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7 Can’t Miss Moments in Tampa, FL

Tampa embraces natural wonders and extraordinary people.

By Braxton Shoop on May 28, 2015

Natural wonders mix with warm Southern culture and a beach atmosphere creating a unique living experience in Tampa, Fla. The city’s moderate climate, gorgeous blue bay waters and endless skyline make it the perfect place for sports, outdoor activities, animal habitats, and much more. Whether you’re visiting Tampa or looking to move here, you’ll find a boatload of fun things to do. 

Here are seven of the most memorable experiences around town:

Gather Around The Gridiron

Cheer for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on their drive to victory. The Buccaneers have the coveted advantage of the 2015 number one draft pick, and their stadium’s signature pirate ship is legendary in the NFL. The Buccaneers and the University of South Florida Bulls play at the community-owned Raymond James Stadium, which has hosted Super Bowl XXXV in 2001 and Super Bowl XLIII in 2009.


Root for the Home Team

Catch a ball at a Tampa Bay Devil Rays game. The Rays have a proud heritage with roots in Tampa dating to 1913. They made history with their 2008 season as they became the third team ever to drive to the MLB’s World Series on a team’s first trip to the playoffs following the league’s change to the post-1969 “Divisional Era.” Tropicana Field is the Ray’s home turf, and it accommodates more than 43,000 spectators.

Visit The Garden of Eden

Join a safari at Busch Gardens’ massive free-roaming habit. Bush Gardens is one of the largest zoos in North America and home to some of the most fascinating animals on the planet. It showcases more than 12,000 animals among 250 species including lions, hippos and even endangered Malayan tigers.

Sink Beneath the Surface

Dive into an aquatic paradise at the Florida Aquarium. The aquarium features more than 20,000 plants and animals from around the world. Its Coral Reef Gallery is a one-of-a-kind simulation of a 60-foot dive, and it demonstrates the miniature ecosystems that exist in coral reef at different depths. Adventure-seekers should board the Aquarium’s 72-foot catamaran for a cruise through the deepwater ports in Port Tampa Bay. These expeditions witness several types of sea life, and dolphins make an appearance about 85 to 90 percent of the time. TripAdvisor.com ranks the aquarium as one of the top 10 aquariums in the country, and Parents Magazine ranks it among the top five Kid-Friendly Aquariums.

Escape Your Comfort Zone

Refine your cultural palate at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. The center has pushed Tampa artists to celebrate and expand their creativity for more than 25 years. Straz Center is the fourth-largest performing arts institution in America as it operates four primary theaters, one teaching theater, three restaurants, and the new SteamHeat Café coffee shop. 

Brew Up Memories

Take a free tour through America’s oldest brewery at D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc. Yuengling has remained family owned and operated since its founding in 1829. Yuengling’s guided tour explores the brewery’s heritage and use of modern technology at its Tampa facility, which recently added a new brew house to increase its capacity to 675 barrels.

Take the Bridge to the Skies

Visit the scenic Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Constructed at a cost of $244 million, Skyway Bridge is a modern engineering marvel as the world’s largest cable-stayed bridge. Skyway Bridge spans 29,040 feet across the broad mouth of the Tampa Bay. Be sure to arrive at sunrise or sunset for a spectacular view of the bridge set against the majestic Tampa skyline.

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