Next time you visit the Tampa Bay area, don’t just head straight for the beach – consider some of these awesome tours to take in Tampa instead. This list includes all kinds of cool, behind-the-scenes experiences, tasting tours, history, adventure, and so much more. Read on!
Having lived just across the bay from Tampa (in Clearwater), it took even me many years to start discovering what Tampa is all about. But just like Ariel sought to leave the sea for drier pastures, I, too, have made more of an effort to see what’s beyond Florida’s shoreline.
When you’re looking to do the same, check out these 7 awesome tours you can take in Tampa, Florida. I guarantee there’s something you haven’t thought about in here. All hours, costs, and other info are accurate as of November 2024.
Tours to take in Tampa, Florida
In my many years of living near and visiting the Tampa Bay area, I’ve regularly sought out cool tours to take in Tampa.
I look for tours that are beyond the stale learning experiences few are interested in past school field trip age. Tours that are a little offbeat, that teach you things you never even thought about, and tours that really aim to make a difference. But also, just so I don’t lose you, beer.
I love getting to see how things are made, how things operate behind the scenes, and how things came to be. But mostly, and I think we can all agree, I want to drink beer and look at cute animals. Luckily, you can find all that (and more) on this list of fun tours to take in Tampa.
Map of the tours to take in Tampa
This map contains the location of all the Tampa tours I mention in this post. To save this map: Click on the star ⭑ next to the map’s title to save in your Google Maps. To use this map: When you get here, open Google Maps on your phone, click “Saved” at the bottom, then click “Maps.”
1. Manatee Viewing Center
One of the first really unique places I discovered after moving to Florida was the Manatee Viewing Center at the Tampa Electric Company’s power plant. I know that sentence sounds weird, but I now know this to be a totally normal thing.
You see, the Tampa Electric Company pulls saltwater from Tampa Bay into its power plants to cool down its energy producing parts. This water is then discharged, clean and warm, back into the bay.
When “winter” hits (a term I use loosely when talking about Florida), manatees seek out the warm waters from the power plant. They migrate here by the hundreds and this is where they spend their entire winter.
As one of the coolest tours to take in Tampa, you can watch the manatees playing in the water from the elevated platforms, visit the educational center, walk the mangrove trails, and even take guided tours with trained docents. And all for free!
For more information on Tampa’s Manatee Viewing Center, check out my full post in that link. There’s a similar manatee park in Fort Myers too if you find yourself that far south.
2. Raymond James Stadium
The guided tour of the NFL’s Raymond James Stadium is one of the coolest tours to take in Tampa I haven’t personally taken myself. Unless we’re counting that time I tailgated way too hard and couldn’t find my seat at the game for like an hour. Which we’re not.
But yes, you can take 75-minute guided behind-the-scenes tours of Raymond James Stadium, home of the National Football League’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
As someone who’s worked at her fair share of professional sports arenas, I find this incredibly interesting. And if you’re a sports fan who’s already had to suffer through your fair share of Disney parades on this trip, so will you.
You’ll get to explore the luxury suites, locker rooms, the field, and even the stadium’s famed pirate ship. Avast ye mateys, there is indeed a life-size pirate ship that’s been beached inside Raymond James Stadium. It even shoots cannons! So if you’ve been wondering where your NFL ticket dollars go, there’s your answer.
Raymond James stadium Tours
- Availability: Year-round, Monday through Friday (some Saturdays) at 2pm (Some specific dates are unavailable; see website for details.)
- Cost: Adults $16, Seniors $12, Children $10, Children <4 Free
- ADA accessible? Yes, all tours are ADA accessible.
- Need to know: Tours must be booked in advance; no walk-ups.
- More information: See the Raymond James tour website here.
3. Downtown Tampa Tiki Bar Tour
As one of the more unique tours to take in Tampa, the floating tiki bar is the best way to spend a day in the tropics without having to drive to the beach. Forget having to deal with the crowds at the city bars and have your drinks on the water instead.
The Downtown Tampa Floating Tiki Bar allows you to bring your own booze and food, play your own music, and float down the Hillsborough River on your own honest-to-goodness tiki bar. Really, take a look at these photos and definitely consider this for your next night out in Tampa!
These tiki bar tours are also available in Clearwater, St. Pete, Key West, and Destin. All have consistent 5-star reviews!
Book your Tampa tiki bar tour here
4. Ybor City Walking Tour
Maybe you want to visit Cuba during your trip to Tampa? I totally understand. In that case, make sure one of the tours you take in Tampa is a walking tour of historic Ybor City.
Ybor City (pronounced E-bore) is Tampa’s historic district, named for Vicente Martinez-Ybor, the Spanish entrepreneur who brought the cigar industry to Florida from Cuba in the 1880s. Much of this part of Tampa is as it’s always been, and a small part of this part of Tampa is actually Cuba.
Es verdad, amigos! In Ybor City you’ll find a 0.14-acre park that’s been designated official Cuban land. And the interesting little tidbits about this city just roll on from there. (There’s a cigar joke in there somewhere I know it.)
In Ybor City you’ll find amazing and authentic Cuban eats and drinks, historical buildings, tons of history, and a protected colony of wild chickens that just may take the tour with you.
And if you’re looking to just spend some time in Ybor on your own, check out my full post on How to Spend a Day in Ybor City, Tampa. (It’s one of my most popular posts of all time.)
ybor city tours
If you’d like to add a little history (and probably some delicious food too) to your time in Tampa, check out these popular Ybor City tours:
5. Tampa Beer Tours
As a beer-drinker, I love finding good craft beer tours when I travel. Here in Tampa, you have a few great options:
1. Coppertail Brewing Co. is the only area craft brewery that offers guided tours. (And the beers here are fantastic!) They offer 30-min tours three times a day on Saturdays and Sundays. Your $10 tour cost also includes a souvenir pint glass and a free beer. Check out their brewery tours here.
2. City Brew Tours – These all-inclusive tours take you to several Tampa craft breweries where you’ll get to sample tons of local beers. They have several different tour options, see them all here.
3. The Brew Bus – On these public bus tours, you’ll get to explore some of Tampa’s best breweries in a totally unique way. See their tour options here.
6. El Reloj Cigar Factory Tour
While in Ybor City, you can also take a tour of El Reloj, the only cigar factory still operating in Tampa (aka “Cigar City”). These tours last 1 hour 15 minutes and take you through the process of how cigars are made (both by hand and with their antique machines). You can even book yourself into a cigar rolling class. (And you get to take home the cigars you made!)
El Reloj Cigar Factory tours
- Availability: Monday – Friday at 9:30am, 11:30am, and 1pm.
- Cost: Adults $15, Seniors/Veterans $12
- Need to know: Book your tour in advance to secure your spot
- More info: Check out their tour page here
7. SS American Victory
And for something a little different than other Tampa tours, how about a World War II cargo ship? Yes, right here in Tampa, Florida.
The SS American Victory, docked in Tampa’s Channelside district just behind the Florida Aquarium, is one of only three fully-functioning WWII cargo ships left in the world. This one also participated in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
At the American Victory Ship & Museum you can tour pretty much the entire ship, learn about it and other WWII cargo ships in the museum, and really see what life was like aboard a cargo ship back in 1945. (And attempt to look cool reenacting it.)
Most of the visitors to the American Victory Ship & Museum take self-guided tours, as did I. It’s great to go where you want and spend as much time reading and taking photos as you like, all at your own pace. However, they do offer guided tours if booked in advanced.
If this is something that interests you, check out my full post dedicated to visiting the SS American Victory over on my World War II travel blog.
american victory self-guided tour info
- Hours: Open Mon 12 – 5pm and Tues – Sun 10am – 5pm
- Admission: Adults $15, Seniors $12, Veterans $12, Children 4-12 $10, Children< 3 Free
- Location: 705 Channelside Dr., Tampa, FL
- More info: See their tour page here.
Where to stay in Tampa
The great thing I love about Tampa is that I feel it’s the perfect size and the ideal spot for city life and sea life without having to sacrifice either. You can have both bay views and easy access to these tours without having to sell your soul to that villainous sea witch. Here are some great hotel recommendations for your visit to Tampa.
Hampton Inn Tampa Downtown Channel District – Wonderful reviews, outdoor swimming pool, lounge and terrace, and in a great area surrounded by lots to do.
Hyatt Place Tampa Downtown – Another Tampa hotel with excellent reviews, and outdoor pool, its own restaurant on-site, and so much great stuff nearby.
Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay – Beautiful property on the water, two restaurants, two swimming pools, private parking, and tons of other great amenities. When you want the best of both worlds—salt life + city life—book yourself a stay here.
More info for your trip to Florida
Like this post? Have questions about any of these Tampa tours? Let me know in the comments below! Have fun in Florida!
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