Tampa is one of the major cities in the province of Florida, USA. It is commonly known as the Tampa Bay Area and situated on the west coast of Florida.
The shores of this place are famous for tourist attractions. We find amusement parks, botanical gardens, zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, museums, and many more.
10 Things to Do in Tampa
Tampa offers exciting places for relaxation too. In the Downtown of Tampa, there are one of its kind restaurants, river walks, urban parks.
Once you are into the city of Tampa many adventures are waiting for you to try. So here are a few things you can do if you visit Tampa for the first time.
1. Busch Gardens
The total area of Busch gardens is 335 acres. It is an Africa themed animal theme park situated in Tampa.
There are many roller-coasters in Busch gardens. Famous roller-coasters like SheiKra, Montu, Zadra, Falcon’s Fury, Tigris, Iron Gwazi are located here.
The main attractions here are thrilling rides, live music by artists, animals living in natural habitats. Many types of animals are living in Busch gardens.
Hand fed Kangaroo and giraffes are attractions here. It is a different kind of experience to see the park staff members taking care of various animals.
We can go for a nighttime Safari in the park. It offers us the spectacular opportunity to watch the animals gazing around the fields and villages.
2. Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park
It has a total area of 3 acres. Tampa zoo was rated by US Parents Magazine as the number place to visit with family.
The park features more than two thousand animals which are living in their natural habitats. Visitors can get close to the animals like Indian Rhino, a rare species nearer to extinction to feed them.
African Elephants and Penguins, Florida panthers are popular animals here. Tampa zoo also hosts multiple events every year where tourists can enjoy as well as Locals.
If you want to visit this place, make sure you do not miss the expedition on African Safari Tram which takes us through the habitats of the animals.
3. Henry B. Plant Museum
The Henry B. Plant Museum was a converted museum in the year1891. Initially it was the Tampa Bay Hotel, the Victorian railroad. It is now known as a Country’s Historic Landmark.
Many museums we see today preserve the past artifacts used by our ancestors. However, the Henry museum contains the actual furnishings enjoyed by the first guests who visited this former hotel.
This Museum precisely reflects the vision of American transport pioneer, Henry B. Plant on whose memory this museum was built.
It offers the way to know the living style of Henry Plant. A part of this building was snow converted into the University of Tampa.
4. Big Cat Rescue
The Big Cat Rescue is a Non-Profit Organisation formed to rescue cats that are abandoned. It was founded in the year 1987 by Kay Rosaire.
It was a home for more than 150 exotic and domestic animals. Here we can find animals like jaguars, Lions, Tigers, Caracals, and related species.
Additionally, there are tours to have a glance at the animals like night tours, feeding tours, private tours.
The main objective of the Big Cat Rescue was to provide a shelter for homeless animals and educate the visitors about the preservation of animals for humankind.
There is also an availability of a kids tour for the children who are below 10 years.
5. Tampa Theatre
The Tampa Theatre is situated in the downtown of Tampa and built in 1926. It has an historic importance in the USA as the theatre was designed with an atmospheric style of architecture and the architect was John Eberson.
Tampa theatre includes styles of Italic and Greek architecture. It features documentary films, independent films. It is a luxurious palace presenting concert shows.While watching a film here we feel like a different time period.
This theatre is managed by an NGO called Tampa Theatre Foundation. The mission of this NGO was to preserve the theatre and protect its extraordinary architecture.
6. Tampa Bay History
The Tampa Bay History was located on the Riverwalk of Tampa. It is a Museum in Tampa of historic importance. Here we can find the artifacts of the ancient native people who lived in Tampa.
This building consists of three floors which covers 12,000 years of Florida’s history. It also has a research centre.
This region has experienced the multicultural scenarios during the last five centuries.
We can also find the shipping era, rail roads as the major attractions here. In permanent galleries, we can explore the stories and personalities who are famous from Florida’s ancient times.
Additionally, there is also a temporary gallery that features the exhibitions of arts.
7. Ybor City
Ybor is a city which is famous for vintage shops and boutiques. It is named after Vicente Martinez Ybor. Once upon a time, Ybor cigar factory was world’s largest cigar factory.
However, due to Great Depression many factories were closed. Consequently, it lost its previous glory.
Recently it is been reviving. Many shops, cafes, restaurants emerged in this area. Colombia restaurant was the oldest in the state of Florida.
It is the largest Spanish restaurant. If you love to visit oldest places then Ybor city is the best place you can visit. You will experience the vintages of the city.
8. Adventure Island
It is located in the north-eastern part of Florida and its total area is 12 hectares. It is a part of the sea world environment.
Adventure Island is famous for its rides and pools for swimming. As Florida will experience higher temperature than the rest of the USA, it would a cool idea to spent time in Adventure Island.
Solar Vortex, Aruba Tuba, Caribbean Corkscrew, Colossal Curl, Vanish Point, Water Moccasin, Calypso Coaster, and Riptide are eight of water slides present in this Island.
Additionally, there are many pools surrounded the Island like Endless Surf, Paradise Lagoon, Rambling Bayou, Fabian’s Fun Port, Splash Attack.
Adventure Island offers many Dining options ranging from snacks to some ice cold cafes. We can also do some shopping at reasonable prices.
9. Tampa Riverwalk
The best reason to visit Tampa Riverwalk is it is absolutely free and surrounded by parks and under bridges. It is a pedestrian walkway of about 4.2KM runs parallel to the river Hillsborough.
This Riverwalk is a continuous path that connects many tourists’ attractions like parks, hotels, Museums, etc.
This was built in the year 1970. Here the main attraction is Curtis Hixon Park which was opened in the year 2010.
Historical Monument Trail of Tampa Riverwalk is made up of Bronze and Marble busts. We can also find restaurants which offer tasty and delicious food.
10. Sunshine Skyway
The Sunshine Sky way is a bridge located near Lower Tampa Bay. As a consequence of the Governor’s decision, the bridge was renamed the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway. It connects St. Petersburg and Terra Ceia.
The bridge was collapsed during 1980, but later it was reconstructed. This bridge is 12 miles long.
The amazing feature of the bridge is its middle part which is curved and suspended along the two giant pillars.
While you are driving along the bridge, we can experience the amazing views of the Ocean and capture the best moments thereby.
Conclusion
Tampa is a famous city in the United States of America where we can find the best places to relax a bit from our daily routine. It will help us in recreation with its amazing Islands, Gardens, Museums and many more.
Some of the museums in Tampa are Glazer children’s museum, the museum of science and industry, Tampa museum of art. Florida Aquarium, Tampa Golf etc are other tourist spots in Tampa.
There are many old buildings which are converted into new food halls which offer delicious food in the city.