Location: Tampa
Top Things to do in Tampa
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Top 10 Nature & Parks in Tampa, Florida (FL)
Tampa is a laid-back city with a vibrant arts scene and plenty of opportunities for adventure. Busch Gardens offers thrills for families and risk-averse adrenaline junkies, as does the domed IMAX theater of the Museum of Science and Industry. Spend a day touring Tampa’s many art museums, then cheer on your favorite Tampa Bay team at a home game. Get up close and personal with the majestic lions, tigers, and leopards of the Big Cat Rescue animal sanctuary.
Restaurants in Tampa
1. Fun Flats Fishing
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 20 reviews
Join Captain Mark for a great day of fishing!Whether you are an experienced angler or a novice, you will enjoy an exciting, fun, fishing experience. Come enjoy the pristine waters of Tampa Bay!
Reviewed By rabbitint
We had a great experience fishing with Captain Mark. He really put us on the fish and we were ripping lips all day. The gentleman grew up in the Bay Area and knows all the hot spots to catch them Reds and Snook. Thanks Mark
2. Veterans Memorial Park and Museum
3. Big Cat Rescue
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,223 reviews
Do you see yourself looking over the vast Serengeti plains, searching the horizon for a glimpse of a pride of Lions, or a Leopard lounging in the trees? Do you imagine yourself in India, riding an elephant through the high grass with your eyes peeled for the elusive Tiger? Have you ever thought how great it would be to hike through the rainforest, listening to the tropical birds, ever on the lookout for a Leopard or an Ocelot high in the canopy? Have you ever been to the zoo and wanted to be closer to the exotic cats; so close you could almost touch them? You don't have to spend tens of thousands of dollars to make these dreams come true. The world's largest accredited big cat rescue facility is right here in Tampa, Florida at Big Cat Rescue.
Reviewed By elizabethmP7310XL
Excellent organization who prioritizes the well-being of the cats and educating visitors on the cruelty of owning these wild animals as pets. The tour is an excellent opportunity to observe these beautiful creatures up close and learn about how to help preserve these species. Don't go to "cub petting" tourist traps! You can tell that everyone who works and volunteers with this organization genuinely loves these animals and are interested in providing the best possible life for them.
4. ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,931 reviews
See our full modified operations plan here: https://zootampa.org/visitor-info/new-beginning-zootampa-reopens/ ZooTampa at Lowry Park is home to more than 1300 animals and famous for having one of the most beautiful, tropical zoological settings in the world. The Zoo brings together animals and visitors to create unforgettable, natural connections. Guests get closer to wildlife than ever before by touching a giant tortoise, feeding a giraffe, getting nose-to-horn with an Indian rhino, hand-to-fin with slippery stingrays and more! Families can also splash in water play areas, feel thrills on rides and take in educational shows. Love manatees? The Zoo is the only place in Tampa where guests can see Florida manatees year round. At the David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital, the Zoo’s veterinary and animal-care staff treat sick, injured and orphaned manatees, and return them to the wild after rehabilitation.
Reviewed By tompM626YY
Nestled in the lush vegetation of Lowry Park in Tampa, FL is a most wonderful zoo experience for the family. The Tampa Zoo is a world class facility filled with engaging and unique exhibits of animals from around the world. The park is clean, well maintained and staffed by some of the most friendly and well trained people you will encounter anywhere. The African Exhibit tram in particular is well worth the ride. Our tour guide Betsy provided an entertaining and fact-filled narrative while we enjoyed an up-close encounter with rhinos, giraffes, antelopes, elephants and monkeys. The zoo provides many opportunities for special animal encounters and hosts a variety of programs for children including zoo camps, sleepovers, zoo school and arts & crafts. The zoo's kids zone is well designed with kid-friendly exhibits and play areas to keep the little ones entertained. And the zoo's on-site animal hospital keeps the residents healthy while working to promote the zoo's breeding programs and sustainability initiatives. An all around great day with the family at a first-class attraction. Enjoy.
5. Morris Bridge Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 52 reviews
For people just discovering the joys of off-road biking, this park offers marked and unmarked trails for the beginner.
Reviewed By 53JeffT - Tampa, United States
This is a nice park to use to get your kayak on the river. Never had a problem finding parking and there is a nice ramp to get on the river. Bathrooms are nice too.
6. Hillsborough River
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 219 reviews
State park campground in forest and along river.
Reviewed By N1405TCgaryb - Peterborough, Canada
Our friends introduced us to The River walk along the Hillsborough River from the Armature Works to its end downtown Tampa, from where you can catch a Free trolley ride further down in the city. Walking is at a pleasurably pace with lots of places to stop to rest and watch activity on the river itself. friendly people all along, walk get lots of use from locals and visitors. great place to spend some quality time enjoying the outdoors.
7. Bayshore Boulevard
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 965 reviews
Home of the world's longest sidewalk.
Reviewed By wimi7985 - Tampa, United States
If you want a beautiful view of the Bay, an uninterrupted sidewalk to run/walk on, and great landscaping with large upscale houses as your backdrop, definitely check out Bayshore. The scenery and no traffic on the pedestrian path makes your workout, much more pleasant!
8. Lettuce Lake Regional Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,071 reviews
Lettuce Lake Park opened in 1982 and quickly became a hub of activities. The 240-acre site offers something for everyone. Wooded picnic areas and a playground are family favorites. A 1.25 mile bicycle path/jogging trail, complete with a fitness course, meander through the park. Lettuce Lake is also a haven to study nature. An interpretive center, featuring exhibits, leads to a 3,500-foot boardwalk and an observation tower where visitors can view an extensive variety of wildlife. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent to visitors to experience a wholenew side of the Park.
Reviewed By cindylM3906GL
Pretty place. Nice boardwalk along the lake, Saw a few adult gators crossing the lake and several Baby gators near the boardwalk.
9. The Upper Tampa Bay Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By Y3574MXjeffg - Waterloo, United States
My friend showed me this great trail on an evening ride from the Bay Bayou RV park. There were different areas you could park in the shade and ride. I noticed at least one of the lots you had to pay $2 to park (Wilisky?) They use Igloo water coolers and place then in a neat wooden stand with little cone cups for use. Or refill your own bottles. The water tasted great and was ice cold! What a cool idea. I've never seen anything like it biking back home in IA or up in MN. The trail was nice and wide for all the use, even horses have a place to ride along the side. Many shaded areas with a wide variety of trees and palms. Based on the maps they look to extend it on either end. After I rode to what was basically a dead end I wasn't so sure it was much of trail. On the way back I took the fork in the road and that added a few more fun miles. It is all very flat and blacktop. One long overpass which was nice to have for an option. A different area you have to wait a bit for the crosswalk and its very narrow path.
10. Upper Tampa Bay Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
Reviewed By rhondaa749 - Tampa, United States
This park is staffed by highly knowledgeable rangers and there are wonderful exhibits indoors while you can also take in the mangroves and boardwalk to see birds and fish in their natural habitat. The locale offers easy access to paddleboarding and kayaking too.
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