Last Updated on July 7, 2024 by Tori’s VA
Tampa Bay is host to a long list of top-notch museums, attractions, art & culture, culinary delights, and winning sports teams. I mean, the list goes on and on. There is one, often-overlooked, itinerary that deserves a bit more attention and that would be a weekend in Tampa.
I have called the Tampa Bay Region “home” for more than 20 years. Most of my time has been spent in St. Petersburg, but occasionally, curiosity sparks or an event happens on the Tampa side of the bay. Each time I visit or take guests to Tampa, I wonder why I don’t visit more.
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Weekend in Tampa Map
Where to stay in Tampa
$ LaQuinta Inn by Wyndham, near Busch Gardens
This budget-friendly hotel is located across the street from Busch Gardens and includes complimentary breakfast and wi-fi.
$$ Four Points by Sheraton Suites, near Westshore
Centrally located near the Tampa International Airport, Westshore, and International plazas, this property offers an indoor pool, a limited complimentary shuttle service, and is great for a 3-night stay.
$$$ JW Mariott Tampa, Water Street
In the heart of downtown Tampa, the JW Mariott will delight the most discerning guests. This beautifully appointed hotel is located on the waterfront in the downtown area and offers private parking, free bike use, and a large outdoor swimming pool.
Different: Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Tampa
Whether you’re into gambling, or not, the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers over 90,000 square feet of music-themed space. Walk through the resort and admire the costumes, outfits, and memorabilia from some of the greatest music and entertainment acts of our time, and of those past. This property is directly across from the amphitheater, very convenient if you’re coming to town for a concert. Press your luck in the casino or enjoy services in the award-winning spa.
Things to do in Tampa – Fill your weekend in Tampa with fun!
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay – Let’s face it. The majority of folks coming on vacation to Florida will visit at least one theme park during their stay. I had season passes to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for many years. I love this park. It’s in the middle of town, easy to get to, and the rides are thrilling! Add in a safari park with lots of exotic animals and it makes for a very nice day.
Plan to spend a whole day, here, as the park is filled with wonderful attractions and live entertainment. There are many add-on behind-the-scenes tours offered. Get up close to elephants and orangutans, and visit the animal care center.
Ybor City – The oldest part of Tampa, Ybor City, is rich with history and culture. I love strolling down 7th Avenue, looking at the kitschy shops, tattoo parlors, bars, and restaurants.
The main avenue is lined with old buildings with wrought iron balconies, it kind of has a New Orleans feel, just on a much smaller scale. At night, Ybor comes alive as a pedestrian-only zone with hoppin’ nightlife and live music.
I love to bring visitors to Ybor City to ride the TECO Streetcar. In the late 1800s, the streetcar was integral in getting passengers to work at the cigar-rolling factories and to various neighborhoods. After WWII, streetcars were largely replaced by automobiles but in the early 2000s, the refurbished streetcars started rolling, again.
This attraction helps move folks to and from large events that take place downtown and to the outlier parking areas, alleviating congestion. The TECO Streetcar is FREE and makes 11 stops from Ybor City through downtown Tampa.
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The Florida Aquarium – This is another favorite attraction of mine. This aquarium is very well done and spending a few hours, here, is very nice and relaxing. The Coral Reef habitat is the largest exhibit with over half a million gallons of water and its teaming with wildlife! Have a seat in one of the many sitting areas and just watch the fishes, sharks, stingrays, turtles, and other sea creatures go by. The kids, young and young at heart, will enjoy the various touch tanks and the immersive exhibits that teach about conservation and preservation.
Local’s Tip: Park in the garage across the street. After your visit to the aquarium, you can hop on the FREE TECO Streetcar to get to the Riverwalk and/or Ybor City.
The Tampa Riverwalk – This is the focal point of downtown Tampa. The Riverwalk stretches 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River and has a lot to offer. From the Riverwalk, you can take a water taxi, dinner cruise, dine at Armature Works, visit the Convention Center, or the Straz Theater. For the kids, the Glazier Children’s Museum is along this route, along with many hotels, restaurants, and just beautiful scenery. I love walking along the Riverwalk and looking at the magnificent yachts and various other boats that offer tourist services. My heart is always on the water!
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park – This large green space along the Riverwalk hosts many festivals, concerts, and other events throughout the year. Even with no event happening, the park is a great place to relax with the kids or take your pup to the adjacent dog park. Some notable festivals that take place here are Oktoberfest Tampa, Gasparilla Music Festival, River O’Green Fest on St. Patrick’s Day.
Sparkman Wharf – At the end of the Riverwalk, is a quirky area known as Sparkman Wharf. Here, you will find a variety of food truck-style eateries, a beer garden, Splitsville bowling, live entertainment, and more. On a recent visit, Trivia was taking place in the greenspace adjacent to the beer garden. There were lots of locals and tourists vying for the high score.
Hillsborough River State Park – Just a few short minutes from downtown Tampa, the Hillsborough River State Park offers visitors a respite from the city scene. Bring a picnic, and plenty of drinking water, and plan to spend the day hiking the 7+ miles of trails for a spectacular nature experience.
A visit to this park will give you a very rare sighting, Class II river rapids! This is rare in Florida. If you enjoy paddle sports, visitors will need to bring their own kayak, canoe, or paddleboard, but plenty of time can be spent on the hiking trails.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – I mentioned this as a place to say, but I’ll also mention it as a place to play! Whether you like to drop a $20 bill into a slot machine to press your luck, or that’s not your thing, the Seminole Hard Rock also has live music and shows just about every day of the week. Be sure to check their event calendar to see what’s showing.
Cruise Port – Did you know that Tampa is a major cruise port? 4 major cruise lines offer more than 300 departures a year! Port Tampa Bay is conveniently located along the TECO Streetcar line, so if you’re planning on taking a cruise, come into town a couple of days early and start your vacation with a weekend in Tampa!
Best Places To Eat in Tampa
Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City – It doesn’t get more “Tampa” than this. For more than 117 years, The Columbia has been serving up Spanish-Cuban style cuisine and no trip to Tampa would be complete without a meal from here. The Ybor City location is the original, with its Spanish-style tile work on the exterior and interior, and if you’re lucky enough to fly Delta AirLines from Tampa, there is a Columbia Restaurant in Airside E, at the airport. Plan some extra time for that!
Miguel’s Mexican Seafood & Grille – Did someone say chips and salsa? Or Margarita? Oh my goodness, if you’re looking for a delicious Mexican meal, look no further. Just on the outskirts of downtown Tampa, Miguel’s serves up the most delicious Mexican cuisine in the area. Plan ahead and make reservations, or you’ll be waiting. It’s a popular place!
Armature Works – Also along the Riverwalk is a historic mixed-use warehouse that offers a variety of food stalls, Michelin-recommended restaurants, shopping, and event space. From BBQ to Sushi, and everything in between, enjoy a meal and people-watching in one of Tampa’s newest hot spots!
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Shopping in Tampa
There are some really great places to do some shopping in Tampa. Whether you’re looking for a new furniture piece or items for your wardrobe, you will find it in Tampa.
International Plaza and Bay Street – Located near the Tampa International Airport, this is an upscale, enclosed shopping plaza and dining area. Your typical mall shops can be found, here, along with some small business stores.
Hyde Park Village – This 6-city block ‘village’ includes local shops, restaurants, daily events, and a fresh market, every first Sunday of the month. For the best products for you and your home, Hyde Park Village is a must-see!
Thrift Stores – You never know what you’ll find in a Tampa thrift store. Antiques and vintage, clothing and housewares, thrifting in Tampa can be fun and surprising. There are many kinds of thrift and consignment stores in this area, I’m sure you’ll stumble upon a new treasure, for sure!
Tampa FAQs
How many days is enough in Tampa?
Two or Three days is enough in Tampa. If you’re venturing to other parts of the beautiful Tampa Bay Region, you’ll need more time, but to explore Tampa, no more than three days.
What’s the best time of the year to visit Tampa?
Honestly, the Tampa Bay Region is fantastic year-round, however, the summer months can get super hot and humid and that’s not for everyone. If you’re more of a moderate-weather person, I recommend visiting Tampa from October – March. You may find a few hot days in this range, but the humidity tends to be lower and more comfortable outdoors.
What’s the best way to get around Tampa?
Although there is public transportation in Tampa, the best way to get around the city is going to be by car. So be sure to rent a car for your weekend in Tampa! You’ll have more flexibility to get to the fun!
How Do I Get To Tampa?
Tampa International Airport (TPA) is 7 miles from the downtown area
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is 86 miles from downtown Tampa
Day Trips From Tampa
Perhaps you’ve got a bit more time than a weekend to spend in the Tampa Bay Region. Not to worry, there are some amazing places all around for a great day trip from Tampa!
Clearwater Beach – A visit to Florida would not be complete without a trip to the beach! Seriously, I’m certain you’ve heard how magnificent the Gulf Coast beaches are, well, now is your time to visit. Clearwater Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in the area, and only 25 miles to the West. Parking at Clearwater Beach can be tricky, but, once you’re there, you can breathe in the salty air and relax!
Crystal River – If you find yourself in the Tampa Bay Area during the winter months, an amazing day trip to Crystal River will be one you’ll remember for a lifetime. This is the only place in Florida where you can swim with the manatees. Every winter, when the Gulf of Mexico temperatures drop, the manatees seek the relatively warmer waters from the natural springs. During the peak of “manatee season”, you can possibly see hundreds of these gentle giants resting and foraging in the springs. Don’t miss this opportunity for a day trip or weekend getaway!
I think it’s pretty clear that there is plenty to do during a weekend in Tampa. If you’re coming for business or pleasure, there are wonderful places to eat, drink, and be merry! If you have more time, get out of the Tampa area and explore! This area is a playground for many locals and tourists, alike!
Stephanie Lafleur is the author and creator of the FleurtyGirlTravels blog and has called the Tampa Bay Region ‘home’ for more than 25 years. She has worked in the hospitality and travel industries for nearly 30 years and enjoys being a tour guide for friends and family who visit the Tampa Bay Region.
