Tampa has remodeled into the most effective sunny locations within the US. It presents incredible Gulf Coast seashores, a singular tropical environment, and excellent points of interest like Busch Gardens and Ybor City. It’s additionally house to many sports activities groups just like the Lightning, Buccs, and Rays. If you might be planning a vacation to the Big Guava and are questioning what to do in Tampa in three days, then this itinerary is for you. 

Best Time to Visit Tampa 

The finest time to go to Tampa is in the course of the fall and spring when the ocean is heat and it’s not unbearably sizzling. Both seasons are incredible as there may be hardly any rain and the typical temperature is within the low 80s. The common winter temperature is within the low 70s, which continues to be good and heat, however the ocean tends to be colder for swimming and water sports activities. In the summer season, the climate is much more humid and wet, with the typical temperature ringing in at about 92°F. Summer additionally tends to be extra crowded at amusement parks and seashores because the children are out of college and lots of households are on trip.

If you’re a massive fan of Mardi Gras or parades, then the tip of January is likely to be the perfect time so that you can spend a weekend in Tampa. Every 12 months at the moment, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival takes place, with the complete Downtown space shutting down for a large avenue occasion and parade. Everyone attire in pirate costumes and contours up alongside the parade path to catch beads from passing floats. There are loads of group occasions and live shows that comply with after the parade. It is so much like Mardi Gras however extra family-friendly and fewer packed!

How to Get Around Tampa

If you might be planning on visiting Tampa, you is likely to be questioning if that you must lease a automobile and get round. That all relies on the place you propose on staying and which points of interest you propose on visiting. It is totally doable to comply with this Tampa journey itinerary with no automobile rental, utilizing rideshare, shared bikes/scooters, and your personal two ft! Public transit isn’t the perfect within the metropolis, however on the brilliant aspect, it’s a very walkable metropolis that isn’t insanely massive. Visitors also can decide to make use of the Downtown streetcar, which leads all the way in which to Ybor City. Attractions exterior the Downtown space aren’t too far, so they’re reasonably priced to get to utilizing rideshare applications or taxis. 

Renting a automobile can be an choice and might prevent journey time once you solely have 72 hours in Tampa. There is loads of paid parking Downtown, and most lodges include free parking as properly. It might be extra handy to have a rental automobile, particularly should you plan to go to the seaside or on a day journey. We advocate utilizing RentalCars.com for all of your automobile reserving wants. The web site searches tons of of rental websites to make sure you get the perfect value doable! 

Where to Stay in Tampa

The finest place to remain in Tampa is Downtown as it should put you inside strolling distance of prime points of interest, eating places, and leisure. The finest resort on this space is, palms down, JW Marriott Tampa. It is near the Amalie Arena and the Cruise Line Terminal, in addition to to nightlife and the Tampa Convention Center. The resort boasts a contemporary motif with an out of doors swimming pool, an upscale bar, and a fitness center, together with nice views of the town. 

If you might be questioning the place to remain in Tampa that might be nearer to the ocean, then you may’t go mistaken with the Oceanfront Hotel close to the Courtney Campbell Causeway. This gorgeous seaside resort presents friends a extra tropical vibe, with a non-public sandy seaside space, a pier for fishing, seaside volleyball, and an out of doors pool with a tiki bar that serves meals and cocktails. Guests also can get pleasure from unbelievable sundown views over Old Tampa Bay from the consolation of their balconies. The resort is a couple of 10-minute stroll from Ben T. Davis Beach, and there are many bars and upscale eating choices simply down the road. 

For extra lodging choices in Tampa try Booking.com. They repeatedly provide the perfect charges and their customized service is on level.

The Perfect Weekend in Tampa Itinerary

Tampa Itinerary: Day 1

On the primary day of this Tampa itinerary, it’s time to get your bearings of the town with a morning stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk. This 2.6-mile path wraps throughout the Downtown space alongside the water. Visitors are welcome to get pleasure from an alcoholic beverage whereas cruising the Riverwalk however solely whether it is in an accepted Riverwalk cup. Make your means alongside the trail till you attain the Tampa Convention Center. Here you can find an abundance of watersport leases, together with stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, pedal boats, water bikes, small boat leases, and extra. Choose the way you wish to cruise on the water after which head out for an hour-long journey alongside the channels. After you’ve returned your leases, head to the Sail Plaza out of doors patio bar beside the conference middle for a lightweight snack and drink to chill off. Don’t refill but, although, as a result of the perfect meals is but to return!

Once you’ve received a pina colada or two into you (It’s 5 o’clock someplace, proper?), it’s time to hop on the free trolley and make your method to the most effective locations to go to in Tampa, Historic Ybor City. If you’ve ever watched the film Live by Night starring Ben Affleck, then you definately may already be acquainted with the historical past of this unbelievable space. 

Ybor City is a full of life Cuban and Latin American district that tremendously resembles the French Quarter in New Orleans. The space is known for its hand-rolled cigars, due to its founder Martínez-Ybor. Martínez and his spouse moved from Cuba and acquired the location within the late 1860s to open up a cigar-rolling manufacturing unit. Soon after, many different Hispanic and Latin households flocked to Ybor, and it developed its personal separate id exterior of Tampa. There are loads of golf equipment and bars in Ybor, and it is without doubt one of the hottest nightlife areas in Tampa. At night time, parades of vacationers, faculty college students, and locals bar hop and line up for golf equipment to spend an evening dancing away their troubles. 

Once you’ve made it to Ybor, stroll to the well-known Columbia Restaurant for lunch. This award-winning restaurant is over 115 years outdated and is house to the most effective – if not the finest – Cuban sandwiches in Florida. They additionally serve conventional Spanish dishes like empanadas de picadillo and paella. After a scrumptious lunch, stroll to Ybor City Museum for a glimpse into the world’s wealthy historical past. When you’re executed, take a stroll down seventh Avenue to pop into boutique retailers for souvenirs and to observe how tobacco is rolled at cigar retailers. 

Once you might be completed cruising down the historic streets of Ybor City, you may head again to your resort to drop off your souvenirs or head on to Sparkman’s Wharf. This Downtown waterfront space is the proper spot for watching the sundown with a premium cocktail. There are loads of distributors and bars to pop into and seize a drink. You can then head to the fake garden space for a sport of cornhole and to hearken to stay music. If the climate isn’t nice, then head to Fit Bowl Co. for a couple of rounds of bowling till the rain clears. The lovely factor about Florida climate is that the rain not often lasts very lengthy. 

Afterward, head again to your resort and prepare for an evening out in town! For dinner, you may’t go mistaken with Ulele’s for contemporary seafood in an upscale environment. If you don’t really feel like getting too dressed up, then head over to Harpoon Harry’s Crab House close to the Tampa Convention Center for some scrumptious seafood in a pirate-themed setting. After dinner, there are many enjoyable and distinctive locations to go for drinks and leisure. American Social Bar & Kitchen transforms into an upscale nightclub with three rooms that play Spanish music, EDM, and prime 100. It’s positioned proper throughout the water from the Tampa Convention Center. Another enjoyable spot to hit is Parks & Rec. It is a component membership, with a DJ and dancing, and half arcade, with video games like Pac-Man, basketball, big beer pong, and ski ball. For a bar scene or to observe sports activities, try Hattricks.

Tampa Itinerary: Day 2

On the second day, it’s time to make the perfect of Tampa and get out of the Downtown space! We have left this as an open day, and you may select to spend it on the seaside, on a pontoon boat, or on the curler coasters at Busch Gardens.

If you want to spend a while lounging on the seaside and swimming, then you may’t go mistaken with visiting Clearwater Beach. Rent seaside chairs and absorb some solar rays or get a spherical of volleyball began at one of many courts. There are loads of oceanside eating places the place you may get pleasure from contemporary seafood for lunch and hearken to stay bands. Visitors also can decide to lease Jet Skis or bikes, or to e book a parasailing tour. The well-known Pier 60 presents fishing gear leases for these wishing to strive their luck at catching redfish and Spanish mackerel. In the night, distributors open a sundown market on the pier with native crafts and souvenirs. Clearwater Beach can be recognized for its nightly sundown celebrations; you’ll discover buskers singing, dancing, or performing magic exhibits totally free! 

One of the perfect issues to do in Tampa to get away from the crowds is renting a ship. Spend a day fishing, island hopping, or simply cruising alongside the water together with your family members or mates whereas having fun with the saltwater and Florida solar. An excellent place to lease a ship is the Landings of Tarpon Springs. They provide quite a lot of full- or half-day pontoon leases. Visitors can peacefully cruise alongside the river previous the well-known Dodecanese Greek Sponge Docks all the way in which to the Gulf of Mexico. From there, you may head round Anclote Key island, passing shipwrecks and wildlife, or head for a experience alongside the coast. If you want to a non-public guided fishing constitution, try Hubbard’s Marina in Madeira Beach. 

The theme park Busch Gardens presents a fun-filled day for households and thrill-seekers alike! Get up shut and private with over 200 species of animals or get pleasure from a chook’s-eye view of the animals under from the cable automobile that rides between the Egypt and Congo areas. The park is house to loads of thrill rides, too, just like the Cheetah Hunt and Falcon’s Fury. There are additionally rides for the little ones, such because the Sesame Street Air Grover child’s coaster. Don’t neglect to catch a stay present from world-class performers! If you’re planning on visiting in October, Busch Gardens transforms into Howl-O-Scream at night time, with haunted homes and scary creatures. 

Once you’ve had your fill of enjoyable within the solar, it’s time to wash up and prepare for dinner. If you might be in search of a singular dinner choice, head to Texas De Brazil, a meat lover’s paradise! Servers repeatedly convey round unbelievable meat dishes and serve you as a lot as you need. Another nice choice is Malio’s. This elegant and upscale restaurant is understood for its unbelievable steaks, contemporary seafood, and wonderful wines. If you’d like to go out to a nightlife space after dinner, try the SOHO district east of Hyde Park. It is a well-liked space for school college students, and there are many golf equipment, bars, and cocktail lounges to take a look at!

Tampa Itinerary: Day 3

On the final day of your trip in Tampa, get a great breakfast into you and head to the Tampa Museum of Art positioned on the Tampa Riverwalk. The museum options lovely collections, from trendy and modern to historical Greek and Roman. After a morning of admiring work and statues, make your method to International Plaza and Bay Street. This mall is full of many acquainted shops like H&M, in addition to high-end luxurious manufacturers like Louis Vuitton and different boutique retailers. It is a large procuring middle with an out of doors avenue devoted to bars and eating places, providing the proper place to get pleasure from a drink or lunch after procuring. 

Once you’ve shopped until you’ve dropped, head over to Cigar City Brewing, positioned simply across the nook from International Plaza. Cigar City is one among Tampa’s most notable breweries, and guests can tour the services and pattern a few of the native favorites. 

For dinner, make your method to Armature Works. This transformed manufacturing unit is house to an upscale cafeteria with loads of meals choices and a terrific environment. It’s good for individuals who can’t fairly resolve what they’re within the temper for; from tacos to sushi and wood-fired pizza, you’ll discover it right here. Once you’ve completed consuming, head to the roof of the constructing to M.Bird for some significantly unbelievable cocktails, which you’ll be able to get pleasure from whereas overlooking the Tampa metropolis skyline. It’s the proper method to finish your weekend journey to Tampa.

Tampa Itinerary: Alternative Options

We know everybody travels in a different way, so now we have added some further points of interest that can assist you benefit from your three days in Tampa. 

• Whisky Joe’s: A restaurant boasting a non-public seaside with a volleyball courtroom, a tiki bar, and stay music
• ZooTampa at Lowry Park: Get up shut and private with panthers and penguins!
• The Florida Aquarium: Explore a various vary of aquatic displays that includes marine life from all all over the world.
• Catch a Game: Watch the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Rays, or Tampa Bay Buccaneers play.
• Yacht StarShip Cruises: Enjoy a sundown dinner cruise on a yacht. 
• Canoe Escape: Kayak alongside the Hillsborough River, see alligators, and immerse your self in Florida nature. 

And that’s Tampa in three days! We know you’ll have a blast visiting the Sunshine State and hope you get pleasure from your vacation. Just don’t neglect to pack sunscreen!