Top Things To Do in Tampa

There’s a reason Tampa is one of the fastest growing cities in Florida. Being a coastal city, it offers the perfect mix of relaxing beach vibes and the exciting hustle of the city. Residents and visitors alike can enjoy the pleasant sunny weather all year long while keeping cool and refreshed at the dozens of nearby beaches along the Gulf Coast and Tampa Bay.

Another major selling point is that it’s extremely diverse, not just in culture and history, but also in the many activities and attractions throughout. Like many of our communities at William Ryan Homes in Tampa, there’s something for everyone!

Art & Culture

Dali Museum

This non-profit organization hosts an incredible collection of art exhibits, programs, and events. It was built to honor the legacy of the late surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. Even before entering the building, the fantastical exterior and architecture are a work of art on their own. Once inside, you can spend hours exploring over 2,400 of magical artwork.

Take a group tour, a guided tour, or even a virtual tour to learn more about each unique piece. Everything from objects to prints to photographs, everything Dalí, everywhere! There’s also the delightful Avant-Garden surrounding the east side of the building with thoughtfully selected plants and designs inspired by Dalí’s fascination with math, art, and nature. Even better, it’s beautifully located along the Tampa Bay providing a tranquil view after all of the artistic excitement inside. 

Gasparilla Season

This incredible Tampa Bay favorite has something for everyone to enjoy. The Gasparilla Season is a two-month long, pirate-themed whirlwind of adventure. Every year it hosts a series of parades, festivals, and events. To kick off the season, there’s a small parade just for the little ones in the family. Then the 165-foot Jose Gasparilla ship sails up the Bay ready to invade the city. Friends and family can enjoy the fun by dressing up in their best buccaneer costumes and regalia.

The fun does not stop there. Next, one of the biggest parades in the country, the Sant’ Yago Knight Parade, proudly marches down the streets of Ybor City with spectacular floats. Towards the end of the season, you can enjoy an array of exciting music, art and film festivals that’ll make you want to come back every year for more.

The Straz Center

As one of the largest performing arts centers in the southeast, we can’t skip over this larger-than-life attraction in Tampa Bay. The Straz Center opened in 1987 and since then has showcased world-class performances of some of the top musicals from past and present. Get caught up in the staging, the music, and the story of multiple upcoming shows like Six, Hadestown, Hamilton, and Chicago.

If those in your family are interested in other forms of art, the Straz Center has five theaters, each used for varying entertainment options, like dance performances, a grand opera, jazz concerts, and free movie series, located on the lawn of the beautiful Riverwalk nearby.

Another wonderful feature of this center is its commitment to arts education. It offers a huge range of programs catered to lifting up the community and bringing the joy of the arts to children in the area.

Animal Adventures

Busch Gardens

Not only does this African-themed amusement park offer some wild rides, it also offers wild animals to explore. Busch Gardens is a huge, 335-acre theme park in the Tampa Bay area. It’s known for its collection of tremendous, adrenaline-pumping rollercoasters, magical live music and performances, and a multitude of exotic animal encounters.

There are tons of tours and safaris for the animal lovers in the family. Among them is the award-winning Serengeti Safari®. This safari takes you on a 30-minute trek across 65 acres to get up close and personal with African wildlife. While on the safari, a group is guided by an expert who reveals the secrets and stories of this remarkable habitat. You’ll have an opportunity to hand-feed giraffes, and observe an eclectic group of animals like zebras, ostriches, rhinos and several antelope species.

Florida Aquarium

The Florida Aquarium is the perfect place to spend a hot summer day or a long weekend vacation. Unlike space and the universe, there’s still so much of the ocean we haven’t discovered yet. Luckily, the Florida Aquarium is dedicated to the research, conservation, and education of our vast blue ocean and the creatures that inhabit it.

Guests are welcomed from all around to explore interactive and informational exhibits about aquatic creatures and the deep sea. Plan a trip to the three touch pools that feature a range of invertebrates like sea stars and anemones. Catch the giant pacific octopus in the Waves of Wonder habitat. Another sight to see is the impressive 500,000 gallon Coral Reef habitat featuring a green moray eel that’ll leave your head spinning with wonder.

ZooTampa At Lowry Park

There are so many amazing animal adventures to be had in Tampa. If you’re an animal lover and can’t get enough, ZooTampa at Lowry Park needs to be on your list of go-to animal attractions. This park has animals from A to Zoo! It’ll take at least a full day to explore all of the excitement this 56-acre park has to offer.

First, book a signature encounter and spend time petting a giant tortoise, feeding an Indian rhino, and waddling with an African penguin. Take pictures with the koalas and learn about how ZooTampa takes care of our Florida native, endangered manatees. In between animal encounters, you can cool off on the Expedition Wild Africa Safari Ride.

Today, even more adventures can be had as they’ve expanded the park to welcome more Florida native and endangered species.

Shopping, Dining, and More

Ybor City

Tampa Bay’s historic Latin Quarter, Ybor City, is home to a rich history and vibrant culture. Also known as Cigar City, this downtown area hosts a wide range of shops and restaurants dedicated to keeping the heart of Tampa beating.

The Columbia Restaurant is the oldest restaurant in Ybor City. Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez Sr., it boasts a mouthwatering menu full of Cuban- and Spanish-inspired dishes. This is the place to visit if you want to eat a Cuban sandwich done right.

Black & Denim is among one of the many available retail shops around Ybor City. Catered to classic, casual wear for men and women. They have a collection of tees, woven shirts, denim jeans, and accessories to build a full outfit ready for casual night on the town. With a slogan like “Apparel for the Brave,” you can’t go wrong with a pair of denim pants and a black tee from this fine shop.



Tampa Riverwalk

Feel a sense of community along the 2.6-mile-long Tampa Riverwalk. This outdoor walkway is an amazing location for a view of the river and hosts a great deal of fine dining, shopping, and entertainment. Ride bikes, skateboards, or take a leisurely stroll on a beautiful Florida day. With 7 parks, playgrounds (including some with splash pads), and dog parks, it’s the perfect place to bring the whole family together. You can start at the Sparkman Wharf end or the Armature Works, but whichever end you start at, know you’ll have a full belly, shopping bag, and heart by the time you reach the end.



Amalie Arena

Amalie Arena is a ginormous 670,000 square foot arena that hosts many high-profile sporting events and entertainment. Filled with a history of sports achievements, this arena is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL Hockey Team and the Tampa Bay Storm AFL Football Team. Spring for a set of club seats and feel the rush of the action up close, or upgrade to lounge seating to experience the luxury of complimentary food and beverages during the game.

Aside from sports, you can catch the upcoming performances of Michael Buble and Rod Stewart. All of these wonderful events will surely make you hungry, so don’t forget to grab a bite at the Firestick Grill dining area where the menu changes for each event.

The fun doesn’t have to end here. Make the move to one of our many Ryan William Homes communities in the Tampa area. There’s more adventure to be had beyond this list, so give us a call at 813-544-4224 and learn more about living in this amazing city.