Tampa Bay - By Category
Arts & Entertainment
Explore all the opportunities Tampa Bay’s arts community has to offer, from art galleries and museums to first-rate theater productions, live concerts, movies and literary pursuits.
Attractions
Check out all of the unique destinations that make the Tampa Bay area so distinctive. Discover pulse-pounding thrill rides and roller coasters, take a relaxing stroll through lush and leafy foliage or spend a day at the races or playing the slots.
Events & Festivals
It seems like something is always going on in the Tampa Bay area: Bands of pirates threaten to invade Tampa during the Gasparilla Pirate Festival and berry farmers showcase their harvest at the Florida Strawberry Festival. Musicians gather for the Clearwater Jazz Holiday, while authors mingle with readers at the St. Petersburg Times Festival of Reading. Check out what’s happening in Tampa Bay.
Cities & Neighborhoods
The Tampa Bay area consists of four counties in west central Florida, including Hillsborough, Manatee, Pinellas and Sarasota. There are many cities and towns within the boundaries of these counties and a variety of urban, suburban and rural communities.
History & Landmarks
Nomadic populations settled in the Tampa Bay area at least 5,000 years ago. These dwellers eventually developed into the Tocobaga who lived along the coast when the first Europeans arrived. Area museums and landmarks memorialize Tampa Bay’s rich history, from its first inhabitants to its settlement by early Florida pioneers and its rapid expansion and growth during the last century.
Food & Drink
The Tampa Bay area offers a cornucopia of dining delights, from fine cuisine and opulent bistros to cozy pubs and neighborhood diners. Find out where to wet your whistle or fill your belly.
Nature & Outdoors
Pristine Florida landscapes range from white sand beaches with rolling dunes to live oak hammocks with twisting, moss-draped branches. City, county and state parks help preserve the Tampa Bay area’s natural beauty.
Shopping
A guide to all the area has to offer the discerning shopper, from long-established malls anchored by big-box stores to traditional town squares, flea markets and antique malls.
Sports & Recreation
The area boasts several professional sports franchises, collegiate teams and area sporting events in addition to a wide array of recreational opportunities.
Lifestyles
Community information on senior living, families, gay and lesbian resources, animals and pets, volunteer opportunities, singles groups, business networking and places of worship.
Government & Public Resources
Tampa Bay area county and city government facts as well as public resources, including information on transportation, libraries, health facilities and voting procedures.
Education
Learn about education in the Tampa Bay area, from preschool facilities and school districts to institutions of higher learning and vocational schools.]
Housing
Whether looking for a temporary residence or the house of your dreams, the Tampa Bay area offers just about everything, from affordable apartments and housing for first-time homebuyers to lavish accommodations and waterfront condominiums.
Places to Stay: Resorts, Hotels & Motels
There is no shortage of lodging in the Tampa Bay area. Visitors have a wide variety of options, from budget motels and comfortable efficiencies, to charming bed and breakfast establishments and luxury waterfront resorts.