Tampa holidays

You’ll find plenty of things to do in Tampa, as the city has a variety of exhibits, galleries and museums. You can browse the Tampa Museum of Art, catch a show at the Straz Centre for Performing Arts, and learn more about Florida’s past at the Tampa Bay History Centre. And make sure you go for a stroll around Ybor City. This vibrant neighbourhood is a dining hub filled with Cuban and Latin American eateries and bars, as well as boutiques and vintage shops.

And, if you’re into sports, you’ve come to the right place. Tampa is home to popular NFL team the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won the Superbowl in 2021. If you’re visiting during the NFL season – September to February – why not grab tickets for a game at the Raymond James Stadium? Alternatively, keen golfers will love the city’s immaculate courses. If you have a hire car, we’d recommend playing 18 holes at Saddlebrook Resort Tampa, just 30 miles north of the city centre.  

Tampa holidays are a great choice for families, as this fun-loving city has plenty of attractions for kids. You can splash about on waterslides at Adventure Island® and ride thrilling rollercoasters at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay – an African-themed park with rides and entertainment for all ages. You’ll find a range of fish, reptiles and amphibians at Florida Aquarium. Or visit Tampa Zoo to see all sorts of animals, from hippos and hyenas, to panthers and penguins.

Prefer to see wildlife in its natural habitat? Head down to the Tampa Boardwalk, where the Hillsborough River meets Tampa Bay. At the mouth of the river, you’ll be able to see grey manatees swimming between the islands. You can hire kayaks and paddle alongside them – just remember to keep your distance, so as not to disturb these gentle creatures.

One of the best things about going on holiday to Tampa? You’ll be super close to some of the USA’s best beaches. The sugary sands of Clearwater Beach are just a 40-minute drive away, so you can easily take a daytrip to this eye-popping stretch of coastline. Or why not head to St Pete’s Beach? Less than half an hour away from Tampa, this charming spot is the perfect place for a relaxing day out.

You could also spend a day Hillsborough River State Park. A 30-minute drive north-east of Tampa, this protected wilderness has a number of hiking trails, natural swimming spots, and calm rivers for canoeing. Or, for a different kind of adventure, head to Orlando. The ‘theme park capital of the world’ is just an hour’s drive from Tampa, where you can spend an action-packed day riding rollercoasters and meeting all your favourite characters.

Tampa holidays are best planned between March and May. It’s warm – temperatures hover in the mid-to-high twenties – and most days are dry, apart from the odd short shower. It’s a popular time to visit, though, so you can expect the main attractions to be quite busy.

Tampa is hottest between June and August. Temperatures average 33°C during this time, but it can feel warmer due to the humidity. Summer is also the wettest season, with regular showers throughout. Hurricane season technically begins in June, but the wetter weather usually runs from the end of August until November.

If you want to miss the rains and the crowds, you could book your Tampa holiday for December, when the city will be decked out for the festive season.