If there is one place that you should be visiting if you’re heading to Florida, it’s Tampa. On the golf course coast, you can discover active adventures, amazing roller coasters, authentic culture and cuisine, and exotic wildlife.
The best part is that you can find things to do in Tampa at a relaxing pace if you want it. It’s the perfect union of exhilaration, relaxation and fun. There is an eclectic mix of historic architecture, modern landmarks and vibrant business districts to explore.
Tampa is an amazing place to visit. Downtown is alive with urban parks, including the Tampa Riverwalk, innovative restaurants, shopping and amazing restorations of Turn of the Century Buildings that you really can’t afford to miss. Still keen? Great. Here’s why you should visit Tampa.
- The Florida Aquarium. The Florida Aquarium opened in 1995 with the goal of building as much awareness as possible for species and habitat conservation. It’s home to a huge range of aquatic and terrestrial animals. From the wetlands of Florida, you’ll have an opportunity to see the rosy estate spoonbill on a journey through Madagascar with ring-tailed lemurs and lobsters from the shorelines of Florida itself. You can get up close and personal with some of the Cownose Stingrays here at Stingray Beach, too.
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park. You shouldn’t miss out on the popular National Geographic Wild series, which was filmed entirely here at the most fun zoo that you’ll ever come across in Tampa. The zoo emphasizes the importance of endangered and threatened species from a climate similar to that of Tampa Bay. There are habitats that are devoted to Australia, Florida, Africa and Asia. It’s actually been voted as one of the USA Today’s Top 10 best zoos in the country. Most excitingly, you’ll be able to spot rescued manatees and see the birth of the endangered white rhino documented in the enclosures here.
- Ybor City Historic District. The Latin Quarter, also known as Ybor City, is conveniently located to the northeast of downtown. Ybor City is the only neighborhood to be designated a National Historic Landmark District, which should excite the historical buffs among you. You can hop on the TECO Line Streetcar, enjoy the amazing chance to tantalize your taste buds with new flavors or meet a cigar roller on the way. It was once known as the Cigar Capital of the world, so you’ve got to try a local one!
- The Museum of Art. As one of the most prominent museums across Florida, it’s devoted to the art of our time. The permanent collection also embraces painting, new media and sculpture, so it’s going to really appeal to everybody who is into artistic works. What you’ll find here at the Museum of Art is one of the largest Greek and Roman antiquities collections in the southeast United States.
Tampa has something for everyone, so make sure you visit at least once and make a list of places to see while you’re here. You’ll want to pack it all in.
