Best In Tampa Bay
The best of Tampa Bay, neighborhood by neighborhood — Downtown Tampa, Ybor City, St. Pete, Clearwater and the Gulf beaches — book instantly below, or let a Tampa Bay travel specialist do the work for you.
Tampa Bay isn’t one place — it’s a string of very different neighborhoods and beach towns strung around one enormous bay, and the right answer to “what should I do” depends entirely on which part of it you’re standing in. This guide breaks the region down block by block, so you can plan around wherever you’re actually staying. Browse and book the best things to do below (many at up to 50% off), or request free quotes from a Tampa Bay travel specialist.
Best In Tampa Bay, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
A short walking tour of the Bay’s most distinct areas — what each one is actually good for, and what’s a fair drive versus a quick trip.
Downtown Tampa & the Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is the spine of downtown — a paved 2.6-mile path along the Hillsborough River connecting Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts and the Sparkman Wharf food-hall-and-lawn development. Armature Works, a restored 1910s trolley barn turned food hall on the river north of downtown, is worth the short trip on its own. This is the right base if Busch Gardens, Ybor City and the airport all need to be a short drive away.
Ybor City
Tampa’s historic Cuban cigar district, a mile or so east of downtown, built around 7th Avenue’s brick storefronts, cigar shops and Latin restaurants. The Columbia Restaurant — Florida’s oldest restaurant, open since 1905 — anchors the neighborhood, and Ybor's nightlife runs later than almost anywhere else in Tampa Bay. Come for dinner and a walk even if you’re staying elsewhere; it doesn’t read like the rest of the city.
Downtown St. Petersburg
St. Pete’s downtown waterfront is built for walking: The Pier extends into the bay with shops, a rooftop bar and views back at the skyline, Vinoy Park runs alongside it, and the Dalí Museum — the largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s work outside Spain — sits a few blocks south. St. Pete has become the food-and-museum answer to Tampa's theme-park side of the bay, and Central Avenue's restaurant strip backs that up.
Clearwater & Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach draws the crowds for a reason: broad, sugar-white sand and the nightly sunset celebration at Pier 60, with street performers and vendors gathering as the sun goes down. It’s the most built-up beach town in the bay — resorts, restaurants and a beachfront walk all within a few blocks of each other — which makes it the easiest beach base for a first Tampa Bay trip.
South Tampa & Hyde Park
Bayshore Boulevard runs along the water for nearly five miles — the longest continuous sidewalk of its kind in the country — connecting South Tampa's residential streets to Hyde Park Village, a walkable shopping-and-dining pocket a short ride from downtown. Bern’s Steak House, a Tampa institution since 1956 with a dessert room built from old wine casks, sits on the edge of this area and is worth planning an evening around.
The Pinellas Beaches
South of Clearwater, a chain of barrier-island beach towns runs down the Pinellas coast: St. Pete Beach, home to the landmark pink Don CeSar resort; Treasure Island; and Madeira Beach, where John’s Pass Village puts a boardwalk of shops, seafood restaurants and boat charters right at the inlet. Fort De Soto Park, at the southern tip, adds top-rated beaches, kayaking and a Civil War-era fort. Quieter than Clearwater, and easy to string together into a full beach-hopping day.
Tarpon Springs
At the north end of the bay, Tarpon Springs is built around its Greek sponge-diving docks — a genuinely distinct pocket of Tampa Bay, with Greek bakeries, sponge boats and waterfront dining along Dodecanese Boulevard. It’s a half-day trip from most of the bay and a real change of pace from the beach towns further south.
Book Tampa Bay Attractions & Activities — Up to 50% Off
Whichever neighborhood you’re based in, one search covers the whole bay. Click any activity below to search and book every tour, attraction and experience in Tampa Bay.
Why Book Tampa Bay With Us?
Unmatched savings
Our industry connections unlock exclusive rates and hidden deals — save up to 50% on Tampa Bay attractions and tours.
Local travel specialists
Our specialists know Tampa Bay inside out and tailor every detail to how you like to travel.
Decades of trusted service
More than five decades of travel expertise — personal service and unbeatable value on every trip.
Popular Attractions & Tourist Sites in Tampa Bay
Unique Tampa Bay Experiences
- Dolphin-watching cruises
- Kayaking & paddleboarding
- Jet ski & parasailing
- Deep-sea fishing charters
- Craft-brewery tours
- Theme-park thrills
- Spring-training baseball
- Sunset sailing on the Gulf
- Museum & culture hopping
- Shopping & dining tours
Are you looking for more than just Tampa Bay activities?
Not sure where to start? Let a Tampa Bay travel specialist plan your whole trip — flights & hotels, cruises, tours and more. Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted specialists.
Get up to 5 specialist quotes for your trip!Why Smart Traveler?
Smart Traveler is a service of the travel division of Best of the USA, Inc. Entrust your trip to seasoned professionals specializing in cruises, tours, vacation packages, all-inclusive resorts and international airfares. With over 50,000 travel advisors in our growing database, we’re sure to have the experts right for your travel needs!
50+ years of expertise
Five decades fine-tuning the art of travel — every journey a masterpiece.
Online pioneers since 1995
Tradition blended with technology — book your dream trip with a click.
Exclusive proprietary rates
Insider access to rates and partnerships unavailable to the average traveler.
Tampa Bay Travel — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best neighborhood to stay in Tampa Bay?
It depends what you want. Downtown Tampa and the Riverwalk put you closest to Busch Gardens and Ybor City’s nightlife. St. Petersburg suits museum and food-focused trips. Clearwater Beach and the Pinellas beach towns are the pick for a beach-first stay.
Is Ybor City worth visiting?
Yes. Ybor City is Tampa’s historic Cuban cigar district, now a walkable strip of restaurants, cigar shops and nightlife centered on 7th Avenue, with the Columbia Restaurant — Florida’s oldest — anchoring the neighborhood.
What are the top things to do in Tampa Bay?
Top experiences include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Riverwalk. You can browse and book hundreds more Tampa Bay tours, attractions and activities — many at up to 50% off — right on this page.
How much can I save on Tampa Bay tours and attractions?
Smart Traveler travelers save up to 50% on Tampa Bay attractions, tours and activities through exclusive industry rates and long-standing partnerships.
When is the best time to visit Tampa Bay?
Tampa Bay is at its best from October through April — warm, dry Gulf-coast weather, spring-training baseball and festival season.
Can a travel specialist plan my whole Tampa Bay trip?
Yes. Beyond activities, our Tampa Bay travel specialists arrange flights, hotels, cruises and complete packages. Request up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes and compare.