Where is the best area to stay in Tampa?
By Adam Miezio. November 30, 2023
With buzzing restaurants, a lively arts and music scene, palm lined promenades, and world-class sports teams, downtown Tampa makes for an irresistible place to stay. Downtown Tampa is average in size, so you can walk a bit to some places, while needing a car or taxi for others. As a fun alternative, take the downtown streetcar from Channelside to Ybor City. The streetcar runs for just under 3 miles and has 11 stops. Between the warm, Gulf breezes, the sleek, urban vibe, the entertainment options and gastronomy, Tampa makes a great vacation destination.
Resting on Hillsborough Bay, Tampa features the Riverwalk and the Channelside district. Both areas keep people who love sea vibes, smiling. Downtown Tampa loves the arts, with places like Tampa Theatre, the Straz Center and the Glazer’s Children’s Museum. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park hosts live music and the Amalie Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning, draws lots of fans. All the arts and action make downtown Tampa the best place to stay and there’s more nearby. Tampa showcases two historic neighborhoods. Old Hyde Park boasts gorgeous, residential homes and Ybor City exudes Cuban culture. Of course trips to Tampa include must visits to the Florida Aquarium, and Busch Gardens.On the map, which shows the most convenient area to stay in Tampa, you can see a selection of some of the best located hotels.
If you are interested in where to stay in Tampa, you may also be interested in where to stay in Miami, where to stay in Orlando, where to stay in Ft. Lauderdale and where to stay in Key West.
Downtown, the best area to say in Tampa
First Time / Sightseeing / Water Street / RiverWalk
Anyone who loves a touch of seaside sun, fun, excitement and refinement will love downtown Tampa, Florida. Tampa boasts some of the best teams in pro sports, the Tampa Bay Lightning won back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2020 and 2021. Tampa knows football to, having won a Superbowl with Tom Brady in 2020.
Head over to Raymond James stadium to watch the Buccaneers play. Sometimes lost in the championships is an underrated food scene. As of 2023, Tampa, has three Michelin starred restaurants: Rocca, Koya and Lilac all testify to the gastronomic quality Tampa offers now. Being on the west side of Florida, Tampa has irresistible vistas and gorgeous sunsets if you’re taking a stroll along the Riverwalk or in Curtix Hixon Park.
There’s even plenty to do for families and kids, between the Glazer Children’s Museum, the Florida Aquarium and Busch Gardens. Nothing is more Florida than riding a roller coaster and seeing a tiger.
Other areas to stay in Tampa
Ybor City
Nightlife / Latin Culture /Architecture
Ybor City caters to anyone who enjoys culture, specifically Latin American, and maybe a drink. Ybor City was founded by Vicente Martinez-Ybor with other cigar manufacturers in the 1880s. Mostly Spaniards, Cubans and Italians called the area home, while the economy boomed for decades, thanks to their cigar making.
Today, the architecture still shows the glamorous heyday of Ybor City, 100 years ago. Some of the buildings share common traits with New Orleans architecture. The uniqueness of the style here landed Ybor City on the National Register of Historic Places. Depending who you ask, Ybor City and its cigar makers also helped invent the Cuban sandwich, which is a local favorite.
Before you leave though, be sure to have a beer or cocktail. Ybor City is well known for being a drinking strip. Many of the cigars are gone, but the party goes on. Try a craft beer from one of the many local microbreweries.
Westshore
Close to the Airport / Shopping
Tampa International Airport (T.I.A.) makes up most of Westshore, along with a host of hotels, restaurants, shops and a little bit of bay access.
Whether you’re flying for a quick stay and have convenient hotels close by, looking to pick up a gift to bring home, hungry or just want some sun, Westshore will be worth a visit. T.I.A. is one of the most highly rated airport in the U.S. It’s new, it’s clean, and easy to get in and get out. With the breezy flight, you might be hungry afterwards. If you like steak, a number of steakhouses call Westshore home: Ocean Prime, Eddie V’s, Charley’s, Ruth’s Chris and the Capital Grille. Looking to buy something?
Be sure to check out International Plaza, Tampa’s largest shopping mall, where you can find anything. Finally, Cypress Point Park offers nice public access to the bay, so you can sunbathe, swim or fish if you want.
Temple Terrace
Busch Gardens / Families with Kids / Golfers
The University of South Florida lies just east of Temple Terrace. Staying in Temple Terrace makes it a short, quick ride for USF visitors, while also making a worthwhile destination golfers, families and foodies. The Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club is a great place to hit the links. Just north a bit, is the Florida State Golf Association.
Temple Terrace may interest families, as Busch Gardens sit just a bit east. So does Adventure Island, a water park and MOSI, the Museum of Science and Industry. MOSI has something for the whole family, as well as a neat, outdoor, monkey obstacle course, with hanging rope bridges and more. Temple Terrace also highlights the diversity of Tampa’s food scene.
A number of ethnic restaurants operate in the neighborhood. Indian, Ethiopian, Middle Eastern, Korean and Eastern European restaurants all keep Temple Terrace fed and happy.
Rocky Point
Sea Views / Close to the Airport / Amalie Arena
Rocky Point is its own island in paradise, quite literally. The peninsula features numerous hotels, right on the bay, offering splendid views, and any recreational activity sand, sun, and sea lovers can imagine.
The location provides a variety of benefits, including being close to the airport. The Courtney Campbell Causeway also intersects Rocky Point, so making it over to the beaches in Pinellas County is easy. The causeway offers lots of recreational and active lifestyle options. There is a dedicated hike and bike path across a nearby part of the bay that runners, walkers and bicyclists love. Ben T. Davis beach is close and from there.
So stand up paddle boarding, fishing, swimming, jet skiing and other water sports are at the fingertips. Among other bars and restaurants on the peninsula, Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill always pumps out the tropical, party vibes.
Orient Park
Gamblers / Families / Music Lovers
Orient Park’s mainly draws gambles to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, and there are some good options for families and music lovers too. Just about everyone in the world knows Hard Rock by now. But if laying some bets on table games and slots interests you, try your luck on a hot night in Florida.
Prefer hot Florida days? Check out the Florida State Fairgrounds in Orient Park. The Florida State Fairgrounds makes for a great family outing. If learning about history appeals more, consider visiting Cracker Country. Cracker Country is a living, Florida pioneer museum. The buildings are both replica and original and the museum staff wear costumes.
Living 120 years ago in Florida was not easy. When you are ready to take it easy, go over to the MidFlorida Credit Union Ampitheatre. The ampitheatre hosts larger stadium acts, bands, and festivals.
Staying at the Beaches Near Tampa
Clearwater Beach
Sun and Beach Lovers / Nightlife
Clearwater Beach might be the most common reason anyone comes to visit Tampa. If you’re a sand, sun and fun lover, then Clearwater Beach is the place.
Tampa is located inland on the bay, so to get to the real beaches, you have to cross the bay on the Courtney Campbell Causeway going west, to get to the Gulf of Mexico. Clearwater Beach welcomes you upon arrival. Clearwater Beach is regularly rated one of the top beaches in the United States. Come and get your fill of sun, sand and sea until your heart is content. There’s a great promenade along the beach, where a ton of shops, bars, restaurants and music venues, like Shephard’s, await.
The promenade provides a perfect place for runners and bicyclists to get in some exercise. If all else fails, plenty of docks, piers and charter captains can be found nearby to get in some fishing.
St. Pete Beach
Sun and Beach Lovers / Nightlife
How can any beach be prettier than Clearwater Beach? Well, plenty of people think St. Pete beach is better and more fun, which makes this perfect for sun, sand and sea worshippers.
Whereas Clearwater Beach draws a ton of tourists and families, St. Pete beach, may draw a few less. Many locals go to St. Pete Beach, as St. Pete entertains some slight Miami vibes. No shortage of bars, nightclubs, restaurants and music venues make St. Pete Beach great for nightlife. The Don CeSar Hotel is an iconic institution on St. Pete Beach. If you are not staying there, try hanging out at the bar for a drink, or enjoying a meal there.
Of course, if you are a seafood lover you will be in heaven. Whether fresh oysters, stone crab, grouper or hog fish, do not miss having some of the best fish and seafood of your life.
Our recommended hotels in Tampa
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in TampaNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
