Top 10 Must-Do’s in Tampa Bay
Moving or considering the move to Tampa Bay? Congratulations! You're going to love it here. There are plenty of things you can do to get settled in and make sure you're ready to start enjoying life as a local.
Tampa is a wonderful place, and we know that as soon as you get here, you'll find everything you've ever dreamed of. But before you start exploring all the incredible things that Tampa has to offer, there are a few things we think are essential for new residents to do when they first arrive.
We've put together a list of the top 10 must-do's when you first move to Tampa Bay:
1. Visit those amazing stadiums
- Go see the Rays play at Tropicana Field. Whether it's in August or January, watching the Rays play baseball is one of the best ways to get into the spirit of TampaBay. It's a great way to meet other fans and make new friends, too.
Every February, fans from around the world turn their attention to the start of another baseball season that commences with one of the most highly anticipated preseason events in all of professional sports; baseball Spring Training. For over a quarter-century, some of baseball's biggest stars have trained at George M. Steinbrenner Field and call Tampa their second home.
- Watch a game at Raymond James Stadium (or, if you're a Bucs fan like us, just go for the tailgating). One of the most recognizable features of the stadium is a 103-foot (31 m), 43-ton steel-and-concrete replica pirate ship in the north end zone, making it stand out from other NFL stadiums. Each time the Buccaneers score points, enter the other team's red zone, or win a home game, the replica cannons on the ship are fired off.
- The Tampa Bay Lightning (colloquially known as the Bolts) are a professional Ice hockey team based in Tampa, Florida. They compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) as a member of the Atlantic Division in the Eastern Conference. They play their home games at Amalie Arena in Downtown Tampa.
The Lightning have won three Stanley Cup championships: 2004, 2020, and 2021. They also reached the Stanley Cup Finals in 2015 and in 2022 . The team is owned by Jeffrey Vinik, and the general manager is Julien BriseBois. Jon Cooper has served as head coach since 2013, and is the longest-tenured active head coach in the NHL. It is truly an experience to go to a Tampa Bay Lightning game that you will never forget.
2. Stroll the Streets of Ybor City
Established by Spanish businessman Vicente Martinez-Ybor as a cigar factory town in 1887, Ybor City is known for boutique shops, restaurants, bars and small businesses along cobblestone streets. Most of the action is on 7th Avenue, but the area has grown to the surrounding streets, as well.
3. Eat at Columbia Restaurant
While in Ybor City, have lunch or dinner at the Columbia Restaurant, one of the finest dining experiences to be had in the city. It’s also one that’s been around the longest. Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, Sr. first opened the doors of the Columbia as a diner that served Cuban coffee and sandwiches. Over the years it has expanded to become one of the city’s epicurean centers. Make sure to try the paella, sangria, the original Cuban sandwich and the 1905 salad. This may require a few trips.
4. Walk Riverfront Park/Curtis Hixon Park
Downtown Tampa has undergone many changes in the past decade. One of the biggest is the expansion of the Tampa Riverwalk, which now extends 2.4 miles along the Hillsborough River and the Garrison Channel. It is walkable, bikeable and Segway-able. Along the way are The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay History Center, Glazer Children’s Museum, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, the Tampa Museum of Art and restaurants such as Columbia Cafe and Ulele. There’s a Pirate Water Taxi service, or you can rent water bikes to take out on the river. There’s also Armature Works, which houses restaurants and bars.
5. Tour the Breweries
Tampa has become one of the nation’s hotspots for breweries. Each offers a tour and often has a bar of its own located right at the brewery. Some of the breweries are Cigar City Brewing, Florida Avenue Brewing Company, 7venth Sun Brewery, Hidden Springs Ale Works, Angry Chair Brewery, Six Ten Brewery and Rock Brothers Brewing.
6. Drive To The Beach
Yes, none of these are technically within Tampa. But they are in the Tampa Bay area and just a short drive away. In that respect, Tampa Bay is like Southern California – spread out and including many different cities, towns and villages. You may have visited many beaches in the past, but these are some of the best in the world. Take a long day to drive across Tampa Bay (on one of three bridges) and visit beaches in Clearwater, St. Pete, Pass-a-Grille and Indian Rocks. Or, visit Fort DeSoto Park or Honeymoon Island for a more remote experience. Make sure to stay for a sunset, which is spectacular on the Gulf of Mexico. Moonlight on the beach is pretty awesome, too.
7. Florida Aquarium
Located on the southeastern edge of downtown Tampa, the Florida Aquarium houses a massive collection of marine life – more than 8,000 animals, by the last count. Past visitors said it'll take you at least three hours to make your way through the maze of stingrays, moray eels and sea turtles that live here, but there's a good chance your children will tire of the outing before then. Young kids are sure to enjoy the Splash Pad area, a zero-depth outdoor area that includes geysers, dump buckets and spray zones for little ones (don't forget to pack a towel!).
8. Tampa Theatre
Even if you're not in town for a film screening or performance, visitors highly recommend a stop at the beautifully ornate Tampa Theatre. When it was built in 1926, the venue was considered one of the world's most elaborate theaters. Designed by architect John Eberson, the interior features a 1,400-pipe Wurlitzer organ and was constructed to look like a garden with flowering vines and gargoyles. Take a look at the ceiling and you'll spot 99 bulbs meant to resemble stars in the night sky. If you can't attend a show here, consider taking a tour instead.
The venue offers a 90-minute Balcony to Backstage Tour, which includes a demonstration of the Wurlitzer theater organ and details about the stories, art and architecture that earned this movie palace a spot on the National Register of Historic Places and designation as a Tampa local historic landmark. Tours take place on a monthly basis. Adult tickets cost $10; children ages 2 to 12 tour for $8. Check the theater's website for show times and to book a tour in advance (they often sell out).
9. Tampa Golf
With such ideal weather year-round, Tampa is a great place for a round or two of golf. TPC Tampa Bay, which has hosted the PGA Tour Champions event for more than 20 years, is among the city's most popular courses. It features an 18-hole course designed by Bobby Weed, with Chi-Chi Rodriguez as player consultant. Recent golfers praised the helpful staff and enjoyed the as-advertised challenging course.
Saddlebrook Resort is another popular facility that features two courses designed by Arnold Palmer. Recent visitors said the courses are beautiful and well-maintained. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort is equally revered for players and spectators who flock to the course for the annual Valspar Championship.
Hours and green fees vary by course. Visit the Tampa tourism website for more information on area golf courses.
10. Tampa Boat Tours
Make the most of Tampa's coastal location with a boat tour around its bay. You'll have your pick of tour options, including sunset sails, half-day trips and dolphin cruises. If you're already planning to visit the Florida Aquarium, consider penciling in some time for its Wild Dolphin Cruise. The tour, which departs from the aquarium twice daily, includes a 75-minute ride on a 72-foot catamaran. The aim of the tour is to get far enough into Tampa Bay to see the hundreds of bottlenose dolphins that call the area home, but you'll also likely spot several bird species and the occasional sea turtle. Note that you'll have to purchase the aquarium's combo ticket if you want to tack this experience onto your visit.
Tampa Bay Fun Boat is another popular sightseeing option with daytime and sunset cruises. If you'd rather be the captain of your own vessel, consider eBoats Tampa, which offers one- to four-hour boat rentals. No boating license is necessary. For a more active experience, consider Get Up and Go Kayaking, a top-rated company that operates guided kayak tours of Shell Key Preserve, a nearly 2,000-acre preserve located in Tierra Verde that shelters local wildlife like manatees, dolphins, pelicans and starfish. Nearby St. Petersburg is also home to a variety of boat tour operators, including the traveler-approved Speed Boat Adventures.
These represent some of the things you must do when you move to Tampa, although there are plenty more. The bottom line is that Tampa and the Tampa Bay region offer everything you need to keep yourself and your family entertained for years to come.
If we can be of any assistance with your move to the area we would love to be a part of your journey getting settled here in beautiful Tampa Bay. Please feel free to visit our website at www.TBMKA.com to browse homes for sale or connect with one of our area specialists. We look forward to you becoming a part of our amazing community!
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