It’s not often our guests ask us about the best things to do in Downtown Tampa. Most tourists who visit Florida’s Gulf Coast spend their time swimming, sunbathing, and sipping cocktails near the beach. But when an occasional undesirable stormy day comes along, it’s good to have a fun day-trip planned to Downtown St. Petersburg or Tampa. Travel Resort Services (TRS) has multiple waterfront St. Pete Beach resorts minutes from the area’s best beaches, shopping, and restaurants. Most of our St. Pete condo rentals are also within 30 miles of Downtown Tampa, a lively city center with engrossing museums, unique pubs, and live entertainment. Here are three of our favorite things to do in Downtown Tampa.
Visit a Museum
There are several museums in Downtown Tampa that are worth an hour or two of your time. If you’re on a family vacation with young kids, we highly recommend starting at the Glazer Children’s Museum. Children can learn about farming, fire-fighting, robotics, music, medicine, topography, veterinary practices, and so much more! The Tampa Bay History Museum is arguably the best of its kind in Florida. Not only is the museum a beautiful four-story marvel, but it’s home to an exuberant amount of fascinating history and artifacts. Learn about pirates, Teddy Roosevelt, cigar-making, Seminoles, and the area’s urban development through exhibits, photography, and video. The Tampa Museum of Art, Florida Aquarium, and Riverwalk are also popular pit stops.
Dinner and Drinks
After an absorbing afternoon of history and art, treat yourselves to an evening of fine cuisine and signature cocktails. Stop by Yeoman’s Cask & Lion for a pint of European beer and homemade shepherd’s pie in a modern, British-themed pub. Yeoman’s is one of the best bars in the Tampa area because of its unique art, English flair, happy hour specials, and extensive drink menu. If you’re looking for a craft cocktail in a gorgeous, dimly-lit speakeasy bar, head down to CW’s Gin Joint on Franklin Street. CW’s has beautiful chandeliers, an elaborate bar, and comfy furniture. It’s hard to pass up a large, woodfired pizza at Bavaro’s. Every single gluten-free pizza, from Margherita to prosciutto, is a delicious marriage of flavor and texture. Bavaro’s also has a location in St. Petersburg, seven miles from our St. Pete Beach resorts.
Tampa Theatre
Finish your evening in Downtown Tampa with live theater at a 92-year-old palace. Tampa Theatre is a non-profit entertainment theater that hosts live music, classic films, events, and comedy acts. The lavish interior is reminiscent of a Mediterranean courtyard with statues, gargoyles, and flowers. The ceiling is brilliantly projected to look like a twinkling nighttime sky. If there is one reason to leave our St. Pete Beach resorts for an evening, it’s to visit the unforgettable Tampa Theatre.
St. Pete Beach Resorts
Visit our website at TRSInc.com for a complete list of properties, scattered throughout the St. Pete Beach area. You’ll find that we also have condo rentals in Madeira Beach, Treasure Island, Redington Beach, Indian Shores, and Dunedin!