Things to do in Tampa

The Tampa Riverwalk is a great starting point—it’s a paved path along the water with views and easy access to parks. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park sits right on it and hosts events. For a quieter option, Lettuce Lake Park has a boardwalk, canoeing, and a fishing dock.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and ZooTampa at Lowry Park are the biggest draws, but the Glazer Children’s Museum and Museum of Science & Innovation (MOSI) are also kid-friendly. For a wet day, Adventure Island is a water park with slides and a wave pool.

La Teresita is a family-run spot that’s been serving Cuban and Spanish standards for years. It’s casual and homey, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also find Cuban influences at places like Ulele, which focuses on native Floridian fare.

The Henry B. Plant Museum is a landmark building with exhibits on Florida’s early tourism. Centro Asturiano de Tampa, a 1902 Spanish social club, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The American Victory Ship is a restored WWII warship that’s now a museum.

Crowbar is a downtown spot for live music and DJs, while The Orpheum features independent artists. The Castle is a multilevel dance club with a Goth-to-fetish crowd, and Club Prana has different music on each floor. For comedy, Funny Bone Comedy Club is an option.