30 Unique Things to Do in Tampa, Florida for Every Budget

As the second-largest metropolitan area in Florida, Tampa blends Gulf Coast living with big-city opportunities and a mix of cultural influences, including Cuban, Italian, and Spanish. From waterfront adventures and world-class restaurants to vibrant nightlife and family-friendly attractions, there’s never a shortage of ways to enjoy the area. 

Whether you’re a long-time resident or considering moving to Tampa, we’ve curated a detailed list of the most unique things to do in Tampa, Florida, so you can spend your time experiencing them rather than searching for them.

• Top 10 Things To Do in Tampa
• Things To Do in Tampa for Adults
• Things To Do in Tampa for Couples
• Things To Do With Kids in Tampa
• Things To Do in Tampa at Night
• Cheap Things To Do in Tampa
• Free Things To Do in Tampa

30 Unique Things to Do in Tampa, Florida

There are plenty of unique things to do in Tampa, Florida. We searched for locals’ favorite places and experiences, from activities for couples and families to enjoying Tampa’s great outdoors.

Top 10 Things to Do in Tampa

Before we jump into our detailed list, we’ve compiled our top 10 things to do in Tampa. These choices are just a sample of all the adventurous and unique things to do in Tampa, Florida.  

1. Get out on the water. Move your vessel out of boat storage or rent boats, kayaks, or paddleboards to experience the serenity of Tampa’s many bays. 
2. Explore Tampa’s iconic cigar industry history. Visit one of the area’s many cigar lounges, such as Grand Cathedral Cigars, which is nestled inside an old church for some historic charm.
3. Taste Tampa’s Michelin-star food scene. Experience the elevated dining of Tampa, known for its fresh seafood and blend of cultural influences, at one of the city’s five Michelin-star restaurants, or one of the dozens of other restaurants recognized by Michelin for their quality.
4. Tour Tampa’s art scene. The Tampa Museum of Art, Morean Arts Center, and Dali Museum are great places to see the city’s vibrant collections.
5. Soak up the sun at one of Tampa Bay’s top-rated beaches. With an average of 361 sunny days every year, these beaches are a year-round delight.
6. Connect with nature to de-stress. The Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trails boasts some of the best spots for experiencing the wildlife of Florida. 
7. Experience the magic of bioluminescence with a nighttime kayak tour. Paddle through glowing waters in Tampa Bay and witness tiny organisms lighting up the waves for an unforgettable night.
8. Stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk. Enjoy the views of the Hillsborough River and the most popular Tampa attractions, like the aquarium, the History Center, and more.
9. Witness the Gasparilla Season and Pirate Fest. If you’re looking to party, don’t miss the Gasparilla parade, truly one of the most unique experiences in Tampa.
10. Cheer on your teams at various sporting events. As home of the NFL Buccaneers, MLB Rays, and NHL Lightning, there’s something for everyone.

What is Tampa most famous for?  Tampa is most famous for its rich cultural history, particularly its Cuban Latin heritage, that have made the city a hub for food, cigars, brews, art, and music.

Things to Do in Tampa for Adults

Tampa isn’t just about beaches and family attractions. The city also offers plenty of unique things to do in Tampa for adults, like historic cigar lounges and outdoor adventures.

1. Relax at Tampa’s iconic cigar lounge. Owned by the Tampa cigar industry–famous Fuente family, Grand Cathedral Cigars is nestled inside an old church.
2. Visit one of Tampa’s favorite breweries. Just a short walk away from the Ybor City Historic District, breweries like Coppertail Brewing Co. pair craft beer and handmade cider with delectable food.
3. Experience the adrenaline rush of ziplining. With Zipline Adventure Tours, you’ll see the bay from a whole new angle—up above.
4. Explore the city’s sports history. Housed in the childhood home of Major League Baseball Hall-of-Famer Al Lopez, the Tampa Baseball Museum showcases 135 years of baseball history in Tampa. 
5. Go on a birding adventure. Connect with Florida’s stunning nature on the Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trails. Just remember your outdoor essentials like sunscreen, water, long pants and sleeves, and binoculars. 

Things to Do in Tampa for Couples

Tampa offers endless opportunities for romance. From fine dining and creative classes to unforgettable sunsets, here are some of the top things to do in Tampa for couples.

1. Dine at one of Tampa’s Michelin-star restaurants. Experience the elevated dining of Tampa, known for its fresh seafood and blend of cultural influences, at one of the city’s six Michelin-star restaurants, or one of the dozens of other restaurants recognized by Michelin for their quality.
2. Unwind with a couple’s spa day. Spa Evangeline at the Epicurean Hotel is a great option for couples looking for a relaxing retreat.
3. Experience after-hours in Tampa at one of the city’s top nightspots. Whether you’re into live music, dancing, or DJ sets, there’s a scene for you and your partner to enjoy.  
4. Heat things up with a couples’ glass-making class in St. Pete. As the area’s glass art hub, the Morean Glass Center offers a Hot Date in the Hot Shop class every Friday night. 
5. Take a romantic sunset cruise. Enjoy one of the area’s romantic boat tours with dinner, drinks, music, and dancing for a premier date experience. 

Things to Do with Kids in Tampa

From thrilling theme parks and hands-on museums to outdoor activities in Tampa, there are plenty of affordable and cheap family things to do in Tampa to keep the kids entertained.

1. Learn and play at the Glazer Children’s Museum. Focused on fostering impactful learning experiences, Glazer offers a blend of education and fun for a memorable family day.
2. Enjoy the outdoors at one of Tampa’s many parks. With paved walking trails, fishing docks, and covered picnic areas, Al Lopez Park offers a full day of family activities for free—and there are a number of other parks to explore as well in Tampa. 
3. Discover marine life. Snag photos with Xochi, the pink axolotl mascot, or learn about coral conservation at the Florida Aquarium for an unforgettable adventure.
4. Explore Tampa’s amusement parks. Busch Gardens boasts roller coasters, live shows, and animal encounters to keep the whole family entertained. Adventure Island offers water slides, wave pools, and lazy rivers, perfect for cooling off on a hot Florida day.
5. Monkey around with those who do it best. With affordable admission prices of $15 for adults and $10 for children, Suncoast Primate Sanctuary is a great place for the whole family to learn about conservation and care for monkeys of all kinds.

What is the 15-minute city in Tampa?  The “15-minute city” is a city design concept that enables people to meet most of their daily needs, such as work, groceries, schools, and more, within a 15-minute walking, biking, or public transit distance. In Tampa, this idea comes to life in the city’s walkable districts, such as downtown and Ybor City, where transportation options like the TECO Line Streetcar connect the Ybor City Historic District to the bay, making it easier to get around without a car.

Things to Do in Tampa at Night

In Tampa, the adventures don’t end when the sun goes down. These after-dark activities are perfect for soaking up the city’s vibrant nightlife.

1. Experience the magic of bioluminescence with a nighttime kayak tour of Tampa Bay. Paddle through glowing waters and witness tiny organisms lighting up the waves for an unforgettable night under the stars.
2. Catch live music or a Broadway show. The Straz Center for the Performing Arts offers Broadway productions, concerts, and more for a cultured and memorable night out. 
3. Get a free science and astronomy session. The Sidewalk Science Center, a traveling learning space, brings education to public parks, playgrounds, and more for free. Catch them when they are next in St. Petersburg.
4. Explore Ybor City’s nightlife. Known for its historic Latin flair, Ybor City offers lively bars, nightclubs, and classic cigar lounges.
5. Enjoy some retro gaming. Hang out at Reboot Arcade & Bar, a nostalgic arcade and bar located across the bay in Dunedin, for late-night classic arcade games like pinball. 

Cheap Things to Do in Tampa

These cheap things to do in Tampa prove you don’t need to be a big spender to enjoy what the city has to offer.

1. Support local artisans and small businesses. For 25 years, the Ybor City Saturday Market has been the largest outdoor market in the area. From gourmet food to hand-crafted art, there’s always something special to take home. 
2. Visit the Dali Museum in St. Pete. Explore the surreal world of Salvador Dali and take in one of the most impressive art collections in the region.
3. Get out on the water with affordable rentals. If your storage unit size isn’t big enough for the catamarans, sailboats, kayaks, and paddle boards, you can find the gear you need at Clearwater Sailing Center for an affordable price. With a monthly or annual membership, unlimited access to the fleet is included, making it one of the best deals around.
4. Experience the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa. These award-winning Cuban sandwiches are a signature staple, as iconic as the city’s parks and beaches. 
5. Learn more about Tampa’s history. Tampa Bay History Center admission tickets are less than $20 each, making this museum a budget-friendly day out.

Free Things to Do in Tampa

Enjoying everything Tampa has to offer—culture, art, waterfront activities, and more— doesn’t have to cost you anything with these favorite free Tampa activities.

1. Bike down Bayshore Boulevard. On this 4.5-mile stretch of scenic views, you can spot some of the city’s historic bay-front homes in Old Hyde Park. 
2. Witness the Gasparilla Season and Pirate Fest. One of the most unique things to do in Tampa, Florida, this celebration features extravagant, pirate-themed parades and more. 
3. Soak up the sun at one of Tampa Bay’s top-rated beaches. With an average of 361 sunny days every year, these beaches are a year-round delight.
4. Stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk. Enjoy the views of the Hillsborough River and the most popular Tampa attractions, like the aquarium, the History Center, and more.
5. Explore the Woodson African American Museum of Florida. Free to visit, this St. Pete museum celebrates Black history and showcases the art and culture of the region’s Black community.

Don’t Miss All the Unique Things to Do in Tampa, Florida

From world-class beaches and dining to pirate-inspired festivities and family-friendly attractions, Tampa offers one-of-a-kind things to do all year long.

Make room for all the fun with CubeSmart self-storage. Whether you need additional space for your bicycles, kayaks, or other gear, we offer storage for all your adventures. Find a CubeSmart storage facility near you.