Spotlight On: Tampa, St. Pete, and Clearwater
The cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater offer something for everyone. From family-friendly outdoor outings to delicious foods and relaxing resorts, you’ll want to extend your stay to see and do it all. Visit historical neighborhoods and sites, feed some giraffes, and gaze at truly surreal works of art for a vacation you and your family won’t forget.
Spotlight On: Wildlife and the Great Outdoors!
Get close to wildlife and soak up some Florida sunshine with these family-friendly destinations!
Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk spans for 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River in Tampa and leads to some of the best destinations in the city. Some stops along the way include the Florida Aquarium, the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Museum of Art, the Glazer Children’s Museum, the H.B. Plant Museum, and the historic American Victory Ship. The Tampa Riverwalk hosts a variety of community events and festivals throughout the year, including the Gasparilla Pirate Festival and Riverfest. In addition to walking, you can rent a bicycle or a motorized scooter to explore the Riverwalk. Several art installations are featured throughout the Riverwalk along with busts of historical figures who helped shaped the future of the city. Climb aboard the Pirate Water Taxi for quick access to Hyde Park, West Tampa, Harbour Island, and Davis Islands. The TECO Line Streetcar runs parallel to the Riverwalk and provides a connection to downtown Tampa and the historic neighborhood of Ybor City. Special 1-day and 3-day passes give you access to several notable attractions for a great discount.
visittampabay.com/riverwalk-pass
Florida Aquarium, Tampa
The Florida Aquarium, located in Tampa, is home to more than 7,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and around the world. This aquarium features exhibits of southern stingrays, Atlantic goliath groupers, tarpon, bonehead sharks, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. You can find these aquatic creatures and many more in habitats such as a simulated wetland, a simulated beach, and a coral reef community. The Florida Aquarium also provides educational talks and day camps for kids.
www.flaquarium.org/
Busch Gardens, Tampa
Busch Gardens in Tampa is a zoo and amusement park all in one! Their incredible wildlife habitats feature more than 200 animal species from fan-favorites to critically endangered species. One of the most popular attractions in the park is the Serengeti Safari, where you and your family can get close to free-roaming herds of giraffe, zebra, antelope, and ostrich. The park also includes amazing thrill rides like the newest addition, The Serengeti Flyer. This ride is not for the faint of heart, as it has twin dueling arms that soar to a height of 135 feet with speeds up to 68 miles per hour! Busch Gardens also features live shows and demonstrations as well as special events throughout the year, such as their spectacular holiday event, Christmas Town. Meet Santa and Rudolph, enjoy holiday-inspired culinary delights, and be sure to catch the evening’s dazzling fireworks display.
buschgardens.com/tampa/
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park is famous for having one of the most beautiful, tropical zoological settings in the world. Guests at the park can touch a giant tortoise, feed a giraffe, get close to an Indian rhino, pet stingrays, and more. In addition to featuring the most diverse group of Florida wildlife found anywhere, the Zoo also treats sick, injured, and orphaned manatees and returns them to the wild after rehabilitation. ZooTampa’s Christmas in the Wild event happens in December and offers festive animal experiences, holiday entertainment, and seasonal tasty treats and drinks in immersive realms complete with twinkling lights, cheerful music, and joyous surprises.
zootampa.org/
Sea Screamer Dolphin Tour, Clearwater
Dubbed Clearwater’s “most exciting and thrilling family adventure,” the Sea Screamer Dolphin Tour is not to be missed! Board the world’s largest speed boat at Clearwater Beach and enjoy the sights of the Gulf of Mexico. The 72-foot watercraft cruises at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour, creating large wakes the dolphins love to play in. This tour guarantees you will see dolphins, or your next ride is free. In addition to dolphin sightings, a tour guide provides information about the historic landmarks and celebrity mansions along Clearwater’s beautiful waterfront. This one-hour tour offers four departures every day, and it runs all year long.
seascreamer.com/
St. Pete Pier
The St. Pete Pier is a wonderful destination with stunning views of Tampa Bay plus dining options, fishing, biking, and more. Take in excellent views of the water on the rooftop bar of Pier Teaki, which features tropical cocktails and a classic Tiki theme. The Driftwood Café on the Pier Point deck serves coffee, drinks, and grab-and-go style foods like sandwiches. Pier Plaza offers Spa Beach Bistro, which serves pizza and ice cream and has a full-service bar. It’s also conveniently located near the Splash Pad, playground, and Spa Beach. The Discovery Center is a hands-on place to learn about Tampa Bay’s ecosystems and creatures through interactive exhibits, video presentations, and touch tanks. If you want to do some fishing, bring your gear or purchase some from Gator Jim’s Tackle.
stpetepier.org/
Spotlight On: Delicious Dining Options!
Delight your taste buds with delicious local cuisine, craft brews, and artisan craft coffee.
The Rooster & the Till, Tampa
The Rooster & the Till is an award-winning full-service restaurant located in the trendy neighborhood of Seminole Heights. Featuring an always-evolving menu and eclectic wine list, it is perfect for adventurous diners seeking new flavors and excellent service. Enjoy menu favorites like the gnocchi, which features Parisian-style short ribs, ricotta, and pickled peperonata. Save room for the restaurant’s Black Sesame ice cream, made with pineapple coconut jam, milk crumble, and Thai tea caramel. In addition to award-winning chefs, The Rooster & the Till regularly hosts Michelin chefs from around the world.
roosterandthetill.com/
Armature Works, Tampa
Armature Works is at the epicenter of the Heights neighborhood and consists of Heights Public Market, multiple event spaces, and several waterfront restaurants and bars. The building was once known as Tampa Electric’s streetcar warehouse, and dates all the way back to 1910. Many original features were kept to maintain the historical feel of the building, including exposed brick walls, skylights, original windows and doors, and wood floors created from the wood planks taken from the ceiling. Popular eateries at Armature Works include Astro Craft Ice Cream, Bar AW, Cru Cellars, Dalmoros, and M. Bird Lounge. Experience a wide variety of flavors, such as sweet treats, Mexican-inspired dishes, Italian cuisine, a selection of wine, and fresh seafood.
armatureworks.com/
The Oxford Exchange, Tampa
The Oxford Exchange is a mixed-used development featuring a vibrant bookstore, an apothecary, a champagne bar, a tea and coffee shop, and a phenomenal restaurant. This popular brunch destination has a classic bistro menu consisting of fresh, seasonal, signature dishes paired with premium coffees, teas, and cocktails. Breakfast and lunch options are served daily. Guests can choose seating in the art-filled dining room, which provides views of the open kitchen, or the sunlit Conservatory, which features a retractable glass roof and creeping vines. Be sure to try the French Toast made with cinnamon swirl sourdough, the Whipped Feta, and the loaded Breakfast Tacos.
oxfordexchange.com/
Green Bench Brewing Company, St. Pete
Green Bench Brewing Company is the first brewery in St. Petersburg, and they have been serving up delicious brews since 2013. Choose from a large selection of IPA’s, Lagers, and Belgian-style Ales as well as mead and cider. Next door to Green Bench is their sister site, Webb’s City Cellar, which features an extensive list of natural wines. Both facilities face a beer garden and dogs are welcome if you want to bring your furry friend. The brewery gets its name from the more than 3,500 green benches that once lined the downtown sidewalks of St. Petersburg in the early 1900s.
greenbenchbrewing.com/
Black Crow Coffee, St. Pete
Black Crow Coffee is a cozy café featuring a wide selection of artisan-crafted coffees and teas. Indulge in a Chai latte or a banana mocha paired with one of the café’s baked goods like the Cranberry Orange Muffin, Rosemary Shortbread Cookie, or a signature “Crowssant” with ham and Swiss, spinach and ricotta, or leek and parmesan. The Black Crow also offers one-pound bags of their delicious roasted coffee beans in their signature flavors, which include Peru Chasqui, and Brazil Salmo. The bags are completely compostable, making them environmentally-friendly.
blackcrowcoffeeco.com/
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Clearwater
Located right on the beach, Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill has been a staple in Clearwater for more than 40 years. This tropical eating spot offers open-air beachfront dining with amazing sunset views. Menu favorites include the Grilled Watermelon Salad, Grouper Sandwich, She-Crab Soup, Frenchy’s Garlic Crab Fries, and Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake. The drink menu includes a selection of craft beers and signature cocktails, such as the Clearwater Crush and frozen Orange Dreamsicle, perfect for cooling off by the beach. In addition to their delicious cuisine, Rockaway also features live music daily from the best local artists and two large outdoor bar areas.
frenchysonline.com/frenchys-rockaway/
Spotlight On: Hotels and Resorts
Make your stay a memorable one by booking a room in one of the area’s luxurious hotels and resorts.
Hotel Alba, Tampa
With free shuttle service to and from the Tampa International Airport, Hotel Alba offers the ultimate in convenience. This luxury hotel features an outdoor pool with cabanas and a poolside bar, spacious outdoor gathering spaces, and a wellness center with state-of-the-art cardio equipment. The Spaniard is the hotel’s signature restaurant with open-air dining and innovative dishes using fresh, local ingredients and authentic Tampa flavors. Enjoy locally sourced coffees and teas at Buffalo Bayou, a gourmet-to-go café also serving homemade pastries. Upgrade your Hotel Alba experience by staying in one of the poolside suites, which provide a living area with a separate bedroom.
hotelalbatampa.com/
The Don CeSar Resort, St. Pete
The Don CeSar Resort on St. Pete Beach offers a truly one-of-a-kind experience! Known as Florida’s “Pink Palace,” the breathtaking resort was built in 1928 to resemble a Mediterranean-style castle. Once a playground for the rich and famous, the Don CeSar has been completely restored inside and out. Many of the newly redesigned luxurious rooms and suites offer spectacular views of the Gulf beaches or Boca Ciega Bay. Pamper yourself with a relaxing day at Spa Oceana, which boasts over 11,000 square feet of spa facilities, luxurious spa treatments, a full-service salon, and a rooftop garden overlooking the blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Unwind with two heated pools, three lounges, or beach yoga. You can also rent jet skis for some fun in the water. Restaurants include the Maritana Grille, which offers a dinner menu with locally-sourced ingredients, an extensive wine list, and saltwater aquarium views, and The Sea Porch, which serves a comfort-food menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also partake in Starbucks coffee and decadent ice creams at Uncle Andy’s Ice Cream Parlor. This pet-friendly resort also offers special pet packages for your favorite pup. Don CeSar Resort is just minutes away from The Dali Museum, historic Fort De Soto Park, and The Sunken Gardens.
doncesar.com/
Opal Sands Resort, Clearwater
Opal Sands Resort in Clearwater provides modern beach accommodations with panoramic views of the Gulf from every room. Amenities include a relaxing pool just steps from the beach, custom cocktails and live music at Sandbar, cabanas on the white sand beach, a fitness center with Peloton Bikes, and a luxury spa. Opal Sands also offers three dining options: SeaGuini offers fresh seafood and pasta with indoor and outdoor seating, SandBar mixes cocktails and casual fare with views of the beach, and the Reflections Poolside Bar serves up fresh cocktails so you can sip in the sun while relaxing by the pool. SeaGuini also offers special menus for holiday occasions like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
opalcollection.com/opal-sands/
Spotlight On: Arts and Culture
Immerse yourself in an historic neighborhood, see works of art by a renowned artist, or learn about science and history when you visit these amazing sites!
Ybor City, Tampa
Ybor City is well-known for its eclectic boutiques, vintage shops, and Cuban and Latin American eateries. It has the distinction of being the only city on Florida’s west coast to be designated as a National Historic Landmark District. Learn more about the city’s historic beginnings by visiting the Ybor City Museum State Park. Spend the day at Centro Ybor, a 2-floor outdoor mall with a movie theater, arcade, and a variety of shops and restaurants. Be sure to dine at the Columbia Restaurant, the oldest dining establishment in Florida. The restaurant features 15 dining rooms and serves amazing dishes like Empanadas de Picadillo, Salmon St. Yago, Palomilla, and Key lime pie. Complete your experience with a visit to Tabanero Cigars, an old-timey cigar shop with fantastic coffee. Here, you can watch the cigar-making process, which is still done in the traditional way by expert cigar rollers.
yborcityonline.com/
The Salvador Dali Museum, St. Pete
The Salvador Dali Museum is dedicated to the works of the famous artist. Its glass entryway, known as the “Enigma,” is 75 feet tall and encases a spiral staircase. The other walls are made of 18-inch-thick concrete, designed to protect the priceless art collection from hurricanes. The museum’s collection includes 96 oil paintings, over 100 watercolors and drawings, 1,300 graphics, photographs, and sculptures as well as an extensive archival library. In addition to the artwork, the museum features live performances, workshops, films, and lectures about Salvador Dali.
thedali.org/
MOSI, Tampa
The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) in Tampa offers lots of fun activities for both kids and adults. Over 450 hands-on exhibits engage and educate visitors of all ages in the fields of science, industry, and technology. The museum features Florida’s only IMAX Dome Theatre, a separate Children’s Science Center, Disasterville with a Bay News 9 Weather Quest, and The Amazing You, which is an exhibition on health and wellness from the beginning of life to adolescence. A new feature of the MOSI is the Sky Trail Ropes Course, which has 36 elements on a 12 to 36 foot high multi-level structure. This fun activity will challenge your fears and give you an adrenaline rush!
mosi.org/
Fort De Soto Park, St. Pete
Fort De Soto Park is made up of five islands, with more than 1,100 acres, six miles of pristine beaches, and several miles of waterfront along Mullet Key Bayou. Park amenities include seven miles of multi-purpose paved trails, a boat ramp, camping area, and historic Fort De Soto. Canoes and kayaks are available for rent by the hour or the day, or you can take a guided eco-tour to learn interesting facts about your surroundings. The fort itself dates back to 1898, when the U.S. became involved in the Spanish American War. Artillery holds and firing galleys make up the fort’s coquina shell base, and cannons sit on top of the fort where you can get an incredible view of Tampa Bay. The fort wasn’t actually finished until the end of the Spanish American War, so no hostile shots have ever been fired from it. More than 328 bird species call the park home, along with the loggerhead sea turtles that nest between April and September.
pinellas.gov/parks/fort-de-soto-park
