My favorite way to explore a new city that I am visiting is taking recommendations from the people who know it best. The insiders. The experts. The locals. It’s no secret that I love Tampa. It’s one of my favorite cities in all of Florida! I know it inside and out. I love learning about what’s new, what’s coming, and what’s happening. My kids and I often play tourists in our own city, taking time to have fun and experience new things in our own backyard.
With summer break around the corner, I hope a trip to Tampa ends up on your list! Even if you’ve got only a few days in Tampa, I’ve got my top three must-do things you should do to fall in love with my city.
1. Explore the Downtown Tampa Riverwalk by boat, bike or by foot. One of the newest additions to Tampa’s Downtown is the Tampa Riverwalk. Explore our city my hopping on the Pirate Water Taxi and hop on and off as you wish! Have lunch at the Sail Pavilion, head north along the River to the Tampa Museum of Art at Curtis Hixon Park, or travel a little further to see a concert in the park at Water Works Park and then end the day with dinner at Ulele.
2. Shop, dine and play in Hyde Park Village. The newly renovated Hyde Park Village is a perfect place to spend the day with the whole family. Enjoy freshly baked pastries from Piquant, paint some pottery at Color Me Mine with the kids, have lunch at the famous Goody Goody restaurant, stroll along through out the village and end the day with a playdate at Kate Jackson Park. Make sure to bring the kids swimsuits for play in the water at the Anderson Park Splash Pad too!
3. Play all day at Busch Gardens and Adventure Island. About 10 minutes north of Downtown, you’ll find thrilling roller coasters (six of them), water slides, amazing animals and more! Take at tour of the Serengti and feed the giraffes or take the kid to play with Sesame Street characters at the Safari of Fun! The day will be an adventure for everyone!
I’m sure you’ll be back soon for more of Tampa. It’s a city that continues to grow and gets better by the day.
Have you visited Tampa? What’s you favorite thing to do when you visit? Let me know in the comments below!
This is a conversation in collaboration with Visit Florida. All opinions are my own.