Whether you are looking for somewhere to go, or looking for new things to do during the summer, Tampa is a great hub for a plethora of fun summer activities.
If you’re looking for outdoor recreation, Tampa's got you covered with some of the best parks in the state and miles of eye-pleasing beaches great for the entire family.
Ben T. Davis Beach, right along the Courtney Campbell Causeway is a conveniently located beach between Clearwater and Tampa. Pull your car right up to the beach and enjoy a number of recreational activities from fishing to swimming and everything in between.
Hillsborough River State Park is another great bet for outdoor-loving families. Here you can enjoy camping, swimming, hiking & much more with amenities like picnic areas, a swimming pool, campsites, pavilions, and a cafe.
Also on the Hillsborough River is Canoe Escape where you can rent a canoe and pick from six different guided routes down the beautiful river.
If you want to take out a bit of aggression on the fam during your vacation (and, really, who doesn't?) head out to Orbital Paintball in North Tampa where you can rent equipment and take part in an intense paintball match on one of their 5 different fields.
Looking for something for the kids to do this summer? Send them to summer camps!
Tampa summer camps have all kinds of outdoor activities like sailing, scuba diving, and swimming. If your kids are into golf, or want to be, the Junior Golf Camp at the Macdill Air Force Base golf course is a great choice.
There’s also no shortage of fun, outdoor attractions in the city. Some of these include Lowry Park Zoo with over 1,600 animals, water play areas, rides, and shows great for the family.
Adventure Island is a longtime Tampa staple for water-based fun. Enjoy water slides, a massive wave pool, and kids play area at this awesome Tampa water park.
Tampa’s bars and clubs are incredibly diverse and entertaining. From Spanish tapas bars like Ceviche, to Irish pubs like the Dubliner, this city has everything!
Channelside is a great bet for restaurants and nightlife with establishments like Splitsville, where you can get your bowl on while enjoying some delicious food and drinks and Howl at the Moon, an entertaining dueling piano bar.
Ybor City is another party hub in Tampa with an eclectic selection of clubs, bars, and entertainment venues. The Ritz Ybor is the premier concert venue in the neighborhood and venues like Club Skye and Tantra are great places to get your dance and drink on.
If the arts are more of your thing, Tampa has a vast selection of live music venues and theaters. There are a TON of awesome, big name concerts coming to the Tampa Bay Area this summer including Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Motley Crue, and much more.
For a great concert or play, also check out the beautiful Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Downtown Tampa.
And, what's summer without the 4th of July? Lucky for us Tampa-ites we've got a ton of great things to do on the 4th of July 2011 including special concerts and beautiful fireworks displays throughout the city.
As you can see, Tampa is a veritable playground for residents and visitors seeking a great time during the summer months. Young, old, adventuresome, studious, it doesn't matter; Tampa shows its summer love to everyone in one way or another. Get out there and explore our awesome city today!
