# 10 Best Things to Do in Tampa Bay (2026) Waterfront walks, world-class museums, and beaches within a short drive. Tampa Bay packs a lot into a small area: a riverfront trail, a Dalí collection, a historic cigar district, and some of Florida's best beaches. Here are ten places that make a good first or fifteenth visit. Hours and ticket prices change, so check each site before you go. Spots are numbered for easy browsing, not as a strict ranking. Updated: October 2026. Source: Real Tampa Bay Media, https://realtampabay.com/guides/best-things-to-do-in-tampa-bay ## Spots ### 1. Tampa Riverwalk Waterfront path along the Hillsborough River. - Neighborhood: Tampa Riverwalk The Tampa Riverwalk runs about 2.6 miles along the Hillsborough River, passing parks, museums, and restaurants. It is a good walk at sunset or a quick bike or scooter ride between neighborhoods. Highlights: About 2.6 miles; Parks and restaurants; Great at sunset ### 2. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park Downtown Tampa's riverfront green space. - Neighborhood: Downtown Tampa Curtis Hixon is an 8-acre public park on the Hillsborough River with a lawn sloping toward the water, fountains, a playground, and a dog park. It sits beside the Riverwalk and several museums. Highlights: 8 acres; Fountains and playground; Next to museums ### 3. The Florida Aquarium Waterfront aquarium in Channelside. - Neighborhood: Channel District The Florida Aquarium is a waterfront aquarium in Tampa's Channelside area with animals including otters and coral reef habitats. It also has an outdoor splash park for kids. Highlights: Waterfront; Otters and coral reefs; Outdoor splash park ### 4. St. Pete Pier A 26-acre waterfront destination. - Neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg The St. Pete Pier is a redesigned waterfront pier with restaurants, art installations, and playgrounds. Families can head to the Glazer Family Playground and the Majeed Foundation Splash Pad. Highlights: 26 acres; Public art; Playground and splash pad ### 5. The Dalí Museum Largest Dalí collection outside Europe. - Neighborhood: Downtown St. Petersburg The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg holds the largest collection of Salvador Dalí's work outside of Europe, with more than 2,400 pieces. The building is a draw too, with a geodesic-dome glass "enigma" set into concrete. Highlights: 2,400+ pieces; Geodesic-dome architecture; Downtown St. Pete ### 6. Ybor City Tampa's historic cigar district. - Neighborhood: Ybor City Ybor City is Tampa's historic district, known for its cigar heritage, Cuban food, and old brick streets. It is home to La Segunda Central Bakery, founded in 1915, and Columbia Restaurant, which opened in 1905. Highlights: Historic district; Cuban food; Brick streets and nightlife ### 7. Armature Works Restored trolley hub on the Riverwalk. - Neighborhood: Tampa Heights - Address: 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL Armature Works is a restored 70,000-square-foot former trolley hub on the Riverwalk, now home to restaurants, bars, and the M.Bird rooftop. It is a short walk from the Riverwalk's northern stretch. Highlights: Restored industrial building; Rooftop bar; Riverwalk access ### 8. Bayshore Boulevard Miles of waterfront walking. - Neighborhood: Bayshore Beautiful Bayshore Boulevard's waterfront sidewalk stretches roughly 4.5 miles along Tampa Bay with bay and skyline views. It is a go-to for walks, runs, and bike rides. Highlights: About 4.5 miles; Bay views; Walk, run, or bike ### 9. Fort De Soto Park Five islands and miles of beach. - Neighborhood: Tierra Verde Fort De Soto Park spans five connected islands and 1,136 acres, with beaches, fishing piers, kayaking, a 7-mile paved trail, and a dog park. Highlights: 1,136 acres; Beaches and fishing piers; 7-mile paved trail ### 10. Honeymoon Island State Park Undeveloped beaches near Dunedin. - Neighborhood: Dunedin Honeymoon Island State Park offers more than four miles of white sand, nature trails, and bird-watching areas, all reachable without a boat. Highlights: 4+ miles of beach; Nature trails; Bird-watching ## About this guide Picks are compiled from local publications and public sources and are not a paid ranking. Spots are numbered for browsing, not as a strict ranking. Hours and prices are intentionally omitted because they change; confirm details with each venue. All guides: https://realtampabay.com/guides Header photo: Jackdude101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:St._Pete_Pier_-_East.jpg).