20 February . 2024
Top 7 Things to Do in Tampa for Spring Break 2024
Spring has sprung in Tampa Bay, and we’re ready to enjoy the sunshine and cool breezes that come along with it! Whether you’ve recently relocated to Tampa, or have lived here your whole life, we bet you’ll find at least a few things to do on this list that you’ve never done or places you’ve never been!
Try a new restaurant
Tampa is becoming more and more well-known for its food scene. From brunch to happy hour to dinner, and everything in between, Tampa has a variety of acclaimed bars and restaurants – including 3 Michelin-starred restaurants and 30 Michelin-endorsed restaurants. If you want to enjoy the weather and dine al fresco, Armature Works and Sparkman Wharf are popular food halls with plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the Hillsborough River.
Visit a museum
Tampa and the nearby cities of St. Petersburg and Sarasota have several unique museums you can visit! Art lovers can take in the surrealism of Salvador Dali and the blown glass masterpieces of Dave Chihuly, while history and architecture enthusiasts will enjoy the Henry B. Plant Museum and the Ringling. Learn more about nearby art, photography, history, and science museums here.
Walk the Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile path along the Hillsborough River, open to walkers, bikers, strollers, and even dogs! It is dotted with parks, museums, and restaurants and is beautiful day or night. The North end of the Riverwalk terminates in the Tampa Heights District, while to the South, it curves around the Convention Center to the Channelside district. It has ranked as a top waterfront district worldwide and the #2 Riverwalk in America.
Take a vacation
Spring Break is the perfect time to take a family road trip. There are many drivable destinations in Florida and throughout the southeast United States, perfect for a long weekend. Think Key West, St. Augustine, Atlanta, Charleston, or Savannah.
Want to go farther? That’s easy. Waterset is just 25 miles from the Tampa International Airport (ranked best large airport in the US two years in a row!) and 16 miles to Port Tampa Bay.
Take a staycation
Tampa is home to a plethora of luxury hotels, beachfront resorts, and more. Notable options in the downtown area include JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, The Tampa EDITION, Le Meridien, and the Epicurean Hotel. Waterfront favorites include St. Pete’s Vinoy Resort and the Don CeSar. For family-friendly fun, try Saddlebrook Resort and Spa in Land O’Lakes or TradeWinds Island Grand in St. Petersburg. To relive your Spring Break days, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Shephard’s Beach Resort keep the party going all night long.
See the animals
Family-friendly Tampa Bay has several fun animal attractions for families, couples, and singles to enjoy. Although known for its thrilling roller coasters and attractions, Busch Gardens is actually home to one of America’s most highly accredited zoos! Busch Gardens offers viewing areas for many fan-favorite and endangered species, an observable animal care center, and a few fun animal encounters!
If your little dreams of being a marine biologist, try the Florida Aquarium (a great place to keep in mind for rainy spring days!) and Apollo Beach’s own Manatee Viewing Center! The Manatee Viewing Center is just minutes away from Waterset and was voted the #2 Best Free Attraction to Visit in the United States by USA Today.
Hit the beach
A guide to things to do in the Tampa Bay area would not be complete without mentioning the beach! From nationally-ranked favorites (the Siesta Key, Clearwater, at St. Pete Beaches all made Tripadvisor’s Top 10 for 2024) and to hidden gems, you could visit a different Tampa Bay beach every day of Spring Break and still have plenty left over!
No matter your Spring Break style, you’re sure to find something amazing to do in the Tampa Bay area – and don’t forget, when you live at Waterset, our resort-style amenities make every day feel like a vacation!