Tampa Vacation Weather

Tampa is situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida and lends its name to Tampa Bay which also includes the cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg as part of the Bay Area. Given its warm year round weather, beautiful waterfront location and vibrant nightlife, Tampa is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and has undergone a period of huge development and modernisation over the past few years making it well worth a vacation visit.

Tampa experiences beautiful sunsets given that it looks out west over the water and its flat landscape provides panoramic views of the sky throughout the city. It is particularly popular with sports fans looking for a short weekend or midweek vacation to see their team play against one of the Tampa professional hockey, baseball or football teams and Tampa has also hosted several Super Bowls.

Best Time to visit Tampa

Tampa has warm weather all year round with spring being the most popular time to visit for vacation in terms of visitor numbers. The summer months can feel quite hot to visitors not accustomed to the humid Florida summer weather so generally the months from September to May are recommended to visit for vacation. Fall would be a particularly good time to visit as the weather and water temperature is still warm but visitor numbers are significantly lower than the spring peak resulting in cheaper hotel prices.

From late May to mid September, expect a daily afternoon thunderstorm. Although almost daily, these thunderstorms typically pass within an hour so don’t interrupt the day too much. Tampa is known as the lightning capital of the United States given the storm frequency over summer although stormy weather outside of the summer months is far more rare.

The winter months have generally mild weather with temperatures averaging around the mid 60s. Although there may be cold periods where temperatures can drop into the 50s and even 40s, these winter cold snaps only tend to last a few days before the more customary mild weather returns. Given its pleasant winter weather, Tampa is a hotspot for “snowbirds” looking to escape the harsh winter weather found in the northern US and Canada.

Things to know about Tampa

The name “Tampa” is believed to have meant “sticks of fire”, a reference to the lightning that accompanies the passing storms throughout the summer months. Tampa is essentially a sprawl city with several different districts worth visiting including Ybor City, the originally cigar manufacturing and now party district. Renting a car is highly recommended to explore the bay area properly although ride sharing apps could also suffice.

The Hillsborough River runs through Tampa and into the bay allowing for activities such as paddling, canoeing, jet skiing or simply taking a water taxi ride along the river. Although part of Tampa Bay, Tampa sees itself very distinctly from its fellow bay area cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg. A common misconception is that Tampa is a beach town. Whilst there are a few beaches in Tampa, these lie on the bay and if you’re after a trip to a sea facing beach, you’ll need to head west across the bay to the many beaches lining the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa is ideal for shopping, restaurants, cafes, outdoor activities, catching a sports game and nightlife!

The 10 top sights are:

Busch Gardens

Bush Gardens is a must visit destination in Tampa if you’re into roller coasters! They also host a frightening Halloween event and have a very impressive range of animals on display if visiting with kids.

Tampa Riverwalk

A 2.4 mile walk along the bay and river including a protruding walkway that has been built out over the river. Many people cycle along the Tampa Riverwalk and there are many things to see along the walk including parks, museums and the performing arts center.

Amalie Arena

One of the most picturesque arenas in the United States, this downtown arena sits on the bay, is surrounded by palm trees and looks out over the city skyline. Catch an NHL game or one of the many other events such as concerts that are hosted throughout the year. Be sure to check out the giant balcony for a drink before or after an event. The large outdoor bar across the street is also a popular Tampa spot for a drink when there’s an event on.

Bayshore Boulevard

Thought to be the longest uninterrupted sidewalk in the world at 4.5 miles long, Bayshore offers stunning views out over the bay and downtown skyline. It is very popular with runners and those simply looking for a relaxing walk in the fine Tampa weather.

Ybor City

Ybor is a historic district in Tampa originally born out of cigar manufacturing and the reason Tampa is sometimes referred to as “Cigar City”. Today, Ybor is at the heart of Tampa’s nightlife and during the day has several eclectic shops, bars and eateries to delight vacation visitors.

Plant Park

Lightning statues are a feature in Plant Park which is on the grounds of the University of Tampa and is overlooked by the historically impressive Plant Hall. Plant Hall, featuring its iconic minarets, was built in the late 1800s and was originally a hotel. Today it is part of the beautiful University of Tampa campus.

Sparkman Wharf

Nestled in the southeast corner of downtown Tampa is Sparkman Wharf which features restaurants, a beer garden, outdoor activities and views out over the bay.

South Howard Avenue

Howard, as it’s known locally, is where Tampa residents flock to to party. Along with Ybor, this is the heart of the nighttime party scene in Tampa. The bars feature outdoor areas so you can make the most of the beautiful Tampa weather while on a night out.

International Plaza

This is the most upmarket mall in Tampa and the heart of its shopping scene. Features several restaurants and bars with outdoor seating.

Hyde Park Village

This upscale outdoor district features boutique shops, many restaurants and cafes and the abundance of trees provides cooling shade which is ideal for the sunny Tampa weather.

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