Things to do in Tampa (2025): Top nearby activities,popular attractions,itinerary planning,weather,accommodation,food,transportation,and more - all you need to know (updated August, 2025) | Trip.com
Hose Pereira:“There are three sand shark with have got their own names. Enormous tanks of ocean water contain a lot of marine species. This place is situated near an other great museum SS American Victory which is a museum.”
_TI***qw:“I had an absolutely amazing time at Busch Gardens! The park had an incredible mix of thrilling roller coasters that got my heart racing and fascinating animal exhibits that were both educational and entertaining. The atmosphere was lively, and the live entertainment added an extra layer of fun. I was able to enjoy both adrenaline-pumping rides and learn about animals—all in one place. Definitely a must-visit for anyone seeking a memorable and diverse experience!”
_We***52:“Ybor City is the old town of Tampa. The buildings here are quite historic. You can take the free tram from Tampa. It is a bar street at night. The most famous one is Columbia Restaurant 1905. It is a century-old restaurant. You may have the chance to taste the Spanish flavor.”
palettes_ny:“Before coming to Tampa, I was attracted to this zoo when I was making a travel guide. Although I feel that most zoos are more childlike and more suitable for parent-child travel, I brought my children to visit on weekends. However, this zoo gives people a good visiting experience. The classification of the zoo is very clear. You can download their map before visiting and follow the map to visit. The animals that can be visited in each area are also clearly marked on the map.
I prefer the African area in the zoo. You can also take a small train to visit. It's like traveling through the animation world of the Lion King. The zoo is very interesting. There is also an interactive area in the park where you can feed goats and touch manta rays. It is very suitable for bringing children.
There is a restaurant in the zoo. If you are tired, you can order some snacks and continue to play in the afternoon. I stayed in the zoo for a whole day. There are many things to do. It was the first time I saw penguins that could stay outdoors in the zoo. Later, I heard the explanation and learned that this was an African penguin, a penguin that does not need air conditioning. It feels like a zoo that can unlock new knowledge.”
Guest User:“nice bay view and a great breakfast buffet.
The hotel has a small swimming pool, which is great for relaxing.
The scenery on the walking trail is also beautiful.”
Vivek:“We were traveling as a family with 4 adults and 2 small children 4 and 6. Everyone in the hotel and restaurants went out of their way to make us comfortable.”
Guest User:“Very old amenities and dirty hotel. The front desk lady was nice. The only thing good about this hotel is the location- close to the airport.”
Guest User:“I chose this Marriott because of the indoor/outdoor pool area! Perfect because it was pouring rain when I arrived and I really wanted to go swimming. The front desk was super friendly and helpful. The free shuttle was convenient and the driver was funny and talkative. I got the business concierge balcony room. Big tv and nice balcony. Used the concierge lounge for breakfast. It was convenient and the food was decent. The on-site restaurant was a little expensive and the food was just OK but the cocktails were great!My stay was perfect for a pre-cruise night. ”
marialakwachera:“Perfect for long layovers, at the airport itself. Good gym, good room, clean. Stayed here 2 times already amd will stay again. Staff is very helpful”
What to Eat
Want to eat like a local? Don't miss out on these top Tampa dishes and foodie spots.
小小_Angela:“This restaurant, which opened in 1905, is so beautiful. I took a lot of photos outside while waiting for a table! Some couples even choose to get married here~
The restaurant is often full, so it’s better to make a reservation in advance, otherwise the wait will be quite long.
As for the food, the seafood is very fresh and of course the most special sangria is the drink!”
可乐鸡蛋堡:“Unexpectedly, the cities that I was most satisfied with during my trip to Florida were Tampa and St. Petersburg. I only had two days, which was a bit rushed (not including Spring kayak). I recommend spending at least three days in Tampa and its surrounding areas. Route overview: Day 1: Hotel-clearwater-downtown. Day 2: brunch-Uni of Tampa-Hyde Park-St.PetePier-St.PeteBeach.
Specific itinerary:
🌟Day 1: Start at noon near Universal Studios Orlando and drive to the hotel in downtown Tampa for about 1.5 hours. It’s just time to check in at the hotel, so you can put your luggage first and then go straight to Clearwater. There are many restaurants around the beach. I randomly chose a restaurant with a high score on Google called Frenchy. It is really popular and you need to queue up. The advantage is that it is close to the beach and you don’t need to rent an umbrella on the beach. When you are tired of sunbathing and playing, you can just come in and eat and drink. It is very cost-effective, and the key is that the taste is not bad. 👍 You can also have dinner here. In general, the beaches in Tampa are very good, the water quality is also very clear, and Clearwater has more business. It is said that the sea in Siesta Beach is better, but unfortunately I didn’t have time to go there, which is also a small regret. On the way back, I passed by the city hall of DT. I have to say that DT in Tampa is really clean and tidy, and I rarely see homeless people.
🌟The next day: I had brunch at Oxford Exchange, near Hyde Park. It is said that the parking spaces in the restaurant are free, but there were a lot of people when I went there during spring break. It seemed full, so I parked on the street nearby. I highly recommend it. It is really delicious and not expensive. It is a commercial complex with a large collection of bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants and creative shops. I bought a cup of coffee and walked around while waiting for a table. I felt that time passed very quickly. After dinner, don't forget to go to the University of Tampa across the street. You don't have to drive across the road to get there. The architectural style is very unique. There are many people sunbathing on the grass by the river. It's very chill. Then I went to Hyde Park, which is a colorful cultural and creative area, suitable for taking pictures. There is a free parking building behind it. I rushed to St. Petersburg at 3 or 4 o'clock (30 minutes) and navigated directly to St. Pete Pier. I parked the car on the street again. I could walk to the Teak restaurant at the far end of the pier and watch the planes take off and land. Then I took their shuttle bus out. The place where I got off was just the free retro trolly pick-up point. It runs every 15 minutes, which is very suitable for the city tour of St. Petersburg. I got off the bus at the starting point and picked up the car to leave. Finally, I went to St. Pete Beach at sunset. There were few people and it was quiet. There was no business. Many locals would go there. The beach and the sea felt better than Clearwater. You can flush for free on the beach in Florida. This is better.
#FloridaTravel #USATravel #Tampa”
202***55:“When it comes to seaside vacations, everyone will immediately think of Hawaii and Miami...
However, this Tampa vacation trip has amazed me again and again, and I look forward to more discoveries every day...
Clearwater, one of the most beautiful beaches in the United States, is magnificent, with sugar-like sand + emerald green sea + clear blue sky and white clouds, which will make you fall in love immediately. Have a beer and watch the sunset, which is absolutely romantic + a fairyland check-in place.
Ybor City, which has a history of more than 100 years, is also a must-visit place. There are all kinds of cigar shops along the street, and must-check-in Colombian restaurants, which are full of Latin American style.
The Dali Museum is a very artistic building. It collects many works of Salvador Dali, a world-class painting master! It is worth a visit!
Although the University of Tampa is not ranked high, the campus is first-class and beautiful, especially the ancient and mysterious Gothic architecture.
Greek Town is also worth a visit, a very tasteful town!
Hyde Park Village is also a good place to relax and slow down.
In addition, the most recommended restaurant to check in is Rusty Pelican, which specializes in Spanish cuisine. The most amazing thing is the location of the restaurant (by the sea, as if it was built on the sea). The view by the window is beautiful and it is the best choice for watching the sunset.
There are many other fun places. It is a charming, romantic, relatively uncrowded, and a good place for leisure and vacation!”