Tampa Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Tampa Bay showing a river or creek, skyline and night scenes
Tampa
Tampa
Tampa
Tampa

A gateway to some of the best beaches on the Gulf Coast, this city actually has many appealing attractions away from the ocean.

The city of Tampa lies at the northern end of Tampa Bay, with spectacular weather in the heart of Florida’s glorious beach surroundings. Enjoy the many cultural attractions in the city and visit beaches and other towns all around the bay.

Downtown Tampa offers all the diverse restaurants, bars, shopping and nightlife you might expect in a large city. Stroll along the Riverwalk for all this as well as playgrounds, public art and the large Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Learn about the region’s early Native American residents and Spanish conquistadors at the Tampa Bay History Center in Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park. See a film, with a Wurlitzer organ prelude, in the lavish 1926 Tampa Theatre.

Visit the Florida Aquarium and take a harbor cruise on a quiet electronic boat (eBoat). Go east to Ybor City and step aboard the America Victory Ship, an operational World War II naval vessel.

The region has lots more activities for kids. To the north is Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, with more than 1,300 animals, including manatees in a critical care center. Go to Busch Gardens Tampa for endless roller coaster rides, shows and animal attractions. Across the street is Adventure Island waterpark. Nearby, let kids have hands-on experiences involving space, the human body, weather and a ropes course at the Museum of Science & Industry.

Watch professional sports with Tampa Bay Lightning hockey at Amalie Arena, New York Yankees spring training at Steinbrenner Field and Tamba Bay Buccaneers football at Raymond James Stadium. For outstanding stage events see a Broadway show, concert, dance or comedy at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

When you’re finally ready for some beach time, cross the long, tall and impressive Sunshine Skyway Bridge and head to Clearwater and St. Petersburg. The white sands and warm waters will put a nice cap on your visit to the Tampa Bay area.

Where to stay in Tampa

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Downtown Tampa

4.5/5(13 area reviews)

Downtown Tampa is a destination visitors seek out for its ample dining options, great live music and beautiful river views. You might also want to check out attractions like Port of Tampa or Tampa Riverwalk while you're exploring the neighbourhood.

Downtown Tampa
Ybor City

Ybor City

5/5(1 area review)

Ybor City is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Ritz Ybor and The Orpheum while in the area.

Ybor City
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Town 'n' Country

If you're spending some time in Town 'n' Country, Tampa Bay and Rocky Point Golf Course are top sights worth seeing.

Town 'n' Country
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Temple Terrace

4/5(4 area reviews)

Temple Terrace is known for its beautiful gardens, and you can see some sights area like Temple Terrace Tennis Center and Bowlero Tampa Bay.

Temple Terrace
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Rocky Point

You'll love the stunning beaches in Rocky Point, and you might want to stick around to check out Tampa Bay, a top place to visit.

Rocky Point
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Hyde Park

You'll enjoy the restaurants and shopping in Hyde Park. You might want to make time for a stop at Tampa Riverwalk or Hyde Park Village.

Hyde Park
Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
4 out of 5
2225 N Lois Ave, Tampa, FL
The price is ฿3,382 per night from 13 Jul to 14 Jul
฿3,382
฿3,839 total
13 Jul - 14 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Tampa. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a free airport shuttle and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,008 reviews)
"The stay at the Hilton Tampa was excellent. The staff were welcoming and helpful and the facilities were clean."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore
Sailport Waterfront Suites
Sailport Waterfront Suites
3.5 out of 5
2506 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL
The price is ฿3,401 per night from 3 Jul to 4 Jul
฿3,401
฿4,448 total
3 Jul - 4 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Tampa. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,589 reviews)
Good hotel on the water.
"Location is wonderful. Rooms needed updating and our tub was peeling but it was clean. Views were beautiful. Drinks at the pool bar are overpriced but the food was good. Breakfast was well priced and good."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Sailport Waterfront Suites
Hotel Alba, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Hotel Alba, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
4 out of 5
5303 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL
The price is ฿4,109 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
฿4,109
฿4,663 total
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Tampa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,954 reviews)
"I wish I would've known that they were under construction. Only 1 elevator worked."

Reviewed on 28 Jun 2025

Hotel Alba, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Sailport Waterfront Suites
Sailport Waterfront Suites
3.5 out of 5
2506 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Tampa. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), a fitness centre and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (4,589 reviews)
Good hotel on the water.
"Location is wonderful. Rooms needed updating and our tub was peeling but it was clean. Views were beautiful. Drinks at the pool bar are overpriced but the food was good. Breakfast was well priced and good."

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Sailport Waterfront Suites
Happy Travelers RV Resort
Happy Travelers RV Resort
3 out of 5
9401 E Fowler Ave, Thonotosassa, FL
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Thonotosassa. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa and Busch ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (191 reviews)
"Loved the vibe!! Definitely coming back again. Close to busch gardens! Winn dixie! Loved the pool an recreation area too!"

Reviewed on 29 Jun 2025

Happy Travelers RV Resort
The Pointe Condos by Barsala
The Pointe Condos by Barsala
4.5 out of 5
4950 W Prescott St, Tampa, FL
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Tampa. Enjoy free parking, in-room washers/dryers and an in-room coffee maker. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (149 reviews)
"nice and clean but no parking"

Reviewed on 6 Jun 2025

The Pointe Condos by Barsala
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Tampa

4.3
Top destination
5 - Excellent
21
5 - Excellent 38%
4 - Good
29
4 - Good 52%
3 - Okay
6
3 - Okay 11%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

A really lovely city. Clean with a laid back atmosphere. Definitely revisitable.

5/5 - Excellent

IainC

Tampa is wonderful

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Didn’t see any of Tampa - flew into airport, stayed one night at hotel then drove to Naples

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Enjoyed six days in and around Tampa.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Busch gardens is a must visit. Fantastic fun.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We visited Clearwater which was lovely and Busch Gardens, which was good. Sadly, the weather cut our visit short, but that's to be expected in Florida during August!

Cities near Tampa