Best 5 Things To Do in Tampa, Florida
Located on the Gulf Coast, you'll find Tampa, one of Florida's best travel destinations to visit. This beautiful city offers beautiful, beaches, great nightlife, pleasant weather all year round, natural areas, and world-renowned appeals that every traveler will surely love.
Even though Tampa is not as popular as Miami or as big as Jacksonville, it gets more than 100 million visitors every year thanks to its numerous attractions. There are lots of things to do and see in this multicultural city so whether you're looking for a relaxing or fun trip you'll find something to do here.
If you're planning to visit but don't know what to do around here you're just on the right blog because I created this ultimate guide about some of the best things to do in Tampa and the nearby areas. I did them all myself, so you can be sure that I'll only recommend the best of the best. Let's check them out!
1. Clearwater Beach
Enjoy a pleasant morning or afternoon at Clearwater Beach, one of the prettiest beaches in Tampa.
Clearwater Beach is well known for its soft sand, laid-back ambiance, bars, and stores, but that’s not it, visitors are drawn all year round for activities such as paddle boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, and of course, swimming; skaters and cyclists are other groups that enjoy this area.
Here you’ll find many casual souvenir stores, bars, and cafes with a little bit of everything. The spots I stopped at were Palm Pavilion and Frenchy’s, the first one has mediocre drinks and decent food, but Frenchy’s offers better quality in both beverages and meals. I also stopped at the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop.
Clearwater Beach is a really fun place to spend some family, couple, or solo time. The energetic, colorful, and a bit hectic scenes are very interesting and singular; visiting Clearwater Beach as a Latina was something I’ve never experienced before, let’s just say that I saw the authentic North American and Floridian energy unlike any other place in the US I’ve visited.
I highly recommend coming here before sunset to enjoy the beach while the sun is still out and then to admire the beautiful sunsets that Tampa has to offer.
2. Saint Petersburg
If you’re in Tampa, visiting Saint Petersburg is a must.
Saint Petersburg was one of my favorite places to visit during my stay in Tampa. The architecture, landscapes, stores, restaurants and bars, and unique attractions make this a very cool area.
You can take a walk around one of the parks in St. Pete, the one I strolled around was Pioneer Park which would be perfect for a romantic picnic both by day and night; the lighted trees and warm vibe that this park features are unmatched.
Touring Saint Pete Pier is also something you can’t miss, the landscapes, decoration, and views are amazing. There’s a very eye-catching building at the end of the pier with a couple of restaurants. Saint Pete Pier has something for all ages and tastes.
Near Saint Pete Pier you’ll find beautiful avenues full of cozy and fancy stores, cafes, and restaurants.
If you want to take a photo at the Saint Petersburg sign like I did, go to Fareham PI N street, there you’ll find that and a couple of other murals.
If you like bars and clubs this will be a great spot for you, since Central Avenue North has many cool bars. I stopped for a drink and a snack at Five Bucks Drinkery, the beverages were good and the snacks too. From what I saw, this is the only or one of the only streets in the area that seems to get wild at night.
I didn’t have the chance to visit Saint Pete during the day which I’m sure is nice, but I loved it at night. Compared to Clearwater Beach, the scene was a little less casual and way calmer.
3. SoHo Tampa - Bulla Gastrobar
In the heart of the trendy SoHo, you'll find Bulla Gastrobar, a restaurant with authentic Spanish meals. This is the perfect spot to end the night after visiting Ybor City.
The dim lights, instrumental music, and calm environment make this a great restaurant to end the night. The menu offers many delicious options from appetizers and contemporary tapas to wine and cocktails.
Bulla Gastrobar has different locations throughout the U.S, but Tampa's Bulla is the only one with a stylish rooftop bar, the Luna Lounge. The prices are very affordable so don't let the classy and fancy appearance of Bulla Tampa intimidate you.
4. Ybor City
Located Northeast of Downtown Tampa is Ybor City, an live and colorful neighborhood.
Known for its distinctive architecture, restaurants, cafés, and cigar shops, Ybor City is a great place to walk around in the afternoon. Cigar lovers will be delighted by the wide variety of products at the cigar shops in this area, but even if you're not a smoker like me, you'll surely be charmed by everything that there is to see here.
I went on a Wednesday, things were pretty calm and many businesses were closed, I was told that the days when the streets come alive are Fridays and Saturdays. You can walk around Ybor City to appreciate the area or try the products sold at the shops, or both.
I don't recommend visiting this area late at night unless it's a busy day because some sketchy and shady characters are often found on the streets, and it didn't feel 100% safe since it was a bit lonely.
5. Anna Maria Island
Beach and nature lovers/enthusiasts will fall in love with Anna Marie Island, a barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast an hour away from Tampa.
The white soft sand and crystal clear water are some of the features that make this a breathtaking destination in Florida. Visitors can enjoy Anna Maria Island's beaches all along the island.
This stunning side of the state is one that is worth visiting. If in addition to spending some time sunbathing on the sand and swimming in the blue waters of the gulf you want to grab a bite to eat, there are several restaurants and cafes nearby that are sure to please.
To have a great time here you'll only need to bring beach towels, an umbrella or tent, sunscreen, and good energy.
I LOVED Anna Maria Island and I will definitely visit it again when I am back in Tampa.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Before I traveled to Tampa I wasn't really interested in Florida, but destiny brought me here and I'm glad it did because now I understand why Florida is one of the best travel destinations in the U.S. If you've thought about booking a flight to Florida, this is your sign. I hope you find this list of 5 of the best things to do in Tampa helpful. Thanks for reading!
Check out my vlog of this trip!
SPOTS MENTIONED ON THIS POST
Located on the Gulf Coast, you'll find Tampa, one of Florida's best travel destinations to visit. This beautiful city offers beautiful, beaches, great nightlife, pleasant weather all year round, natural areas, and world-renowned appeals that every traveler will surely love.
Even though Tampa is not as popular as Miami or as big as Jacksonville, it gets more than 100 million visitors every year thanks to its numerous attractions. There are lots of things to do and see in this multicultural city so whether you're looking for a relaxing or fun trip you'll find something to do here.
If you're planning to visit but don't know what to do around here you're just on the right blog because I created this ultimate guide about some of the best things to do in Tampa and the nearby areas. I did them all myself, so you can be sure that I'll only recommend the best of the best. Let's check them out!
1. Clearwater Beach
Enjoy a pleasant morning or afternoon at Clearwater Beach, one of the prettiest beaches in Tampa.
Clearwater Beach is well known for its soft sand, laid-back ambiance, bars, and stores, but that’s not it, visitors are drawn all year round for activities such as paddle boarding, jet skiing, parasailing, and of course, swimming; skaters and cyclists are other groups that enjoy this area.
Here you’ll find many casual souvenir stores, bars, and cafes with a little bit of everything. The spots I stopped at were Palm Pavilion and Frenchy’s, the first one has mediocre drinks and decent food, but Frenchy’s offers better quality in both beverages and meals. I also stopped at the iconic Ron Jon Surf Shop.
Clearwater Beach is a really fun place to spend some family, couple, or solo time. The energetic, colorful, and a bit hectic scenes are very interesting and singular; visiting Clearwater Beach as a Latina was something I’ve never experienced before, let’s just say that I saw the authentic North American and Floridian energy unlike any other place in the US I’ve visited.
I highly recommend coming here before sunset to enjoy the beach while the sun is still out and then to admire the beautiful sunsets that Tampa has to offer.
2. Saint Petersburg
If you’re in Tampa, visiting Saint Petersburg is a must.
Saint Petersburg was one of my favorite places to visit during my stay in Tampa. The architecture, landscapes, stores, restaurants and bars, and unique attractions make this a very cool area.
You can take a walk around one of the parks in St. Pete, the one I strolled around was Pioneer Park which would be perfect for a romantic picnic both by day and night; the lighted trees and warm vibe that this park features are unmatched.
Touring Saint Pete Pier is also something you can’t miss, the landscapes, decoration, and views are amazing. There’s a very eye-catching building at the end of the pier with a couple of restaurants. Saint Pete Pier has something for all ages and tastes.
Near Saint Pete Pier you’ll find beautiful avenues full of cozy and fancy stores, cafes, and restaurants.
If you want to take a photo at the Saint Petersburg sign like I did, go to Fareham PI N street, there you’ll find that and a couple of other murals.
If you like bars and clubs this will be a great spot for you, since Central Avenue North has many cool bars. I stopped for a drink and a snack at Five Bucks Drinkery, the beverages were good and the snacks too. From what I saw, this is the only or one of the only streets in the area that seems to get wild at night.
I didn’t have the chance to visit Saint Pete during the day which I’m sure is nice, but I loved it at night. Compared to Clearwater Beach, the scene was a little less casual and way calmer.
3. SoHo Tampa - Bulla Gastrobar
In the heart of the trendy SoHo, you'll find Bulla Gastrobar, a restaurant with authentic Spanish meals. This is the perfect spot to end the night after visiting Ybor City.
The dim lights, instrumental music, and calm environment make this a great restaurant to end the night. The menu offers many delicious options from appetizers and contemporary tapas to wine and cocktails.
Bulla Gastrobar has different locations throughout the U.S, but Tampa's Bulla is the only one with a stylish rooftop bar, the Luna Lounge. The prices are very affordable so don't let the classy and fancy appearance of Bulla Tampa intimidate you.
4. Ybor City
Located Northeast of Downtown Tampa is Ybor City, an live and colorful neighborhood.
Known for its distinctive architecture, restaurants, cafés, and cigar shops, Ybor City is a great place to walk around in the afternoon. Cigar lovers will be delighted by the wide variety of products at the cigar shops in this area, but even if you're not a smoker like me, you'll surely be charmed by everything that there is to see here.
I went on a Wednesday, things were pretty calm and many businesses were closed, I was told that the days when the streets come alive are Fridays and Saturdays. You can walk around Ybor City to appreciate the area or try the products sold at the shops, or both.
I don't recommend visiting this area late at night unless it's a busy day because some sketchy and shady characters are often found on the streets, and it didn't feel 100% safe since it was a bit lonely.
5. Anna Maria Island
Beach and nature lovers/enthusiasts will fall in love with Anna Marie Island, a barrier island on Florida's Gulf Coast an hour away from Tampa.
The white soft sand and crystal clear water are some of the features that make this a breathtaking destination in Florida. Visitors can enjoy Anna Maria Island's beaches all along the island.
This stunning side of the state is one that is worth visiting. If in addition to spending some time sunbathing on the sand and swimming in the blue waters of the gulf you want to grab a bite to eat, there are several restaurants and cafes nearby that are sure to please.
To have a great time here you'll only need to bring beach towels, an umbrella or tent, sunscreen, and good energy.
I LOVED Anna Maria Island and I will definitely visit it again when I am back in Tampa.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Before I traveled to Tampa I wasn't really interested in Florida, but destiny brought me here and I'm glad it did because now I understand why Florida is one of the best travel destinations in the U.S. If you've thought about booking a flight to Florida, this is your sign. I hope you find this list of 5 of the best things to do in Tampa helpful. Thanks for reading!
Check out my vlog of this trip!
SPOTS MENTIONED ON THIS POST
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