15 fun and unique things you can only do in Tampa, Florida
From the pirate-filled Gasparilla festival to stellar Cuban cuisine, there's lots to explore.
Tampa, FL, is known for its retro vibe, beautiful beaches, and endless activities for both locals and tourists. From exhilarating water parks to exquisite museums, this fun and diverse city has something for everyone.
1. Tour Tabanero Cigars
Tampa Bay is known as “Cigar City,” so a visit to Tabanero Cigars is a must. A heaven for cigar connoisseurs who appreciate fine, hand-rolled Cuban cigars and want to enjoy a hands-on experience, Tabanero hosts cigar factory tours and even teaches you how to roll your own cigars. Of course, you can’t leave without trying their robust Cuban coffee, either. Editor's note: Tabanero factory tours are on pause as of publishing, but the cigar makers suggest the Travelers’ Choice Award–winning J.C. Newman’s tours in the interim.
2. Dine at the iconic Columbia Restaurant
Founded back in 1905, the Columbia Restaurant is the oldest operating restaurant in Florida. The beautiful hand-painted mosaics and grandiose Spanish-styled architecture accentuate the establishment’s storied history. (It’s even said that Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe were casual diners here.) Don’t forget to order their famous Cuban sandwich, a favorite amongst patrons.
3. Spend the day like a pirate at the annual Gasparilla Festival
Tampa locals and tourists alike come together to take part in the wild fun that is the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Every year on the last Saturday of January, Ye Mystic Crewe of Gasparilla, a local Tampa organization, throws the Parade of Pirates. What started as a surprise costumed pirate invasion on May Day in 1904, has become one of the country's largest parades and festivals. While this festival used to last just one day, this particular parade is just a focal point in a season of pirate-centric events. Participants should also check out the Gasparilla Music Festival, the Gasparilla Film Festival, the Distance Classic, and more.
4. Cheer on a national championship team
Tampa Bay is a triple threat when it comes to dominating in sports. Between the Stanley Cup (Lighting), Super Bowl (Buccaneers), and American League East championships (Rays) in 2021, there’s a game for everyone to enjoy. The Yankees also spend spring training here, so you can get a taste of the local sports culture nearly every season of the year.
5. Explore Ybor City
Visit Ybor City to take a quick trip to Cuba without even leaving the States. This neighborhood is considered a National Historic Landmark, and it is just a stone's throw from downtown. There are cigar shops on nearly every corner, if you can’t make one of the aforementioned factory tours—plus, the neighborhood is also a perfect spot for a night on the town, with bars like First Chance Last Chance and 2022 Travelers’ Choice Award winner Gaspar’s Grotto. It’s also a fun destination for families who want to spend a day exploring the city on a walking tour or a food tour, if you’re feeling peckish.
6. Experience marine life at the Manatee Viewing Center
Come delight in this unique manatee sanctuary. Tampa Electric’s Big Bend power station sends warm, clean water back into the bay, creating an unusual migration pattern for the warm water-loving creatures. Guests can walk along the boardwalk to view the gentle giants from November 1–April 15 each year or check on them via webcam year-round.
7. Party on tiki boat cruise
Tampa’s vibrant party scene comes to life even during the daytime with this tiki boat cruise. If you are looking to have some fun while spending quality time with your friends, the Tiki Boat (literally a floating hexagonal tiki bar) is the way to go. Rent out your own boat for 90 minutes and cruise down the beautiful Hillsborough Bay. Make sure to bring your own drinks and snacks for the perfect afternoon.
8. Take a scenic stroll
Put on your walking shoes and check out all the restaurants, coffee shops, and activities—like boat rides and jet skiing—along the Tampa Riverwalk. Or, get your exercise in by getting on the Kraken Cycleboats and pedaling down the river.
If you’d like to explore downtown, Bayshore Boulevard is a 4.5-mile sidewalk that stretches along Hillsborough Bay, and has stunning views of the Tampa skyline. You can experience all the boulevard has to offer by joining a guided, two-hour golf cart tour. As you look out across the bay, you may even be lucky enough to spot a pod of dolphins or a manatee. Runners, walkers, roller bladers, and bikers alike enjoy this seemingly endless recreational path.
9. Take a ride on The TECO Line Streetcar
Traveling to Tampa but don’t have a car? No worries—the TECO Line Streetcar System is a free electric trolley that stretches for 2.7 miles and stops at Ybor City, the Channel District, and Downtown Tampa. Modeled after classic trolleys, this transportation has a distinctly an old-timey feel. Besides being a practical form of transportation, this streetcar system is fun and a hit with the kids.The trolley operates seven days a week and has 11 wheelchair-accessible stations.
10. Get your adrenaline pumping at Busch Gardens
Calling all thrill-seekers: Busch Gardens is a family adventure park that features animals such as baby kangaroos, giraffes, and hyenas (and safaris to see them all), plus over 10 roller coasters, and Congo River Rapids. Book insider experience tours where you can meet sloths, tortoises, and penguins behind the scenes.
11. Upgrade movie night at the Tampa Theatre
Beat the summer heat by going to this breathtaking movie palace. The Tampa Theatre opened in 1926 and has a realistic twinkling night sky in its lobby and beautiful Mediterranean architecture. Today, you can catch film classics such as The Wizard of Oz and concerts here. Each movie still opens with an organist playing the original Wurlitzer pipe organ, which makes watching a movie at the Tampa Theatre an experience of a lifetime.
12. Get a drink at Cigar City Brewing
Cigar City Brewing has a fun, laid-back vibe, and serves excellent pub food such as pretzel sticks, cheeseburgers, and of course, Cuban sandwiches. The brewery has created handcrafted, award-winning beers since 2009, so be sure to get a flight of beers to hunt for new favorites. Before you leave, take a tour of the brewery and enjoy complimentary samples while learning about the history of beer making.
13. Grab a meal at Heights Public Market
Can’t decide what to eat for dinner? Have picky eaters in the family? Go to Heights Public Market, a food lover’s dream with over 18 restaurants serving mouth-watering cuisine from top chefs in the area. Choose from wood-fired pizza, sushi, empanadas, Mediterranean fare, and more—plus, there are group-friendly common tables where you can enjoy your meals together.
14. Explore the area’s history at the Tampa Bay History Center
Both proud locals and interested tourists can appreciate the Tampa Bay History Center. This modern building is located on the Tampa Riverwalk, and journeys through the history of Tampa Bay and Florida. This museum features a pirates exhibit, a cigar exhibit, and plentiful information the history of the region's Indigenous communities, including the Tocobaga and Timucua.
15. Drive over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge is an architectural marvel with breathtaking views of the bay. This cable-stayed bridge spans a total length of 21,859 feet, connecting St. Petersburg to Terra Ceia. Those who find themselves in Tampa should definitely take the short 5–10 minute drive over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and enjoy the beautiful Florida scenery.