6 Day Trips from Tampa that Are Worth the Drive
These quick getaways will take you to some of the Sunshine State’s most fun and interesting places in just under two hours.
Nestled along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a cosmopolitan city with a super cool vibe, great weather, world-class cuisine, and a fascinating touch of history.
The thing about Florida, though, is that with its picturesque small towns, gorgeous beaches, and exciting cities, there’s so much to see and do that … where does one get started?
So, are you ready to explore any of Tampa’s fabulous surrounding areas?
Great news if you are, because we’ve curated some of the best day trips from Tampa for you. Here are six exciting getaways that will allow you to visit some of the Sunshine State’s most fun and interesting places in under two hours.
So pack a lunch, fill the car up with gas, and let’s get started. Adventure awaits!
1. Safety Harbor
Distance of day trip from Tampa: 30 minutes
With scenic waterfront parks, historic sites, and a walkable main street full of shops, galleries, and charming bistro-style eateries, the city of Safety Harbor is an adorable Florida gem.
Visitors will find plenty to do at the family-friendly parks, boardwalk, and marina, while art lovers and history buffs will want to check out the Safety Harbor Museum & Cultural Center, Syd Entel Galleries, and Safety Harbor Art and Music Center to see fine art, take classes, and catch live performances. There is also a great selection of restaurants, independent shops and boutiques, and galleries.
For accommodations, there’s the luxurious Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, a historic landmark and site of “Espiritu Santo Springs,” Florida’s only natural mineral spring-filled pools that Hernando de Soto once believed to be the Fountain of Youth.
2. Ybor City
Distance of day trip from Tampa: about 10 minutes
Located just northeast of downtown Tampa, this vibrant and historic neighborhood was founded in the late 19th century by cigar manufacturers, many of whom were immigrants from Cuba and Spain.
From iconic restaurants to sidewalk cafes and old brick cigar factories, Tampa Bay’s historic Latin quarter is best explored on foot. Visitors can opt for a historic walking tour to see important landmarks and learn all about Ybor City’s fascinating past.
But history is everywhere! A ten-minute walk from the Ybor City Museum State Park housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery building puts visitors on Cuban ground. Literally. That’s because the Parque Amigos de Jose Marti, a memorial to the writer and leader of Cuban independence, is located on an actual small piece of land donated to Cuba in the 1950s.
Of course, no trip to Ybor City is complete without exploring the Spanish and Cuban flavors at the iconic Columbia Restaurant, which was established in 1905 and is still owned and operated by the original family.
The area is also known for its trendy bars and exciting nightlife, home to places like Madame Fortune Dessert Room & HiFi Parlor, and Sterling Cigar Lounge & Bar which can be found along 7th Avenue.
Great places to stay include Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown and The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk near Busch Gardens Tampa, Adventure Island water park, and other popular destinations around town.
3. Tarpon Springs
Distance of day trip from Tampa: about 45 minutes
The “Sponge Capital of the World,” Tarpon Springs is a waterfront community with deep Greek roots and a thriving heritage with food, festivals, and events galore.
Its unique history is evident when visitors take a stroll along Dodecanese Boulevard and walk past the sponge docks, shop the local stores, and see the famous sponge boats. Those interested in diving deep into the Greektown Historic District can take the self-guided audio walking tour, which includes 10 stops beginning near the sponge docks.
Outdoor recreation includes biking or walking along the paved, 47-mile Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail or taking a ferry ride three miles off the coast of Tarpon Springs to Anclote Key Preserve State Park, which is only accessible by boat. Additional family-friendly adventures include nearby parks and attractions like the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Caladesi Island, and Honeymoon Island.
And before you leave, grab some unique souvenirs from the area like your own sponge and handmade soap.
There are great places to stay in the area, from the lovely 1910 Inn with Bed and Breakfast accommodations in the main inn located in the heart of Tarpon Springs, just a half block from St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral, to the Hickory Point Mobile Home and RV Park with its quiet waterfront RV park and beautiful views.
4. Bok Tower Gardens
Distance of day trip from Tampa Bay: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
This distinctive carillon tower rests 298 feet above sea level on the top of Iron Mountain, the highest point in Florida, and is the centerpiece of a verdant 157-acre sanctuary for birds, animals, plants and people.
Originally designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr., Bok Tower Gardens has an onsite cafe and winding walkways, making it delightful to spend an entire day there. A favorite activity of visitors is feeding the koi fish at the pond next to the famous Singing Tower.
For a special date, or to enjoy a day in nature with family, prepare a basket, spread a blanket, and have a picnic in one of the many grassy fields. You’ll be lulled by the harmonious peals of Bok Tower’s 57 bells that can be heard throughout the surrounding landscape.
Offering remarkable experiences to more than 23 million visitors since 1929, at Bok Tower Gardens there are always great events and something to discover for visitors of all ages.
Great places to stay near Bok Tower include the family friendly Holiday Inn Winter Haven by IHG, which provides crib, rollaway/extra bed, and parking with your stay, as well as the kid favorite Legoland® Florida Resort with themed accommodations, and located just 130 steps from the theme park entrance.
5. Sarasota
Distance of day trip from Tampa Bay: 30 minutes to 1 hour
A Gulf Coast city in southwest Florida, beautiful Sarasota offers a combination of big-city living as well as access to lush natural areas and gorgeous islands.
If you love to spend time outdoors, the white-sand beaches of nearby Gulf islands, and the Myakka River State Park—where visitors can hike, bike, paddle, camp, and take boat tours—are great places for nature lovers.
Then there’s Sarasota’s world-class arts and culture scene with tickets to a ballet or theater performance. Sarasota boasts the nation’s second-largest community theatre, with 13 stages within a one-mile radius of downtown. A visit to the city’s many museums and galleries is de rigueur.
Of course, no trip to Sarasota would be complete without a stop at the John & Mabel Ringling Museum of Art, to marvel at the works from the old masters and contemporary artists alike. While there, visitors can explore the gardens and the circus museum, as well as take a tour of Ca’ d’Zan, the Ringlings’ 36,000-square-foot seaside mansion.
The central downtown area is full of colorful bungalows, shops, bakeries, galleries, and endless places to eat, from upscale dining to award-winning food trucks.
There are great places to stay in this fascinating city, from the Art Ovation Hotel, Autograph Collection in Central Sarasota, to the Sarasota Wellness Hotel that helps you maintain your fitness routine with complimentary in-room fitness equipment.
6. Weeki Wachee Springs
Distance of day trip from Tampa Bay: 1 hour to 1.5 hours
This charming Old Florida site named by the Seminole Indians is home to the deepest freshwater cave system in the country and protected wildlife. How deep is the famous spring? So deep, that the bottom has never been found.
It is also the place where you and the whole family can enjoy Weeki Wachee’s iconic mermaids performing in the clear crystalline water that flows from a first-magnitude spring. And what a show they put on! Sitting in a theater 16 feet below ground level, you’ll be awed as you watch the mermaids swim and dance under the water.
For those who like their adventures less rooted in fantasy, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park offers nature lovers the opportunity to see many aquatic animals in their natural habitat, sans mermaid tales. Of course, the best way to see dolphins, manatees, otters, and other animals is through a guided kayak tour.
There are great places to grab a bite in Weeki Wachee Springs, including the Mermaid Galley, located in the back of the park overlooking the woods, and the Captain’s Quarters, where you can sit outside and enjoy ice cream, snacks, and drinks overlooking the bay.
A great place to stay is the Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Spring Hill/Weeki Wachee, located just 12 minutes’ drive away from Weeki Wachee Springs.
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