Tampa BayFlorida

Sunny days and rich culture welcome you to the hip, urban heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast

Past meets present in Tampa Bay, where innovative eateries and modern attractions are just as easy to find as storied cultural institutions and events paying homage to Florida’s colorful history. Stroll the Tampa Riverwalk, a scenic stretch of waterfront paths connecting eateries, parks and cultural centers, then step into the past in Ybor City, where Cuban artisans have been crafting hand-rolled cigars for over a century. Party like a pirate during Gasparilla, Tampa Bay’s annual nautical-themed festival. However you choose to explore, treasure awaits.

Fun for Families

At the Glazer Children’s Museum, kids can play pretend as a doctor, veterinarian, artist or engineer on two levels packed with interactive exhibits. Discover wild animals from land and sea at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, The Florida Aquarium and TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. Families can embark on an adrenaline-pumping journey while zipping through the treetops on a zip-line tour with Empower Adventures in the beautiful Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve. Scientists-in-training will have hands-on fun at the Museum of Science and Industry, nicknamed MOSI. Known for its heart-pounding roller coasters, Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is a can’t-miss attraction, particularly if your group has older kids and thrill seekers. Be sure to buy the Tampa Bay CityPASS. You’ll get admission to some of Tampa Bay’s best attractions at a discounted rate.

Shopping, Dining, Nightlife and Neighborhoods

The pedestrian-only Tampa Riverwalk links downtown’s hotels, restaurants, parks and shops, making it easy to cool off with a drink at a waterfront bar and then catch a sightseeing cruise of the bay. Nearby, there’s plenty to see and do in the Channel District, including Sparkman Wharf open-air food hall. Up-and-coming community Water Street Tampa makes for a vibrant home base. Enjoy city views from Azure, a rooftop dining room at five-star hotel The Tampa EDITION – or linger over cocktails at SIX, an airy, elevated bistro on the sixth floor of the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. Elegant spas, chic shopping and classic cocktail lounges await in the historic Hyde Park neighborhood. Tampa’sfood scene is full of standout establishments, ranging from casual waterfront bars to upscale, chef-driven dining experiences. Thirty Tampa restaurants have garnered recognition from the prestigious MICHELIN Guide, with five local eateries – EBBE, Kōsen, Koya, Lilac and Rocca – bearing a coveted MICHELIN star.

A Date with History

Long before Tampa Bay was a tourist destination, the Tocobaga, Calusa, Seminole and Miccosukee Native American tribes called it home. See an outstanding collection of Indigenous artifacts at the Tampa Bay History Center. Then get hands on at the Age of Exploration exhibits, allowing you to join a pirate crew, chart your course with a sextant or test your skill at sailor knots. In January, play pirate-for-a-day when legendary buccaneer José Gaspar and his crew sail into downtown with cannons blazing. Join the throngs along Bayshore Boulevard cheering the pirate parade and collecting treasured beads flung from the floats.

The heart of Tampa Bay’s Cuban history isYbor City, where Cuban masters still hand-roll some of the world’s best cigars as they have since the community was founded in 1885. The neighborhood’s brick streets and iron balconies call to mind the days when Tampa Bay earned its nickname, “Cigar City.” Stop in at any of the boutiques along 7th Avenue (La Séptima) to watch masters at work and sip a strong café con leche at a sidewalk table. Enjoy an authentic Tampa sandwich at the Columbia Restaurant, the oldest restaurant inFlorida.