Guidebook for Tampa
Shopping/Food Village
Nicest mall in Tampa. Excellent outdoor plaza with several different restaurants and bars. My favorite is the upscale British Pub. It’s only a few miles away.
615 locals recommend
International Plaza and Bay Street
2223 N Westshore BlvdNicest mall in Tampa. Excellent outdoor plaza with several different restaurants and bars. My favorite is the upscale British Pub. It’s only a few miles away.
On weekends they sometimes have an outdoor market. It’s an upscale quaint area and there are nice places to shop and eat. The Wine Exchange and Bar Taco are favorites. The upscale CineBistro cinema is a must for movie fans. Arrive 20 min before the film and you can order great food with a full bar delivered to large leather chairs with nature scenes and music playing prior to the film.
283 locals recommend
Hyde Park Village
1602 W Snow AveOn weekends they sometimes have an outdoor market. It’s an upscale quaint area and there are nice places to shop and eat. The Wine Exchange and Bar Taco are favorites. The upscale CineBistro cinema is a must for movie fans. Arrive 20 min before the film and you can order great food with a full bar delivered to large leather chairs with nature scenes and music playing prior to the film.
Sightseeing
You can park for free at Ricks on the River, (or Uber since it’s only around a mile from my house) then for around $25 (depends on the time of day) hop on and off this water taxi that carries you to 16 stops all around downtown Tampa and the River Walk. They have beer and a great view and it’s easy and relaxing.
77 locals recommend
Pirate Water Taxi
333 S Franklin StYou can park for free at Ricks on the River, (or Uber since it’s only around a mile from my house) then for around $25 (depends on the time of day) hop on and off this water taxi that carries you to 16 stops all around downtown Tampa and the River Walk. They have beer and a great view and it’s easy and relaxing.
By the water
Beaches, sunsets, picnics
This is a quiet park on the bay where you can bring sandwiches and look out at the sunset or sunrise, and walk out at low tide. It’s calm waters and relaxing and a local favorite. Won’t see many tourists here. Only a 15 min drive from my house. It’s a quick place to be on the water without driving to the Gulf of Mexico beaches which are about a 35 min drive.
42 locals recommend
Cypress Point Park
Cypress Point ParkThis is a quiet park on the bay where you can bring sandwiches and look out at the sunset or sunrise, and walk out at low tide. It’s calm waters and relaxing and a local favorite. Won’t see many tourists here. Only a 15 min drive from my house. It’s a quick place to be on the water without driving to the Gulf of Mexico beaches which are about a 35 min drive.
Beautiful place to watch professional Broadway run theater. Gorgeous views at night and along the downtown river walk. Only a ten min uber. Also the pirate water taxi drops off here. I suggest dinner at Ulele next door then a performance at the Straz.
198 locals recommend
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N Macinnes PlBeautiful place to watch professional Broadway run theater. Gorgeous views at night and along the downtown river walk. Only a ten min uber. Also the pirate water taxi drops off here. I suggest dinner at Ulele next door then a performance at the Straz.
Clearwater Beach is consistently rated as one the Best Beaches in the U.S. the water is beautiful and clean and there’s plenty of beach restaurants, a great beach vibe and a shopping strip. It’s about a 35 to 45 minute drive from here depending on traffic.
1870 locals recommend
Clearwater Beach
Gulf of Mexico DriveClearwater Beach is consistently rated as one the Best Beaches in the U.S. the water is beautiful and clean and there’s plenty of beach restaurants, a great beach vibe and a shopping strip. It’s about a 35 to 45 minute drive from here depending on traffic.
You will hear Clearwater Beach and St Pete beach mentioned by tourists, but many locals love Indian Rocks Beach because it’s less crowded with a local vibe. No typical beach shopping strips, just beachlines. There are self standing restaurants and bars on the main road across the street for ice cream, pizza, crabs, craft beer, etc. If you’re here during the winter or spring and want a less crowded beach, without as many amenities, it’s a good one. It’s about a 35 min drive.
338 locals recommend
Indian Rocks Beach
You will hear Clearwater Beach and St Pete beach mentioned by tourists, but many locals love Indian Rocks Beach because it’s less crowded with a local vibe. No typical beach shopping strips, just beachlines. There are self standing restaurants and bars on the main road across the street for ice cream, pizza, crabs, craft beer, etc. If you’re here during the winter or spring and want a less crowded beach, without as many amenities, it’s a good one. It’s about a 35 min drive.
This is a unique theme park with plenty of rides. It’s filled with animals which look very good compared to zoos. The spaces are large and open. It’s an African theme and I enjoy it more than Disney which is an hour and a half away.
109 locals recommend
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
10165 McKinley DriveThis is a unique theme park with plenty of rides. It’s filled with animals which look very good compared to zoos. The spaces are large and open. It’s an African theme and I enjoy it more than Disney which is an hour and a half away.
Cross Bay Ferry - St. Pete - Tampa
333 South Franklin StreetThe Cross Bay ferry is a seasonal ferry that transports you between downtown Tampa and downtown St Pete. It’s $10 each way, and it’s an easy 30 min ride across the bay and drops you off in walking distance to all the shops, restaurants, bars and museums in downtown St Pete. You can also order drinks onboard. Downtown St Pete is filled with things to do and is on the water.
37 locals recommend
Cross Bay Ferry - St. Pete - Tampa
333 South Franklin StreetThe Cross Bay ferry is a seasonal ferry that transports you between downtown Tampa and downtown St Pete. It’s $10 each way, and it’s an easy 30 min ride across the bay and drops you off in walking distance to all the shops, restaurants, bars and museums in downtown St Pete. You can also order drinks onboard. Downtown St Pete is filled with things to do and is on the water.