Tampa Bay is one of the best places to visit on vacation with family or as a couple. There are so many fun things to do all over the area that you may be a bit overwhelmed when looking for the best options.
Choose between checking out an animal sanctuary, exploring some local history, and wandering some of the area’s beautiful beaches. You’ll find some of Tampa Bay’s best places below to have the most fun on your trip in 2019.
Busch Gardens
If you’re looking for a thrill, you definitely don’t want to miss out on Busch Gardens. With amusement rides galore, thousands of animals, live shows, shops and games, you’ll have no trouble filling a day of fun things to do here.
It’s also a great value, stacking up cheaper than other amusement parks like Disney World. Just 10 miles away from downtown Tampa, Busch Gardens is open every single day of the year, meaning you’ll be able to fit it into any vacation schedule for 2019.
Tampa Theatre
If you’re looking to catch a show or a film, the Tampa Theatre is the place to be. Not only are there performances and films here year round, but you can always go to the beautiful structure for a historic tour.
Built in the 1920s, the ornate building is gorgeous and features a 900-pipe organ and a ceiling meant to look like the night sky. There’s a 90-minute long balcony to backstage tour showing off the organ, details on the architecture, and the historic nature of the theatre. Tours take place on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Clearwater Beach
Boasted as one of the most beautiful beaches in the gulf coast, you’ll definitely want to add Clearwater things to do to your list during your trip to Tampa in 2019.
Known for its long stretch of silky smooth white sand, Clearwater Beach attracts visitors to its shores year round. You can choose to sunbathe on the beach, or take your adventures out onto the water for year-round jet skiing, stand-up paddle boarding, and parasailing. You can also rent or bring along a bicycle or some rollerblades and explore the boardwalk near the beach as well.
Visit Clear Sky Café and other nearby seafood restaurants and cafes on and by the water. Stick around for the sunset, and the pier will fill with street performers and vendors.
Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
Manatees are a well loved gentle creature throughout the Florida area, and the Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center can give you an up-close-and-personal look at these quiet giants.
Watch them swim through the water plant, playfully floating their days away. There’s also a mangrove exhibit, a butterfly garden, and more at the viewing center.
As far as wild manatee viewing, they generally hang out alcoves where the bay waters cool down. The best months for manatee viewing, wild or otherwise, are November through April.
Big Cat Rescue
If land animals are more your speed, head to the Big Cat Rescue in northwest Tampa. This sanctuary houses bobcats, tigers, cougars, lynx, snow leopards and more. Here, you’ll learn about these big cats, their habitats, and even get to see them in action.
There are all sorts of tours to choose from including daytime, night tours, and even feeding tours. The leaders work tirelessly to protect these exotic animals from side-show zoos and other abuses. Guides will teach you everything you’ve wanted to know about these fierce felines during your trip here.
These are just some of Tampa’s best attractions to check out during your visit here in 2019.
