Location: Tampa
Top Things to do in Tampa
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What to do and see in Tampa, Florida (FL): The Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day
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. Tampa Theatre
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 706 reviews
1926 movie palace is on the National Register of Historic Places and still plays its Wurlitzer organ before shows.
Reviewed By richieactor - Sarasota, United States
A 1926 Movie Theater meticulously restored to its glory days of the silent film. Take the 2 + hour guided tour of this beautiful theater will acquaint you to the films of the past present and future. Watching and seeing an organist make the original Wurlitzer pipe organ come to life is worth the nominal tour fee - what a sound! The CEO of the non-profit historical theater is your guide, and knows all the history and more that willing to share it. If you miss the tour, buy a ticket to see an old silent film with live organ accompaniment. Certainly not like like watching a silent on TV. Thoroughly enjoyable.
2. Florida Cane Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Craft Distillery and tasting room that makes everything on site, stop in to sample our vodka, moonshine and gin spirits.
Reviewed By H3374SZchrisd
I work at Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery in St. Petersburg, Florida and as an essential business, we have been doing all we can to ensure clean, safe environments for all families we meet. With the help of Florida Cane Distillery, we were able to replenish all of our Hand Sanitizing needs. Thank you for always being there when needed! I highly recommend everyone to shop local and in particular, Florida Cane Distillery!!!
3. Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 152 reviews
Reviewed By B1714D - Belgrade, Serbia
The Sacred Heart is a beautiful Neo Gothic style church built in the very center, in the business district but close to the Riverwalk. The Church is built of stone blocks and the interior is great as well, with nice altar, stained glass and rose window.
4. Tampa Bay Rum Company, Home of Gaspar's Rum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 59 reviews
The Tampa Bay Rum Company is here to right a tragic wrong. The legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, still lives in our hearts, but his rum was lost to time but what was lost is found and we are happy to now provide Tampa’s own Gaspar’s Rum. We provide Tours of our distillery and Tastings after. Come see the first Rum Distillery in Tampa Bay history!
Reviewed By mrdware1 - Naples, United States
Our tour group was small, about 8 people, so we got a lot of face time with the person leading the tour. We were able to ask lots of questions and learn about distilling rum. The best part of the tour was the rum! My wife and I were both surprised just how good it was. We ended up buying a bottle to take home! (We’ve tour other distilleries and enjoyed the visit but didn’t end up buying any spirits to take home.) I wouldn’t consider myself a “rum person” and you don’t have to be either to enjoy a visit.
5. Ybor City State Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 161 reviews
The Tampa enclave's colorful history unfolds here.
Reviewed By pickytravelers40
I learned so much about the immigrants and melting pot that Ybor City was and is. It is so worth a stop, don't miss the 20 minute video, as it provides so much information. You can walk at your own pace, I was pressed for time, but spent an hour and left feeling like I read really good book. While walking the town, it was interesting to see how original Ybor buildings that were used for cigar making, commerce and social clubs in the past and how the same buildings are now being used for cigars, commerce and socialization in a new century. Loved the Roosters, don't feed them, but support 'em! Fun stop, well worth it.
6. Henry B. Plant Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 803 reviews
Once the Tampa Bay Hotel, this museum focuses on the hotel's role in the Spanish-American War.
Reviewed By G4887FSalrxejk - Orlando, United States
It’s interesting to see what people do with more money than they know what to do with. Henry B. Plant built this oddly out of place hotel and filled it with eclectic furniture and decorations from around the world. The cost was about $2,500,000 to build and $500,000 to furnish. The building is now a national historic landmark and well worth the visit. There is a 10-minute film that explains Henry B. Plant’s life and what was going on in that time period that helps explain what you will see in the museum. Guests are given handheld gadgets for a self-guided audio tour for you to hear more or less about the items at your own pace. Despite the large building being a quarter of a mile long, the museum is in a tiny space. Nonetheless, this museum has an impressive amount of antiquities on display. We spent more than an hour wandering through the rooms. Items on display are bunched up in a room easy to be seen but overwhelming with the volume of items in each room. The audio tells you anything you would need to know about the items; no reading is necessary. I’ve seen enough vintage furniture in my life, I was excited to see other interesting things in the museum like old books, Colonel Theodore Roosevelt room, a binder full of handwritten letters home from a soldier, train tickets, the writing room, the first elevator ever installed in Florida, etc. The architecture is also truly magnificent. You really get a sense of life in that day. There are only a handful of free parallel parking spaces in front of the museum otherwise Thomas Parking Garage is a free parking garage 5-minute walk away. The building is shared with the Tampa University so it's a little confusing to find the museum part. The museum is closed on Monday’s. If taking pictures of the building outside, try taking a panoramic photo on your cell, it turns out really neat. We really enjoyed this museum and will be back during December for the annual Victorian Christmas Stroll in which they play music, decorate the museum with trees, lights, antique toys, and fancy ornaments for a look at Christmas past.
7. Yuengling Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 375 reviews
Reviewed By 967bethg
We're originally from PA, but just discovered Yuengling a few years ago. While checking out their website on a road trip to FL, we found they have a brewery in Tampa offering a FREE tour and samples! We loved it! Elizabeth was an outstanding tour guide - sharing all of the history behind this great beer, the Tampa brewery, answering all of our questions, and keeping us laughing with her humor! The refreshing samples and gift shop full of reasonably priced unique items were bonuses! Now we want to take a trip to Pottsville to tour the original brewery, too! Highly recommend this tour for all of the historical value - even if you don't drink beer!
8. Amalie Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,896 reviews
Reviewed By drichmond99 - Ontario, Canada
was a great NHL game, seemed that the Visiting Maple Leafs brought all of Canada with them, Amalie Arena was easy to get around, enjoyed some pre game drinks at Cigar City Brewing, good times.
9. Tampa Bay History Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 599 reviews
Set sail with explorers and pirates in the History Center's Treasure Seekers gallery, journey through the everglades with Florida Seminoles, ride along with a cattle drive, and roam the brick streets of Ybor City with immigrant cigar rollers. Located on the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay History Center features three floors of interactive exhibits, theaters and displays, a museum store and waterfront dining at the Columbia Cafe.
Reviewed By jcosta003
I haven't been to the museum in a while but I do remember I loved it the last time I went. Very informative and also entertaining sets and videos and plaques to read about many different aspects of Florida's history I didn't know about like details about the Seminole Indian wars, etc.
10. Glazer Children's Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 478 reviews
We know that children need play now more than ever. The past months have created fear, loss, and change for our children, and we know that play is a balm for the stress our families are under. As a vital part of this community, we are committed to serving the children of Tampa Bay and remain steadfast in our mission to provide a safe outlet for imagination and discovery. As of June 6, 2020, the Museum is open and we accept admission by reservation or walk-up. Reservations are encouraged and can be made at GlazerMuseum.org. Please review our Reopening Plan: Phase 2 document on GlazerMuseum.org/admission-info for information on everything GCM is doing to keep you and your family safe!
Reviewed By pballrsgirl
We visited on a weekend and while the museum was busy, it wasn't packed. Our 15mo loved it! We paid to park in the deck adjacent. There are a ton of activities for children of all ages. (website says targeted to 10 and under). Stroller friendly. Everything seemed clean while we were there, and also staff did step in when older kids were playing in the 3 and under area, which we appreciated.
