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*This post was last updated on March 10, 2022.

Tampa, Florida is full of great things to do and although it’s not as big as Orlando or Miami, you can still have tons of fun in this beautiful city. Here are some fun things you can do while visiting Tampa: 

1. Take a Walk Around Curtis Hixon Park

Curtis Hixon Park is one of the highlights in downtown Tampa with museums, the Riverwalk, concerts and free outdoor activities like yoga. Enjoy the views on your walk, have fun with your dog at the fenced-in park, or check out the Tampa Museum of Art.

 2. Explore Tampa Museum of Art

While you're at Curtis Hixon Park, you can check out this award-winning building and icon of Curtis Hixon. The Tampa Museum of Art offers fantastic exhibits that rotate on a regular basis. They also have many tours, lectures, classes, programs and events you can attend. 

 3. Rent a Bike from Coast Bike Share

If you want to explore more of downtown Tampa, we recommend renting a bike from Coast Bike Share. We had so much fun riding these bikes that we couldn't stop smiling. Our video proves it.

 4. Learn About Tampa’s History at the Henry B. Plant Museum

Across the Hillsborough River from the Riverwalk is the University of Tampa, where the Henry B. Plant Museum is located. The grounds itself is gorgeous and it’s a lovely area to take a leisurely stroll. The Henry B. Plant Museum is small museum, but full of Tampa’s history and it tells the story of how it all got started by Henry B. Plant.

 5. Shop and Dine at Hyde Park Village

Hyde Park Village is a cute and trendy little area in Tampa that has great stores and restaurants like West Elm, Anthropologie, Sprinkles and more. The best part is that almost all the stores are dog friendly, so you can go shopping with your furry friend!

6. Experience the Rich Cuban Culture in Ybor City

Ybor City is a historic neighborhood that was once a thriving cigar industry in the 1880s. Now, the historic buildings have been turned into stylish offices, shops, restaurants, breweries, and boutique hotels. Make sure to check out the cigar makers hand roll cigars at several cigar shops on 7th Avenue.

If you’re looking for a place to stay in Ybor City, Hotel Haya is the best choice. We absolutely loved our stay here and it’s a pet-friendly hotel, so you can bring your dog as well.

 7. Eat Tons of Great Local Food

Tampa is booming with great local restaurants. Make sure you check out the gorgeous Oxford Exchange, enjoy brunch at Elevage and devour on the delicious chicken and waffles at Cask Social Kitchen. If you love ramen, Dosunco has the most authentic ramen in town. We swear that their ramen tastes better than the ramen we’ve had in Japan.

8. Grab Some Coffee at the Coolest Coffee Shop in Town

Ginger Beard Coffee is our favorite local coffee shop in Tampa that serves awesome nitrogen-infused coffee. You'll get friendly service, fast wifi, a relaxing atmosphere and an all around great vibe. Of course, there are other great local coffee shops too like Buddy Brew and Kahwa, but Ginger Beard is our favorite.

9. Hang Out with Penguins at The Florida Aquarium

If you love penguins like we do, you have to visit The Florida Aquarium. You can meet penguins up close and even get to hug them a little. They are so adorable! Beyond that, The Florida Aquarium is full of wonderful exhibits for all ages.

10. Enjoy a Cocktail at the CW’s Gin Joint

CW’s Gin Joint is one of Tampa’s classiest bars with a brilliant ambience located in downtown Tampa. They have excellent handcrafted cocktails, amazing food and a wonderful staff. While you sip on your cocktails and engage in conversations with your friends or the bartender, you can also listen to live jazz music.

11. Get a Free Beer and Tour Yuengling Brewery

The Yuengling Brewery in Tampa offers FREE tours Monday through Friday and at the end of the tour, you will get complimentary beer samples and they are very generous with their pours. Learn the history of the beer company and how they make their beer from scratch.

12. Sample Tampa’s Greatest Local Foods in One Place at Armature Works

Armature Works is an awesome social space full of Tampa’s greatest local eateries including Ichicoro Ane (Japanese cuisine specializing in ramen), Graze 1910 (serving breakfast all day), Astro Ice Cream (liquid nitrogen ice cream), and more. There is also a fantastic rooftop bar here overlooking the Hillsborough River.

13. Have a Delicious Lunch at the Sustainable Fat Beet Farm

Fat Beet Farm is a sustainable and educational farm that serves fresh eats from their on-site kitchen. The menu is small, but they offer a great selection of sandwiches, pizza, soups, salads, pastries, and more. They also offer tours of the farm, yoga classes, field trips for the kids, and volunteer days.

14. Have Fun With Your Dog at Two Shepherds Taproom

Enjoy some local beer and wine while your dog plays with their fur friends at the largest dog bar in Tampa. In addition to the large outdoor dog park at Two Shepherds, there is also a large indoor play area for the dogs. This is great for the dogs and humans to cool down during the hot summer months or stay dry during the rainy season.

15. Visit One of Tampa’s Coolest Historical Landmarks

Le Meridien Tampa is now a hotel, but it used to be the city's federal courthouse in 1905. It features stunning architecture, marble hallways and original oak doors. They have preserved some things from the old courthouse such as an old judge's desk bering repurposed to the Concierge Desk. There’s also a stunning bar and restaurant on-site where you can sip on handcrafted cocktails and delicious entrees.

Where To Stay in Tampa

Hotel Haya - Beautifully decorated pet-friendly hotel located in the heart of Ybor.

Le Meridien Tampa - Historic hotel located in downtown Tampa; 5-minute walk to Curtis Hixon.

Epicurean Hotel - Elegant hotel on Howard Ave where all the hip restaurants and bars are. It’s also 1 mile to Hyde Park Village.

Hotel Alba Tampa - Hip hotel located near the Tampa airport and Westshore mall.