Reasons to Visit Tampa Bay, Florida

Reasons to Visit Tampa Bay, Florida

Florida is a fantastic destination that offers something for everyone. With its sunny weather, variety of attractions and beautiful beaches, it’s no wonder people flock to the Sunshine State each year for their vacations. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing sandy shore, a thrilling theme park or a vibrant city, Florida has it all.

Where to Visit in Tampa Bay

Among the state’s many gems, Tampa Bay is the perfect place to experience Florida’s best outdoor beauty, exciting attractions and a thriving food scene. It’s easily one of Florida’s most vibrant areas, featuring cities like Clearwater, St. Petersburg and Tampa itself.

Here, you will find a perfect mix of fun, cultural experiences and family-friendly attractions. Located on the Gulf Coast of Florida, Tampa Bay has spectacular waterfront views, exciting theme parks and lively nightlife. You can explore the rich history of the Ybor City neighborhood in Tampa or enjoy a bite to eat along the Riverwalk.

You’ll find plenty of options for sports lovers, top-tier museums and a growing arts scene. Whatever your interest, you will always find things to do in Tampa Bay.

Why Visit Tampa Bay, Florida?

If you’re looking for activities your entire crew can enjoy, Tampa Bay has no shortage of things to do and see. From sports stadiums to museums, gorgeous beaches like Sunset Beach, Treasure Island or Redington Shores, and trendy restaurants, we cover some of Tampa’s hot spots to add to your must-visit list.

1. Thrilling Attractions

If you’re looking for cool stuff to do in the Tampa Bay area, we’ve got you. From heart-pounding roller coasters to incredible murals, this city allows you to experience the rush of adrenaline and the beauty of art and history. Here are some of the more popular attractions to see:

• Busch Gardens: From up-close animal encounters to roller coasters, Busch Gardens has it all. You can also look forward to the world’s fastest and tallest ride of its kind, the Serengeti Flyer.
• Beautiful murals: Explore breathtaking murals around the Downtown River Arts District and Ybor City. These colorful works of art capture Tampa’s vibrant culture and rich history — they also make great photo backdrops.
• Tampa Theatre: Visit Tampa to experience the Tampa Theatre, a stunning historic movie theater built in 1926. It is known for its amazing architecture and for hosting live events, indie films and even ghost tours.
• Hockey: If you’re an avid hockey enthusiast, head over to Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, to catch a game.
• Football: Football fans can catch a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game at the Raymond James Stadium. Be sure to look out for the giant pirate ship in the stadium.
• Weedon Island Preserve: Take a walk among the mangrove tunnels and see the wildlife at Weedon Island Preserve just north of St. Petersburg. You can hike the trails, rent a canoe and explore along the water, or view nature from the observation tower.

2. Culinary Delights

Tampa Bay’s foodie scene is a delicious mix of flavors that combine Southern, Cuban and Spanish traditions. You’ll find some delicious surprises, from historic-inspired meals to trendy food halls and local craft beer. Whether you’re craving a comforting Cuban sandwich or fresh seafood, here are the highlights:

• Rooftop bars: See Tampa Bay from another level at one of its many rooftop bars.
• LALA: LALA Tampa offers a French Mediterranean and American-style menu, with a curated selection of liquors and private karaoke rooms for a fun-filled evening. If you’re heading to St. Pete, you’ll find another LALA location in the Grand Central District.

• Ybor City: The historic neighborhood of Ybor City in Tampa offers an array of dance clubs, bars and places to eat.
• Ulele: Located on the Tampa Riverwalk, Ulele serves native-inspired cuisine and fresh seafood and uses locally sourced ingredients.
• Cigar City Brewing: For craft beer, visit Cigar City Brewing. Its Jai Alai IPA is a fan favorite, and the taproom offers a range of locally brewed beers with food trucks.
• Ben’s Steak House: A Tampa classic, Ben’s is legendary for its aged steaks and extensive wine cellar. After dinner, head upstairs to the dessert room for coffee and sweet treats.
• Oxford Exchange: For a more upscale, Instagram-worthy spot, Oxford Exchange is a cafe, restaurant and bookstore all in one. It offers a wonderful brunch menu with fresh, healthy meals and artisan coffee.

3. Family-Friendly Activities

Tampa Bay is a great destination for families, with a wide variety of kid-friendly attractions and activities. Whether your family enjoys wildlife, learning about science or splashing in water parks, this city has it all:

• Adventure Island: Adventure Island is a water park with everything from lazy rivers to high-speed water slides like the Solar Vortex, making it perfect for cooling off in the Florida heat.
• ZooTampa: Get up close with exotic animals at ZooTampa at Lowry Park, home to a manatee rehabilitation center.
• The Florida Aquarium: The Florida Aquarium features a lush mangrove tunnel, river otters and the 500,000-gallon Coral Reel Gallery with stingrays, sharks and more.
• Glazer Children’s Museum: Take the kids to the Glazer Children’s Museum, where playing is the foundation for learning and development.
• Dinosaur World: Dinosaur World is a theme park with many different dinosaur sculptures at scale, a fun way to show the kids how big these creatures were.
• Beaches: The St. Petersburg-Clearwater barrier islands have about 35 miles of white sand beaches. These beaches are virtually untouched, making for a beautiful experience to share with your family.
• Safety Harbor: Explore Tampa Bay’s waterfront charm at Safety Harbor. Here, you’ll find scenic waterfront parks, a walkable main street with shops, eateries and galleries, and plenty of historic sites.

4. Upcoming Attractions and Events

Tampa Bay has a variety of seasonal and annual events that bring it to life all year round:

• The Dunedin International Film Festival: Held in January every year, this event in Clearwater shows various international films at outdoor cinemas. It focuses on developing Florida’s film community while bringing awareness to arts and culture.
• The Tampa Bay Underground Film Festival: This is another fun event that shows about 200 films of different genres every December.
• The Gasparilla Pirate Festival: During this event, the Jose Gasparilla II sails to Tampa to bring its celebration to land. There is a parade, replica pirate ships and live music to enjoy.
• Tampa Riverfest: The first weekend in May, you can attend Tampa Riverfest. This free, two-day event celebrates the city’s culture and waterfront with live music, food vendors, fireworks and boat races.
• Margarita Festival: Every Memorial Day Weekend, Tampa Bay hosts the Margarita Festival, which features live music, drinks and plenty of food trucks. The event takes place downtown and often includes top performers in a festival setting.
• Winter Village: During November and December, the Winter Village at Curtis Hixon Park in Tampa offers a festive market, outdoor ice skating rink, light displays and holiday vendors. It’s the perfect place to find holiday cheer and sunny skies.

Eat, Drink, and Sing Your Way Around Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay is worth visiting with its vibrant mix of excitement, natural beauty and art. From amusement parks to rich history, stunning views and relaxing beaches, the area has something for everyone. Its events highlight its lively culture and delicious selection of cuisines.

Next time you’re in town, visit LALA Tampa or LALA St. Pete. We have everything you want for an unforgettable experience. Our combination bar, with a selection of cocktails, wines and more, restaurant and private karaoke rooms are Instagram-worthy. Whether catching up with friends or having a family outing, check out our specials and prepare for a fun night out!

Make your reservation today and remember to ask about our full, unique entertainment experiences.