94 Things to do for the 94 Days of Summer in Tampa

Summer begins June 21st and gives us 94 days in the season, ending September 23rd. This summer we have comprised 94 things to do for the 94 days of summer from activities, events and new hobbies. If you are looking for things to do this summer, you are sure to find plenty of them here. Make sure to bookmark this page or add to your favorites so that you can continue to check back for ideas as the summer goes along! Let's begin...

Go to the beach to kick off summer. Cypress Point Park in Tampa is a hidden gem of a beach that few know of. Its serene trails, wildflowers and beach are the perfect place to relax and watch the sunset.
Check out Beer Can Island, a favorite little spot where Tampa boaters a party people drop the anchors, relax, and kick a few back on this tiny secluded island in the Bay.
Bike around Davis Island to the small grassy area on the southernmost point.
Surrounded by water, this spot is perfect for picnics and watching a beautiful Tampa sunset.
If running is more your style, run around Davis Island, past Derek Jeter’s house, pretending not to take the video and pictures you are most definitely going to take.
Try a unique restaurant in Tampa you have never tried before. There are so many locally owned, authentic dining establishments in the city that many don’t know about because they are used to going to the popular chains. I suggest Ciro’s Speakeasy, a 20’s prohibition era themed restaurant that requires a password.
Go shopping at Urban Body Clothing, a high end and locally owned boutique for men and women in SoHo.
Check out one of the Summer Nights at Busch Gardens. This popular theme park in Tampa has late night park hours throughout the summer and live entertainment at no additional cost to your general admissions ticket.
Check out the brand new Cheetah Hunt roller coaster at Busch Gardens while you’re at it. Reaching speeds of 60 miles per hour and dropping from as high as 130 feet, this thing will likely be the adoration of Tampa coaster-lovers all summer.
Visit Mangroves in SoHo on a Friday or Saturday evening and be entertained by Brooke McCarter, “Paul” from The Lost Boys, on his bongos accompanied by a DJ.
Try new events in Tampa instead of the usual bar or nightclub that you may frequent. Events like Havana Nights at The Tampa History Center (June 25th) are upscale and benefit a great cause.
Attend Fit Club in the Park (June 29th) for a fun workout at Curtis Hixon Park. Meet new people while doing Yoga, Pilates, Boot Camp or Tai-Chi.
Show your support at one of the Tampa Yankees games! Get your tickets straight from here and show your Tampa pride!
You will definitely want to attend one of the Tampa Bay Rays games this summer and root them on to victory!
And, on certain Saturday home games you can stick around and enjoy a free after-game concert part of the 2011 Rays Summer Concert Series. See bands from the Wiggles to artists like Amanda Cosgrove at no cost while they rock Tropicana Field.
We’ve got a great roster for upcoming summer concerts in Tampa at venues from the 1-800-ASK-GARY Ampitheatre to The Ritz in Ybor City. Check out acts like Motley Crue, Brad Paisley, Godsmack, and more.
Enjoy awesome, intimate live music from a local artist at any one of the awesome neighborhood dive bars inTampa. You might be pleasantly surprised and, who knows, possibly seeing the next big artist right before they hit the big time.
Or, get outdoors outdoors and enjoy great live music at the 2011 Hyde Park Village Live Music Series in beautiful Hyde Park. It’s FREE, you can bring your pet, and enjoy a drink or two while watching a band play under the sunset.
Don’t think that’s the only option for a free concert in a beautiful outdoor setting. Rock the Park at Curtis Hixon Park goes down on the first Thursday of every month and features some of the best up-and-coming music acts in Tampa.
The Straz Center for the Performing Arts also has a slew of great upcoming summer shows including Motherhood the Musical, Mamma Mia!, The Taming of the Shrew, and more.
More of an arts person? Tampa’s got free events for you too. On the first Saturday of each month artists Dan Balk and Arnold Martinez open their studios for the Art on 19th Street event in Ybor City. Purchase artwork, watch some live music, and more at this FREE monthly event.
Check out Adventure Island! Bring some friends and enjoy a relaxed cruise down the Lazy River or a lightspeed ride down any of their awesome water slides.
Stick around Adventure Island and enjoy Island Nights, an island life celebration with music, entertainment and cuisine to treat all palates.
Take the kids to the nationally acclaimed Glazer Children’s Museum for Target $2 Tuesdays. With the purchase of a general admission ticket, your child gets in for just $2!
Another great museum to check out for a more adult experience would be the Tampa Museum of Art. Founded in 1979 and houses over 4,500 objects.
The Tampa Bay History Center combines past and present characters with heritage.
For more recreational things to do in Tampa this summer, visit one of the Tampa parks. There is plenty to choose from whether you want to fish in Tampa, or simply relax in the sun.
Speaking of parks, many Tampa parks offer dog parks on their premises. Bring Fido out for a day and let him/her go wild with tons of other pups. They’re always free and the pooch will certainly appreciate the freedom.
Or, head out to Hillsborough River State Park, rent a canoe, and explore our beautiful Hillsborough River.
Al Lopez is another great choice for a park. Located in North Tampa, Al Lopez Park is one of the few parks that offer fishing in the area with one of their huge ponds.
Did your eyes widen when you just read “fishing”? Lucky for you, the Tampa Bay area’s got a slew of awesome fishing charters perfect for a day out on the water. Head out into the gulf on any one of these charters and catch a big ol’ fish if you’re lucky enough.
Grab some laughs with friends at one of the comedy clubs in Tampa! The Tampa Improv and Sidesplitters are always a great choice for quality comedy.
If you’re looking for an exciting Las Vegas style of things to do this summer, get tickets for one of the Cirque du Soleil - Alegria shows that will playing throughout the month of June.
Instead of dinner THEN a movie, try dinner WITH a movie at CineBistro. Get a server right to your seats and be served with elegant cuisine, wine and more.
Make this summer memorable by hiring a local photographer in Tampa. Whether you want to make this a fun and captured moment with your friends or family, this is a perfect way to showcase just how wonderful you have made this summer in Tampa.
The summer can become quite exhausting, so relax at one of the massage parlors in Tampa with a day of pampering for yourself.
Try one of the exciting tours in Ybor City. From haunted to educational, there is so much to experience in this historic city.
The Florida Aquarium is a must for both locals and visitors. The ambiance and breathtaking exhibits are unmatched by other aquariums.
Enter one of the contests on 813area.com, with many great giveaways and freebies from restaurants to retail. You could be the next winner!
Have an anniversary or special occasion happening this summer? Contact A Romantic Evening to help make it as special as possible. This company is skilled in romantically decorating rooms while your loved one is out to keep it a surprise.
What’s summer in Tampa without a bit of karaoke?! Check out the karaoke bars in Tampa and start singing your heart out, or just listen to the other brave souls!
If something epic has happened to you this summer making you want to remember it forever, you could get a tattoo to symbolize it. Bold, I know, but if this is you then check out the tattoo shops in Tampa and remember, think before you ink!
You can’t truly appreciate living in Florida until you have experienced the many authentic Cuban sandwiches made around town so that you can be part of the debate of who has the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa.
If you haven’t experienced it yet, you’ll definitely want to book a reservation on the Yacht StarShip. This is a dinner cruise that also offers a few brunches and special events like the 4th of July. The tickets for the 4th of July event go faster than the fireworks themselves, so book yours today!
Speaking of fireworks, Tampa’s a rare breed allowing the full use of fireworks in the city while many cities across the country have banned them in fear of fires and budget concerns. Check out any of these fireworks events on the Fourth of July for a visual feast many across the country won’t get to see.
Of course, there’s way more to do than just fireworks shows in Tampa on Independence Day. The 4th of July in Tampa is always quite lively with a ton going down at restaurants and bars across the city.
Visit Big Cat Rescue for a day out. With walking tours perfect for all ages, this place is a fun way to view lions, tigers and more all while supporting their cause of rescuing these ‘big cats’ from abusive homes, abandonment and more.
Get involved with a local charity organization or at least attend one of the events they put on to raise money for their causes. Great charities in Tampa that host these types of events are D-10 Society, Business Buddies Tampa and The Greater Brandon Community Foundation.
You could join one of the gyms in Tampa this summer to either get or stay in shape to look your best in your bikini, board shorts or even Speedo!
Summer is a favorite season for golfing. Check out one of the many golf courses in Tampa; compare prices and reviews then hit the course. Four!
For the young, or just young at heart, looking for a new thrill, try taking up skating or BMX. Why not?! At least visit SPoT, Skatepark of Tampa, and see why these people love life every day.
Speaking of SPoT, they own a nearby restaurant called The Bricks of Ybor. You will definitely want to check this place out. They have amazing sandwiches like The Bird and Pig with cheap beers and great people.
Skip the giant chain coffee houses, you know who I’m talking about, and enjoy a real cup of coffee with live acoustic music or open mic nights at one of the locally owned coffee houses in Tampa.
Living in Florida, seafood and sushi is a must! I know there are those who would prefer a burger over a sushi roll, but for the rest of us sushi lovers, try one of the sushi restaurants in Tampa that you haven’t been to yet. Variety is the spice of life!
When looking for things to do this Summer in Tampa, consider joining a running club. Tampa is full of runners and fitness junkies. Weekly 5K’s at Four Green Fields and World of Beer SoHo are popular running clubs for people of all skill levels, plus you can have a beer, or two, after the run! Did I mention they’re FREE?!
Cold beers and hot summers go hand in hand. Head out to Lowry Park Zoo on August 6th and check out WaZoo, a park-wide festival celebrating this beloved libation and named one of the top 10 beer fests in the country by U.S.A. Today.
The actual zoo is not too bad either. Head out to Lowry Park Zoo and get up close (well, not too close) with animals from ring-tailed lemurs to American crocodiles, Indian Rhinoceros, Giraffes and more.
Keeping this beer train running, you owe it to yourself to check either of the two great breweries we’ve got right here in Tampa, Cigar City Brewing and the Yuengling Brewery. Both offer free tours and you can sip on some delicious samples at the end.
Check out any of the awesome happy hours in Tampa and relax with a tall drink after a long day of work.
After happy hour, take the Tucci Tour where you can pay 15 bucks and hop on a charter bus that shuttles you to all the great bars and nightclubs like The Kennedy and MacDinton’s in the SoHo District. Best of all, you get a free drink and/or cover at a ton of SoHo clubs with a Tucci wristband.
After a night of happy hour and the Tucci Tour, you might be hurting a bit in the morning. Stop at any of of these great breakfast restaurants in Tampa and battle that firewater still in your belly with a big, greasy plate of delicious breakfast.
Well, lets be honest, you might sleep through breakfast after a night like that. Don’t fret, though. Great restaurants in surrounding neighborhoods like Channelside, Ybor City, and Downtown Tampa have a wide and eclectic variety of lunch options to take the edge off that head-throbbing hangover you drank yourself into.
NFL football may be over this year, and, possibly, not even back for the 2011 season due to the lockout, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a summer football fix in Tampa. Head down to the St. Pete Times Forum and catch a surprisingly affordable Tampa Bay Storm football game.
On a serious note, take some time out of your day and coordinate a hurricane season plan with those in your household. Maybe we’ll be hurricane-free over the summer like the last few years, but you’ll be glad you planned if one does hit.
Smoothies are almost required drinking in the summer time. Check out Tropical Smoothie or Sunni Bunni Yogurt and Smoothie for this refreshing (and healthy!) treat.
If you’re feeling frisky, get some alcohol action in that smoothie at Wet Willie’s in Channelside. With smoothies like the “Call a Cab” and “Attitude Improvement” you can bet you’ll be feeling cool, refreshed, and delightfully buzzed in no time.
Use the TECO Line Streetcar! It’s only $2.50 for one-way fare and will cart you around Ybor City, Channelside, and Downtown Tampa in a matter of minutes. Plus, never any traffic. Always good.
In the same vein, the Hart In-Town Trolley is perfect for getting around Downtown Tampa on the cheap. One-way fare is, get this, 25 cents and will take you right to, or very close to, any Downtown destination.
Green fleet Courtesy Cabs will also do the trick if you’re looking for cheap transportation around downtown. Hail one of these FREE cabs and get to any destination in the downtown area. Be nice, though. Leave a tip so this awesome service keeps up.
Thinking about treating that special someone to something lavish, above and beyond this summer? Check out Big Red Balloon Sightseeing Adventures where you can ride a hot air balloon up to 1,000 feet and take in the breathtaking view of the Tampa skyline and the Gulf of Mexico. The Sweetheart Flight is a perfect option for a far-from-ordinary date.
Or, treat your beau to the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa for a day seeped in ultimate relaxation. Only thing, it might be hard to leave once you’ve been pampered like this.
So yeah, Tampa’s definitely loaded with a ton of awesome nightlife and the like. The only problem is that you’ve got to be 21 to do any of this stuff. Bummer, we know. Luckily Tampa’s got plenty of things to do for those under 21 during the summer.
Snag yourself a FREE Summertime Savings Card that’ll get you great discounts, coupons, and deals from Downtown Tampa merchants, service providers, restaurants and entertainment venues. Free gelato with an entree at Jackson’s? Sure! $5 off at the Florida Aquarium? Why not! 50% off enrollment fees at Powerhouse Gym? You got it. It’s almost too good to be true, but it sure is.
Take a walking tour of historic Ybor City. Maybe you’ve been here a ton, but do you know the tales of the mobsters, immigrants from around the world, and cigar kingpins that made it the city it is today? Take this tour, get entertained and educated, and walk away with a new appreciation for this Tampa hot spot.
They don’t call it the Cigar City for nothing. Stop by King Corona Cigars in Ybor City for an authentic experience in cigar smoking and history.
For a truly original experience in Channelside, check out Howl at the Moon, Tampa’s only dueling piano bar. Things get pretty wild on the weekends with people being invited to sing on stage, piano players dancing on their pianos, and an overall sense of all-out debauchery going down to some great live music.
Something about Channelside brings out the best in original concept bars. Splitsville is another on the list offering dancing, drinks, and bowling to top it all off. Weird? Maybe. Fun? Abso-lutely, and a great way to do something active while beating the heat.
Maybe you’re in college and stereotypically poor, maybe you’re not. Either way, we’ve got some awesome cheap eats in Tampa that don’t sacrifice a smidgen of quality. Check out the Taco Bus for some of the arguably best and authentic Mexican fare in Tampa.
Want to get fit over the summer but could do without the sweltering heat and humidity? We feel ya. If you’ve never tried it, yoga is a great way to get fit and flexible in a relaxing, COOL atmosphere. Best of both worlds. Check out one of these great yoga studios in Tampa today.
Did you know Tampa has a pretty awesome women’s roller derby league? Check out the Tampa Bay Derby Darlins and watch teams like the Cigar City Mafia and Switchblade sisters fight their way to victory at various matches throughout the summer.
Bring the friend(s) everyone’s annoyed by (you’ve got at least one) for a nice little paintball match at Orbital Paintball in North Tampa. Maybe “accidentally” shoot them a few times and chuckle to yourself as you stealthily sneak around like a crazed paintball commando.
Everyone loves shopping. Maybe everyone doesn’t admit it, but the draw to buy new stuff, at least to us, just feels completely unavoidable sometimes. Head to any one of these great locales for some not-so-typical, but awesome shopping in Tampa.
Check out the best pizza in the world at Pizzaiolo Bavaro. Debate this bold statement if you want, but only after you try their pies! I suggest the Carciofi Con Uovo, where they crack an egg in the center as the warmth of the pizza gently cooks it before your eyes. Brilliant!
Visit the Tampa Theatre, an experience that will change how you view theatre forever. Amazing independent films and events at this castle-like theatre built in 1926 will leave you speechless and coming back for more!
Try the $5 Margaritas at The Lime on SoHo every Monday night! Don’t forget to try one of their amazing Fiesta Bowls!
With 10 days left of summer at this point, why not rate and review 10 places you went to this summer on 813area.com? Starting July 1st, every business you review, you earn 5 points. Once you hit 150 points you will get a $25 gift card! For additional details on the rewards program visit http://www.813area.com/rewards/ after July 1st!
Join a dance class towards the end of summer at the Patel Conservatory and take it into fall. No matter what age, the Patel Conservatory has a class for everyone of every skill level!
Start a new hobby this summer. There are plenty of places for every kind of arts and crafts in Tampa.
What haven’t you done at this point?! Close out the last weekend of summer with hitting the town at all your favorite hotspots. But go one further and hire one of the limousine companies in Tampa to take you and your friends around all night!
If you would rather spend your last summer weekend in a more relaxed and serene atmosphere, find one of the great places to camp in Tampa.
Make sure you have visited as many historic sites in Tampa as possible so you can keep up, or host, the conversation during business get togethers in the coming year.
Speaking of business, as the focus comes back to the business world after summer, make sure to get involved and be in the know about the best ways to network in Tampa.
The final 3! Just because golf season is over, doesn’t mean you can’t still get a little putting in at one of the many miniature golf courses in Tampa!
Create your own adventure at a place you think no one else knows of. If it is a place not listed on 813area.com, let us know! What did we miss this summer? We want to hear from you, contact us at any time at contact@myareanetwork.com.
Finally, as summer has now reached its point of finality, gather your friends, family or whomever you spent this summer with and let them know how important they are to you and how they helped make your summer one to remember for a lifetime.

I hope you have been able to learn a few things about Tampa this summer that you did not know of before. Tampa is a city full of surprises and favorites that keep visitors coming back year after year and bringing residents constant joy about the city they live in. Visit, live and be proud of your epic summer in Tampa this year!