Busch Gardens Tampa is a world-renowned amusement park and one of the best things to do in Tampa, Florida, that offers a wide variety of fun activities and adventures for the whole family. Operated by SeaWorld Entertainment, Busch Gardens Tampa features an array of exclusive park experiences, such as a Serengeti Safari and Guided Adventure Tours, live entertainment and shows, themed rides and special kids’ attractions.
Animal attractions include a Cheetah Run, Bird Gardens, Jambo Junction and Edge of Africa, and a variety of restaurants, cafés, bars, and shops provide all-day dining and shopping for park visitors.
The Tampa Museum of Art is a state-of-the-art museum and one of the top Tampa attractions with a focus on antiquities and modern and contemporary art. Founded in 1979, the Museum aims to present the public with a creative environment in which to explore and enjoy outstanding visual art through a range of permanent and temporary collections and exhibitions.
The Museum also presents an array of educational programs, lectures and workshops throughout the year for both adults and children that celebrate the Museum’s collection of ancient art, as well as take an in-depth look at the current exhibitions.
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts (FMoPA) is located in the heart of Tampa’s vibrant Waterfront Arts District and is housed in the architecturally significant Cube building, one of Florida’s most innovative interior spaces. Founded in 2001, the FMoPA is dedicated to exhibiting important photographic art and features a range of historical and contemporary works by nationally and internationally known photographic artists.
Collections are showcased in a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions, and the Museum has hosted over 60 major photographic exhibitions to date. If you are wondering what to do in Tampa today, this is a great place to visit. The FMoPA also provides community-enrichment by offering educational programs, instructor biographies, learnerships, and photography classes for children and adults and hosts weekly, monthly and annual photographic and arts-related events.
Ybor City Museum State Park in Tampa invites you to explore the rich cultural heritage of the National Historic Landmark District of Ybor City. The Museum is located in a 1923-era Ferlita Bakery building in the center of the park and showcases the history of Ybor City, the birth of the cigar industry and the subsequent growth of the town because of it.
Ybor City Museum State Park is also home to a typical ‘casita’, a recreated cigar worker’s house, and beautiful lush Mediterranean-style gardens. Enjoy a guided tour through the park led by knowledgeable park rangers or volunteers, or explore the urban oasis of the Ybor City Historic District. The Museum offers a range of educational programs, workshops, and classes about the history of the District and its reputation as the “Cigar Capital of the World.” Next read: Tampa Museum of Art
Tampa Riverwalk is a well-maintained pedestrian pathway that runs along the Hillsborough River and connects downtown Tampa with the city’s lovely waterfront, several public parks, and a variety of hotels, museums, restaurants and other entertainment venues.
Top attractions on the Riverwalk include the Florida Aquarium, the World WAR II American Victory Ship, Channelside Bay Plaza, and the Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park, among others.
If you are looking for romantic date ideas in Tampa, this is a great area to explore. Also located along the Riverwalk is the Historical Monument Trail, which is made up of beautiful bronze and marble busts and monuments that showcase the people who played a significant role in the history of Tampa and Hillsborough County.
Big Cat Rescue is an animal sanctuary in Citrus Park dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and housing injured or orphaned native wild cats and other exotic felines. Established in 1992 to fight against and end the private trade and ownership of exotic cats, Big Cat Rescue is now home to more than 100 wild cats, representing 11 species.
Visitors can enjoy a variety of guided tours through the facility, ranging from photographic and keeper tours to feeding and night tours and visit the resident cats, which include tigers, bobcats, cougars and mountain lion.
The Florida Aquarium is an educational and fun-filled wonderland, home to thousands of animals and plants. Kids will especially enjoy the stingray petting area or the SeaTREK, where they’ll have to wear a wetsuit to walk among the underwater inhabitants and explore coral caves. It’s an immersive learning journey for the whole family. If you’re visiting on a hot day, pack your swimsuit for a splashing good time at the outdoor water play zone.
Skip the line by booking your tickets online or, even better, become a member to enjoy unlimited visits and other privileges.
This bridge, which you’ll cross on the drive from St. Petersburg to Bradenton, is one of the longest cable-stayed concrete bridges in the world offering breathtaking panoramic views of Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Park at the lots at either end of the bridge to capture postcard-worthy photos. The piers are a popular fishing spot—you can rent fishing gear and join in the fun. Stay for sunset and watch as the scene changes when the bridge lights up at night.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge is occasionally closed off during inclement weather, so check ahead before you begin your journey.