Explore Sunny Tampa, FL, With Our Guide to the City

Moving to North Tampa, FL? From beautiful beaches and waterfront parks to fascinating museums and thrilling attractions, Tampa offers an abundance of sights and activities for you to discover right in your new hometown. This blog will help guide you through the very best of Tampa—from tourist favorites to hidden local gems. Make your move to Tampa simple with the help of our mover’s guide, and see how Mini-Maxi Storage can support you as you set up your new home.

Tampa, FL by jharris407 lic Pixabay

Welcome to Tampa: Living & Working in the City

Average Home Value: $277,700

Average Rent: $1,249

Our community is ranked the top 30 best places to retire in all of America, and it is easy to see why. Tampa continues to grow as an attractive city. Along the west coast of Florida, it offers residents scenic views and adventures for every walk of life. With a population of more than 400,000 within city limits and around 3 million in the metro area, Tampa provides both vibrant urban living and charming neighborhoods. While the cost of living is slightly higher than the national average, it remains more affordable than many other Florida destinations like Miami. Tampa offers great amenities like museums, performing arts, pro sports teams, outdoor recreation, a lively food scene and beautiful weather that appeal to residents. Job growth in fields like healthcare, finance, technology and hospitality provide economic opportunity. Diverse neighborhoods like Ybor City, Hyde Park and Seminole Heights offer distinct vibes.

Top Attractions for the Whole Family

With its beautiful beaches and abundance of sunshine, Tampa is a popular destination for vacations. But there are many attractions beyond the shores that make Tampa an exciting and varied place to visit. Home to thrilling theme parks, fascinating museums, interactive animal encounters, and more, Tampa offers something for travelers of all ages and interests.

For family-friendly thrills, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay should be at the top of your list. From roller coasters to animal exhibits, this amusement park provides an unforgettable experience. Feel the adrenaline rush on Montu, North America’s tallest inverted roller coaster. Get up close with rhinos, giraffes, elephants and more on the park’s animal tours. With exciting rides, shows, and encounters, Busch Gardens promises a full day of fun.

And speaking of animal tours, you and your family can gain some fascinating insights into Florida’s marine life with a visit to The Florida Aquarium. Exhibits like Stingray Beach allow you to touch and feed the friendly rays. See sharks, sea turtles, playful otters and more in the aquarium’s massive tanks. Interactive programs like swimming with the fishes in Explore A Shore are fun for all ages. Don’t miss the chance to get hands-on with Florida’s incredible aquatic world. Continue the fun with your animal-loving kiddos with a trip to Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park. This impressive zoo is home to more than 1,300 animals and provides a fun and educational experience for kids and adults alike. Get up close with Florida wildlife like panthers, manatees, and alligators in naturalistic habitats. You can also hop on the safari tram ride for zoo-wide views and live narration.

See the local community at its best during one of the many neighborhood events that take place throughout the year! The Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa hosts exciting annual events that let you immerse yourself in local culture. The Florida State Fair in February promises headline concerts, thrilling carnival rides, tasty fair food, livestock shows, exhibits, and more. Throughout the year, festivals, expos, and markets happen at the fairgrounds. It’s a perfect place to experience Tampa traditions and community.

Take advantage of all Tampa has to offer!

Clearwater Beach by rcgtrrz lic CC BY 2.0

Soak in Sunny Beaches

With its location on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa offers plenty of stunning beaches to enjoy. Just a short drive from the city, you can find beautiful stretches of sand to soak up the sunshine and enjoy beach days.

One of Tampa’s most popular beaches is Clearwater Beach, located just west of downtown on a barrier island. Soft white sand and calm Gulf waters make it ideal for swimming, shelling, and beachcombing. Activities like jet ski rentals, boat tours, and parasailing add to the fun. You can also stroll scenic Pier 60 and grab a bite at one of the nearby beachfront eateries. Annual events like the Clearwater Super Boat Races draw big crowds.

For a bit more solitude, head north to Honeymoon Island State Park. Named one of the best beaches in the U.S., Honeymoon Island dazzles with its untamed natural beauty. Nature trails wind through the lush maritime forest, spotting ospreys and roseate spoonbills. The beach offers pristine sand, gentle surf, and fun finds like sand dollars. Concession stands provide refreshments. The park also allows leashed pets, a bonus for traveling dog owners.

On the causeway to Davis Islands, Tampa residents flock to Beach Drive’s Picnic Island Park. This long, narrow peninsula features a pretty stretch of sand facing the downtown Tampa skyline. It’s a popular spot for laying out, kayaking, paddleboarding and taking in the views. The dog beach here is another highlight.

Whether you seek an action-packed scene or a quiet natural escape, Tampa bay has a picturesque beach getaway for everyone.

Columbia Restaurant in Tampa, FL by Matthew Paulson lic CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Treat Your Tastebuds to Tampa Flavors

Breakfast/Brunch

Ginger Beard Coffee: One of Tampa’s top local coffee shops brewing specialty coffees and espresso drinks in a minimalist, modern space.
Oxford Exchange: This unique Tampa destination pairs a coffee bar, restaurant, coworking space and shop featuring local goods under one stunning industrial-chic roof.
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe: Creative brunch dishes like salmon hash and stuffed French toast satisfy hungry diners in Ella’s cozy, quirky space lined with folk art. Don’t skip the Bloody Mary bar.
Mama’s Kitchen: Authentic Cuban and Latin American cuisine is served up in this humble Ybor City cafe. Daily specials, strong cafecito, and hearty plates of ropa vieja and vaca frita are highlights.
Joe’s New York Diner: This retro diner transports you to the big apple with deli-style matzo ball soup, stacked pastrami sandwiches, and famous New York-style cheesecake. Breakfast served all day.
Broken Yolk Cafe: One of Tampa’s top brunch spots, this cafe draws crowds for creative plates like the Tropical Bread French Toast stuffed with mango and cream cheese. Their signature cocktails complement the food perfectly.

Lunch/Dinner

Columbia Restaurant: A lively Spanish-Cuban steakhouse housed in an ornately tiled 1905 building in historic Ybor City, Columbia Restaurant has been serving up flavorful classics like the “1905” Salad, Cuban sandwiches, and Paella “a la Valenciana” for over a century.
Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop: A tiny, old-school deli serving up legendary Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab sandwiches, and homemade soups and desserts since 1972. Cash only.
New World Brewery: This laidback brewpub in Ybor City crafts a rotating selection of beers along with tasty pub grub like wings, sandwiches and flatbreads.
Room 1701 Restaurant Lounge: Housed in a 1920s building, this upscale-casual eatery impresses with creatively plated global dishes and craft cocktails in an intimate setting.
El Rincon Peruano: Authentic Peruvian cuisine shines at this Hillsborough Ave. spot thanks to flavorful dishes like lomo saltado, ceviche, and pisco sours.
Rome + Fig Global Bistro: A cozy neighborhood bistro fusing Mediterranean and Asian flavors into delicious shareable small plates perfect for a night out.
Bern’s Steak House: This legendary Tampa steakhouse offers an indulgent fine dining experience with dry-aged steaks, decadent sides, a massive wine list and fancy dessert room upstairs. A classic for special occasions.
Ulele: Housed in a restored 1903 water pump station, Ulele wows diners with creative Florida cuisine featuring native ingredients. Standouts include the alligator hush puppies, charred octopus, and whole fried snapper.
Edison: Food+Drink Lab: Chef Pierola puts an inventive spin on global cuisine at this trendy downtown spot. Menu highlights include lamb meatballs, tableside Caesar salad, and the “Edison bowl.”
EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Lounge: For excellent views and a lively atmosphere, this downtown rooftop serves globally inspired small plates along with an extensive cocktail menu best enjoyed al fresco.

Move to Tampa with the Help of Mini-Maxi Storage

If you are moving to the area or looking at a vacation home in the Tampa Bay area, consider Mini-Maxi Storage to support your move. We can help you store your belongings securely as you settle into your new space and begin unpacking. Our self storage units are all drive-up accessible with secure recording cameras monitoring the facility 24/7, so you never have to be worried about leaving your items. We are conveniently located right off Interstate 275 by Walmart in Lowry Park North. Visit us in person to see our different storage options and talk though your storage needs with one of experts.

You can also rent your storage unit with us online in just a few easy steps. Use our helpful resources to find the space and size you need. Get started with Mini-Maxi Storage today by checking out our storage selection online!

Katie Mest

About the Author: Katie Mest is a Content Marketing Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and snuggling in with a crochet project and her cat, Billie.