The Ultimate Guide to Tampa, FL

The Ultimate Guide to Tampa, FL

Everything you need to know before heading to Key West! Sections include how to get there, where to stay, what to do, where to eat & drink, and must-know tips. NOTE: this guide is for Tampa the city, not Clearwater/beach areas.
Updated ago
2
Share

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no cost to you. 

How to Get There:

-By Plane

Tampa is certainly most easily serviced by Tampa International Airport (TPA). Landing there will put you around a 20 minute drive into town or 40 minutes to get to seaside locations such as Clearwater. TPA is one of my favorite airports - very efficient!

-By Car

If you're within a reasonable driving distance, Tampa can be found along I75 coming from both north and south (you'll switch on to 275 to get into town). Be warned: the traffic around Tampa is absolutely atrocious, so add more time in than you think you'll need. Once you get to the city center, driving really isn't that bad, its more so getting in and out of town!

Getting Around Town:

Buy to unlock full guide

Access all the local insights and recommendations from @whyyoushouldgoto when you purchase this guide.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Take your travel advice from someone who has lived there 👀 When I started traveling full-time, I learned very quickly that travel burnout is real and changing destinations every couple of days or even weeks was really not for me. I quickly pivoted to slow travel and now spend 1-3 months in each destination I visit. Spending more time in fewer locations means I am able to truly immerse myself into local culture and connect with the community on a deeper level... And it also means I can provide the best travel recommendations! Through my own in-depth experience and tapping into knowledge of the locals I meet along the way, I'm able to provide high quality travel tips to help you make the best out of your trip! I specialize in USA Travel, where I've explored 46/50 states extensively (with plans to reach all 50 by the end of 2025). I am a proud Michigan native and will never pass up the opportunity to introduce more people to it's beauty! My work has been featured on tourism boards such as UP Travel (MI), Saugautck/Douglas (MI), TN Vacation (TN), Visit Kentucky (KY), and more. While I specialize in USA Travel, I also love sharing my international adventures. Most recently, I spent one month chasing the Northern Lights in Norway and have also traveled extensively through Europe and Central America. Check out my guides for all the insider tips you need to top destinations, or contact me to help craft your perfect trip!
What's included
Digital Map
Fully interactive, digital map for finding places nearby
26 places
26 hand-picked places with notes from the creator
6 links
6 links from the creator to go even deeper with more info
DESTINATION(S) COVERED
Tampa, FL, USA
FOCUSES AND THEMES
Female Solo
Groups
Couples
Digital Nomads
BEST TIME OF YEAR
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Format
Guide
Guides typically include detailed information and how-to’s about a destination as well as suggested places to try.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What is Thatch?
Thatch is an online marketplace that provides instant access to thousands of vetted local experts and premium travel guides - making it the easiest and most affordable way to take high quality trips with less stress. For travel creators (tastemakers, travel advisors, influencers and local experts) Thatch makes it easy to curate, publish, and sell digital travel guides, itineraries and personalized planning services.
What if I’m not satisfied with my purchase?
How do I access my purchased guides?
Can I access my guide offline?
How often are guides updated?
Can I request a personalized guide or itinerary?
Can I sell my own travel guides and itineraries?
Save for Later
Share
Powered by Thatch
The home for unique & authentic travel
Powered by Thatch: Where great trips are made.
© Marisa Wigley | @whyyoushouldgoto 2025 • Help • Privacy • Terms • Copyright • Become a Seller • Seller Academy • About • Careers • Blog • Explore Places