Top Things To Do In Tampa

Tampa is largely famous as a fishing port. Beyond this banal description, however, lies a city full of art and history. Hundreds of tourists walk through its streets every day, and the museums, natural attractions, and movie theatres, all come together in an interesting mix of cultural branding that appeals to the young and old alike. The city reeks of Cuban and Spanish flavor, and the list of “best things to do” in Tampa includes salsa and heaps of black beans and rice! From small sips of tequilas at the margarita festival to carefree paddling in the Hillsborough River, Tampa never runs out of options to keep its guests entertained. Constantly renovating itself as a city, it has managed to keep a permanent spot in tourists’ imagination, of whimsical palm trees and majestic sunsets. 

Busch Gardens 

Tampa attractions that await you include Busch Gardens which is an African-themed adventure park. Suitable for all members of the family, this entertainment hub is packed with numerous adrenaline-pumping rides and live performances. Myriad of exotic animals have found a home in Busch Gardens. Replications of African villages allow visitors the experience of a foreign culture within their home state. For tourists, everything is new and welcome. Safaris, like the Serengeti Night Safari, through the park, make visitors familiar with the animals. They live in habitats that mimic the indigenous wildlife. If you wish to get a closer look, you can hand-feed giraffes and kangaroos, take pictures with sloths, and play doctor as the staff members attend to the animals’ needs at the Care Center. What gives the Busch Gardens its wide-reaching reputation are the roller coasters. Ear-piercing screams are part of an ordinary day at the park! 

Park Hours and show timings are updated frequently. Make sure to check their website for passes and additional information.

Tampa Zoo

The Lowry Park Zoo has more than 2,000 animals wandering around in man-made natural environments. Animals from Asia, Africa, and Australia have been relocated to the Lowry Park Zoo. Visitors are allowed to feed the rhinos and bond with the penguins and tortoises, outside their enclosures. Special care is taken of the animals to prevent mishaps and injuries. Local manatees are a part of its mammoth aquarium. Visitors usually cannot get enough of the African elephants, Bornean Orangutan and the Florida panthers. You can take a safari through the habitat or the mini-train, depending on your preference. Visitors can also brainstorm ideas to enrich the biodiversity of the park as part of the conservatory programs. 

The regular timings of the Zoo are from 9:30 am to 5 p.m.  

Henry B Plant Museum

The iconic Tampa Bay Hotel was converted into the present-day museum in 1933. The architecture of the place is a bit opulent for a museum. It is made in the style of a Victorian palace with Moorish underpinnings. The history of the hotel and its demise form the bulk of the museum’s information. When the museum operated as a hotel, it was the biggest contributor to the growth and development of Tampa in general and Florida at large. The railroad Moghul, Henry B Plant was the original owner of the Hotel, and key moments from his life find a place in the rooms of the museum. The Grand Hall, the Garden Room, and the Reading and Writing Room have been meticulously decorated, in period furnishings and lavish colors. Like everything else in the museum which has come into being through details to attention, the lawns of the museum are famed for their well-structured tropical lawns. 

Visiting hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Tampa Theatre 

A mix of architectural styles, like Italian Renaissance, Byzantine, and Greek Revival have lent their unique colors to the Tampa Theatre. It was built in 1926 for hosting international and classic films for the residents. It slowly evolved into a statuesque building that acted as a venue for special concerts and events. While the interiors in itself are a trip into the past, the experience is enhanced manifolds when you watch a classic black-and-white movie inside the theater. It is a tribute to the glamour and style of the pinnacles of design and culture, and makes you feel like you are living the era. 

Visitors can catch shows between 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 

Ybor City

The pride of Tampa’s Latino community, Ybor City is a historical landmark. Named after its founder, Vicente Martinez Ybor who was a cigar tycoon, this city was the world’s largest tobacco rolling factory at one point. It saw immense success before the Great Depression came knocking and reducing big businesses to ashes, in its wake. The factories were subsequently closed and the area wore a deserted look for a long time. In recent years, however, the downtown district underwent a resurrection; and is thriving these days. Gallery openings and cafes have changed the look of Ybor City and turned it into a magnet for the hip crowds. While mentioning cafes, one that stands out from the rest is the Columbia Restaurant, America’s biggest Spanish restaurant. Its flamenco nights and jazz shows regularly draw in a huge gathering of people. When visiting Ybor City, give Seventh Avenue, known in Spanish as “La Septima” a thorough tour. Most of the buildings in the area have been through major turning points of Tampa’s history. 

Visitors should head to Ybor City in the evenings. The neighborhood comes alive at night. 

Sunshine Skyway

How many roads must a man walk down, before he can reach this toll bridge?! The answer is a drive on the Interstate 275/US 19. The multi-lane layout of the highway, which is standing on stilts, is designed to impress. It is 12 miles long and welcomes visitors into Tampa Bay. A 4.25 mile-long high-level bridge that is supported by two gateways on either side, with vessels passing underneath, is striking to look at. For beautiful views of the ocean, a scenic drive, and lots of photographic opportunities, the Sunshine Skyway is the best route to journey through Tampa Bay. It holds the record for the largest cable concrete-bridge in the world. 

Visitors to Tampa might not expect it to surpass the charisma of Orlando or Miami, but you will be delightfully surprised. The excessive oversell of campaigns, imploring travelers to visit all year round, has turned Miami and Orlando into desperate crowd-pullers that are slowly losing their uniqueness. Tampa does not advertise itself as much and is more faithful to its old-fashioned Cuban heritage. You are compelled to feel the vibe of Tampa, and not just pass through it. Moving forward with authenticity and careful preservation of its past,  the city has cultivated a squeaky clean image, and gives an endless number of fun things to do in Tampa. It is a travel destination for all, from couples to aged families to kids. It’s not just the sun that invites you over, but the music wafting from its speakeasies will beseech to stay a couple of nights. The city never sleeps and neither will you, and you will always find things to do in Tampa at night!