Tampa Travel: 100 Questions Answered based on NeemTime research
General Planning & Logistics
When is the best time to visit? November to April for the best weather; avoid August due to extreme humidity and daily storms.
Is Tampa walkable? Generally, no. Most of the city is car-dependent, though Downtown and the Riverwalk are exceptions.
Do I need a rental car? Highly recommended if you want to visit beaches or St. Pete; otherwise, you’ll spend a fortune on Ubers.
How far is the beach from Tampa? About 30–45 minutes depending on traffic.
What is the “Lightning Capital”? Tampa earns this nickname due to frequent, intense summer thunderstorms.
Is Tampa safe? Most tourist areas like the Riverwalk and Hyde Park are very safe. Locals advise avoiding Nebraska Avenue and parts of East Tampa at night.
Is there a public transit system? HART buses exist but are often slow. The TECO Streetcar is the most reliable tourist option.
What is the TECO Streetcar? A free vintage-style trolley connecting Downtown, Channelside, and Ybor City.
How much should I tip? Standard US tipping applies (18-22% at restaurants).
Is the airport (TPA) easy to navigate? Yes, it is consistently ranked as one of the best and easiest airports in the US.
Can I use Uber from the airport? Yes, there are designated rideshare pickup zones.
What should I pack? Sunscreen, an umbrella, breathable fabrics, and a light jacket for heavily air-conditioned indoor spaces.
Is Tampa a “spring break” city? Yes, March is very crowded and expensive.
How many days do I need? 3–4 days is usually enough to see the highlights.
Are there tolls? Yes, many highways (like the Selmon Expressway) are “SunPass” only (all-electronic).
Where to Stay
Where is the best area for nightlife? Ybor City or SoHo (South Howard Avenue).
Where should families stay? Near the Riverwalk/Water Street for walking access to museums and the aquarium.
Is it better to stay in Tampa or St. Pete? Stay in St. Pete if you want beaches; stay in Tampa if you want sports and theme parks.
Are hotels near Busch Gardens safe? Many locals advise against staying directly next to the park as the neighborhood can be rough. Stay Downtown instead.
Is Seminole Heights a good place to stay? It’s a trendy, “hipster” area with great food, but can be block-to-block in terms of safety.
What is “Water Street”? A brand-new, upscale, walkable district Downtown with luxury hotels and dining.
Are there any beach hotels in Tampa? Not really. “Tampa” is on a bay. For beachfront, look at Clearwater or St. Pete Beach.
Is Westshore a good area? It’s near the airport and mall. Good for business travelers, but lacks “character.”
Can I stay in Ybor City? Yes, the Hotel Haya is popular, but be prepared for loud music and crowds on weekends.
What is Rocky Point? A strip of hotels on the bay near the airport. Great views, but you’ll need a car to go anywhere else.
Food & Drink
What is Tampa’s signature food? The Cuban Sandwich (specifically the “Tampa Style” with salami).
Where is the best Cuban sandwich? Locals swear by La Segunda Central Bakery or West Tampa Sandwich Shop.
What is the Columbia Restaurant? The oldest restaurant in Florida, located in Ybor City. Famous for the “1905 Salad.”
Do I need reservations for Columbia? Absolutely, especially on weekends.
What is Armature Works? A massive, upscale food hall in a restored trolley warehouse.
What is Sparkman Wharf? An outdoor shipping container food court on the water Downtown.
Is the tap water safe to drink? Yes, but many find the taste “sulfury” and prefer filtered water.
Where can I find good craft beer? Cigar City Brewing and Coppertail Brewing are the local titans.
What is Bern’s Steak House? A legendary restaurant famous for its massive wine cellar and dedicated Dessert Room.
How hard is it to get a table at Bern’s? Extremely. Reservations often book up months in advance at midnight.
What is the “1905 Salad”? A famous garlic-heavy salad tossed tableside at the Columbia Restaurant.
Are there many vegan options? Yes, particularly in Seminole Heights and Downtown.
What is a “Tampa Style” Cuban? It includes ham, roasted pork, swiss, pickles, mustard, and—uniquely—salami.
Where can I get good seafood? Salt Shack on the Bay or Hula Bay Club for casual “Old Florida” vibes.
What is “Ulele”? A popular spot near the Riverwalk featuring native Floridian ingredients and charbroiled oysters.
Things to Do (Attractions)
What is the Riverwalk? A 2.6-mile pedestrian path along the Hillsborough River connecting major sights.
Is Busch Gardens worth it? Yes, if you love world-class roller coasters and animals.
Is the Florida Aquarium good for kids? Yes, it’s one of the best in the country and has a great splash pad.
What is ZooTampa at Lowry Park? A highly-rated zoo known for its manatee critical care center.
What is Ybor City? A historic Latin quarter known for cigars, chickens roaming the streets, and nightlife.
What’s with the chickens in Ybor? They are “statutory chickens”—protected by city law as part of the neighborhood’s heritage.
Can I take a cigar-rolling tour? Yes, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. offers tours of the last working cigar factory.
What is the Tampa Theatre? A stunning 1926 “atmospheric” movie palace. Take the tour if you can.
What is MOSI? The Museum of Science & Industry. Note: It is smaller than it used to be but still good for kids.
What is the Glazer Children’s Museum? A high-quality interactive museum located right on the Riverwalk.
Can I see manatees in Tampa? Yes, at the TECO Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach (November–April).
Is the Manatee Viewing Center free? Yes, it is free to the public.
What is Bayshore Boulevard? The longest continuous sidewalk in the world, perfect for a long walk or bike ride.
What is Gasparilla? Tampa’s massive pirate-themed festival in late January. Think “Mardi Gras but with pirates.”
Is Gasparilla kid-friendly? The “Children’s Parade” is; the main “Invasion” parade is a wild, alcohol-heavy party.
What is the Pirate Water Taxi? A hop-on, hop-off boat service that stops at various points along the Riverwalk.
Can I rent boats? Yes, “eBoats” are popular for driving yourself around the river.
Where is the best place for art? The Tampa Museum of Art (modern) or the Dali Museum (in nearby St. Pete).
Is the Henry B. Plant Museum worth visiting? Yes, it’s a former Victorian-era hotel with stunning silver minarets.
What is “Curtis Hixon Park”? The city’s “central park” on the river, often hosting festivals and concerts.
Nature & Outdoors
Where can I go kayaking? Lettuce Lake Park or the Hillsborough River State Park for a chance to see gators.
Are there alligators in the water? Yes. In Florida, assume any body of fresh water has an alligator.
Are gators dangerous to tourists? Usually no, provided you keep your distance and never feed them.
What is Weedon Island Preserve? A great spot for kayaking through mangrove tunnels (technically in St. Pete).
Where is the best place to watch the sunset? Davis Islands or the Dunedin Causeway.
Are there any springs near Tampa? Weeki Wachee (home of the mermaids) and Crystal River are about an hour away.
Can I swim with manatees? Only in Crystal River (about 1.5 hours north of Tampa).
Is Lettuce Lake Park good for hiking? It has great boardwalks through the swamp and an observation tower.
What is Honeymoon Island? A beautiful state park with natural beaches about 45 minutes from Tampa.
What is Caladesi Island? An island accessible only by ferry from Honeymoon Island; it’s consistently ranked as a top US beach.
Beaches (Tampa Bay Area)
Which beach is the most popular? Clearwater Beach (vibrant, crowded, lots of amenities).
Which beach is the quietest? Pass-a-Grille or Indian Rocks Beach.
Is the water clear? Generally yes, especially on the Gulf side (Clearwater/St. Pete), but it can get “churned up” after storms.
What is “Red Tide”? A harmful algal bloom that can occur in the Gulf; check local reports before heading to the beach.
Are there sharks? Yes, but attacks are extremely rare.
What are “Stingray Shuffles”? A technique of shuffling your feet in the sand to avoid stepping on a stingray.
Is parking hard at Clearwater Beach? Yes, it is notoriously difficult and expensive. Arrive before 10 AM.
What is the SunRunner? A rapid-transit bus that connects Downtown St. Pete to the beach for a low cost.
What is John’s Pass? A touristy boardwalk with shops and restaurants in Madeira Beach.
Can I see dolphins? Yes, almost any boat tour or even just sitting by the bay long enough will result in a sighting.
Sports
Who are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? The NFL team. They play at Raymond James Stadium.
What is the “Pirate Ship” in the stadium? A replica ship that fires cannons when the Bucs score.
Who are the Tampa Bay Lightning? The NHL team. They play at Amalie Arena Downtown.
Is a Lightning game worth going to? Yes, it is considered one of the best fan experiences in the NHL.
Who are the Tampa Bay Rays? The MLB team. They play at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg.
Is Tropicana Field a good stadium? It’s an indoor dome (necessary for Florida heat) but widely considered one of the weaker MLB stadiums.
Can I touch a stingray at the Rays game? Yes, there is a touch tank in the outfield.
What is the “Rowdies”? The local professional soccer team playing in a beautiful waterfront stadium in St. Pete.
Does Tampa host Spring Training? Yes, the New York Yankees train at Steinbrenner Field.
Where can I play golf? There are dozens of courses; TPC Tampa Bay is one of the most famous.
Hidden Gems & Local Tips
What is the “Wat Mongkolratanaram”? A Thai Temple that hosts a famous Sunday morning food market.
Is the Thai Temple market cash only? Mostly yes, so bring cash.
What is “Dysfunctional Grace”? A weird and wonderful taxidermy/curiosity shop in Ybor City.
Where can I see “Old Florida” kitsch? Dinosaur World in nearby Plant City.
What is “Hyde Park Village”? An upscale outdoor shopping and dining district with a very “luxe” feel.
Is it true that Tampa has a “Bermuda Triangle” for weather? Locals joke that the “power of the bay” often splits storms, protecting the city.
What is “The Sail”? A great 360-degree outdoor bar on the Riverwalk.
Can I take a ferry to St. Pete? Yes, the Cross Bay Ferry runs seasonally between Downtown Tampa and Downtown St. Pete.
What is the best way to save money on attractions? Look into the “Tampa Bay CityPASS.”
What is the number one rule for visiting Tampa? Wear sunscreen and stay hydrated—the heat is no joke!