Destination: Tampa, Florida
Over 165 parks and beaches, impressive landmarks, and a never-ending list of festivals, sporting events, and concerts make Tampa one of the most interesting ports of call when cruising the Caribbean. Its prime location on Florida's West coast made this site a land full of rich history and mix of cultures which are reflected in the region's neighborhoods and gastronomy. Known as the "Cigar Capital of the World," this Cuban-influenced city has it all.
We've put together a list of the landmarks you can't miss, the sights you must see, the best beaches in town, and the places where you can experience Tampa's diverse culture. Enjoy everything this port of call has to offer!
We've put together a list of the landmarks you can't miss, the sights you must see, the best beaches in town, and the places where you can experience Tampa's diverse culture. Enjoy everything this port of call has to offer!
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Tampa, Florida is a Port of Call for the following Caribbean Cruises:Currently, there are no Cruise Lines sailing to Tampa. Please contact us at the number or email below, and we will keep you posted with updates on Tampa Cruises itineraries. For reservations and more Information please call our
Travel Specialist Toll Free at 1-888-756-9008 Email: Info@AuthenticVoyages.com |
Things to do in Tampa
PLACES YOU CAN'T MISS
Starting off with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge; this is Tampa's iconic landmark you literally can't miss. This 6,663-meter-long bridge connects Lower Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, Florida to Terra Ceia. While in Tampa, you'll probably hear about Ybor City. This thriving community is well-known for its intense production of Cuban cigars. A visit to this picturesque neighborhood will make you feel like you're traveling back in time. Just a short walk away from Ybor you'll find the Channel District in Downtown Tampa. This residential neighborhood is home to lots of entertainment like the Florida Aquarium, a maritime museum, and the Amalie Arena just to name a few. The Downtown Tampa area is also home to the world's longest sidewalk. The Bayshore Boulevard is perfect for tourists looking for somewhere to go for a run, or just to take a stroll and grab some fresh air. Another great place to go for a walk and do get the best views of the city is Tampa Riverwalk. If you're looking for some place to dine and grab some drinks, visit Hyde Park. This modern oasis has the best of Tampa's shopping, nightlife, and dining. These sites will surely make you experience Tampa like a local.
ENTERTAINMENT
If you're in the mood for some theater, the Tampa Theater features an art deco architectural style that is worth a visit. Check what shows are scheduled in the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and catch a local show in Tampa. Another venue to keep an eye on is the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater; this concert facility brings some of the best artists to Tampa.
CULTURE & MUSEUMS
Tampa is nothing short of diverse when it comes to museums and culture, its list of museums will keep you busy. The Tampa Museum of Art in Downtown Tampa features a collection of ancient, modern, and contemporary art that will amaze you. The Museum of Science and Industry keeps everyone learning and entertained. This museum features lots of educative exhibits you can't miss. Last but not least, learn all about Tampa's history from pre-colonial times until today. The Tampa Bay History Center features 3 stories of interactive exhibits that'll immerse you into Tampa's past.
PARKS & NATURE
Tampa is home to the renowned Big Cat Rescue tiger sanctuary. This site recently gained popularity as it was featured in its very own Netflix show. Experience Tampa's wilderness by walking around the ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Its beautiful tropical setting will make you feel disconnected from the fast-paced city life. While at Lowry Park, visit the Florida Aquarium for an inspiring visit to the sea species in the region. For more nature-driven touristic activities, visit the Lettuce Lake Regional Park, where the 240-acre site offers something for everyone! Also, the Busch Gardens adventure park is one of the top-rated tourist activities in town. This park features world-class thrill rides, live entertainment, and over 10,000 species.
Starting off with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge; this is Tampa's iconic landmark you literally can't miss. This 6,663-meter-long bridge connects Lower Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg, Florida to Terra Ceia. While in Tampa, you'll probably hear about Ybor City. This thriving community is well-known for its intense production of Cuban cigars. A visit to this picturesque neighborhood will make you feel like you're traveling back in time. Just a short walk away from Ybor you'll find the Channel District in Downtown Tampa. This residential neighborhood is home to lots of entertainment like the Florida Aquarium, a maritime museum, and the Amalie Arena just to name a few. The Downtown Tampa area is also home to the world's longest sidewalk. The Bayshore Boulevard is perfect for tourists looking for somewhere to go for a run, or just to take a stroll and grab some fresh air. Another great place to go for a walk and do get the best views of the city is Tampa Riverwalk. If you're looking for some place to dine and grab some drinks, visit Hyde Park. This modern oasis has the best of Tampa's shopping, nightlife, and dining. These sites will surely make you experience Tampa like a local.
ENTERTAINMENT
If you're in the mood for some theater, the Tampa Theater features an art deco architectural style that is worth a visit. Check what shows are scheduled in the Straz Center for the Performing Arts, and catch a local show in Tampa. Another venue to keep an eye on is the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheater; this concert facility brings some of the best artists to Tampa.
CULTURE & MUSEUMS
Tampa is nothing short of diverse when it comes to museums and culture, its list of museums will keep you busy. The Tampa Museum of Art in Downtown Tampa features a collection of ancient, modern, and contemporary art that will amaze you. The Museum of Science and Industry keeps everyone learning and entertained. This museum features lots of educative exhibits you can't miss. Last but not least, learn all about Tampa's history from pre-colonial times until today. The Tampa Bay History Center features 3 stories of interactive exhibits that'll immerse you into Tampa's past.
PARKS & NATURE
Tampa is home to the renowned Big Cat Rescue tiger sanctuary. This site recently gained popularity as it was featured in its very own Netflix show. Experience Tampa's wilderness by walking around the ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Its beautiful tropical setting will make you feel disconnected from the fast-paced city life. While at Lowry Park, visit the Florida Aquarium for an inspiring visit to the sea species in the region. For more nature-driven touristic activities, visit the Lettuce Lake Regional Park, where the 240-acre site offers something for everyone! Also, the Busch Gardens adventure park is one of the top-rated tourist activities in town. This park features world-class thrill rides, live entertainment, and over 10,000 species.
Get to Know Tampa
With 3.1 million residents, Tampa is the 3rd most populous city in Florida. Tampa resides in the Hillsborough County, which is in the West coast of Florida by Tampa Bay. Its strategic location facing the Gulf of Mexico has made of Tampa a key setting for lots of historic events. Get to know this thriving, top-rated port of call and learn everything behind what makes Tampa so unique.
The Tampa Bay Area shows evidence of early inhabitants for thousands of years before Spanish interaction. The Tocobaga and Pohoy chiefdoms, in addition to the Calusa Native Americans inhabited the area in pre-colonial times. No Spanish settlement lasted for very long in the Tampa area; the Native Americans in the region resisted against the change. Regardless of the resistance, the Tampa Bay Area became largely depopulated due to the thousands of deaths as a result of the diseases brought from overseas.
Tampa remained inhabited roughly for about 200 years. In 1821, the U.S. took control over Florida and the Seminole inhabited the region. The first forts and trading posts where built as a result of the Florida purchase. It seemed like everything was going in Tampa's favor, until the Second Seminole War took place in the region. The war caused the sparse of the civilian population, and Tampa became depopulated once more. Tampa's population slowly came back together after the war, and in 1855 it was incorporated as a town.
Not too far after, the Civil War took place and the Battle of Tampa affected the region once more. The Civil War ended in April 1865 with a Confederate defeat. Troops arrived in Tampa to occupy the fort and the town as part of Reconstruction in 1865. The Yellow Fever then kicked in and the unwrapping of several events resulted in the abolition of Tampa's government. After the few ups and downs that marked Tampa's history, a game-changer discovery took place.
In the late 1800s phosphate was discovered in the Tampa Bay Area. This valuable resource is utilized in the production of fertilizers. In addition to this great discovery, Ybor City, a Cuban cigar company moved from Key West to Tampa in 1885. After seeing Tampa's potential, another Cuban Cigar company moved to Tampa as well. Soon enough, cigar production became the backbone of Tampa's economy making Tampa "The Cigar Capital of the World." Another tipping point in Tampa's economy happened with Plant's railroad development. The railroad extension increased shipment of resources to the rest of the country. All of these factors boosted Tampa's economy exponentially. Thanks to that, Tampa is the metropolis we know today.
In the 1950s, Tampa experienced a population boom that's never seen before. World War II left the MacDill Field and 2 more auxiliary U.S. air force fields built in Tampa, which became Tampa International Airport and St. Pete Clearwater International Airport. The city's infrastructure leveraged interest within Tampa's authorities to expand the city's highways and bridges. This occasioned more economic growth and subsequently more businesses, schools, universities, hospitals, and churches opened. Ultimately, this growth generated a major tourist influx to the Metropolitan area of Tampa Bay Area.
The Tampa Bay Area shows evidence of early inhabitants for thousands of years before Spanish interaction. The Tocobaga and Pohoy chiefdoms, in addition to the Calusa Native Americans inhabited the area in pre-colonial times. No Spanish settlement lasted for very long in the Tampa area; the Native Americans in the region resisted against the change. Regardless of the resistance, the Tampa Bay Area became largely depopulated due to the thousands of deaths as a result of the diseases brought from overseas.
Tampa remained inhabited roughly for about 200 years. In 1821, the U.S. took control over Florida and the Seminole inhabited the region. The first forts and trading posts where built as a result of the Florida purchase. It seemed like everything was going in Tampa's favor, until the Second Seminole War took place in the region. The war caused the sparse of the civilian population, and Tampa became depopulated once more. Tampa's population slowly came back together after the war, and in 1855 it was incorporated as a town.
Not too far after, the Civil War took place and the Battle of Tampa affected the region once more. The Civil War ended in April 1865 with a Confederate defeat. Troops arrived in Tampa to occupy the fort and the town as part of Reconstruction in 1865. The Yellow Fever then kicked in and the unwrapping of several events resulted in the abolition of Tampa's government. After the few ups and downs that marked Tampa's history, a game-changer discovery took place.
In the late 1800s phosphate was discovered in the Tampa Bay Area. This valuable resource is utilized in the production of fertilizers. In addition to this great discovery, Ybor City, a Cuban cigar company moved from Key West to Tampa in 1885. After seeing Tampa's potential, another Cuban Cigar company moved to Tampa as well. Soon enough, cigar production became the backbone of Tampa's economy making Tampa "The Cigar Capital of the World." Another tipping point in Tampa's economy happened with Plant's railroad development. The railroad extension increased shipment of resources to the rest of the country. All of these factors boosted Tampa's economy exponentially. Thanks to that, Tampa is the metropolis we know today.
In the 1950s, Tampa experienced a population boom that's never seen before. World War II left the MacDill Field and 2 more auxiliary U.S. air force fields built in Tampa, which became Tampa International Airport and St. Pete Clearwater International Airport. The city's infrastructure leveraged interest within Tampa's authorities to expand the city's highways and bridges. This occasioned more economic growth and subsequently more businesses, schools, universities, hospitals, and churches opened. Ultimately, this growth generated a major tourist influx to the Metropolitan area of Tampa Bay Area.