Located along the glimmering Gulf Coast in Florida, Tampa offers the perfect destination for a getaway. Whether you’re across the country or down the street, spending time at the must-see destinations in the city is always a good idea.
Tampa has something for every age and interest which makes it one of the top tourist spots in the country. Below, we cover just a few of the places you simply have to check out when you find yourself in Tampa or the surrounding area.
And if you are looking for a cost-effective way to get around town, be sure to consider booking a limo in Tampa.
Tampa Riverwalk
200 N Ashley Dr
The Tampa Riverwalk is a fantastic place to relax and enjoy a stroll by the water. There are numerous restaurant destinations along the way, so it’s easy to spend hours here. A full loop around is four miles, and there are activities along the way such as water taxis and artwork to take a look at. They’re constantly revitalizing it, so come back for another visit!
Tampa Museum of Art
120 W Gasparilla Plz
This is a smaller museum, but that doesn’t mean that the collection isn’t exceptional. Admission is $15 for adults, and there are discounts for college students, military, and seniors. The first floor has shops to peruse as well as a restaurant. With a location right by the Riverwalk, it’s a convenient stop to make.
Big Cat Rescue
12802 Easy St
Big Cat Rescue is a non profit animal rescue that rehabilitates neglected animals, mainly large cats. There are also bear rescues from circus productions. The volunteers are passionately dedicated to the well being of the animals, and they’ll also tell you the stories of each animal. There are day tours as well as feeding tours, so be sure to check out all of your options!
Busch Gardens
10165 N McKinley Dr
This is arguably the destination that Tampa is known most for. This safari themed adventure park has roller coasters and engaging animal habitats. It’s an especially magical place to visit during the Holidays. If you want to do a safari, you have to book in advance, so keep that in mind. There are plenty of eateries to choose from, souvenir shops and a train that takes you all around the park when you get tired of walking.
With miles of shoreline Florida is home to some pretty unique ecosystems that are home to a rather large variety of wildlife. From the swampy and reptile-rich Everglades in the South, to the bird-friendly Maritime forests in the Northeast, Florida has something here for every type of nature lover. This variety is perhaps best displayed on the state’s Gulf Coast. Here you get a brilliant blend of incredible sea life, like the Florida Manatee, along with some beautiful birds and exotic mammals that call the coastal woodlands home. If you are looking for a place to explore the beauty and variety of Florida’s wildlife along with a bit of Old Florida charm, look no further than Citrus County.
Tampa Bay is one of those cities that seems to get no love in the travel world and it’s really not Tampa’s fault. Located on Florida’s west coast, the city of Tampa is dwarfed in size by Miami to the south and sits just outside of the large shadow cast over the Orlando area by team Disney and it’s many rivals. With that being said, Tampa Bay (encompassing the Coastal area from Weeki Wachee to Sarasota) has been a favorite for vacationing snow birds and other visitors to Florida looking for something a little different. Take a look at our Tampa Travel Guide, for lots of fun attraction information in addition to practical travel and pet travel info to help you plan your Tampa, Florida travel adventure.
While visiting Tampa, we had the pleasure of checking out The Florida Aquarium. One of the best add-ons while visiting this amazing aquarium is the Wild Dolphin Ecotour. The Wild Dolphin Ecotour can be purchased at the Florida Aquarium and leaves from the a dock right outside the building. The Bay is home to more than 500 bottlenose dolphins. Dolphin sightings are not guaranteed however with the Tampa Bay waters being a perfect habitat for these amazing creatures, there is a 92% success rate of seeing dolphins.
