There are a lot of places to visit in Tampa. If you’re looking for a place to spend your honeymoon or just for some fun, this city is a good bet. In addition to a vibrant nightlife, this city has many outdoor and indoor activities.
The Tampa Bay area is filled with parks and museums. It’s also home to a number of theme parks, including Busch Gardens, which features old-fashioned rides, animal-viewing areas, and gift shops.
The Tampa Museum of Art is a must-see. It’s located in a restored David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts and features a number of special events throughout the year.
The Hillsborough River State Park offers several great outdoor activities, including canoeing and biking along the forest trails. The park also has an interpretive center.
Another top attraction is the Florida Aquarium, which is home to hundreds of aquatic animals and a host of educational programs for kids. While it isn’t a traditional museum, it’s a must-see if you’re into marine life.
The Ybor City Visitor Center is a free attraction that gives you an overview of the local history. They have a free travel brochure, videos, and expert advice. You can also get a taste of the city’s history by retracing the footsteps of the Cuban cigar-factory workers who built the storied neighborhood.
Tampa is not Florida’s largest city, but it has a lot to offer. In fact, there are so many cool things to do in Tampa, it’s hard to narrow them all down to just one. Whether you want to go ziplining, learn about the history of the city, or try your luck at a casino, there’s something to interest you in this sunny city.
Tampa Museum of Art
Tampa Museum of Art is an art museum in downtown Tampa, Florida. It is a large 66,000-square-foot building that features an impressive permanent collection. This includes art from the ancient era, classical paintings, contemporary works, and modern art.
The museum also features multi-media exhibits. For example, a light-emitting diode (LED) sky mural by Leo Villareal is the centerpiece of the interior. Also, the exterior of the building has animated LED lights, making it appear to be floating on the Hillsborough River.
In addition to the gallery’s permanent collection, the museum also hosts traveling exhibits. These include a historical monument trail that includes marble busts and bronze busts of people who played a significant role in the history of the city.
Tampa Museum of Art is open seven days a week. It also hosts workshops, lectures, and educational programs. Visitors can choose to pay the regular admission price or take advantage of the Art on the House program, which allows visitors to pay a reduced admission price for exhibitions.
Another place to visit in Tampa is the Henry B. Plant Museum, located in the old Tampa Bay Hotel. There are a number of exhibits that highlight the Gilded Age period of American history. Some of the displays include photographs, artifacts, and text.
Tampa Bay History Center
Tampa Bay History Center, a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum, is a great place to explore the history of Florida. It features three floors of permanent and temporary exhibits that explore 12,000 years of Florida history.
The Tampa Bay History Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can purchase tickets online or at the gate. In addition, there is a museum store where you can buy souvenirs. There are also a number of events held throughout the year.
If you are visiting in winter, you can take advantage of the Winter Wonderland and ice sculptures. Alternatively, you can visit the Florida Aquarium, a great place to learn about the marine life in the area.
Another one of the best things to do in Tampa is to visit the Tampa Theatre. This beautiful theater is an old-world movie palace. Some of the events held here include film festivals and concerts.
Another museum to visit is the Museum of Science and Industry. This 400,000 square-foot facility has a variety of interactive exhibits.
Hillsborough River State Park
Hillsborough River State Park is a unique outdoor paradise that offers canoeing, hiking, camping and wildlife viewing. Located in Thonotosassa, Florida, it is just a short drive from downtown Tampa.
The park is part of the state park system and features nearly six miles of trails. Its natural habitat includes floodplain swamps, cypress swamps, pine flatwoods and the Hillsborough River. A grass pond and hardwood hammock are also part of the park.
There is also a historic site in the park. Fort Foster was built in the 1830s to protect the Hillsborough River during the Second Seminole War. Today, it is the only replica of a fort in the United States. Visitors can take tours of the fort on weekends.
The park also offers a number of other attractions. A 2.5 mile long paved scenic trail called the riverwalk runs along the Hillsborough River. This scenic trail is free to walk. You can also rent a bike or kayak at the park.
In addition, you can find a variety of restaurants and stores at the riverwalk. Visitors have also praised the cleanliness of the riverwalk.
Another popular attraction is the Tiki Boat Cruise. This cruise is a great way to see the city while having fun on the water. Guests can enjoy a picnic and visit a number of top Tampa attractions.
Visitors can also go on a guided tour of Fort Foster. For more information, visit the park’s website.
Glazer Children’s Museum
The Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa, Florida is a fun place for kids to spend a day. Guests can enjoy a variety of themed days, which teach problem solving, nature, and more. It also offers special programs for those with sensory disorders. Kids can also enjoy kid-sized exhibits, giant puppet shows, and hand puppets.
The museum encourages learning through play, with exhibits that cover oceanography, robotics, and more. It also features an accessible entrance and VELA mobility chairs. In addition to the regular programs, it holds special days that focus on Star Wars and nature.
A visit to the Glazer Children’s Museum is a great way to spend a rainy day or a warm weekend. There are a variety of interactive exhibits, including an IMAX theater and a ropes adventure course. Visitors can also enjoy a special program that gives them a behind-the-scenes look at how movies are made. This is an especially popular option during the summer months.
Located on the scenic Hillsborough River in downtown Tampa, the Glazer Children’s Museum is surrounded by a variety of museums and entertainment. The area is home to the Chipola Caverns, the only dry caves open to the public in Florida.
Another attraction near the Glazer Children’s Museum is the Circus Museum. It has an assortment of colorful exhibits and circus activities. Guests can take a 20-minute guided tour. They can also participate in the Rootin and Tootin Shootin’ Alley, which features a 1949 pickup truck and shooting targets.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
The Busch Gardens theme park in Tampa, Florida, is a family-friendly amusement park with plenty of thrill rides. It also offers several attractions and shows.
While there are many attractions at the park, one of the most unique is its zoo. Here, you can visit more than 12,000 animals, including exotic birds, orangutans, and chimpanzees.
In addition to the animals, the park also has numerous thrill rides. For example, the SheiKra is a drop ride that lifts passengers 200 feet in the air. They then travel through a lights-out tunnel before being sent into a heart-pumping dive.
The park also features a flamingo lagoon. This tropical paradise offers stunning views. There are also several shops and restaurants. A lot of guests enjoy the food and snacks at the park.
Another fun thing to do at Busch Gardens is to participate in the ice skating show at the Moroccan Palace Theater. You can choose from two different performances.
If you want to be able to skip the line on your favorite ride, you should buy the Quick Queue Unlimited pass. It costs $30 per car.
Busch Gardens also hosts numerous concerts throughout the year. Most of these are free with park admission. These shows can be fun for the whole family.
Busch Gardens is also known for its wild roller coasters. One of these rides is the Roller Coaster, which is one of the tallest in North America. It also has a vertical loop and a maximum speed of 60 miles an hour.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is an impressive zoo with more than 1,300 animals living in its habitats. These animals are from around the world, with emphasis on Florida native and endangered species.
The zoo has several exhibits, including the Primate World, Asian Gardens, and Safari Africa. There are also rides and water play areas, as well as educational programs and shows. You can visit the zoo throughout the year.
Although it is not a huge zoo, it is very well-maintained. It is never overcrowded, and has plenty of parking. It has been a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) since 1988.
The zoo’s primary purpose is to protect endangered species. Besides providing them with a safe haven, it also aids in their recovery. The zoo’s Manatee and Aquatic Center provides critical care for these creatures.
The zoo’s wildlife includes black bears, flamingos, alligators, and skunks. Visitors can also see a large variety of birds. Other animals at the zoo include primates, koalas, koi, giraffes, elephants, and lions.
One of the best parts of visiting the zoo is getting up close to the animals. You’ll have an opportunity to touch them, feed them, and even learn from a zoo keeper.
Some of the zoo’s attractions include bumper boats, the Jungle Carousel, the Overland Express, and the Gator Falls Flume Ride. A family-friendly roller coaster is also available.
Another new attraction is the Imagination Playground. This area is built with bricks and cubes. It is a popular attraction for families with young children. Children can build structures and use rope trails.
The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is an educational institution that allows visitors to get up close to the world of aquatic life. It is located in Tampa, Florida and houses more than 8,000 animals. This aquarium aims to inspire visitors to conserve the natural world.
Visitors can also take part in activities like feeding stingrays and sharks. In addition, they can watch animal training shows. There are also boat tours that allow guests to observe sea life in its natural habitat.
For children, the aquarium features an interactive Splash Pad. This is a splashy and educational area that is a great way to keep kids entertained. A Splash Pad is also a fun place to bring a baby.
Other fun things to do at the aquarium include feeding stingrays and dolphins. You can also take a ride on the Wild Dolphin Cruise. These activities will cost an additional fee.
The Florida Aquarium is open seven days a week from 9:30 AM to 5 PM. On weekends and holidays, the aquarium is more crowded. However, if you plan ahead, you may be able to get tickets for less. If you are visiting the aquarium with a group of children, you can take advantage of the discount pricing.
In addition to its underwater environments, the Florida Aquarium also houses plants and trees from around the world. Visitors can interact with a number of different animals, including penguins and sea lions.
While visiting the aquarium, you may also wish to explore its 4-D theater. This experience offers you a chance to see sharks, sea turtles, and other amazing creatures.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island in Tampa Bay is an exciting water park with 30 acres of water slides, pools, and other attractions. It’s located next to Busch Gardens and offers a variety of family-friendly entertainment.
The park features a lazy river, a rambling river, and a wave pool. There are also two children’s pools, kiddie pools, and splash play areas.
There is a variety of food and drink available. You can have your favorite bottled beverages, fresh salads, draft beer, and even smoked chicken and ribs. For desserts, you can have a variety of fan favorites.
Adventure Island has a Quick Queue pass that will let you bypass the lines at the park’s most popular attractions. If you’re a senior citizen, you can get a 10% discount on admission. In addition, the park offers a free donut and slushie.
Adventure Island also features two pools and a shady beach lounge area. They have a tiki bar that boasts twenty kinds of rum.
Adventure Island has been in business since 1980. It is the oldest water park in Florida. With over two decades of experience, it has a reputation for bringing guests to the “Sunshine State” with plenty of fun, adventure, and relaxation.
Adventure Island is open daily during the summer months. During the winter season, it is closed. Luckily, you can still visit the park in the winter if you purchase a ticket during the off-season.
While it’s not the largest water park in the country, it does offer a number of attractions that are suitable for the entire family. From the kiddie pools to the adult waterslides, there is something for everyone.
