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This Gulf Coast City Is the Top Trending U.S. Destination This Summer, According to Kayak
Searches for Tampa are up a whopping 85 percent year over year, according to new Kayak data—but this Floridian isn't surprised. With its growing food scene, ever-expanding walkable waterfront, and proximity to some of Florida's best beaches, Tampa is heating up this summer in more ways than one. Here's how to make the most of a summertime trip to this trending Gulf Coast city.
First time in Tampa? Start with a stroll along the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk, which connects downtown attractions, parks, and businesses along the Hillsborough River. Visit cultural attractions like the Tampa Museum of Art and the Florida Aquarium to beat the heat, or hop aboard a Pirate Water Taxi for a breezy ride. In the summer, locals love cooling down with a scoop from local favorite Chill Bros (get it in a homemade waffle cone—trust) or arriving by boat to Rick's on the River for seafood and cold drinks.
Tampa's historic cigar district is a can't-miss—this is Cigar City, after all. Beyond the iconic Columbia Restaurant (don't skip the Original 1905 Salad, tossed tableside and named for the year the restaurant was founded), you'll find trendy cocktail bars like Hotel Haya's Flor Fina, where a massive atrium gives you the sunshiney vibes of the outside without having to sacrifice air conditioning. (Outdoor-feeling indoor spaces are how we natives survive summer in Florida, by the way.) Duck into King State for craft beer and third-wave coffee, all under one roof, or browse the funky vintage shops along 7th Avenue.
Clearwater Beach is a Tampa Bay–area classic and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium is great for families. But savvy travelers can skip the summer beach crowds and head to Pass-a-Grille, a quaint and quiet stretch of sand just south of St. Pete Beach. It's about 45 minutes from downtown Tampa and has pastel cottages, funky seafood joints, and some of the best sunset views in Florida—complete with a nightly sunset bell-ringing tradition. Just remember that while beaches and summertime go hand in hand, so does a higher UV index and sunburn. Hydrate and slather on the SPF accordingly.
Tampa is a sports town through and through, home to the Rays (baseball), the Lightning (ice hockey), and the Buccaneers (football). While ice hockey and football games don't resume until the fall, you can catch a MLB game in Tampa during the summer. The Tampa Bay Rays have home games scheduled throughout June, July, August, and September, including matchups against the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, and St. Louis Cardinals.
Many Floridians prioritize indoor activities during the sweltering summer months, but summer is still a nice time for a golden-hour paddle through mangrove tunnels at Weedon Island Preserve or even a clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve.
During the hottest part of the day, explore Tampa's indoor (or at least shaded) food halls and local breweries. Armature Works is a buzzy mixed-use hub in a restored streetcar warehouse with sweeping river views, while Cigar City Brewing is the heart of Tampa's craft beer scene with their iconic Jai Alai and Florida Man IPAs.
If you do decide to brave Busch Gardens Tampa Bay in the summer (couldn't be me), spare yourself the heat stroke and go by night: the park's Summer Nights promotion features extended summertime hours that keep the park open late from May 23 to Aug. 10.
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