Top Attractions and Activities in Tampa

Tampa has emerged as one of Florida’s most dynamic cities, offering an incredible blend of world-class attractions, vibrant culture, outdoor adventures, and year-round sunshine that makes it an ideal place to call home. Whether you’re considering a move to the Tampa Bay area or simply want to explore what this thriving metropolis has to offer, you’ll discover countless reasons why so many people are choosing to make Tampa their permanent home base.

From thrilling theme parks and fascinating museums to scenic waterfront walks and championship sports teams, Tampa delivers experiences that go far beyond typical tourist attractions. This comprehensive guide will help you understand why Tampa consistently ranks among America’s most livable cities and what makes it such an attractive destination for new residents.

World-Class Theme Parks and Animal Attractions

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

No visit to Tampa is complete without experiencing Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, one of North America’s premier theme parks combining world-class thrill rides with over 12,000 animals across 335 acres. The park offers an unmatched combination of heart-pounding roller coasters like the famous Cheetah Hunt and SheiKra, alongside incredible animal encounters including African safaris and up-close wildlife experiences.

Single-day admission includes all shows, exhibits and rides, with general admission pricing around $152 for adults. The park regularly hosts special events, food festivals, and seasonal celebrations that make each visit unique. For Tampa residents, annual passes provide excellent value for repeated visits throughout the year.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

ZooTampa at Lowry Park has earned recognition as one of the “Top 25 Zoos in the U.S.” by TripAdvisor and offers visitors the chance to connect with amazing species while learning about conservation efforts. The zoo operates daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is home to thousands of graceful animals from around the world.

The zoo features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and special animal encounters that make it perfect for families. Recent additions include new animal births and updated facilities that enhance the visitor experience. Tampa’s ZooQuarium ticket allows visitors to experience both ZooTampa and The Florida Aquarium for one low price, making it an excellent value for families.

The Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa is home to more than 7,000 aquatic plants and marine animals from Florida and around the world. Located in downtown Tampa along the streetcar route, the aquarium offers plan-ahead pricing with adult admission ranging from $36.45 to $46.95 depending on the date of visit, with advance online tickets providing the lowest prices.

Standout exhibits include the impressive 500,000-gallon Coral Reef habitat with sharks, sea turtles, and moray eels, the unique Moon Bay experience offering one of only four chances in the U.S. to gently touch moon jellies, and the interactive MORPH’D exhibit featuring animals like electric eels, axolotls, and bird poop frogs. The aquarium also offers Wild Dolphin Cruises departing daily with over 80% success rate of seeing dolphins in Tampa Bay.

The Spectacular Tampa Riverwalk

The Tampa Riverwalk spans 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River, stretching from Armature Works to Sparkman Wharf and connecting some of the city’s most beloved attractions, parks, and cultural gems. This award-winning destination has earned recognition from USA TODAY as one of the Top 10 Riverwalks in the Nation and was featured in TIME Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places.

Key Riverwalk Attractions and Stops

Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park serves as the premier event park downtown, featuring two splash zones for children, a state-of-the-art children’s playground, and a dog park, plus it borders several top arts and culture venues including the Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Museum of Photographic Art, and the Glazer Children’s Museum.

David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts is the largest performing arts center in the Southeast, hosting everything from theatre performances to Broadway shows, musicals, orchestra concerts, symphonies, and dance performances.

Sparkman Wharf represents Tampa’s innovative dining scene with 10 chef-driven restaurants housed in repurposed shipping containers, a covered biergarten, outdoor stage with frequent live music, and expansive lawn with games and waterfront views.

For a unique way to travel along the Riverwalk, visitors can hop on the Pirate Water Taxi, which has 14 stops near popular attractions and provides entertaining historical narration while exploring the city from the water.

Family-Friendly Museums and Cultural Attractions

Glazer Children’s Museum

The Glazer Children’s Museum operates Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30am-5pm, with summer hours extending to Monday-Sunday 9:30am-5pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day. General admission is $24.95, with Florida residents paying $19.95, and babies under age 1 play free.

This 53,000 square-foot interactive learning space features multiple floors of themed areas including water play zones, a construction site, mock hospital, and the Make Space creative area where families can work together on playfully themed projects. The museum regularly offers special sensory-inclusive Sunday mornings for children who may need a lower sensory experience.

Tampa Museum of Art

The Tampa Museum of Art is housed in a 66,000-square-foot building containing both modern and classical works from local and traveling collections. Located along the Riverwalk with stunning downtown views, the museum provides a sophisticated cultural experience for art enthusiasts.

Henry B. Plant Museum

The historic Henry B. Plant Museum, housed in the former Tampa Bay Hotel, offers visitors a glimpse into Tampa’s Gilded Age history. The museum’s distinctive Moorish architecture and period rooms showcase the luxury of late 19th-century Florida tourism.

Sports and Entertainment Venues

Professional Sports Teams

Tampa boasts championship-caliber professional sports teams across multiple leagues. Amalie Arena serves as home to the NHL Tampa Bay Lightning, with 19,758 seats for NHL games and up to 21,500 seats for concerts and center stage events. The Lightning have built one of the most passionate fan bases in professional hockey.

Raymond James Stadium, home of the NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, features seating for 65,657 with over 12,000 club seats and 195 suites. The stadium also hosts the University of South Florida Bulls football team, major concerts, and bowl games.

Baseball fans can enjoy spring training and minor league baseball at George M. Steinbrenner Field, home of MLB New York Yankees spring games and Florida State League Tampa Yankees, with 10,387 seats and 13 skyboxes.

Outdoor Activities and Natural Beauty

Bayshore Boulevard

Known as one of the longest continuous sidewalks in the United States, Bayshore Boulevard stretches 4.5 miles of scenic views paralleling Tampa Bay. This 10-foot-wide sidewalk starts at Columbus Statue Park at Platt Street and ends at Gandy Boulevard, with trail amenities including benches, water fountains, bicycle parking, and fitness stations.

En route, you’ll pass some of Tampa’s most prestigious homes, many on the National Historic Register, in the Old Hyde Park neighborhood. The boulevard provides perfect opportunities for walking, jogging, cycling, and enjoying stunning sunset views over Tampa Bay.

Hyde Park and Surrounding Areas

Hyde Park offers tree-lined streets with historic homes, plus attractions like The Candle Pour where visitors can create custom candles, and Hyde Park Village with over 70 specialty shops and restaurants. Hyde Park Village features free parking in garages, multiple dining options with indoor and outdoor seating, and is just a 15-minute walk from Bayshore Drive with beautiful Tampa Bay views.

The neighborhood provides excellent examples of the type of upscale, walkable communities that make Tampa attractive to new residents. For more detailed information about Tampa’s most desirable residential areas, check out our guide to the Best Neighborhoods in Tampa.

Culinary Scene and Nightlife

Food Halls and Dining Destinations

Tampa’s culinary renaissance is showcased in its innovative food halls and waterfront dining destinations. Armature Works houses multiple dining options including Astro Ice Cream, Buddy Brew Coffee, Butcher and Barbeque, Hemmingway’s Cuban Cuisine, and Zukku Sushi, all set in a historic 1910 building along the Hillsborough River.

Sparkman Wharf offers ten food options located in retrofitted shipping containers, including street tacos, oysters, and the famous Jeni’s ice cream. The venue combines dining with live music, craft beer, and waterfront views that exemplify Tampa’s outdoor lifestyle.

Historic Ybor City

Tampa’s historic Ybor City district offers authentic Cuban cuisine, cigar manufacturing tours, and vibrant nightlife. The area maintains its cultural heritage while providing modern entertainment options, making it a perfect example of how Tampa balances history with contemporary living.

Seasonal Events and Festivals

Tampa’s year-round event calendar keeps residents engaged with the community through festivals, cultural celebrations, and outdoor activities. The city breaks out fireworks, parade floats, food vendors and live entertainment nearly every month for fantastic festivals and events, including craft beer season (Craftober), Gasparilla season, and Pride Month celebrations.

Major annual events include:

• Gasparilla Pirate Festival (January/February)
• Tampa Bay Margarita Festival
• Sunset Music Festival
• Tampa International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival
• Various food and wine festivals throughout the year

Shopping and Entertainment Districts