Things To Do in Tampa – Best Attractions
Tampa, Florida, is located on an inlet that reaches inside the western coast of Florida. With time, it has become the economic hub of Florida. That said, Tampa is also known for its attractions. One of those is the Busch garden. Families can gather around this location to enjoy the amusement park’s thrill while also watching animals in their habitat in the zoo. Apart from this location, there are several spots inside Tampa dedicated to wildlife.
Places like a public manatee, a zoo, a big cat sanctuary, and an aquarium can be easily found. With all of this and more, you’re also going to find a children’s museum and a science museum. Tampa is known for its beautiful attractions, so several families go to the state for a vacation with their families.

Attractions in Tampa
While you may find some tall skyscrapers in Tampa, the city also has a historic side hidden inside Old Hyde Park and Ybor City. But with all these options, where does one start their journey in Tampa? Read on as we introduce you to the best attractions in Tampa, Florida.
The Science Museum

The science museum inside Tampa invites visitors to imagine, learn, explore, and participate in a fully immersive experience unlike any other. It starts with math, physics, and other basic scientific principles shown through exhibits. These then expand into several other subject areas. If you’re bringing along kids, they’ll have a lot of fun, too.
Your children are going to love playing a game of “operation.” This game will tell them about the human body, how technology works, and how both of these disciplines can converge to help humans live longer lives. The Idea Zone, on the other hand, has several hands-on projects. The Connectus exhibit gives tourists a chance to use bleeding-edge technology that has not yet been released to the public.
Other exhibits allow people to interact with extreme weather conditions and explore NASA’s vision of life on earth. There are several other things to do in the museum as well. Attractions like an IMAX theater, a life-sized model of a spacecraft, and an adventure course can keep people entertained for a long time.
Tampa Zoo

The Tampa Zoo has more than 2,000 animals and their natural habitats. Most of these animals are from Australia, Africa, and Asia, while several other animals are from the native Florida habitat, a primate area. You’re also going to find three pools and a large aquarium on the site. The pools are used to treat local manatees who are ill or injured, and visitors are allowed to get up close to some of the zoo’s most popular animals as well.
There are also some “backstage” opportunities through which people can feed Indian rhinos, tortoises, and penguins. Some of the zoo’s most popular residents are the Bornean orangutans, the African elephants, and the Florida Panthers. The park has rides as well. These are a family-friendly roller coaster, a safari ride that takes visitors through an African habitat, and a small train ride.
If that isn’t enough, then you’d be glad to know that the zoo also hosts special events and programs all around the year that are immensely popular with the locals and tourists.
Florida Aquarium

The aquarium inside Tampa has a wide variety of habitats that several animals call their homes. It has activities and exhibits for people of all ages, mainly educating children. The habitats that are arranged inside the museum are supposed to accurately represent a watershed area that is a lot similar to Tampa. It gives visitors a chance to see a wide variety of ocean life and fish. You’re also going to have the chance to get a hands-on experience with starfish, anemones, and several other museum residents that prefer staying on land like lemurs.
There’s also an outdoor splash pad through which children can cool off, and you’re also going to find a 4D theater in which sensory elements have been added to a 3D film. This makes the experience a lot more realistic and immersive. If you’re willing to pay extra, you can also experience a few behind-the-scenes and a lot more detailed visits. These include a meet-up with African penguins or the ability to swim with sea turtles.
Cat Rescue

Cat Rescue is a sanctuary in Tampa for abandoned and abused big cats. This non-profit organization has more than 60 different animals that include lynx, tigers, jaguars, lions, bobcats, leopards, caracals, servals, and several other species. While you’re visiting the sanctuary, you’ll also have the opportunity to learn about the rehabilitation and care of these animals. The ultimate mission of this organization is to stop the daily trade of big cats. This problem causes several of these graceful cats to live in challenging conditions.
Unlike a zoo that you can visit in Tampa, you can only go to the sanctuary on a guided tour which you must book ahead. We recommend making your reservation in advance since this spot is popular amongst tourists and locals. If you’re visiting with a child under the age of 10, you’ll have to opt for the “Kids Tour,” which can only be availed on a few days.
Manatee Viewing Center

Even though it may seem like an odd place, this is a manatee sanctuary located across the electric plant in Tampa. The manatees are drawn towards this location because of the warm water that the power plant produces on this location. In some instances, you may see manatees and large numbers. That said, you’re going to have the best chance of seeing manatees in high numbers when the water surrounding this location is cold and when it dips below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Visitors will also find a tidal walkway on this location that helps showcase the best birds and plants in Tampa and some butterfly gardens. You can also view all of this from the observation deck. The manatee viewing deck also has an educational building built beside the power plant.
Ybor

In the center of Tampa’s Latino heritage, you will find Ybor, a historic landmark and massively popular district amongst tourists. The place has been named after its founder Martinez Ybor who came to this region in the 1880s after the workers on his plant threatened to work against him and form a union. At a certain point, the cigar factory located inside this district was the biggest in the world. It had more than 4,000 people who hand-rolled approximately 9,000 cigars in a month.
Unfortunately, when the factor was operating at its full potential, the Great Depression struck the city of Ybor. Machine rollers brought an end to hand-rolling, and several factories of the sort were either shut down or demolished.
In the more recent years, Ybor has gone through a revival and has become home to several cafes, restaurants, galleries, and shops. Seventh Avenue, inside Ybor city, has some of the most historical buildings, most of which have been listed on the register of historic places. Moreover, inside the city, you’re also going to find Columbia Restaurant, America’s largest and the oldest Spanish restaurant. This historic location was established in 1905 by Casimiro Hernandez, a Cuban immigrant. Since then, the restaurant has become famous for its mouth-watering cuisines, architectural charm, and dinner shows. As a part of the live entertainment, you’re also going to find jazz and flamenco inside the café.
Glazer Museum

In Tampa, the Glazer Museum focuses on giving children a completely interactive experience to explore and learn through different activities. They can either use their creative imaginations to bring the exhibits to life or wander around the museum to look for different activities. Kids can learn about commerce and saving money at the bank inside the museum; they can slide down a pole to save lives in the fire station or try their luck at carpentry or hand design.
There’s also a model which lets children fix an old house. If your child wants to become a veterinarian, they can check x-rays and create a treatment plan for their patients, and if they want to become a captain, they can help navigate a ship through a channel of challenging waters. Apart from all the grown-up jobs your children can explore, there are also exhibits on world cultures, robotics, oceanography, and engineering. It’s truly a place unlike any other!
Conclusion
Even though we’ve listed the best attractions in Tampa, Florida, according to the reviews these places have on online forums, experiences can vary largely based depending on the kind of person you are. There’s a lot more to Tampa than we could’ve listed, and we strongly urge you to create a personalized itinerary that fits your requirements. Regardless of the points you choose for your trip, we’re sure you’re going to have a blast. Our list gives you several great starting points – but there’s a lot more you should see!