Cool Things to Do in Tampa: Appreciating the City’s History, Culture, Restaurants & Much More
Florida’s third largest city is packed with so many fun and unexpected things to do. From visiting the historic centre of Ybor City to some of its top museums, sporting events and dining delights, there is a ton to do in Tampa!
Chris and me on The Riverwalk in downtown Tampa
I’ll be the first to admit that Tampa is much cooler than I expected it to be.
Since I grew up with grandparents who had a place in Bradenton, I didn’t have much of a chance to visit other areas on the Gulf-side of Florida. Although there are several local popular destinations near Tampa like Anna Maria Island and St. Petersburg, I now understand that Tampa is a destination within itself.
Tampa has grown and changed a lot in recent years—it’s actually currently one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Because of this, the city looks very different than it did thirty, twenty and even ten years ago.
A lot of investment has been made into Tampa’s downtown infrastructure in recent years, attracting both college students and full-time residents seeking a more community-centred city and liveable city. This is palpable as soon as you touch down in Tampa, and as you walk through its central neighbourhoods you’ll find countless outdoor third spaces and dedicated car-free areas that everyone seems to be using at any given time of day.
I’m so glad Chris and I finally had the opportunity to get to know Tampa in its own right on our most recent trip. Despite us only visiting for three full days, we learned that there is a plethora of cool and unexpected things to do here. My goal in writing this guide is simple—I want you to visit and appreciate all that makes Tampa fun, vibrant and welcoming in the same way Chris and I did.
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How to Get to Tampa & Where to Stay
Visitors can come to Tampa by air, by sea or by car. We didn’t take a cruise, but several cruises do come and go from Port Tampa Bay.
If you’re coming from a fair distance, the easiest way to get to Tampa is by air. The Tampa International Airport connects directly to over 100 destinations, largely across the United States but with several routes connecting across The Americas, The Caribbean and Western Europe. Chris and I flew directly from our home city of Toronto.
Downtown Tampa’s Walkability
Phoebe the Flamingo at Tampa International Airport
Hilton Tampa Downtown’s rooftop pool
Unlike many American destinations, the great news is that if you arrive by air, you don’t really need a car in Tampa. This was Chris’s and my approach when we visited—we stayed downtown, and were able to walk or take the free downtown streetcar to most places.
Chris and I took ride shares a handful of times to get to and from the airport, and to a few parts of town that were a little further. If you’re arriving by car of course you’ll be able to get around no problem, but there can be quite a bit of traffic in and around the city, so going car-free is a great option if you’re able.
Where to Stay in Tampa
Staying in the core, you’ll find that a lot of Tampa is very walkable. We loved our stay at the Hilton Tampa Downtown. It’s an excellent location with friendly staff, a rooftop pool, and an excellent restaurant, Che Vita, on site. Of course you’re welcome to choose which hotel makes the most sense for you on your trip by using the map below.
Fun & Cool Things to Do in Tampa
Now let’s get into it! In addition to all the unique things to do in this city, Tampa also has an impressive culinary scene, with over thirty restaurants on the Michelin Guide. Make sure you read to the end for all of my restaurant recommendations for your time in town.
Walk Along the Tampa Riverwalk
Walkability is so important to me when it comes to travel in North American cities, so when I learned that there’s a 2.6 mile pedestrian walkway along the Hillsborough River in the heart of Tampa, I was thrilled.
The Tampa Riverwalk technically begins away from the river in the southeastern corner of downtown Tampa at Channelside Drive and South Beneficial Drive, but most of the path is along the Garrison Channel and the Hillsborough River. It ends at Armature Works in the northwestern section of the downtown core, and the path makes for a pleasant way to get around town as a pedestrian or cyclist (although those one two wheels are required to bike slowly).
Chris and I used The Riverwalk a lot during our trip, and many of stops mentioned in this article are either along The Riverwalk or not far from it. It’s an excellent way to get outside and enjoy Tampa more peacefully!
Appreciate the Tampa Museum of Art
This modern art museum set along the Hillsborough River is the perfect place to visit along The Riverwalk. It’s a digestible museum with a good-sized collection, and Chris and I were both impressed with the diversity of exhibits they have on display here.
The Tampa Museum of Art carefully curates collections and incorporates works from a wide variety of backgrounds, mediums and periods in time. We saw permanent and temporary exhibits including everything from contemporary art, sculpture and photography to ancient Etruscan statues and pottery.
From the second floor, the views of the surrounding parks and the river are also really nice to appreciate from the museum’s balconies.
Visit Ybor City
When Chris and I started posting on our Instagram channels (@brimitchelltravels & @travelingmitch) that we were in Tampa, the floodgates opened with comments suggesting we visit Ybor City. This historic city that’s now within Tampa has a unique story that’s definitely worth getting a taste of while you’re in town.
Ybor City was founded as an independent town in 1885 by a group of cigar manufacturers. It was primarily founded by Cuban and Spanish immigrants, and not long afterwards Italian and Eastern-European Jewish immigrants came here, too. Today it spans several city blocks and reflects how truly multicultural this region’s beginnings were.
Here are a few things I’d recommend doing in Ybor City:
Greet the wild chickens and roosters of Ybor. They have been here since the late 1800s, and are protected by the city.
Walk along historic 7th Avenue to admire its architecture, and enjoy its shopping, cafes and restaurants.
Centro Ybor is kind of in the middle of the historic section of 7th, and you can walk several blocks in each direction.
Keep an eye out for interesting street art as you walk along.
Visit or take a tour of J.C. Newman Cigar Co—there’s a full section on this later in the article
Have lunch at Columbia Restaurant. It’s the oldest Spanish restaurant in the USA, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world.
Ride the Free Tampa Historic Streetcar
The TECO (Tampa Electric Company) Line Streetcar is a short but practical heritage streetcar system that covers about 3 miles in Tampa. It has 11 stops beginning downtown in the Channel District and ending in Ybor City.
The streetcar line uses mostly historic replica streetcars, although there are a few refurbished, original streetcars in use, too. It’s a nostalgic way to get through some of the city’s most bustling areas, and runs every 15 minutes. Rides are currently free.
Using Tampa’s streetcar is especially practical for those visiting car-free (like us!), and visitors focusing their time on downtown attractions, Ybor City, and for those coming to/from the city by cruise at Port Tampa Bay. You can find the full route map here.
Go Stand Up Paddle boarding on the Hillsborough River
Our guide Christine and Chris on the SUP tour from Urban Kai Armature Works
Urban Kai SUP has a few locations in and around Tampa, but their location in downtown Tampa at Armature Works makes it easy to take out an SUP for city views from the river. They have a rental and gear shop, with options to just rent boards for yourself or go on a guided tour.
Chris and I headed out on a morning tour of the river and paddled up towards downtown Tampa with our friendly guide Christine. We went earlier in the morning, which I’d recommend for calmer waters and a better chance to potentially spot dolphins. Unfortunately we didn’t see any during our paddle, but I’m told they’re a common sight!
They also run group sunset and night paddles, so definitely check out their schedule to see what’s on while you’re in town.
Head to Armature Works
The area in and around Armature Works has really become an exciting hub on the river in Tampa. This restored warehouse from the early 1900s was once used for storage, maintenance, and repairs for the city’s TECO streetcars.
Today, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, bars and a few shops in its food hall, with both sit-down and grab-and-go options. You can choose to dine inside, or enjoy your meal outside in one of their many comfortable sitting areas overlooking the Hillsborough River.
On a sunny day, the lawn at Armature Works is the perfect place to relax with a coffee, a good book or with friends.
Catch a Tampa Bay Lightning Game
This depends on the time of year you visit, but seeing a Tampa Bay Lightning hockey game at Benchmark International Arena is definitely a very fun thing to do in Tampa.
Twenty years ago, if you’d asked these Canadian hockey fans if they pictured themselves going to a lively hockey game in Florida, we wouldn’t have believed you. But that couldn’t be more different now!
The Tampa Bay Lightning have developed an incredible team over the past several years, with an ever-expanding fan base. While the ticket prices and sales have also increased here in Tampa, the Lightning are certainly a team worth watching. The franchise has won the NHL’s Stanley Cup three times in 2004, 2020 and 2021, and you can bet on seeing some great hockey here.
The regular NHL season runs from early October to around late March, and the playoff season can last as long as June, depending on who stays in the running. Chris and I managed to catch a Lightning vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (our home team) game while we were in town, and loved the fun atmosphere for fans at Benchmark.
Take a Tour of The Only Operating Cigar Factory in “Cigar City”
Third floor cigar rolling room at J.C. Newman
The J.C. Newman Cigar Company was founded in 1895, and it’s the oldest (and only!) cigar factory still operating in the United States. It’s a fourth-generation family company, and you can either come here to visit their shop with a wide selection of cigars, visit their cigar museum or take a guided tour of their facilities.
A little known fact is that Tampa was once the producer of cigars in the United States. There was a point in time where 800 million cigars were made annually in Ybor City (yes, you read that right) where several cigar manufacturers operated. Today, while many American cigar companies manufacture cigars in other countries, J.C. Newman is the only company still making cigars on in the United States.
I’ll admit that while I don’t really smoke cigars, Chris and I took the tour here and it was fascinating. The tours begin in their cellar, where they house some unique cigar memorabilia including the oldest cigars in the world. Tours walk you through how cigars are made, and bring you up to the production area where some cigars are still rolled by hand, but many are made using antique cigar machines which are incredible to see in use.
While J.C. Newman does manufacture some of their cigars in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic, several varieties are still made right here. Whether you’re like me and curious about the cultural history of cigars, or consider yourself an aficianado, you’ll definitely want to check out one of their tours or experiences.
Make Your Own Candle Souvenir in Hyde Park Village
The Candle Pour has a few locations in Florida, but Chris and I headed over to their Hyde Park location while we were in Tampa Bay. Taking one of their candle pour workshops is a great day date activity.
We booked a custom candle-making experience. You start by taking your time browsing over a hundred different scented oils they have in the shop and selecting the scents that speak to you. Then, one of their consultants helps to guide you through ways to combine a few of your favourite scents into your own custom candle. You mix your oils into poured wax, and even get to name and create your own custom label, too!
Bear in mind that the candles take a few hours to set, so I’d recommend starting your time in Hyde Park Village at The Candle Pour before checking out the village. It was a great excuse for Chris and I to appreciate the area.
There are a lot of beautiful historic homes and residential streets in the neighbourhood, you can walk down to the Bayshore Trail (one of the longest pedestrian sidewalks/walkways in the world), plus there’s great shopping to be done here while appreciating the village’s central fountain, pedestrian walkways and vibrantly painted alleyways.
More Cool Things to do
Chris and I only visited Tampa for a short three full days, so we definitely have plans for what we might check out the next time we’re in town! Here are a few things we’ve got our eye on:
Busch Gardens: This theme park is a great place to come for families and thrill-seeking visitors of all ages. The park has plenty of rides, events, attractions and food and drink stops for a full, fun day out!
Nearby Beaches & Parks: Chris and I took more of a city-focused trip, so visiting the nearby beaches and parks is something we’d love to check out next time. Hillsborough River State Park is a short 30-minute drive from downtown, and the nearby Davis Islands Beach and Ben T Davis Beach are also easy to get to from the heart of the city.
Tampa’s Many Festivals and Events: At the time of our visit in late February, the Strawberry Festival was on in Tampa. Unfortunately we didn’t have time to visit, but it sounds like a fun festival. There are a ton of events going on in Tampa throughout the year, so check to see what else might be on during your visit!
Great Restaurants to Check Out in Tampa
As I mentioned, on top of an extensive list of cool things to do in Tampa, this city’s restaurant scene is impressive. With over 30 restaurants in Tampa on the Michelin Guide and many more worth visiting, making the most of your food stops in Tampa is well worth it.
Here are a few restaurants we loved on our trip to Tampa from the Michelin Guide:
Supernatural Food & Wine. The perfect spot for grab-and-go breakfast or lunch. They’re famous for their cinnamon sugar sourdough-nuts (which sell out early!) and breakfast and lunch sandwiches. Minimal indoor seating and ample, streetside outdoor seating.
Psomi. Another excellent breakfast and brunch spot! Modern, Greek-American coffee, baked goods and dishes. Definitely try their Croissant Cinnamon Roll—you won’t be disappointed.
Timpano. Located in Hyde Park Village, we came here for lunch, but it would be great for a dinner spot, too. They’re especially well known for their homemade Italian-style pastas.
Rocca. Our dinner here was incredible from start to finish. Fresh, homemade Italian-style dishes and ingredients with innovative twists. Difficult to choose, but the highlight for me was their made-to-order table side mozzarella cart! I can definitely see why they have a Michelin Distinction.
Other food stops we so appreciated visiting on the trip:
Che Vita. Southern Italian staples like Neapolitan-style pizzas, arancini, homemade pastas and tiramisu.
Sesame. A great bagel, sandwich and coffee spot in Hyde Park Village.
Appreciating All Tampa Has to Offer
This trip to Tampa was filled with unique, unexpected and cool things to do. If you’ve made it to this point in the article and still don’t know how to spend your time on your next trip to Tampa, then I’m sorry to say that I simply can’t help you.
Visiting Tampa is so much more than simply crossing things off a “list.” When it comes to appreciating this city, I think the biggest takeaway for me was just how welcoming, friendly and laidback the city feels. There isn’t a lot of fuss or frills in Tampa—it’s a city to come and be as you are. People are happy here, and they’re pleased that so many visitors are coming to understand just how special the city is.
Whether you’re taking a peaceful walk along The Riverwalk or feeling the breeze in your hair through the window on the TECO Streetcar, appreciating Tampa is as much about enjoying how you get from Point A to Point B as it is about enjoying all there is to do here.
I’d like to thank Visit Tampa Bay for hosting Chris and I as media on this trip to Tampa. All opinions expressed in this article are entirely my own.
Bri Mitchell
Bri Mitchell is a travel writer and content creator from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to highlight all things nature, food, wellness, sustainability and adventure in her work. Bri writes and shares her travel experiences from across Canada, the United States and around the world on Instagram and TikTok (@brimitchelltravels); in her articles for travelingmitch, Ultimate Ontario, and We Explore Canada; and in her weekly travel newsletter, The Weekly Traveller.