There are many places in Tampa to stay and things to do on a weekend visit. You could stay in a nice motel, eat at a great restaurant, or visit a brewery. But you should make sure that you leave at least one free day. Then you can head to the beach, take a pontoon boat, or ride the roller coasters at Busch Gardens.
Beachside Resort Motel
The Beachside Resort Motel is a charming, budget-friendly option that offers excellent views of the Gulf and the beach. The motel is 400 feet of beachfront property and has two outdoor pools. It is well-maintained and provides a local favorite, the Bon-Aire.
This beachfront motel offers free parking and a garden. Other amenities include complimentary wireless Internet access, barbecue grills, and a picnic area. It’s just minutes from John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk and St. Petersburg Municipal Beach. The hotel is also a short distance from Eckerd College.
Tampa is known for its white sand beaches and calm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. There are plenty of options for beachfront accommodations, from small family motels to ultra-modern resorts. Beachfront accommodations are a great way to make the most of your Tampa vacation. Here, you can find everything from romantic getaways to family reunions.
Cigar City Brewing
The Cigar City Brewing Company was founded in 2009 by Joey Redner. The company’s mission is to produce 90,000 barrels of beer per year. It is also a CANarchy craft brewing collective member, representing the country’s largest canned craft beer supplier.
During the 2019-20 season, the brewery will open a taproom under the Pam Iorio Parking Garage. This venue will serve craft beer on game days and special non-event days. The bar will create an authentic Tampa setting to enhance the pre and post-event experience. Cigar City Brewing will also serve its brews in select venues throughout AMALIE Arena, including sections 211/212.
Ella’s
If you’re looking for a place to spend the weekend, you can’t go wrong with Ella’s Folk Art Cafe in Seminole Heights. This eclectic spot is a hotspot for art lovers, foodies, and audiophiles. Open for 13 years, Ella’s has become an upscale local hangout that caters to a wide range of interests.
For an art experience and some tasty vegan food, stop by Ella’s Folk Art Cafe. This unique eatery is home to a collection of art pieces curated by owner Melissa Deming. There are many pieces for sale, and the gallery even offers commission spaces. The restaurant features a mural in the parking lot and firefly lights around the patio.
Bake’n Babes
If you’re in the mood for a delicious treat, try Bake’n Babes, located inside The Hall on Franklin. The cupcake shop has been in business since 2013 and sources its ingredients locally. This guarantees that you’ll get the best quality in every bite. The cupcakes have won first place at the Ybor Saturday Market Cupcake Contest.
You can get the enormous desserts at Bake’n Babes, 231 E. Davis Blvd. The bakery’s milkshake received some love from Lizzo, and a cookie-dough-based brownie is on the menu. Bake’n Babes is a significant addition to the Davis Islands neighborhood. Owners Robert Sickler and Yari Ramos are also behind Bayou Bodega, a popular restaurant along the Tampa Riverwalk.
The bakery also features Freak Shakes, which are incredibly popular with sugar lovers. In January, the store hosted a pirate invasion, which resulted in a tres leches milkshake served in a glass with a skull-and-crossbones eye patch and a rubber ducky wearing a pirate bandana. While at it, check out Bake’n Babes’ Freak Shakes, which are massive milkshakes that come in various flavors. You can also get a cupcake on top of your milkshake, which makes an excellent dessert for any occasion.
Armature Works
Armature Works is an excellent choice if you want a unique experience. This place is known for its unique experiences and is open seven days a week. In addition to the restaurant and lounge, there are six other event spaces. Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special occasion, a corporate event, or a family reunion, this Tampa hotel will have something to offer.
While staying at Armature Works, you can enjoy the waterfront views. The waterfront dining space offers a 360-degree view of the water. You can also dine at the Butcher & Barbeque, which serves delicious sandwiches with house-smoked meats. If you’re craving more local cuisine, you can also visit Heights Public Market, located on the northern end of the Tampa Riverwalk.
While staying in Armature Works, you can also spend your weekend exploring the city. The downtown waterfront walk from Armature Works to Sparkman Wharf offers fantastic bay views, waterfront restaurants, and Florida wildlife. If you have time, you can also head over to Ybor City, a historic neighborhood outside downtown Tampa. The community was named after the famous Cuban cigar magnate Vicente Martinez e Ybor, who founded his cigar empire in Tampa in 1886. You can explore the area with immersive walking tours or stroll down 7th Avenue.
Empower Adventures
Empower Adventures offers zip lines, aerial adventure, and obstacle courses for the adventurous soul. The company is located in a 396-acre bayou on the northern tip of Tampa Bay. The location is conveniently located near Tampa and just a short drive from St. Pete and Clearwater. It is recommended that guests make reservations before visiting the facility. Age and weight restrictions apply.
In Oldsmar, Empower Adventures has five zip lines, a 200-foot suspension bridge, rope bridges, and log swings. The courses suit people of all ages and skill levels, from kids to adults. The zip line courses range from easy to moderate in difficulty.
Empower Adventures also offers day passes to several local hotels and resorts. For example, you can enjoy the beach and pool views from the Hyatt Regency Clearwater Beach or the Art Ovation Hotel. Some properties also offer private cabanas for guests. In addition, Fort De Soto Park offers kayak rentals and hiking trails. If the weather is nice, you can take a ferry to the nearby Egmont Key to enjoy a day in nature.
During the weekend, you can enjoy the sunset at one of Tampa Bay’s many beaches. You can enjoy dinner and an open bar on a private boat at the Island Ferry, which runs from noon to sunset on weekends. During the trip, you’ll see dolphins and enjoy a spectacular Gulf sunset. Or you can challenge yourself and take an aerial adventure course combining zip lines and obstacle courses such as barrels, nets, and suspension bridges.
Kennedy Space Center
If you’re a space fanatic and want to spend a day at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, you should visit as soon as possible. The launch pad is just a few minutes away, and daily tours leave every 15 minutes. These tours include a look inside the 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building, where rockets and space shuttles are assembled. You’ll also see a crawler-transporter transporting astronauts from one launch pad to another. In addition, you may be able to see rare refuge wildlife.
While visiting Kennedy Space Center, you can visit other attractions. You can dine with an astronaut, take an astronaut training course, and more. There are plenty of things for the whole family to do, and you can even see a live rocket launch. The space museum also offers interactive exhibits, so you can learn a lot about space exploration as you go.
While you’re at the Space Center, make sure you take time to view the Saturn V rocket. It’s a unique experience to see it up close and hear it as it soars into orbit. You’ll want to check the event calendar to ensure you’re there during the launch window. Pack sun protection because it can get boiling up there.
