Things to Do in Tampa Bay

One of the keys to successful trip planning is choosing a location ripe with opportunity. As far as vacation spots go, Tampa Bay has it all — relaxation, entertainment, education and more! Whether it’s your first time in the area or you’re a seasoned pro, there’s an activity for everyone.

Enjoy your time in Florida without the stress of worrying about what you’ll do each day. Take a look at these fun things to do in the Tampa area to start planning your stay now.

Tampa Bay at a Glance

The name “Tampa Bay” refers to the metropolitan area surrounding the city of Tampa, Florida. Situated on the west coast of Florida, this area is home to approximately 3.1 million people. The bay itself is a large natural harbor that feeds into the Gulf of Mexico. Today, the bay drives much of Tampa’s economy and tourism.

The Tampa Bay area began growing and developing in 1845 when the state of Florida joined the United States. Access to the Tampa Bay and Hillsborough River made this area desirable for the shipping industry. Today the Tampa Bay area is a diverse and vibrant community and tourism center. You can enjoy the sun on the beach, explore shopping areas around the bay and choose from a variety of entertainment options to make your stay memorable. Build your perfect vacation from this list of fun attractions in Tampa Bay.

Beaches Near Tampa Bay

Perhaps one of the most popular things to do in Tampa Bay, local beaches provide a relaxing spot to soak up the sun, cool off in the water and enjoy the scenery. Whether you’re looking for a gorgeous escape or a day of fun in the water, check out these popular beach locations:

• Ben T. Davis Beach: This beach is located on the Courtney Campbell Causeway — a bridge spanning from Tampa to Clearwater that was constructed by Captain Ben T. Davis. Covered in powdery white sand, Ben T. Davis Beach is an ideal location to relax near calm water. For those looking to explore the city, this beach is also within walking distance of downtown Tampa.
• Clearwater Beach: Located about 45 minutes from Tampa, Clearwater Beach offers white sand and clear, shallow waters. In 2018, Trip Advisor named Clearwater Beach the #1 Beach in America. Its Beach Walk Promenade features a palm tree-lined pathway you can walk, bike or rollerblade. With a variety of restaurants and local parks nearby, there are plenty of things to do in Clearwater to complete your beach day.
• Fort De Soto Beach: This beach is located among the sprawling Fort De Soto Park near St. Petersburg, Florida. A variety of seashells dot the white sand — including sand dollars — and the area is home to a wide range of wildlife. The nearby park area is complete with trails, campsites, historic Fort De Soto and a two-mile paddling trail. If you’re looking for a diverse beach day experience, this may be a good choice for you!
• St. Pete Beach: At St. Pete Beach, you can enjoy one of the longest undeveloped spans of public beachfront in the area. With opportunities to parasail, paddleboard, windsurf and kiteboard, you can also channel your adventurous side. The surrounding area is filled with restaurant and shopping options for all-day entertainment.

Beaches near Tampa Bay offer a variety of experiences from laid-back to action-packed. When selecting a beach, explore the surrounding area to see what food, shopping, and recreation opportunities you’ll want to try.

Shopping Near Tampa Bay

If you’re looking for things to do in Tampa such as explore local stores or take a break from the sun to enjoy some of Tampa’s indoor attractions, check out these unique shopping opportunities. Here are some locations you won’t want to miss:

• International Plaza & Bay Street: This sprawling shopping center located in Tampa is home to 200 different shopping destinations, with nearly 50% of these stores exclusive to the Tampa Bay area. There are also 16 restaurant options, ranging from casual to fine dining. For visitors traveling over 50 miles, International Plaza and Bay Street offers a Passport to Shopping with discounts and offers for over 65 stores. This mall is conveniently located near the Tampa International Airport and the Tampa Convention Center, and it is attached to the Renaissance Hotel.
• Ybor City: This historic area is located near downtown Tampa and features a variety of attractions rooted in Cuban culture. Browse local shops and learn about Ybor City’s historic cigar industry. Explore Cuban coffee and cuisine at one of Ybor City’s many local restaurants. If you’re staying for a Saturday, consider attending the Ybor City Saturday Market. Year-round, vendors gather to sell local food, cigars, crafts, art and more. In addition to shopping opportunities, this location has several museums, parks and an electric nightlife. As a fun bonus, while exploring the city you’ll likely find wild chickens roaming the streets! Ybor City residents have shared the streets with these free-roaming chickens for the last 100 years.
• Hyde Park Village: This outdoor shopping center in Tampa offers a mix of shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Given its location in the Hyde Park historic district, Hyde Park Village is complete with brick walkways and tree-lined streets. Enjoy the historic architecture while you browse the selection of boutiques and shops. With convenient parking options and scheduled events happening each week, this location is sure to provide a unique shopping experience.
• WestShore Plaza: Shop at over 100 stores in the WestShore Plaza in Tampa’s business district. The mall offers anchor stores like Macy’s, JCPenny, and Dick’s Sporting Goods, as well as specialty retailers. WestShore also offers a selection of restaurant options in addition to an AMC theater. For a more casual shopping experience, consider WestShore Plaza.

Shopping is a great way to find local souvenirs and enjoy some time indoors. Whether you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day or for some retail therapy, Tampa’s shopping opportunities abound!

Amusement Parks Near Tampa Bay

Ready to turn up the adventure? Add some thrills to your relaxation with these Tampa area amusement parks. Consider these attractions for some fun and adrenaline:

• Busch Gardens: This attraction is a theme park, zoo, and theater all in one. For a jam-packed day of roller coasters, animals and live show entertainment, plan a trip to Busch Gardens while visiting Tampa Bay. The park features a variety of coasters and rides, one of the largest zoo exhibits in North America and a selection of live music, dance and performance shows. In addition to Busch Garden’s extensive park offerings, they offer ticket bundling options for access to SeaWorld, Aquatica or Adventure Island. To maximize the day, Busch Gardens offers visitors the option to purchase a “Quick Queue” and skip the lines.
• Tampa Bay Grand Prix: For a competitive racing experience, head to the indoor go-kart track at Tampa Bay Grand Prix. Race high-speed Italian go-karts at up to 50 miles per hour on an indoor track in Clearwater. Drive the Grand Prix track to practice navigating straightaways and curves, or try the Speed Track straightaways to test the limits of your kart. At the end of each 14-lap race, you’ll receive racing feedback with a personal score sheet. Use your sheet printouts to improve your lap times and keep track of your score as you race your family and friends. Reservations are not necessary, and the indoor tracks are open in any kind of weather. If you’re in town for a convention at the Tampa Bay Convention center, you can also schedule a corporate event at Tampa Bay Grand Prix.
• LALA St. Pete’s Karaoke Rooms: Looking for an exciting activity that everyone can participate in? At LALA St. Pete, you’ll enjoy a new experience rocking out in your own private room. It’s located only 90 minutes outside of Tampa in the downtown Grand Central district in St. Petersburg. You’ll find it filled with seven uniquely designed karaoke rooms to choose from. Each room consists of fun themes like “Rock and Red,” “Tropical” and “Prohibition Speakeasy,” to give your karaoke experience the backdrop it deserves. Karaoke has never been more fun than when you spend it with friends in rooms that give you everything you need to rock out in style!
• The Great Escape Room: Though not a typical amusement park, this attraction is sure to thrill. This Sherlock-themed escape room center is a fun choice for anyone who loves solving mysteries. You and a group of people will be locked into one of six themed escape rooms with a limited amount of time to crack puzzles and work together to break out of the room. Choose a storyline that interests you and put your skills to the test to see if you can beat the clock.
• Adventure Island: If you’re looking for some water fun outside of the beach, head to the Adventure Island outdoor water park. This Tampa theme park features a variety of water slides, wave pools and lazy rivers. On select evenings, they even offer movie nights! Options to rent private cabanas and purchase Quick Queue tickets allow you to customize your visit to the max. Ticket purchasing options allow you to select additional parks if you would also like to visit Busch Gardens, SeaWorld or Aquatica.

Tampa’s amusement park options are great for adults or families. However you prefer your adrenaline rush, there’s a park option to satisfy the need!

Museums & Culture In the Tampa Area

When you need a break from all of the adventure, take some time to dive into Tampa’s past. In addition to their cultural value, these attractions are quality examples of indoor activities in the Tampa Bay area. Step into a world of history with these local museums:

• Henry B. Plant Museum: Named after a local railroad, steamship and hotel mogul, the Henry B. Plant museum offers a look into the luxurious side of Tampa Bay. The museum is located in Henry B. Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel, a 2.5 million dollar marvel when it was constructed in the late 1800s. In its day, this 511-room hotel featured any amenity guests could ask for — from a barbershop to an orchestra music room! Today, much of the museum features the same furnishings guests used. From January to November, you can reserve adult group tours with 10 or more people. The museum also offers self-led, 45-minute audio tours.
• Museum of Science & Industry: Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) features a variety of hands-on activities. With exhibits about everything from dinosaurs to space to the human body, there’s something for everyone at this museum. MOSI’s Connectus exhibit displays the future with technologies and innovations to come. The Mission: Moonbase exhibit features NASA’s vision for moon colonization and what that might look like. MOSI also has a multi-level indoor ropes course, a planetarium and a virtual reality simulator. As a bonus, this attraction is open every day of the week.
• Tampa Riverwalk: Situated along the banks of the Hillsborough River, the Tampa Riverwalk is more than 2 miles of outdoor opportunity. Walk or bike along the paths to discover a variety of dining, public park, hotel and museum options. Take a public art walking tour for an outdoor art museum experience. Enjoy the palm tree-lined pathways and serene river views during the sunset and watch the city come to life. The Tampa Riverwalk allows you to spend as little or as much as you desire, making this an excellent choice for any tourists.
• Tampa Museum of Art: The Tampa Museum of Art offers exhibits ranging from ancient to contemporary art. Browse selections of Greek and Roman antiquities as well as a rotating selection of modern exhibits. From the Tampa Riverwalk, visitors might recognize this building at night for its massive LED installation on the entire southern side. In addition to its art, the museum offers an outdoor cafe with a view of Tampa’s downtown skyline.
• LALA St. Pete’s Restaurant and Bars: This place is too special not to mention twice. Some say the best way to experience a city’s culture is to try its food. While LALA might be known for its one-of-a-kind karaoke bars, it also has a superb American craft menu to enjoy. Take a seat in their sit-down dining area to enjoy a lovely lunch or dinner, enjoy games on their outdoor patio or visit at night for a lively after-dark scene. As a home to two full-service bars and a cocktail lounge, you’ll be able to order your favorite drink and dance the night away.

While you’re unwinding and unplugging, tune in to some educational, cultural immersion. Plan a visit to one of Tampa Bay’s museums for a taste of history and local culture.

Zoos & Aquariums Near Tampa Bay

When you’re surrounded by so much water, why not take a moment to learn about the creatures that inhabit it? You can see a variety of wildlife in these local animal attractions:

• The Florida Aquarium: For a close-up look at local and global wildlife, plan a visit to the Florida Aquarium. Learn about a wide range of sea life in simulated wetlands, bays, beaches and coral reef environments. In addition to the classic aquarium experience, take the plunge into the Florida Aquarium’s immersive opportunities. Go on a wild dolphin cruise, see African penguins behind the scenes or take a backstage aquarium tour with the “Tours & Adventures” opportunities. If you’re looking for an even more personal experience, sign up to swim or dive with sharks and snorkel in a simulation reef! However in-depth you’d like to learn, the Florida Aquarium has accommodations for all.
• Clearwater Marine Aquarium: One thing that sets this aquarium apart is that it is home to a celebrity dolphin! Clearwater Marine Aquarium (CMA) rescued and rehabilitated Winter, a dolphin who was trapped in a crab trap line. When Winter lost her tail to her entanglement injuries, she received a prosthetic tail and learned to thrive with it. Her story is chronicled in the movie Dolphin Tale, which was filmed on-site at the CMA. In addition to seeing Winter, you can check out CMA’s marine exhibits, schedule a guided boat or kayak tour, take behind-the-scenes tours and participate in up-close animal experiences.
• Lowry Park Zoo: If you’re looking for a local zoo experience, consider Lowry Park Zoo. Their park features exhibits for Asian, African, Australian and Floridian wildlife — with a special focus on endangered, threatened and vulnerable species from climates like the Tampa Bay. The zoo also offers up-close animal encounters with a variety of species. Meet a giraffe or tortoise in person, or feed an Indian rhino. In addition to the up-close experience, the zoo offers a family-friendly water ride.
• Big Cat Rescue: This non-profit educational sanctuary is committed to rescuing, protecting and rehabilitating big cats. Big Cat Rescue is home to more than 80 lions, tigers, bobcats, cougars, servals, caracals, jaguars and more. Reserve tickets for a variety of tour types and lengths to meet the cats and learn more about how to help protect them.

If you’re looking for some company, spend your vacation with a variety of sea and land life. The animal opportunities are endless with the Tampa Bay zoo and aquarium attractions.

Sports Teams Near Tampa Bay

Looking for some football, hockey or baseball action in your vacation? When it comes to sports entertainment, the Tampa area has a little bit of everything to satisfy the sports fanatics. Check out these local teams and attractions:

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers: For an NFL football experience, visit Raymond James Stadium to watch a Buccaneers home game. Cheer on this local team and witness the iconic pirate ship in Buccaneer Cove. Engineered by a Walt Disney World prop-maker, the ship fires its cannons when the Buccaneers score a field goal or touchdown. If you’re not able to attend a game, schedule a stadium tour. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium’s luxury suites, the pirate ship, the University of South Florida team locker rooms and more.
• Tampa Bay Lightning: Want to add a hockey game to your stay? Watch as the Tampa Bay Lightning takes on a competitor at the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa. Enjoy an evening of competition with the Bolts, team mascot ThunderBug and the Lightning Girls dance team. For an even more in-depth experience, schedule an arena tour to see the rink on game days. Travel around with a tour guide to see the arena’s different floors, unique pipe organ, press box and Zambonis.

• Tampa Bay Rays: Make a trip to St. Petersburg to watch the Tampa Bay Rays go head-to-head in a major league baseball game. Tropicana Field is one of the few baseball stadiums featuring a retractable roof, so don’t worry about the weather putting a damper on your experience! Show up early to take advantage of the pre-game opportunities offered at Tropicana Field. Join the pre-game party at the Ballpark & Rec area or grab a bite to eat at The Outfielder Bar & Grill. In partnership with The Florida Aquarium, enjoy a free Rays Touch Experience with cownose and southern stingrays. You can also dig into some baseball history at the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame. And if you’re looking for even more, schedule a tour of Tropicana Field to see what makes the stadium stand out.
• Spring Training: If you’re near Tampa during spring break, check out one of the many teams and games completing Spring Training in the area. The Yankees train at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, and the Phillies, Pirates, Orioles and Tigers all train within an hour or less drive from Tampa. If you don’t mind a longer drive, the Braves, Twins, Rays and Red Sox all train within a two-hour or less radius of Tampa. Get tickets to enjoy an annual tradition and gear up for the baseball season.

Whichever professional team you root for, don’t miss out on Tampa’s sports scene. These sports opportunities make great family activities, and with Tampa’s stellar stadiums and exciting games, you’ll be making memories for a lifetime.

Make Your Vacation Memorable

The Tampa area has something to satisfy sightseers, adrenaline junkies, animal lovers and more. Regardless of what you’re looking for in your trip, we know you want to make your vacation the best it can be. So why settle for experiences you can have at home? At Tampa Bay Grand Prix, we offer competitive and memorable racing adventures you won’t forget.

Our unique tracks allow you to select the racing experience you want — whether that’s speed- or skill-focused. Discover the thrill of our state-of-the-art electric karts and use your race feedback to improve your times. Our indoor facilities are open regardless of the weather, and our safety measures ensure your racing experience will be safe and fun. We even offer birthday parties and corporate events!

If you’re looking for reliable fun, stop in to race today!