River, Tampa’s main source of fresh water. With a population of about 400.000 inhabitants, Tampa is the third most populated city in Florida. 

– Climate and Weather

Tampa has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild and dry winters. Summers can be very hot. The warmest month of the year is August with an average high temperature of 32°C and an average low temperature of 24°C. During the summer months, you may expect to find high humidity and heavy rain, especially in the afternoon. Luckily, due to its proximity to the water, the city never goes above 37°C. Winters are mild and dry. You can expect temperatures to range from 22°C during the day and 12°C during the night. The best months to visit the Tampa Bay Area are March, April, and November when temperatures are not too high and the chances of rain are low. 

Rubio's Coastal Grill restaurant in Tampa, Florida
Rubio’s Coastal Grill restaurant in Tampa, Florida, USA. Rubio’s Coastal Grill is an American fast-casual “Fresh Mex” or “New Mex” restaurant chain.

If you’re planning a visit to Tampa, then you must try the local seafood. Oystercatchers are one of the best places where to try seafood while enjoying a great view of Old Tampa Bay. The city is also popular for its Cuban food. If that’s what you’re looking for, make sure to visit the Ybor City neighborhood. Columbia restaurant is extremely popular for its Spanish, Caribbean, and Cuban dishes. Another interesting area of the city is Sparkman Wharf. A modern waterfront area with tons of restaurants and delicious food stands. A similar place can be found at the Heights Public Market. This place also features an open floor plan with shared tables perfect for socializing and sharing meals! If you want to opt for a fine dining experience then you should go to Bern’s Steak House. Here you will get high-quality food prepared with care and attention. But what Bern’s Steak House is most famous for is its endless selections of wines! Not by chance, Bern’s steak house has one of the largest restaurant wine collections in the world! 

Tampa Busch Gardens
Three antelopes in Busch Gardens Florida

If you’re coming to Tampa with your family, you cannot miss Tampa Busch Gardens, an incredible theme park perfect for children and adults alike! Here you will be able to enjoy a ride on one of Tampa Busch Gardens’ amazing roller coasters, swim in one of its humongous pools, try out its water slides or attend one of its amazing shows: from ice skaters to cirque performers! Another great option for children is the Glazer’s Children Museum, an interactive and learning laboratory for children to play and discover! If you and your family love animals, then you cannot miss the Manatee Viewing Center. The Manatee Viewing Center is a federally designated manatee sanctuary where you will be able to observe and learn about these wonderful giant water mammals.

Downtown Business District, Tampa, Florida
Downtown Business District, Tampa, Florida

Nothing is better than a boat tour for you and your other half to spend a romantic afternoon together. The options are endless and you can choose to either explore Hillsborough Bay or Old Tampa Bay. Spend an afternoon together lulled by the waves while admiring the city of Tampa from the most beautiful viewpoint. If you want, you can also book a dinner cruise and enjoy a delicious romantic dinner while the city’s landmarks will slowly pass in front of your window. If instead of eating you prefer cooking, you can check the Heights Public Market and its current ‘Show + Tell’ workshops. Here you will usually find cooking classes but also wine tastings and pop-up dinners! Are you on a budget? Then you can have a walk on the beautiful Tampa riverwalk, a 2.4 miles walk path following the Hillsborough River. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous, then you should try the water bikes! Water bikes are simple bikes mounted on kayaks on which you will be able to explore the Hillsborough river from a completely new perspective. 

Tampa Museum of Art
Outside the Tampa Museum of Art building in Gasparilla Plaza

Tampa is home to a great art museum, the Tampa Museum of Art. Founded in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art hosts a huge collection of ancient Greek and Roman antiquities. In the museum, you will find collections and exhibitions of ancient, modern, and contemporary art. At the Tampa Museum of Art, you will be able to explore all forms of art, from paintings to sculptures, photography, new media, and more. 

If you’re interested in the history of the Tampa Bay Area, then you should also visit the Tampa Bay History Centre. Here you will learn everything about the last 21.000 years of Florida history. You will learn about Seminole Indians, Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, and the story of the Cuban cigar rollers.

Another main tourist destination is the Florida aquarium. Established in 1995, the aquarium has rescued hundreds of animals and educated thousands of people. Florida Aquarium is home to 9.000 animals from the giant pacific octopus to the king crabs and a variety of fishes! This is also one of the few aquariums in the world where you will be able to see leafy seadragons!

Henry B. Plant Museum
Tampa Bay, Florida: Henry B. Plant Museum is a Neo Arabian style building in Tampa Downtown.

Henry B. Plant Museum is one of the most recognizable buildings in Tampa. This building was bought by the city of Tampa in 1905 and it served as a hotel till 1932, when it was turned into a museum. Nowadays the museum hosts original furniture and ancient European and Asian art pieces. By visiting the museum you will be able to experience the life of the opulent XIXth century Florida tourism industry. 

Location and Geography
St. Petersburg, Florida at Tampa Bay
Aerial view of St. Petersburg, Florida at Tampa Bay

Tampa is located on the East side of the US, in the state of Florida. The city is located in the famous Tampa Bay Area, on the West side of Florida, and is the biggest city in this area. Tampa is surrounded by two bodies of water, Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay, both of which flow into the Gulf of Mexico. The city is divided in two by the Hillsborough River, Tampa’s main source of fresh water. With a population of about 400.000 inhabitants, Tampa is the third most populated city in Florida. 

– Climate and Weather

Tampa has a subtropical climate with hot and humid summers and mild and dry winters. Summers can be very hot. The warmest month of the year is August with an average high temperature of 32°C and an average low temperature of 24°C. During the summer months, you may expect to find high humidity and heavy rain, especially in the afternoon. Luckily, due to its proximity to the water, the city never goes above 37°C. Winters are mild and dry. You can expect temperatures to range from 22°C during the day and 12°C during the night. The best months to visit the Tampa Bay Area are March, April, and November when temperatures are not too high and the chances of rain are low. 

Cuisine
Rubio's Coastal Grill restaurant in Tampa, Florida
Rubio’s Coastal Grill restaurant in Tampa, Florida, USA. Rubio’s Coastal Grill is an American fast-casual “Fresh Mex” or “New Mex” restaurant chain.

If you’re planning a visit to Tampa, then you must try the local seafood. Oystercatchers are one of the best places where to try seafood while enjoying a great view of Old Tampa Bay. The city is also popular for its Cuban food. If that’s what you’re looking for, make sure to visit the Ybor City neighborhood. Columbia restaurant is extremely popular for its Spanish, Caribbean, and Cuban dishes. Another interesting area of the city is Sparkman Wharf. A modern waterfront area with tons of restaurants and delicious food stands. A similar place can be found at the Heights Public Market. This place also features an open floor plan with shared tables perfect for socializing and sharing meals! If you want to opt for a fine dining experience then you should go to Bern’s Steak House. Here you will get high-quality food prepared with care and attention. But what Bern’s Steak House is most famous for is its endless selections of wines! Not by chance, Bern’s steak house has one of the largest restaurant wine collections in the world! 

Families
Tampa Busch Gardens
Three antelopes in Busch Gardens Florida

If you’re coming to Tampa with your family, you cannot miss Tampa Busch Gardens, an incredible theme park perfect for children and adults alike! Here you will be able to enjoy a ride on one of Tampa Busch Gardens’ amazing roller coasters, swim in one of its humongous pools, try out its water slides or attend one of its amazing shows: from ice skaters to cirque performers! Another great option for children is the Glazer’s Children Museum, an interactive and learning laboratory for children to play and discover! If you and your family love animals, then you cannot miss the Manatee Viewing Center. The Manatee Viewing Center is a federally designated manatee sanctuary where you will be able to observe and learn about these wonderful giant water mammals.

Adults and Couples
Downtown Business District, Tampa, Florida
Downtown Business District, Tampa, Florida

Nothing is better than a boat tour for you and your other half to spend a romantic afternoon together. The options are endless and you can choose to either explore Hillsborough Bay or Old Tampa Bay. Spend an afternoon together lulled by the waves while admiring the city of Tampa from the most beautiful viewpoint. If you want, you can also book a dinner cruise and enjoy a delicious romantic dinner while the city’s landmarks will slowly pass in front of your window. If instead of eating you prefer cooking, you can check the Heights Public Market and its current ‘Show + Tell’ workshops. Here you will usually find cooking classes but also wine tastings and pop-up dinners! Are you on a budget? Then you can have a walk on the beautiful Tampa riverwalk, a 2.4 miles walk path following the Hillsborough River. But if you’re looking for something more adventurous, then you should try the water bikes! Water bikes are simple bikes mounted on kayaks on which you will be able to explore the Hillsborough river from a completely new perspective. 

Destination Experiences
Tampa Museum of Art
Outside the Tampa Museum of Art building in Gasparilla Plaza

Tampa is home to a great art museum, the Tampa Museum of Art. Founded in 1920, the Tampa Museum of Art hosts a huge collection of ancient Greek and Roman antiquities. In the museum, you will find collections and exhibitions of ancient, modern, and contemporary art. At the Tampa Museum of Art, you will be able to explore all forms of art, from paintings to sculptures, photography, new media, and more. 

If you’re interested in the history of the Tampa Bay Area, then you should also visit the Tampa Bay History Centre. Here you will learn everything about the last 21.000 years of Florida history. You will learn about Seminole Indians, Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, and the story of the Cuban cigar rollers.

Another main tourist destination is the Florida aquarium. Established in 1995, the aquarium has rescued hundreds of animals and educated thousands of people. Florida Aquarium is home to 9.000 animals from the giant pacific octopus to the king crabs and a variety of fishes! This is also one of the few aquariums in the world where you will be able to see leafy seadragons!

Landmarks and attractions
Henry B. Plant Museum
Tampa Bay, Florida: Henry B. Plant Museum is a Neo Arabian style building in Tampa Downtown.

Henry B. Plant Museum is one of the most recognizable buildings in Tampa. This building was bought by the city of Tampa in 1905 and it served as a hotel till 1932, when it was turned into a museum. Nowadays the museum hosts original furniture and ancient European and Asian art pieces. By visiting the museum you will be able to experience the life of the opulent XIXth century Florida tourism industry. 

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