There’s so much to do and see in Tampa, that chances are you’re going to leave from your vacation wondering how soon you can justify visiting again. Year round there’s beautiful weather, making it the perfect holiday destination especially when it’s cooler elsewhere. It’s a wonderful destination for families, especially those who love animals with the Big Cat Rescue and ZooTampa being really special places to visit with children. There are also a handful of wonderful beaches, ensuring that no matter the length of your trip you’ll be kept busy and entertained the entire time. Tampa has a bunch of great attractions but you’ll soon fine that there are often considerable distances between them. For that reason, Tampa is the perfect place to rent a car and you can look at rental car Tampa for some great options.
1. Big Cat Rescue
This will be a highlight for animal lovers, the Big Cat Rescue is regarded as more of a sanctuary than a zoo, ensuring that the animals are living well. It’s a great place to learn more about many of the beautiful species kept here, such as the bobcats, tiers, cougars, lynx and even some stunning snow leopards. The grounds are over 67 acres and home to over 100 animals and 14 different species. This can be a slightly expensive visit depending on the type of tour you choose so it can be a good idea to look online in advance to plan your visit. Some ticket types are also limited so you might want to book in advance during peak season such as the holidays.
2. Tampa Riverwalk
This is a 2.6 mile trail that runs parallel to the Hillsborough River in Tampa. With a wide stretch of sidewalk you can walk, cycle, rollerblade, and take a stroller along this lovely scenic walk. Along the way you’ll see a variety of restaurants, cafes, playgrounds and some of Tampa’s most popular attractions. My suggestion is pack a picnic and stop off along the way to enjoy your meal in the sun, watching people buzz by.
3. Busch Gardens
Here you’ll find a little bit of everything – from over 12,000 animals to rollercoasters, making it the perfect family holiday destination. This theme park is older than Disney world which is located nearby, and has a variety of educational exhibitions where children can learn while having fun. You’ll also find a wide range of live shows, shops, restaurants and gift stores. If you’re a bit of a thrill seeker and hope to ride a lot of the rides it might be worth investing in a Quick Queue Unlimited Pass to skip the lines.
4. ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Here you’ll find a few rides, but that’s not the reason people find themselves at ZooTampa. The beautifully maintained natural habits of the animals not only provide wonderful homes, but allow you to feel like you’re in Africa or Australia while viewing the exotic animals. Here you’ll also find a non profit manatee hospital, where you can see Florida’s adored seacows year round.
There’s so much to do and see in Tampa that one visit might simply not be enough. To maximise your time, be sure to get a Tampa car rental.
