Tampa Bay holidays

Picture-perfect outings day and night: Tampa Bay’s sunny days, mild weather and easy-to- reach hotspots make it the perfect place to get out and explore. A must-see is the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile walk that follows downtown’s most popular destinations. This scenic stroll or bike ride connects unique shopping, dining, entertainment and parks for visitors of all ages.
 
Foodies: Tampa Bay’s gastronomic scene is famous for its fresh seafood, aged steaks, Cuban sandwiches and cutting-edge creations from celebrated chefs. The prestigious MICHELIN Guide to Florida recognized Tampa Bay restaurants with its coveted MICHELIN Star status. Plus, Tampa Bay offers two hip, Instagram-worthy food halls within strolling distance of each other. The first, Heights Public Market at Armature Works, offers everything from empanadas to fresh seafood and sushi with views of boats passing by. And Sparkman Wharf sits along the waterfront, with open-air dining and plenty of entertainment.
 
Unleashing your wild side: Whether you want to feel the rush of world-class thrill rides or make exotic new friends, Tampa Bay has you covered.  Busch Gardens®  is your chance to fly high on epic roller coasters and family-friendly thrill rides, like the Iron Gwazi 91-degree drop. You can feed rhinos in ZooTampa. Or see stingrays and learn about the amazing conservation in The Florida Aquarium.

Language: The official language of Florida is English, which is spoken by the majority of Tampa Bay’s residents. However, as the state’s third-largest city, you’ll also hear plenty of Spanish. Greatly influenced by Latin America, it’s a great place to experience a different culture with restaurants, nightlife and festivals all celebrating its Hispanic community.

Currency: The currency used in Tampa Bay is the US Dollar ($).

Local time: Tampa Bay is 5 hours behind GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Tampa International Airport (TPA), which is located on Florida’s Gulf Coast and within easy reach of Downtown Tampa.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Tampa Bay is around 9 hours.

Tourist information: Further tourist information can be found at Tampa Bay’s official tourism website.

Visa and health: Before you travel, check the latest advice from The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

Holiday destinations related to Tampa Bay

• Walt Disney World Resort
• Universal Resort
• Lake Buena Vista
• International Drive
• Kissimmee
• Orlando
• Florida

By hire car: Hiring a car is a great way to discover the city and its surroundings, especially along the Gulf Coast, which is home to some of the area’s most scenic routes. It’s also a good option if you don’t want to rely on public transport. Plus, it’s even easier when you book your car hire in advance as your vehicle will be ready for you as soon as you land.

By Streetcar: The FREE TECO Line Streetcar system connects Downtown, the Channel district, and historic Ybor City with service at 11 covered and wheelchair-accessible stations every 15-20 minutes.

By water taxi: The Pirate Water Taxi is a fun and efficient mode of transport, and little ones will love the pirate theme. All you have to do is buy a ticket and you can hop on and off as you please. This is also a great way to squeeze in the city’s top sights with 14 stops taking you to major attractions.

Gasparilla Pirate Fest: This pirate-themed event takes place every January and is named after José Gaspar, who invaded the waters of west Florida in the 18th century. Wearing their best high sea attire, locals gather to watch boat shows and parades while drinking the rum-laced pirate punch.

Florida State Fair: This is your chance to visit a traditional American fair. Dating back to 1904, this 11-day event is held each February and attracts a crowd of fun-loving locals and tourists. Pig out on sweet treats from the many food stalls, catch one of the free shows, or make your way through the long list of rides, which includes a portable ferris wheel.

For up-to-date advice on travelling to Tampa Bay, please visit the FCDO website.