Moon Tampa & St. Petersburg

DISCOVER Tampa and St. Petersburg

Planning Your Trip

The Best of Tampa and St. Petersburg

BEST BEACHES

Family Fun

GONE FISHIN’

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

It’s no wonder that Tampa and St. Petersburg have undergone explosive growth in recent years. The cities’ vibrant economies are attracting job seekers in droves—and there’s a reason they’re choosing to settle here.

Tampa, with its refreshing bay and sunny climate, is more than just a place for business. Though it doesn’t have any of its own beaches, there’s plenty to keep you busy—from lively and historic Ybor City to the thrills of Busch Gardens and spring training with the New York Yankees. Tampa is looking as stylish as ever with new scenic parks and walks, trendy restaurants and hotels, and revitalized arts institutions.

Across the bay, St. Petersburg adds sand and surf to the mix. Dazzling white sand, turquoise waters, and gorgeous sunsets define the city and its miles of Gulf Coast and barrier islands. Just a few steps from the beach, there are equally dazzling art displays and upscale boutiques, like the Salvador Dalí Museum and the Chihuly Collection at The Morean Art Center. There are few places that offer this kind of sophistication so close to paradise.

Both cities excel in variety—from beautiful beaches to urban sophistication and family fun, Tampa and St. Petersburg pack the best of Florida into one pocket of paradise.

Planning Your Trip

Where to Go

Tampa

Tampa is a huge port city—the largest leisure and industrial port in the Southeast—that fronts Tampa Bay. Though there aren’t any beaches, there’s a perfect convergence of warm weather, affordable accommodations, professional sports, kids’ attractions, and upscale shopping that seems to suit every taste.

St. Petersburg and Pinellas County

Easygoing and relaxed, the city of St. Petersburg exerts its pull with a vibrant downtown of pastel art deco buildings and cultural attractions like the Salvador Dalí Museum, the symphony at Ruth Eckerd Hall, and theater at American Stage. But on the Gulf side of the peninsula, Clearwater Beach and St. Pete Beach are welcoming shores of Gulf water lapping at white sand, backed by restaurants, souvenir shops, and boogie-board-and-bikini stores. Caladesi Island, Honeymoon Island, and Fort De Soto Park are all favored Pinellas beaches.

Day Trips

Orlando attracts millions of visitors annually to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, and many other family-friendly attractions.

The Nature Coast includes Homosassa and Crystal River, both famous for their tarpon fishing and manatee habitat.

Sarasota has been recognized as Florida’s cultural capital. There are theaters, art galleries, and museums like the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. A chain of narrow barrier islands, including Longboat Key and Siesta Key, sits offshore to the west.

When to Go

In Tampa and St. Petersburg, the peak visitor season is winter and spring, with most people visiting from January to April, which means higher room rates during those months. If you’re visiting in March or April, be aware that these areas tend to get crowded during spring break as well. Less people visit from September to December, when the weather is pleasant and nearly vacant hotels offer their lowest room rates of the year. Be aware however that hurricane season runs from late summer to early fall. It’s best to avoid the summer if you can, which brings hot, humid weather and surges of visitors on summer break.

The Best of Tampa and St. Petersburg

Day 1

After flying into Tampa, start the day with lunch at Pelagia Trattoria, an upscale Italian restaurant in the Renaissance Hotel, just southeast of the airport. After lunch, rent a boat and spend the rest of the afternoon cruising Tampa Bay or make reservations for a sunset sail with Olde World Sailing Line. Have a nice seafood dinner at an outdoor fireside table at Oystercatchers at the Grand Hyatt or head to Shula’s Steak House at the Westshore if you want a sizzling-good steak. Finish off the evening with wine and dessert at Armani’s rooftop bar, also in the Hyatt, with the best views of Tampa all lit up at night. Spend the night at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

Day 2

Start the morning with Cuban pastries at La Segunda Central Bakery in Ybor City. Spend the morning exploring the historic and artsy Cuban district. If you’re in Tampa during spring training, see the New York Yankees play at Steinbrenner Field, just east of the airport. Otherwise, walk along Bayshore Boulevard and enjoy the historic homes and shops. Have dinner at the Japanese-inspired Water Sushi, a late-night hangout that has live music almost nightly. Consider sneaking across the street for some heavenly dessert at The Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House. Stay another night at the Grand Hyatt.

Day 3

Wake up and drive half an hour over the W. Howard Frankland Bridge to St. Petersburg for breakfast at Skyway Jack’s Restaurant. Spend the morning fishing on the Skyway Bridge or shopping in Downtown St. Petersburg. While in Downtown, visit the Salvador Dalí Museum, intriguing both inside and out. Catch an evening baseball game with the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, with the required dinner of ballpark hot dogs and cold beers. Alternatively, enjoy seafood and waterfront views at 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House, within walking distance of The Vinoy Renaissance Resort & Golf Club, where you should stay for the night.

Day 4

Have breakfast at the Vinoy, then drive half an hour either to the lively St. Pete Beach or to the more isolated Fort De Soto Park. Have some fun in the sun before enjoying a sunset dinner at The Hurricane in St. Pete Beach. Stay the night at the Sirata Beach Resort.

With More Time

If you have time for a day trip, get on I-75 and take the hour-long drive south to Sarasota. Spend the morning shopping at the luxurious St. Armands Circle before popping over to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens for a short tour through their fabulous orchid exhibit. Take the John Ringling Causeway, Highway 789, over Sarasota Bay. Drive to Siesta Key, and spend the rest of the day on Siesta Key Beach. Have dinner at Ophelia’s on the Bay and stay at the Turtle Beach Resort.

Family Fun

Day 1

Tampa really knows family fun. Spend a day riding roller coasters, exploring recreated African savannas, and splashing down log-flume rides at Busch Gardens. It’s a park for all ages, with a mix of exciting coasters and cool animal attractions. Stay the night at the Holiday Inn Express New Tampa, only three miles from Busch Gardens, and you’ll get free ice cream in the evening, breakfast included in the morning, and access to a nice heated pool to keep the kiddos entertained after the park closes.

Day 2

Drive for about an hour over the bridge on route 60 to Clearwater Beach for some sun, sand, and surf. For something extra special, take a pirate cruise with Captain Memo’s Original Pirate Cruise. Later, check out Sunsets at Pier 60, a festival that runs every evening with crafts, magicians, and musicians. Pier 60 also contains a covered playground for the little ones. Grab a casual dinner at the Beach Shanty Café before turning in at Frenchy’s Oasis Motel or East Shore Resort.

Alternatively, spend the day at St. Pete Beach, with an optional excursion to John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk for a pirate ship or dolphin cruise. In the evening, take the kids to see the Tampa Bay Rays play ball at the Tropicana Field. If you don’t gorge yourself on hot dogs, have a casual seafood dinner at The Hurricane. Stay in St. Pete Beach at the Sirata Beach Resort or TradeWinds Island Grand.

Day 3

Start heading north along the coast on U.S. 19 and drive the 73 miles (1.5 hours) to Homosassa or Crystal River. From mid-October to the end of March, you’ll find hundreds of West Indian manatees swimming in the warm waters of Kings Bay in the Crystal River and the Blue Waters area of the Homosassa River. Manatee Tour & Dive or Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees will take whole families out for snorkel trips. If you find yourself and your family along the Nature Coast when manatees aren’t in season, there are still good reasons to get wet. Drive to Weeki Wachee Springs for a fantastic Mermaid show and kid-friendly rides, or go scalloping if it’s July 1-September 10. Stay at the Plantation on Crystal River.

Day 4

From Crystal River, drive for 89 miles (1.5 hours) along Highway 44 and the I-75 Florida Turnpike to Walt Disney World, comprising four distinct parks: the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney Hollywood Studios, and the Animal Kingdom. Spend the day visiting the most popular one, the Magic Kingdom, making sure to ride the phenomenal Space Mountain, an indoor roller coaster that zips and zooms through the stars along a dark and thrilling space adventure. If you’re on a budget, have a quick and tasty lunch inside the park at Cosmic Rays Starlight Café. If you’re with kids or want to splurge, dine like royalty and have a dinner feast with a princess at Cinderella’s Royal Table. Continue the Disney fun and stay at the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, a fun Disney-themed Victorian-style resort that’s just one monorail stop away from the Magic Kingdom.

With More Time

It’s better to spread Disney World out over two days. Continue your adventures in the Magic Kingdom or visit one of Disney’s other parks. My suggestion is to spend the day at Epcot, learning about the future of technology at Project Tomorrow and having fish and chips at the delicious Yorkshire County Fish Shop.

Spend another night in Orlando. In the morning, drive one hour on I-4 back to Tampa to catch your plane home.

Tampa

HIGHLIGHTS

PLANNING YOUR TIME

Sights

DOWNTOWN TAMPA

S YBOR CITY

SOUTH TAMPA AND HYDE PARK

BUSCH GARDENS AND NORTH TAMPA

GREATER TAMPA

Sports and Recreation

LETTUCE LAKE PARK

FISHING AND BOATING

SAILING

CANOEING

GOLF

SPECTATOR SPORTS

Entertainment and Events

MUSIC, THEATER, AND CINEMA

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Nightlife

DOWNTOWN TAMPA

YBOR CITY

HYDE PARK

NORTH TAMPA

GREATER TAMPA

Shopping

DOWNTOWN AND CHANNELSIDE

YBOR CITY

SOUTH TAMPA AND HYDE PARK

NORTH TAMPA

GREATER TAMPA

Food

DOWNTOWN AND CHANNELSIDE

YBOR CITY

HYDE PARK

DAVIS ISLANDS

NORTH TAMPA

NEW TAMPA

GREATER TAMPA

Accommodations

DOWNTOWN AND CHANNELSIDE

YBOR CITY

SOUTH TAMPA, HYDE PARK, AND DAVIS ISLANDS

NORTH TAMPA

GREATER TAMPA

Information and Services

VISITOR INFORMATION

POLICE AND EMERGENCIES

RADIO AND TV

LAUNDRY SERVICES

Transportation

AIR

CAR

BUS AND TRAIN