Tampa Bay Vacation Guide: My Top Picks
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Tampa is most well known for being home to Busch Gardens, part of the SeaWorld family of amusement parks, and one of the most visited theme parks in the US. The Florida Aquarium and Zoo Tampa are also super popular with tourists. Additionally, you will find many beautiful beaches, some of which are ranked amongst the best in the country.
Tourists and snowbirds often frequent the beaches during the cooler winter months. Although summers are hot and muggy, the fall and winter season are considerably cooler and less humid. This is the perfect time of the year to take a peaceful stroll along the beach. I lived in the region for 3 years and enjoyed both the mainstream attractions, along with some hidden gems that don’t get much press.
Amusements and beaches aside, there is so much more to do in this underrated city. Honestly, I didn’t know much about the region before moving here. I quickly learned that the city is home to a wonderful park system. I enjoyed year-round birdwatching, wildlife watching, and hiking. The Bay’s many gorgeous preserves provide a peaceful alternative to the noisy beach crowds, not to mention a shady escape for summertime strolls and bike rides. Exploring these parks will give you a glimpse into what Florida looked like before everything was built upon. Besides lounging around on the gorgeous Gulf beaches, I do recommend taking some time to explore the natural side of Florida, the amazing museums and cultural attractions, and the incredible food scene.
Enjoy my guide to some of my top recommended activities and attractions in the Bay. This list is not organized in any particular order, as I believe everything on it is worth considering. I’ve tried to include a bit of something for everything and you will find hikes, bike rides, museums, art galleries, restaurants, and events on this list.
1. Hillsborough River State Park
Grab your hiking shoes and/or bike and plan for a relaxing day at shady Hillsborough River State Park, one of Florida’s oldest and most beautiful parks. It is one of just a few Florida parks with rapids (Class II can be spotted along the trails). The park is so peaceful that it’s hard to imagine you are just 20 miles from the city. We have seen several gators on the Rapids trail – oftentimes, they are hard to see as they blend so well into their surroundings! As someone who grew up in the city, it was fun to see exotic wildlife up close (not at a zoo!).
This park is pretty underrated in my opinion. There are lots of amenities including 7 miles of trails, canoe and kayak rentals, a beautiful bike loop, an on-site cafe, and a campground. The setting is relaxed, natural, and great for photography. There is a $6 but it’s worth it for the great amenities.
Address: 15402 N Us Highway 301, Thonotosassa
2. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail
An oasis amongst the retail congestion, the Upper Tampa Bay Trail is one of my favorite suburban escapes. You are likely to see everyone, from walkers, to rollerbladers, to runners out enjoying the day on this gorgeous 7.5 mile long paved trail. It’s flat, so a pretty easy ride. It’s also lined with trees for much of the course, so I like biking here when the skies are sunny as there is plenty of shade. Fall and winter bike rides are even more enjoyable as the temps finally drop into the 70’s with lower humidity.
Along the course, you will be treated to great views of the Hillsborough River. Wildlife sightings are common, depending on the time of day/year. You can choose to grab your bike, running shoes, or skates and head over to this quiet gem for a fun-filled morning of exercise and great scenery. For this bike ride (as well as any others), I recommend a hydration backpack. You need more water than you think in such a hot climate, with one water bottle not being enough. As an added benefit, you will have multiple pockets for storing useful essentials like sunblock, a camera, snacks, your wallet and keys, and whatever else you might need.
Address: There are 6 trailheads to choose from. The Memorial Trailhead at: 7499 Montague St. is an ideal place to start your ride.
3. Tampa Theater
The historic Tampa Theater, built in 1926, has been rated as one of the 10 most beautiful theaters in the world (BBC). This comes at no surprise as the architecture is simply stunning. I love that they host special events year-round including a popular Summer Classic Movies Series and an annual showing of Halloween and classic Christmas films. I love seeing a film on a big screen in a beautiful classy theater the way it was meant to be seen. Pre-show live music and a starry sky set the mood right for the perfect romantic date night destination. I have seen several movies here including The Breakfast Club and Dirty Dancing. I love seeing my favorite 80’s movies on the big screen as I missed them the first time around!
Address: 711 N Franklin St.
4. Weedon Island Preserve
One of your best bets for fun, relaxation, and affordability all rolled into one is exploring St. Pete’s beautiful Weedon Island Preserve. This is one of my favorite escapes from the St. Pete/Clearwater beach congestion. Whenever I wished to avoid the hassle of finding parking, this is where I came instead. The trails are shady and it is not rare to see wildlife – I’ve seen more armadillos and gopher tortoises than I can count. I love climbing the observation tower and enjoying the great view of the Bay seen in the pic above. Bring your camera and enjoy this welcome escape from the city and suburban congestion. Oh and grab your binoculars – this preserve is one of the top birdwatching destinations in Pinellas.
Address: 1800 Weedon Dr NE, St. Petersburg
5. Fred Howard Park
Fred Howard, a beautiful, underrated Gulf Coast beach in Tarpon Springs, provides one of the most picturesque settings in the area for sunset viewing. Gorgeous white sand, swaying palm trees, and fewer crowds make this an ideal beach to unwind at after a long week. Grab your chair and camera and enjoy a beautiful Florida sunset at this local gem. Although it is far from my favorite beach on the Gulf, I lived nearby in Palm Harbor so this was an easy midweek escape. I loved watching the sunset through the palms.
Address: Howard Park Causeway, Tarpon Springs
6. Flatwoods Regional Park
This quiet, scenic park in Northeastern Hillsborough County is a great place for long bike rides and marathon training. I used this trail often while living in an apartment complex in Wesley Chapel conveniently located right down the street. Flatwood Park’s long 9 to 11 mile loop (depending on which parking lot you start from) offers a shady course lined with towering pine trees. The tranquil natural scenery is strikingly difference from the urban sprawl surrounding the area (seriously, this area is getting more crowded by the year!). Not into biking or running? Take a walk on one of the short boardwalk trails for a glimpse into the natural flora and fauna of Florida.
Tip: Before your ride treat yourself to an acai bowl at Raining Berries. Seriously, best acai anywhere. When I lived in the area, I treated myself to a bowl probably once every week or 2.
Address: 4302 Morris Bridge Rd, Temple Terrace
7. The Florida Aquarium
Tourists love this aquarium and there is often a long line just to get in (I’ve waited outside in the heat on more than 1 occasion). Weekends are often packed to the point where you can’t comfortably stroll around, so I recommend a weekday visit if possible. It’s located on the riverfront which is great as you walk to a number of attractions and restaurants, including my favorite Columbia (I love their Cuban Black Beans and veggie Paella).
The highlight here is a 500,000 gallon Coral Reef tank, which is home to Sand Tiger Sharks, giant turtles, and dozens more species (many of which are native to Florida). I could look at this tank all day! The Wetlands Trail, complete with free flying birds, daily animal encounter shows, alligators, and a view of Florida cypress swamps is another must-see on your visit. This cool aquarium is a great place to escape the summer heat: an educational and entertaining alternative where you don’t have to load up the sunblock. Check out my article for more pics and details.
Address: 701 Channelside Dr.
8. The Tampa Riverwalk
The Riverwalk is the perfect place for a cool early morning stroll. Coming in just over 2 miles, it is the perfect distance for a laid-back weekend walk. You get to enjoy great skyline views, plus easy access to top attractions such as: The Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Museum of Art, and Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. It’s also conveniently lit up at night, creating the perfect setting for romantic date night strolls. My favorite time to visit is during the quieter winter months. The trail is lit up red and green for the holidays (there is even a floating Christmas tree) and a real ice rink opens at Curtis Hixon park.
Address: Starts near the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk (200 N Ashley Dr.).
9. Hubbard’s Marina Dolphin Cruise
Located on lively St. John’s Boardwalk in Madeira Beach, this great dolphin cruise is one of your best bets in the area if you want to see a lot of dolphins. Our tour guide was super energetic and we also learned so many new facts about the region. Not only are you likely to see many dolphins (we saw dozens), you are also treated to views of colorful multi million dollar homes, beautiful mangrove islands, and dozens of birds in their natural habitat. Most of all, I loved the views of gorgeous Boca Ciega Bay. Dolphin sightings are guaranteed or you receive a free return ticket! I am much more likely to book if this is the case so I don’t have to risk wasting my hard earned money.
Address: 170 Johns Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach
10. Lettuce Lake Park
Lettuce Lake is one of the city’s most peaceful parks. Although small in size, it packs in a lot of beauty in a small space. As you walk across the wooden boardwalks, you will come across an observation deck overlooking the beautiful Hillsborough River. The park is also a great place for wildlife sightings, and I’ve seen gators here on many occasions. Swampy views along the trail make you feel as if you have taken a step back in time to the Jurassic period. The only thing that bugs me is the $2 admission fee as most parks in this region are free. I still visited frequently as it was the closest preserve to my apartment and I did enjoy the ambiance and gator sightings.
Other activities at the park include: kayaking, a bike loop with fitness stations, a short hiking trail, and picnicking.
Address: 6920 E Fletcher Ave.
