Last week, we found ourselves in Tampa to see how much there is to do with kids before a cruise! Many cruise passengers treat Tampa as simply the place they fly into before heading straight to the ship. But after spending a few days exploring the city, we realized that that is a common mistake. Tampa turned out to be far more interesting than we expected. We had no idea we would find historic Cuban neighborhoods and waterfront walks to great restaurants right next to big-league sports.
If you’re cruising out of Tampa, arriving a day (or two) early isn’t just the smart move to avoid travel delays, it’s also a chance to experience a surprisingly fun city. You can wander historic streets in Ybor City, walk along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk, eat your way through some fantastic restaurants, or even catch a game with the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Whether you have a couple of days or just a few hours before boarding, here are 10 great things to do in Tampa before your cruise to make the most of your time in the city.
10 Things to Do in Tampa Before a Cruise
1. Explore Historic Ybor City
Before boarding your cruise, spend a few hours wandering the streets of Ybor City. Once the cigar capital of the world, this neighborhood blends Cuban, Spanish, and Italian heritage with colorful historic buildings, lively cafés, and street art.
Pop into local shops for Tampa souvenirs, watch hand-rolled cigars being made, and soak up the neighborhood’s unique atmosphere. I highly suggest a tour with Max from Tampa Bay Tours. His Historical Ybor City tour is excellent!
2. Eat an Authentic Cuban Sandwich
You can’t visit Tampa without trying its most famous food: the Cuban sandwich.
The Tampa version is slightly different from Miami’s, traditionally including salami alongside roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on pressed Cuban bread.
Head to Columbia Restaurant or the Pearl to try one (if you want my pick, get it with a 1905 salad at Columbia Restaurant). If you want some more suggestions on where to eat for families, check out this list of places to eat in Tampa with kids.
3. Visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
If you have a family of thrill seekers, spend a day at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. This theme park combines thrilling roller coasters with animal encounters, making it a great stop for families traveling with kids or teens.
4. Walk the Tampa Riverwalk
One of the easiest ways to experience the city before your cruise is by strolling the Tampa Riverwalk. This scenic waterfront path connects parks, museums, and restaurants without walking down busy streets It’s perfect for a relaxed walk or renting bikes. We easily connected with the Tampa Bay History Center, the Tampa Museum of Art and Heights Public Market at Armature Works right from the Riverwalk!
5. Catch a Tampa Bay Lightning Game
If you’re visiting during hockey season, try to catch the Tampa Bay Lightning play at Benchmark International Arena. Even if you’re not a huge hockey fan, the atmosphere is electric, and it’s a fun way to kick off a vacation before heading out to sea. They play from October to April and playoffs begin mid-April through May.
6. See the City by Kayak or Paddleboard
For a more active adventure, explore the waterways around downtown Tampa by kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Rent a board from Urban Kai (or take a tour) to get a unique view of the skyline and waterfront parks. It was also a nice way to enjoy the warm days without getting too hot in the city!
7. Visit the Tampa Bay History Center
Located along the Riverwalk, the Tampa Bay History Center offers a peek into Florida’s past, from indigenous cultures and Spanish explorers to the cigar industry that shaped Ybor City. It’s an easy stop to include with kids and even Mattias at 14 found some interesting facts about nautical sailing. For kids with short attention spans you can see it in an hour, but for kids who want to see and touch everything, plan for 2 hours.
8. Catch a Baseball Game
Even if you are not coming into Tampa for a sports trip, check the schedule and catch a game while in town. You can see the Tampa Bay Rays play or the Yankees (who base themselves in Tampa for spring training.) The Yankees play at George M Steinbrenner Field, and the Rays are currently playing there as well, while their dome is repaired. The Yankees’ spring training is in March, and the MLB regular season is from April to September/October.
9. Visit the Tampa Museum of Art
Just steps from the Riverwalk near Armature Works is the Tampa Museum of Art. Its a small museum, perfect for an hour or so, and has great views from the catwalk! We are often overwhlemd with huge galleries so this one’s small size was nice to be able to take it all in.
10. Eat Your Heart Out in Tampa
Tampa’s food scene is full of great restaurants worth visiting before your cruise. Over the last decade, Tampa has reinvented itself food-wise with independent restaurants instead of American chain food.
A few standouts include:
- Psomi 701 North Howard Ave. – Famous for brunch and incredible pastries (try the baklava latte if you love a good coffee)
- Supernatural Food & Wine 305 E. Polk Street. – Get a breakfast sandwich and a donut (the donuts sell out early!)
- The Pearl 823 Water Street, Suite C-100 – Seafood-focused dining (they are known for their oysters), but also have something for everyone, like burgers and salads.
- Oxford Exchange 420 West Kennedy Boulevard – One of Tampa’s most beautiful dining spaces and great for brunch but also offering a full lunch menu.
- Columbia Restaurant 2025 E. Seventh Avenue – Florida’s oldest restaurant, this gem covers a whole city block. Get a half & half to try the Cuban and the 1905 salad!
Is Tampa worth visiting before a cruise?
Absolutely. If you’re sailing from Port Tampa Bay, it’s well worth arriving a day or two early to explore Tampa. The city has a surprisingly fun mix of attractions that are easy to enjoy in a short visit with your family. You could spend the morning riding roller coasters and seeing animals at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, grab lunch in historic Ybor City, then stroll or bike along the scenic Tampa Riverwalk. Add in a visit to the interactive Tampa Bay History Center or dinner at one of the city’s great restaurants, and you’ve easily filled a full day before boarding your ship. And that doesn’t even cover my family’s favorite part, seeing a sports game like the Tampa Bay Lightning. Arriving early not only gives you a buffer in case of travel delays, but it also lets you turn your cruise departure city into part of the vacation. Here is exactly what we did in Tampa with teens over three days!
Lindsay Nieminen hails from Vancouver, Canada and shares her love of travel on this website. She is passionate about showing others that they should not put off traveling the world just because they have children or are single parents. She aims to encourage them to seek out adventure, whether it is at home or abroad by providing information on how just about everywhere can be a destination to explore as a family.