Whether you’re planning a long weekend, hosting out-of-town guests or looking for a fresh way to explore your own backyard, this three-day itinerary highlights some of the best things to see, do and eat across Tampa Bay.
Day 1 – Classic Tampa
Enjoy a sit-down breakfast and a tea to go at Oxford Exchange, or head to SuperNatural Food & Wine for a bacon, egg and cheese sandwich — a favorite of Food Network chef Alton Brown — or its Michelin Guide-recognized cinnamon sugar sourdough doughnuts, which often sell out.
Walk or rent a bike to explore the Tampa Riverwalk.
Ride the TECO Streetcar to Ybor City, where you can see the famed chickens, take a guided El Reloj cigar factory tour at J.C. Newman Cigar Co. and dig into a classic Cuban sandwich at Columbia Restaurant.
After Ybor, stroll through Hyde Park Village, an open-air shopping district, and have dinner at On Swann, or opt for an evening at Sparkman Wharf for small bites, complete with a towering ice cream cone from Hampton Chocolate Factory.
Cap off the night with a cocktail or second dinner at Tori Bar, Predalina, Ash or Alter Ego.
Day 2 – The Beaches & St. Pete
No trip to Tampa Bay is complete without exploring the white-sand beaches of Clearwater. Spend the morning on the beach or explore the shops on Mandalay Avenue before grabbing breakfast at Clear Sky Cafe. For some much needed relaxing, check out one of many dolphin cruises. Be sure to keep your eyes open for a dolphin pod!
From Clearwater, head to St. Petersburg. Museum lovers can explore the Salvador Dalí Museum, the Chihuly Collection or the Museum of Fine Arts. If you choose the latter, stop by Cafe Clementine for scratch-made baked goods and specialty drinks like the blueberry cobbler iced chai latte.
If you’d rather spend time outdoors, visit Sunken Gardens — grab food for the koi fish up front — or head over to the St. Pete Pier.
Wander Central Avenue for unique shops and bites with must-visit stops including Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails, Pete’s Bagels, Bandit Coffee Co., The Book Lounge, The Lucky Duck Shop and Sans Market Zero Waste Store.
For dinner, head to The Vinoy’s Elliott Aster for an upscale meal, Wild Child for a trendy atmosphere or Teak for waterfront sunset views.
Day 3 – Choose Your Adventure
For Foodies
Trust the Michelin Guide and dine at one of Tampa Bay’s starred restaurants: Rocca, Koya or Kōsen. Bib Gourmand picks include Psomi, Gorkhali Kitchen, Streetlight Taco and Rooster & the Till.
For classic Tampa Bay fare, order a grouper sandwich at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach or Big Ray’s Fish Camp in South Tampa.
Craft beer fans should visit Cigar City Brewing, Coppertail Brewing Co. or Angry Chair Brewing in Tampa, or Green Bench Brewing Co., St. Pete Brewing Co., 3 Daughters Brewing or Green Turtle Brewery & Public House in St. Petersburg.
Coffee lovers can grab a cup at Tampa favorites Buddy Brew Coffee or Spaddy’s Coffee Co.. Prefer breakfast with your coffee? Visit locally roasted shops like The Lab Coffee or Elevation Coffee Roasters. or Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Co. at Midtown Tampa.
For tea lovers, visit Kaleisia Tea Lounge and pick from their wall of tea or head to Noisy Crane Tea House for other specially selected loose leaf teas.
For dessert, indulge in Cuban bread, cookies, cakes and pastries at La Segunda Bakery & Cafe, buttery croissants from Sucré Table, fresh-baked sourdough from Gulf Coast Sourdough Sandwich House or cupcakes from Wright’s Gourmet House.
For those that prefer a limited-time themed menu, head to Elevenses Co., known for its signature lineup and rotating pop culture-inspired menus.
For Families
Tampa is home to The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa at Lowry Park, the Glazer Children’s Museum and Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. In Clearwater, visit Clearwater Marine Aquarium, and in St. Petersburg, explore MOSI or FloridaRAMA.
For Adventure Seekers
Kayak through the mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island Preserve, explore Fort De Soto Park, bike a portion of the 38-mile Pinellas Trail, take a sunset sailing or dolphin cruise, or look for baby alligators from the boardwalk at Lettuce Lake Park.
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