Alcove's Tampa City Guide: Top Things to See and Do in Tampa, FL

Tampa City Guide

From the vibrant downtown area to the peaceful waters of the Hillsborough River, Tampa welcomes its visitors with abundance of must-try activities and must-see places.

Tampa is a culturally rich city, with a fantastic fusion of Cuban and Spanish traditions, located on the west coast of Florida's sprawling coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.

Keep reading as we have prepared the ultimate Tampa City Guide with information about the best bars and restaurants, top outdoor and recreation activities and much more!

Brief History

The first settlements along the Tampa Bay area date all the way back to the 16th century. The city of Tampa, however, emerged later on during the 1830s and the first modern development came along 50 years later with the constructions of the railroad system.

Unfortunately, in the years after the war, Tampa had to go through some challenging times with recession and unstable political environment. Nowadays, however, Tampa is a modern, commercial hub with interesting tourist attractions and must-try activities for the entire family.

As visitors are strolling down its colorful streets and enjoying the laid-back and relaxing atmosphere, they inevitably recognize Tampa as one of the best cities for a weekend getaway in Florida! 

Bars and Restaurants

Situated at the heart of the historic district of Tampa Heights, Armature Works is among the best places to find delicious food and signature cocktails in Tampa. With history dating all the way back to the 1910s, the building was once a storage facility.

After numerous renovations, the industrial atmosphere has been preserved in a modern way. The structure is now a massive food hub packed with steakhouses, barbecue stands, Asian restaurants, rooftop bars with stunningly beautiful views of the Tampa skyline and a lot more! 

Speaking of good views - you'll definitely want to visit The Sail Plaza. As the only open air 360-degree waterfront bar, you will surely get to admire the remarkable panoramic view of the downtown area, while sipping on tasty signature cocktails. 

For those of you who love fresh seafood meals, we cannot recommend Eddie V’s Prime Seafood restaurant enough! With its rich menu packed with mouth-watering meals, you will surely find some of the finest oysters and crab platters along the Gulf Coast. 

Outdoor and Recreation

Tampa might not have a white sandy beach to sunbathe for hours at, however, it will surprise you with its huge list of outdoor and recreation activities.

Situated at the heart of the city of Tampa visitors will find a peaceful, unspoiled oasis at the scenic Hillsborough River. Rent a kayak and explore the peaceful waters. If you are in luck, you might even catch a glimpse of ospreys and eagles flying around. 

Head to Lettuce Lake Conservation Park to spend some time hiking or biking. The 1.25-mile trail  will take you to the observation tower, which offers truly spectacular scenery of the Hillsborough River and the nearby area. 

And if you're still looking for the beach, take a day trip to St. Petersburg or Clearwater for soft sand and blue waters.

Entertainment and Sports 

If you are planning a vacation with your children, you will certainly be looking at adding some entertainment activities to your itinerary.

One of the best places to stop at is Adventure Island! Spreading on a territory of 30 acres, the amusement park offers a wide range of water rides and slides perfect for people from all ages.

Additionally, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is another amusement park which is a must-visit on a family holiday to Tampa.

With an African theme and plenty of animals to look at, the park is home not only to thrilling and exciting roller-coasters and rides, but also various animals such as penguins, kangaroos, elephants and more! Be sure to get there early in the day, however, because the park gets busy (the park has an annual attendance consistently exceeding 4 million!). 

Last but definitely not least, before heading to Tampa you would want to check their event’s calendar. From concerts to sports games, there is a bit of everything for everyone!

Depending which time of the year you are visiting, you might get to see a professional baseball game or a match from the super bowl championship. If you are a NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, you may even want to join a tour of their home Raymond James Stadium. 

Did you plan your Tampa City guide using our recommendations of the best places to see? Which is the first place you would like to visit in Tampa? 

All that being said, find rooms for rent in Tampa on Alcove's platform in the near future.