In recent years, more people have been flocking to Tampa to enjoy its variety of tourist attractions than ever before. In the past, a good year of tourism in Tampa might have generated about $30 million in tax collections. However, in the past few years, Tampa has been enjoying almost double that!
But what is leading to such incredible growth in tourist activity in Tampa? In the past, not that many people knew about all of the amazing things to do in Tampa.
However, as more people learn about what Tampa has to offer, Tampa is enjoying all of the benefits that come with being a hot tourist attraction. But what has Tampa done to provide so many different things to do for visitors and residents alike?
Read on to learn all about the most fun and unforgettable things you can do in Tampa on your next visit!
1. Enjoy the Beaches on Your Trip to Tampa
Of course, no visit to Tampa is complete without spending some hours or days on some of the incredible beaches. Tampa has multiple famous beaches that all provide amazing surf, sand, and sunlight. However, you can enjoy certain unique activities at several of the most famous beaches in Tampa as well.
The Ben T. Davis Beach is only a few minutes away from downtown Tampa. That makes it the perfect destination if you want to spend some time on the water while also visiting some of the exciting events in town. You can often find people playing beach volleyball at this beach.
On the other hand, Clearwater Beach is located right next to the Florida botanical gardens. It is rare to find such an amazing combination as a pristine beach and a gorgeous garden right next to each other.
You can also take a quieter trip to Honeymoon Island. This beach is quieter at certain times of the year and is a great place for swimming, fishing, and hiking.
2. Add Parasailing to Your Vacation Planning
If you have ever been parasailing, then you will appreciate what an unforgettable experience it can be. On the other hand, if you have not yet been parasailing, you should put this at the top of your list of activities to try in Tampa. Of course, parasailing in Tampa may ruin parasailing in most other parts of the world for you.
As amazing as parasailing can be on its own, enjoying it in Tampa provides a special experience. As you parasail in Tampa, you can enjoy the many gorgeous beaches below as well as the impressive buildings out of the city center.
You can enjoy a view of the islands as well as drink in the beauty of the gardens and other aspects of the natural beauty that Tampa has to offer.
3. Check Out the Aquariums When You Visit Tampa
Tampa is the perfect place to see amazing marine life at an aquarium. This is also a top activity if you plan to visit Tampa with your family.
The Florida Aquarium has more than 8,000 animals. It has won awards for attraction features for children and adults alike. Many of the features at this aquarium are designed to maximize both education and fun.
If you do decide to visit the aquarium, you might want to go before you spend too much time on other water activities in Tampa. Learning more about sea life can add an extra layer of fascination when you get up and close to it later on.
4. Add a Zoo Visit to Your Trip Planning
Tampa also boasts an incredible zoo. Try visiting the Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park and enjoy seeing the more than 1,300 animals that live there.
Tampa has collected a wide variety of tropical animals as well as species from a wide variety of other habitats. You can feed the giraffes during one part of your visit and then enjoy the water play areas during another.
5. Enjoy the Thrill of Busch Gardens Tampa
Busch Gardens Tampa is one of the top amusement parks in the country. It has a huge number of roller coasters as well as special activities like the Serengeti Safari. It also includes live entertainment shows and attractions designed especially for younger members of the family.
You will also find that the food at Busch Gardens Tampa is a cut above what you can find at many other amusement parks. You can spend a whole day enjoying the restaurants, cafes, bars, and more at Busch Gardens Tampa.
6. Visit the Tampa Museum of Art
Many people come to Tampa just to visit the Tampa Museum of Art. If you have a special appreciation for art, then you might want to put this activity at the top of your itinerary.
The museum has a wide collection of both contemporary and ancient art. You can enjoy a varied range of collections and presentations that will help you appreciate art objects like never before.
If you are a fan of visual art, you might also want to visit the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts while you are in Tampa. This museum is located in Tampa’s Cube building, a unique architectural achievement. You can enjoy dozens of major photographic exhibitions at this museum to enjoy another take on visual art.
While you are at it, you might also consider visiting the Contemporary Art Museum in Tampa. This museum has the special goal of preserving some of the most significant contemporary art exhibitions in the world. Many scholars end up visiting this museum to study the intricate nuances of a precise aspect of contemporary art.
7. Check Out the Museum of Science and Industry
On the other hand, you might be more interested in subjects like science, industry, and history. The Museum of Science and Industry contains hundreds of exhibits that will help you better understand science and the technology that has helped build our civilization.
Many of these activities are interactive, allowing you to do much more than simply watch and learn. You can also learn much more than you might know now about modern technological advances. There is a whole area dedicated to drones and robots and another devoted to 3D printing.
You might also want to visit the Tampa Bay History Center. The more you fall in love with Florida, the more you might appreciate learning about more than 12,000 years of its history.
8. Make the Most of the Tampa Riverwalk
Ask most people about what to do in Tampa and they will be sure to mention the Tampa Riverwalk. This is a beautiful pathway that runs all along the Hillsborough River. As you walk along it, you can enjoy the natural beauty of the view as well as the well-maintained public parks nearby.
You will also find plenty of restaurants and entertainment venues to help you round out your walk.
9. Visit the Unforgettable Big Cat Rescue
If you have a special affinity for cats, then visiting Tampa’s Big Cat Rescue Sanctuary might be the highlight of your trip. This animal sanctuary is dedicated to taking care of wild cats that suffer from injuries or isolation.
It has 11 species of big cats with more than 100 animals.
10. Take a Tour of Fun Things to Do in Tampa
You might want to start out your trip to Tampa by taking a guided tour to learn about all of the fun things you can do there. However, you might find a tour of Tampa much less tiring if you can take it on a Segway. The Magic Carpet Glide guided tour leads tourists around the city on Segways, showing them some of the most amazing attractions worth visiting.
You can also discover Great Escape Rooms in Tampa. There is a reason that quality escape rooms are becoming more popular all the time. They can be an absolute blast!
11. Catch a Show at the Straz Center
You should definitely take a minute to check out some of the performances that will be available at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts while you are in Tampa.
Many amazing shows come to Tampa and one of them might be the perfect addition to your vacation plans.
12. Enjoy the Beauty of Tampa’s Nature
You can also check out Not a Clue Adventures to enjoy a wide variety of outdoor activities. You can learn about bird watching or how to track wildlife. You can also learn about survival techniques or horsemanship.
You do not really know Tampa until you have seen some of the incredible variety of flora and fauna present outside of the major city areas.
Enjoy All the Best Things to Do in Tampa
The more you learn about the amazing things to do in Tampa, the easier it is to understand why there has been such an explosion in tourist demand. Tampa has so many fun things to do that you can come back year after year without ever having to repeat your vacation itinerary.
In Tampa, you can enjoy the peace and beauty of nature as well as the excitement of unforgettable thrills.
To learn more about the latest information in tourism, business, and more, take a look at our other articles!
