Things to do in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is a big natural harbor that is connected to the Gulf of Mexico on the west central coast of Florida. It includes many attractions like Hillsboro Bay, McKay Bay, Old Tampa Bay, Middle Tampa Bay, and Lower Tampa Bay. So, plan a trip to Tampa Bay and have some adventure. If you are looking for things to do in Tampa Bay then you are at the right place. This place has something for everyone. This article will save you some dollars that you will spend on a guide. So, read below to known all the best tourist attractions of Tampa Bay.

Things to do in Tampa Bay:

1.) Lettuce Lake Regional Park

Lettuce Lake Regional Park is situated on the edge of Hillsborough River which is about half an hour away from north of downtown Tampa. The river is in it’s natural form. It is not disturbed by houses and development of the city and this gives the tourist a chance to experience the real Tampa Bay. This is one of the best things to do in Tampa Bay. This park includes 240 acres of amazing picnic areas, a big playground, bikes, and joggers trail. This place is truly a heaven for nature lovers and a perfect spot to watch beautiful birds. The park also includes an amazing 3,500-foot tall tower that helps tourist to view a variety of wildlife of this park.

2.) J. C. Newman Cigar Company

The J. C. Newman Cigar Company was established in 1915 by Julius Caesar Newman in Ohio. This oldest company grew and became famous in the mid-50s and then J.C. decided to relocate to Tampa to make his dream true of producing a premium cigar line. Later, J.C. Newman established another cigar factory, the Regensburg factory, which was established in 1920 as one of the last and largest cigar factories in Tampa Bay. This is one of the best things to do in Tampa Bay. This place is well-known for its clock tower with chimes, it is also known as Spanish for “The Clock.”

3.) Manatee Viewing Center

This could be the best amongst all the things to do in Tampa Bay. The center allows you to view docile manatees that are now an endangered species. During winter, when ocean temperature goes down, they come up to the heated water that comes from Tampa Bay’s power plant. Tourist can watch the marine mammals bask in the warm water from the observation desk. This will also give you a chance to enjoy a moderate climate from the cool bay. An educational building includes mini-theater, instructs tourist about the habits and lives of manatees nature trails wind. There is also a large picnic area where you can enjoy a  lot with your family and kids.

4.) Tampa Firefighters Museum

The museum is situated in downtown Tampa, very close to Tampa Fire Rescue Station. This is one of the best amongst all the things to do in Tampa Bay for kids. It was established in the year 1911. The beautiful building was used by the Fire Department Headquarters until 1974. This museum is established to pay tribute to all those who had served the city Tampa. This 18,000 square foot museum is designed to conserve the history of the fire department and to encourage fire safety in the community.

5.) Del Frisco’s Grille 

It is located in the heart of Westshore district of Tampa, Del Frisco’s Grille serves delicious prepared prime steaks and creative versions of food and drinks. If you are looking for restaurants, this is the best place to visit in Tampa Bay. It is popular for its wide variety of menu items that include the Grille Prime Cheeseburger and Cheesesteak Eggrolls. The menu list is not over, it also offer a variety of flatbreads and tasty salad options. The drink list is a treat that includes amazing cocktails of old standards and new recipes. This is one of the best amongst all the things to do in Tampa Bay.

6.) Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café is a fresh food restaurant located in the beautiful and historic Seminole Heights. As the name suggests, the ambiance is quite old that includes decorated walls with different American folk art providing lots of eye-candy while you pursue their eclectic menu offerings. This is one of the best amongst all the things to do in Tampa Bay. Dishes are made healthy as well as delicious with fresh ingredients and amazing flavor combinations.

7.) The Honey Pot

This bar is the most entertaining and famous bars in Tampa Bay. This club is a sweet spot with high-energy and an expansive dance floor full of flashlights. This is the most fun things to do in Tampa Bay. This also has a separate section for guys. After dancing and losing energy if you are looking for some energetic drink or delicious food you can also sip affordable, tasty drinks and have dinner at this bar. The Honey Pot also organizes Steam Fridays, an event, every week that drag shows for men and Tease Saturdays with sensational specials for women. There are also some of the special events with rocking DJs.

8.) Columbia Restaurant Gift Shop

The restaurant is located next to the popular Tampa dining institution. The Columbia Restaurant is locally well known as Columbia Restaurant Shop. The Shop allows you to buy beautiful and affordable gifts that remind you about Tampa whenever you will see it. It also offers an amazing dining experience at Florida’s oldest restaurant, which is also ranked as the World’s biggest Spanish restaurant. You can buy Columbia cookbooks and signature food items here. One of the best is their famous in-house Cuban-roast coffee. This could be the best amongst all the things to do in Tampa Bay with your friends and family.

9.) Lowry Park Zoo

Lowry Park Zoo is a place that you will love after visiting. So, plan a trip to this tourist attraction of Tampa Bay. It is the cleanest, a best-organized zoo that you have ver seen, it is recently ranked as the best zoo in the country by Parents Magazine. This place is full of good things to do in Tampa Bay with kids. Children and adults will enjoy a lot gazing tall giraffes, rhinos, and hippos, lions and tigers as well as animals native to Tampa Bay, and various species of crocodile and alligator. Once you end up viewing all of the animals, you and your kids both can play in the Australian-themed children’s park that includes amazing rides and other interesting games.

10.) Florida Aquarium

Florida Aquarium is one of the best aquariums in the southeast area. This is an amazing tourist attraction of Tampa Bay. It is a perfect place where you can truly explore the aquatic life that includes more than 20,000 variety of plants and animals in ocean water. Exhibits showcase the flow of water from wetland to ocean and include a lot of coral reef display that has fishes of all types. The divers feed sharks in the deep water aquarium twice in a day, and other areas showcase alligators and stingrays. Children will also enjoy the “Penguin Promenade”. This is one of the best things to do in Tampa Bay with kids.