Vacation In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is booming and numbers don’t lie. In every measurable category (short of the hurricane one), Tampa Bay is a top destination. The Tampa Bay area has been attracting visitors since well before super bands like the Ramones, Stone Temple Pilots and Sublime made it known to the masses. From the beaches to the attractions, there are plenty of things to see and do in Tampa that provide full enjoyment without ever going into a stadium or attending a ballgame. Vacationing in Tampa can be as cheap or as costly as you make it. There are inexpensive options up and down the bay but you will also find 5 star resorts if your wallet is fat enough. For example, at Van Gogh Beach, you can have a meal at one of several beach front restaurants for around $15 or less. Just down A1A, you can enjoy dinner with a view for far more than that in most cases.

You’re visiting Tampa Bay soon and probably want to know more about it, right? Well, look no further. I’ll tell you everything you need to know about vacationing in Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay has many places to visit. If you are planning a vacation, then you should explore these places.

Tampa is a popular vacation city for visitors from all over the globe, but particularly all over the US. The area offers so much to see and do that it’s easy to fill your days with activities, meals, and experiences. It’s no wonder that it’s a top vacationer destination for southeastern America.

Tampa Bay has a lot to offer. From great fishing, hiking, and island trips to amusement parks, professional sports and nightlife–you can find whatever it is you’re looking for here. Climb aboard!

Regionally, Tampa Bay encompasses four cities—Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and Brandon. All border the largest open-water estuary on Florida’s west coast (covering nearly 400 square miles). The outdoor recreational opportunities alone provide reason enough to visit the region, but if aquatic activities aren’t your thing, the Tampa Bay area is packed with loads of other exciting experiences to be had. So, no matter if you’re the adrenaline junkie, shopaholic, art aficionado, or bar hopper, this area has got something for everyone.

Vacation In Tampa Bay

See Manatees in Their Natural Habitat

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ADDRESS6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572-2241, USA

PHONE +1 813-228-4289

WEB Visit website

Even though there are high-quality zoo and aquarium options in Tampa, they can get pricey if you’re visiting with the whole family. Thankfully, the Manatee Viewing Center is a unique place to see these majestic sea cows without paying a dime. Seawater used by the Big Bend Power Station in Apollo Beach is pumped back out into the Bay after being warmed (it’s clean water, so there’s no water pollution happening). In the winter when temperatures drop, the local manatees gather around the power plant to swim around in the warmer water.

Today, this area is a protected sanctuary and run by the Manatee Viewing Center. It’s free to visit but only open when the manatees are around, usually from November to April. In addition to the sea animals, this habitat is home to other wildlife as well. There are butterfly gardens, a stingray touch tank, and a trekking route through the estuary for more animal sightings.

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Grab a Bite With Friends at Armature Works

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ADDRESS1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602-2014, USA

PHONE +1 813-250-3725

WEB Visit website

For a little taste of Brooklyn in Central Florida, visit Armature Works, a once-dilapidated warehouse that’s been repurposed into a trendy food market and cultural center. Located in the historic Tampa Heights neighborhood on the shore of the Hillsborough River, this fun gathering place is one of the hippest spots in the city. The highlight is the Heights Public Market, a food hub of different restaurant stalls serving everything from vegetarian comfort food to artisan ice cream sandwiches. Indoor dining is available, but the market is best enjoyed on a sunny day when you can eat and drink outside overlooking the river.

If you happen to be in town on the second Wednesday of the month, head over in the evening for the monthly Heights Night Market. In addition to even more food trucks, you can also peruse and purchase locally made handicrafts.

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Spend the Afternoon With Dolphins

Get out of Tampa Bay and head out into the Gulf of Mexico on a dolphin sightseeing tour for a chance to see these playful creatures in their natural habitat. Unlike an aquarium or a tank experience to touch dolphins, these porpoises are all free, so the tours are considered ecologically responsible. Boats travel out into Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf where pods of dolphins are usually plentiful, so spotting them is usually guaranteed (just in case, be sure to seek out a company that returns your money if no animals are seen). You’re also likely to see at least some other wildlife on your excursion, such as seabirds, manatees, and even sea turtles.

Several companies offer dolphin tours in the Tampa area, but some highly-rated options include Dolphin Quest and A Boat Day.

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Visit a Theme Park

Located about fifteen minutes from the city center, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a must for any thrill seeker visiting the area. The adventure park is not only packed with rush-inducing coasters, but it’s also home to Tampa’s largest zoo. With over 12,000 animals from 300 different species, Busch Gardens will not disappoint. It’s world-class thrill rides, heart-pounding excitement, and family-friendly entertainment all rolled up into one.  

For a wet ‘n wild time, check out Tampa’s only water park,  Adventure Island. Immerse yourself in 30 acres of high-speed thrills and sunny tropical surroundings. Start your day at one of the park’s ten tube slides, then head to the 17,000 square-foot wave pool and enjoy the surf. Oh, and don’t forget to ride the park’s newest slide, Vanish Point. This 70-foot drop slide will leave you craving more.​

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Explore the City’s Zoo or Aquarium

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo is recognized as the #1 family-friendly zoo in the nation by Child and Parents magazines. Over 2,000 animals in natural habitats populate seven main exhibit areas—Asian Gardens, Primate World, Manatee and Aquatic Center, Florida Wildlife Center, Free-Flight Aviary, Wallaroo Station, and Safari Africa.

If marine life is more your speed, visit The Florida Aquarium. See sharks, alligators, otters, and penguins, or you can even touch a stingray, bamboo shark, or starfish. For an even more hands-on experience, the aquarium offers Swim & Dive tours where visitors can actually suit up in scuba gear and swim with the fish and sharks.