Find out how to Plan the Good Summer time 2025 Journey to Tampa

Searches for Tampa are up a whopping 85 % 12 months over 12 months, based on new Kayak knowledge—however this Floridian isn’t stunned. With its rising meals scene, ever-expanding walkable waterfront, and proximity to a few of Florida’s finest seashores, Tampa is heating up this summer season in additional methods than one. Right here’s the right way to benefit from a summertime journey to this trending Gulf Coast metropolis.

Stroll the Riverwalk

First time in Tampa? Begin with a stroll alongside the two.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk, which connects downtown sights, parks, and companies alongside the Hillsborough River. Go to cultural sights just like the Tampa Museum of Artwork and the Florida Aquarium to beat the warmth, or hop aboard a Pirate Water Taxi for a breezy experience. In the summertime, locals love cooling down with a scoop from native favourite Chill Bros (get it in a do-it-yourself waffle cone—belief) or arriving by boat to Rick’s on the River for seafood and chilly drinks.

Discover Ybor Metropolis

Tampa’s historic cigar district is a can’t-miss—that is Cigar Metropolis, in any case. Past the enduring Columbia Restaurant (don’t skip the Authentic 1905 Salad, tossed tableside and named for the 12 months the restaurant was based), you’ll discover fashionable cocktail bars like Resort Haya’s Flor Fina, the place a large atrium provides you the sunshiney vibes of the surface with out having to sacrifice air-con. (Out of doors-feeling indoor areas are how we natives survive summer season in Florida, by the way in which.) Duck into King State for craft beer and third-wave espresso, all below one roof, or browse the funky classic retailers alongside seventh Avenue.

Hit the Seashore

Clearwater Seashore is a Tampa Bay–space traditional and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is nice for households. However savvy vacationers can skip the summer season seaside crowds and head to Go-a-Grille, a quaint and quiet stretch of sand simply south of St. Pete Seashore. It is about 45 minutes from downtown Tampa and has pastel cottages, funky seafood joints, and among the finest sundown views in Florida—full with a nightly sundown bell-ringing custom. Simply do not forget that whereas seashores and summertime go hand in hand, so does the next UV index and sunburn. Hydrate and slather on the SPF accordingly.

Catch a Ball Sport

Tampa is a sports activities city via and thru, residence to the Rays (baseball), the Lightning (ice hockey), and the Buccaneers (soccer). Whereas ice hockey and soccer video games don’t resume till the autumn, you may catch a MLB sport in Tampa in the course of the summer season. The Tampa Bay Rays have residence video games scheduled all through June, July, August, and September, together with matchups towards the Boston Crimson Sox, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Reside Like a Native

Many Floridians prioritize indoor actions in the course of the sweltering summer season months, however summer season continues to be a pleasant time for a golden-hour paddle via mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island Protect or perhaps a clear kayak tour of Shell Key Protect.

Through the hottest a part of the day, discover Tampa’s indoor (or not less than shaded) meals halls and native breweries. Armature Works is a buzzy mixed-use hub in a restored streetcar warehouse with sweeping river views, whereas Cigar Metropolis Brewing is the center of Tampa’s craft beer scene with their iconic Jai Alai and Florida Man IPAs.

For those who do determine to courageous Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in the summertime (couldn’t be me), spare your self the warmth stroke and go by night time: the park’s Summer time Nights promotion options prolonged summertime hours that preserve the park open late from Might 23 to Aug. 10.