Top Outdoor Activities in Tampa, FL

Few things are more exhilarating than going ziplining over Tampa Bay and Bayou Wilderness waters.

During this 2.5-hour guided adventure, you’ll see lush greenery, blue waters, and maybe even some wildlife if you’re lucky! This tour is suitable for adults and kids, and it’s a superb way to experience the pristine nature of Tampa, Florida, while getting an adrenaline rush. Previous visitors have mentioned that this adventure is most definitely worth the money and that the staff were very friendly.

Empower Adventures also offers team building and birthday party tours.

Kayaking is not only a great way to check out the waters of Tampa, but it’s also a fun way to burn some calories after immersing yourself in the city’s restaurant scene. There are several places to rent kayaks for the day, like Get Up and Go Kayaking near Shell Key Preserve. Depending on your independence level, you can join a kayaking tour or rent a kayak and explore the area solo.

At Shell Key Preserve, you’ll see starfish, birds, manatees, and even dolphins as you paddle your way across the mangroves. But remember, the sun reflects off the water, so be sure to lather yourself in sunscreen before heading out for the afternoon.

If you’d consider yourself to be decently athletic, stand-up paddleboarding is absolutely something you need to try. At Tampa Bay SUP stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking, you can take a SUP lesson alone or with a few other people or rent a paddleboard for a solo adventure. However, you must have previous SUP experience to rent one by yourself. You can rent kayaks and pedal boats through this company if that is more your speed. All of these are beautiful ways to see Tampa from the water.

There are several places in Tampa where you can go on a horseback adventure. At In The Breeze Ranch, a horse will take you through the woods and around a lake for only $60 per person. The ranch offers other, more extensive tours where riders can trot and canter, trail ride under the moon, and even swim with the horses. If you’re an experienced horse rider, there are tours where you can go galloping through the trails. A knowledgeable and professional guide leads every tour, and every group ride is at the level of the least experienced rider to ensure the safety and comfort of all horseback riders.

This is a great way to soak up Tampa’s sunny rays with your family upon your next visit. If you’re visiting in the springtime, there are several U-pick berry farms where you can fill baskets with fresh blueberries, strawberries, citrus fruits, and more. Many of these farms also have gift shops and cafes where you can stop for a bite to eat after spending an hour in the field, picking sweet berries, with your children.

There are two areas in Tampa where you can swim alongside manatees: Homosassa and Crystal River. But it’s important to remember that these spots are their natural habitats, which means you need to respect them by staying at arm’s length and avoiding damaging their pristine surroundings.

The manatees can be found year-round, but peak manatee season is during the colder months. You can either choose to go swimming on your own or with your family, or join a guided tour that will ensure you have all of the necessary equipment. Many of these tours will also take photos of you as you become friends with the adorable manatees.

Plant enthusiasts will fall head over heels with the Sunken Gardens, a 100-year-old botanical garden home to some of the oldest tropical plants in the area. The entire Sunken Gardens spans over 4 acres and is located in the historic neighborhood of St. Petersburg. They’ve been around for more than a century and are a popular destination among tourists looking to walk through their meandering paths as they take photos of the unique tropical flora.

Previous visitors suggest packing food and beverages for a picnic, as there are many relaxing areas. There is also plenty of parking, a gift shop, and restaurants nearby if you work up an appetite from exploring the plant-lined paths.

If you’re keen on mixing physical activity with sightseeing, cycle-boating is a perfect option as you can take in the sights of the Hillsborough River while working up a bit of a sweat.

Kraken Cycleboats helps visitors explore Tampa and Jacksonville from the water. The company allows guests to book an entire cycle boat for their work team, family, or friend group, or join a tour to meet other visitors. On the boat, you can enjoy a couple of beers or seltzers while witnessing the local wildlife and unique Tampa architecture.

Beginners are welcome; you don’t have to be an avid cycler to have a great time on a cycle boat.

For those visiting Tampa on a romantic getaway, a sunset cruise provides a one-of-akind experience for you and your deserving partner. There are many sunset cruise options throughout Tampa, but the Yacht StarShip includes an open bar and dinner, making it an all-inclusive, memorable experience.

While cruising on Tampa Bay, there’s a good chance you’ll spot dolphins leaping out of the water with a gorgeous pink and orange sunset backdrop.

Walking, biking, and hiking are free ways to immerse yourself in Tampa’s flora and fauna. Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is a 240-acre park that can be found just outside of Tampa’s city limits. It’s the ideal destination for a family picnic, casual walk, or endorphin-boosting jog through the trails.

The Regional park also has an interpretive center, a 3,500-foot boardwalk, a place to rent kayaks and paddle boards, and an observation tower where visitors can check out the park’s wildlife.

At Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, lucky guests will see alligators, turtles, frogs, and waterfowl.

It’s Saturday morning; you’ve just stopped to grab a coffee and head to the local farmer’s market to pick up some fruit, freshly baked bread, and artisan cheeses to take to a nearby park for a picnic. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? 

There are several farmers’ markets being held in Tampa throughout the week and the weekend. The Ybor City Saturday Market is great for honey, baked goods, fresh produce, and handmade items from local makers and vendors. Plus, it’s held in a covered pavilion that’s lined with oak trees, making it quite a picturesque experience. The Tampa Bay Farmers Market and Hyde Park Fresh Market are other popular farmers’ markets.

If you consider yourself “outdoorsy” because you like drinking outdoors on patios, you’ll undoubtedly have fun in Tampa. There are tons of restaurants that offer rooftop dining so that you can take in the views while eating a tasty meal and sipping a refreshing beverage. Tampa is also home to many rooftop bars if you’re seeking a lively party atmosphere.

Getting outside and enjoying Tampa’s green spaces doesn’t cost a cent, which is great for those following a travel budget. New Tampa Nature Park has several trails, a boardwalk extending over wetlands, a playground, a small rock climbing area, and plenty of picturesque picnic spots. It’s a popular destination for cycling and hiking, and even a rope and zipline course is available for everyone to use. It’s clean, wellmaintained, and is a perfect spot to spend the morning or afternoon with your family.

You wouldn’t expect the downtown Tampa area to be lined with artistic murals, but it is! Take yourself on a self-guided walking tour leading to dozens of murals, and stop for an iced coffee and a baked good halfway through, and you’ll certainly work up an appetite.

Tampa has around 50 murals, and if you follow a suggested route, the whole tour will be a 7-mile loop. So before heading out for the day, ensure you’ve got enough room in your phone’s photo album, as you’ll be snapping several pictures of every mural.

This Florida city does not have a shortage of gorgeous beaches, so your Tampa itinerary should always include some rest and relaxation on the sand. Grab a towel, chair, bathing suit, bottle of sunscreen, and a cooler filled with snacks and beverages, and find the nearest beach!

Some of the top-rated beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Clearwater Beach, Fred Howard Park, Apollo Beach Nature Reserve, Sand Key Park, and Honeymoon Island State Park. After soaking up the rays all day, make sure that you don’t leave any trash behind, as this will keep the beach thriving for other visitors and the wildlife that call the area home.

Calling all animal lovers: a trip to ZooTampa at Lowry Park is a must-do activity. This 63-acre not-for-profit zoo has won several awards for being a great family-friendly attraction and for its ongoing conservation efforts.

At ZooTampa, you’ll see otters, alligators, giraffes, llamas, native birds, skunks, bears, and other wildlife that’s native to Florida. Lowry Park Zoo also offers safari rides, has a water coaster for thrillseekers, and even gives complimentary daytime admission on your birthday.

It would be a crime to visit Tampa and not spend time wandering its downtown core. There’s a lot for visitors of all ages to see and do. There’s a beautiful waterfront with benches, award-winning parks, coffee shops, restaurants, a 2.4-mile riverwalk that’s walkable and bikeable, and stores for shopping. So while you explore, you might stumble upon an exciting museum or interactive exhibit you’ll want to check out.

Sparkman Wharf is a vibrant waterfront area that showcases restaurants, a beer garden, shops, and street food stands and trucks. It’s the perfect relaxed setting for you to soak up the sun with a tasty slice of pizza in one hand and an ice-cold beer in the other. You’ll also find ice cream, tacos, barbeque, burgers, specialty coffees, chocolate treats, craft hot dogs, and more.

On the weekends, there is often live music, making it an excellent destination to explore by yourself, with a group of friends, or with family. The beer garden is a must-visit for those passionate about craft beer.