Places to See and Things to Do in Tampa, FL

Plan a Great Tampa Vacation with These Tips

Are you getting ready to visit sunny, beachside Tampa, Florida? If so, you’re in for continuous fun and beautiful scenery in this Southeast city. Whether you’re planning a trip with friends or the whole family, there’s something for everyone in Tampa.

Sports and Recreation

Take advantage of great opportunities for sports and recreation in Tampa. You’ll find professional games and other activities you can take part in as well.

Tampa Pro Sports

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tampa Bay Lightning rule the professional sports scene in Tampa, so if you’re a football fan or hockey fan, book tickets to see these fun teams up close and personal. If you’re looking for an alternative sport, you can also find arena football played by the Tampa Bay Storm, or rugby games with the Tampa Mayhem.

Outdoor Recreation

Tampa Bay is full of great outdoor recreation. Try fishing at the Tampa Flats and Bay Fishing Charters, or join one of the many boat tours to see the city from a different perspective. The water also offers tons of other recreational activities, including water biking, sailing, paddleboarding, swimming, and more.

Day Trips From Tampa

Though there’s plenty of things to do in Tampa alone, you may want to get out and explore the surrounding beauty with some of these day trip ideas.

Theme Parks

Like the other famous Florida city of Orlando, Tampa has plenty of theme parks to keep the whole family busy for an entire vacation. Busch Gardens is an African-themed amusement park and zoo with thrilling rides and exotic sights. You can also head to Adventure Island for a 30-acre outdoor waterpark, or visit Grand Prix Tampa for go-karts and other family fun.

Wilderness Safari

Most people don’t think about going on a safari when they head to Tampa, but the city offers a unique spin on the African adventure with a wetlands-style safari you’ll remember for years to come. Tours can be booked to travel by car, kayak, or camel.

Cabbage Key

If you really want to get out of the city, consider a trip to Cabbage Key, which can only be accessed by boat. This serene getaway town even inspired Jimmy Buffet. His song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” is said to have been written on Cabbage Key.

Luxury Car Rental

The first thing you’ll want to do in Tampa is visit a Tampa car rental location. You’ll find that the only thing to make your trip better is a luxury car rental. With Avis, you can find just the car to take your vacation to the next level. Whether you prefer a smooth Lexus or speedy Jaguar, Avis has the car to meet your needs.

Avis also has a slew of conveniences to make your trip easier, including E-Toll service that allow you to pass through toll roads without having to pay out at each individual booth. You can even earn rewards if you sign up for the Avis Preferred membership, making your car rental experience that much better.