Guidebook to the Tampa Bay Area
Food Scene
Stop here to enjoy an amazing cuban sandwich at Hemingways, a drink at the bar and fresh outdoor space with friends. check out Armature Works on Facebookto see their event calendar also! Hosting a night market and live music is often sighted here.
845 locals recommend
Armature Works
1910 N Ola AveStop here to enjoy an amazing cuban sandwich at Hemingways, a drink at the bar and fresh outdoor space with friends. check out Armature Works on Facebookto see their event calendar also! Hosting a night market and live music is often sighted here.
We love Splitsville... a restaurant with a bowling alley (no need to settle for stale popcorn and a pitcher bud light).
The biergarten always has a variety of brews. Sipping a refreshing beverage and sitting on the swings is such a great way to relax.
359 locals recommend
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside DrWe love Splitsville... a restaurant with a bowling alley (no need to settle for stale popcorn and a pitcher bud light).
The biergarten always has a variety of brews. Sipping a refreshing beverage and sitting on the swings is such a great way to relax.
We love the view at this restaurant and their sushi is ahhh-mazing! We usually enjoy a nice cocktail at their bar after dinner and they even have dancing on the weekends (check with the restaurant prior to, to ensure their club hours are happening due to COVID). You can also walk the Tampa Riverwalk after dinner to check out the area around The Sail. There is water biking, kayaking and paddle boarding available.
145 locals recommend
Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi
601 S Harbour Island BlvdWe love the view at this restaurant and their sushi is ahhh-mazing! We usually enjoy a nice cocktail at their bar after dinner and they even have dancing on the weekends (check with the restaurant prior to, to ensure their club hours are happening due to COVID). You can also walk the Tampa Riverwalk after dinner to check out the area around The Sail. There is water biking, kayaking and paddle boarding available.
Flan Factory
1718 N Nebraska AveGreat coffee and a good place for a quick bite.
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
5119 N Nebraska AveQuirky and vegetarian/vegan friendly dishes.
Interested in the best salad you've ever had? This Cuban restaurant is centrally located in the middle of the historic Ybor district. Eat great food in a unique atmosphere and even check out their flamenco dancers (specific nights only, please call the restaurant ahead to check on this).
365 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th AveInterested in the best salad you've ever had? This Cuban restaurant is centrally located in the middle of the historic Ybor district. Eat great food in a unique atmosphere and even check out their flamenco dancers (specific nights only, please call the restaurant ahead to check on this).
A unique spin to a buffet style meal. Check hours of operation and pricing on their website prior to visiting!
79 locals recommend
Texas de Brazil
4112 W Boy Scout BlvdA unique spin to a buffet style meal. Check hours of operation and pricing on their website prior to visiting!
Eat outside on their outdoor patio that overlooks the bay. After dinner, head down to their private beach for a night cap and conversation around a fire.
228 locals recommend
Whiskey Joe's
7720 W Courtney Campbell CausewayEat outside on their outdoor patio that overlooks the bay. After dinner, head down to their private beach for a night cap and conversation around a fire.
Fun Things To Do
As a family with a little kiddo, we live for the splash pad and playground outside. Those features alone are worth the visit.
848 locals recommend
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside DrAs a family with a little kiddo, we live for the splash pad and playground outside. Those features alone are worth the visit.
We've been to Busch Gardens over 15 times and every time we go, we discover a new area of the park!
2168 locals recommend
Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley DrWe've been to Busch Gardens over 15 times and every time we go, we discover a new area of the park!
Right on the Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park usually has great activities year-round. If you head there when there are no activities planned, you can still take a nice stroll on the Riverwalk, grab a drink at the Four Green Fields bar, head to the dog park, or take your kids to the playground. The Gazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art are adjacent to this park.
237 locals recommend
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
600 N Ashley DrRight on the Riverwalk, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park usually has great activities year-round. If you head there when there are no activities planned, you can still take a nice stroll on the Riverwalk, grab a drink at the Four Green Fields bar, head to the dog park, or take your kids to the playground. The Gazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art are adjacent to this park.
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
1101 W Sligh AveGreat option for a cute date or if you have children!
Enjoy great views on the bay along with a playground and splashpad for the kiddos!
86 locals recommend
Ballast Point Park
5300 Interbay BlvdEnjoy great views on the bay along with a playground and splashpad for the kiddos!
Check out the planes above you while taking a stroll along the bayside beach. This park also has a disc golf course, restrooms, and playground!
42 locals recommend
Cypress Point Park
Cypress Point ParkCheck out the planes above you while taking a stroll along the bayside beach. This park also has a disc golf course, restrooms, and playground!
Enjoy a dip in the community pool while overlooking the bay! This park also has a skate park, basketball hoops, a playground, open fields and a paved walking path. Something for everyone!
Desoto Park
Corrine StreetEnjoy a dip in the community pool while overlooking the bay! This park also has a skate park, basketball hoops, a playground, open fields and a paved walking path. Something for everyone!
Need a fun place for the pup to exert energy? Enjoy the dog park on Davis Island! The pup can go for a swim and make new friends in the dog park! The dog park also has a hose - we use this to give our dog a bath after the beach!
31 locals recommend
Davis Island Dog Beach
864 Severn AveNeed a fun place for the pup to exert energy? Enjoy the dog park on Davis Island! The pup can go for a swim and make new friends in the dog park! The dog park also has a hose - we use this to give our dog a bath after the beach!
Museum of Science and Industry
4801 E Fowler AveSuch a fun, interactive place to take your kids!
This is our favorite park in St. Pete - just a 40 minute drive. Beautiful views with a great area for hammocks. Just relax and listen to music or even go for a bike ride (they have some you can rent along with scooters). Vinoy Park is close to the pier (about a 20 minute walk). We always see wildlife from Blue Crabs to dolphins and manta ray! There are usually ice cream trucks and stands along with a public restroom and playground.
132 locals recommend
Vinoy Park
701 Bayshore Dr NEThis is our favorite park in St. Pete - just a 40 minute drive. Beautiful views with a great area for hammocks. Just relax and listen to music or even go for a bike ride (they have some you can rent along with scooters). Vinoy Park is close to the pier (about a 20 minute walk). We always see wildlife from Blue Crabs to dolphins and manta ray! There are usually ice cream trucks and stands along with a public restroom and playground.
Unique Experiences
iFLY - Tampa
10654 Palm River RdLooking for a thrill - here you go! Indoor skydiving!
Ghost Tour of Tampa, FL
North Franklin StreetAnother unique experience right here in Tampa!
Enjoy a historic cruise on the river and take in all the scenery (you might be lucky enough to see small alligators, manatees or dolphins)!
22 locals recommend
Tampa Water Taxi Company
801 Water StEnjoy a historic cruise on the river and take in all the scenery (you might be lucky enough to see small alligators, manatees or dolphins)!
Want to get out on the water but don't want to drive to St. Pete? Check out the options with Bay Breeze Paddle Adventures!
Bay Breeze Paddle Adventures
2900 Bayport DriveWant to get out on the water but don't want to drive to St. Pete? Check out the options with Bay Breeze Paddle Adventures!
Need to cool off and get a thrill? Head to Adventure Island water park just minutes away!
628 locals recommend
Adventure Island
10001 McKinley DrNeed to cool off and get a thrill? Head to Adventure Island water park just minutes away!
Neighborhoods
Interested in walking around a historic neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and boutique shops?
196 locals recommend
Hyde Park
Interested in walking around a historic neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and boutique shops?
Walk along the Tampa Riverwalk toward Bayshore Boulevard to check out all of the beautiful houses and possibly see dolphins in the bay! You can walk to Ballast Point park and enjoy the scenery on the pier or take your kids to the playground and splashpad!
222 locals recommend
Bayshore Boulevard
Bayshore BoulevardWalk along the Tampa Riverwalk toward Bayshore Boulevard to check out all of the beautiful houses and possibly see dolphins in the bay! You can walk to Ballast Point park and enjoy the scenery on the pier or take your kids to the playground and splashpad!
Interested in the historic Ybor City? Walk along multiple restaurants, bars, and cigar factories to take it all in.
854 locals recommend
Ybor City
Interested in the historic Ybor City? Walk along multiple restaurants, bars, and cigar factories to take it all in.
Restaurants and shops on Water St have a fun, young, vibe. Great place to grab a cup of coffee.
30 locals recommend
Channel District
Restaurants and shops on Water St have a fun, young, vibe. Great place to grab a cup of coffee.
Sightseeing
Newly renovated with abstract art, a playground, restaurants and views you can only dream of!
465 locals recommend
St. Pete Pier
800 2nd Ave NENewly renovated with abstract art, a playground, restaurants and views you can only dream of!
Bok Tower Gardens
1151 Tower BlvdEnjoy a relaxing walk amongst beautiful gardens.
Enjoy the beach, a picnic area, the historic fort, or the campground! Tolls are required to enter and there is a $5 fee as it is a State Park.
577 locals recommend
Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto ParkEnjoy the beach, a picnic area, the historic fort, or the campground! Tolls are required to enter and there is a $5 fee as it is a State Park.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Transportation
The TECO Streetcar is completely FREE to use. We highly recommend it!
Be careful renting bikes and scooters... Florida drivers aren't known to be the best.
Don't miss
Ybor Saturday Market
Ybor City Saturday Market is the largest continually operating outdoor market in the Tampa Bay Area. Take the TECO streetcar for easy transportation.
Ways to save
Busch Gardens
Purchase tickets on their website in advance to save on prices. Also, they have a Preschool pass for FREE for kids 5 years old and younger (must register online prior to visit and must be a Florida resident).
Ways to save
Glazer Children's Museum
Have a WIC or SNAP card? Visit for just $3 per person with valid WIC/SNAP card and photo ID.
Book before you go
Busch Gardens, Zoo Tampa, Adventure Island, etc.
Purchase tickets online before you go to save on admission. Due to COVID restrictions, some amusement parks may require you to reserve your day also so make sure there is availability prior to booking.
What to pack
Proper Footwear
Want to feel the sand between your toes but also go for a walk? Make sure to bring both sandals that you can wash off and a pair of socks and shoes for the trek!