Hotels in Tampa (7 OYOs)

• Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que: This family-owned BBQ restaurant has been a popular staple in Tampa since 2003. Serving Tennessee-style BBQ, Al smokes his pork butts for 6-8 hours, making them incredibly tender. If you’re not in the mood for BBQ, they also have a soul food menu featuring liver and onions, collard greens, and fried okra.
• First Watch The Daytime Cafe: They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and First Watch takes this meal very seriously. They cook up delicious breakfast and lunch dishes like omelets, burritos, power bowls, and avocado toast.

• The Florida Aquarium: The aquarium is active in conservation, focusing on disappearing coral reefs, rehabilitating sea turtles, and working to save the sand tiger shark from extinction. The aquarium is home to over 14,000 animals and a variety of interesting habitats. Make sure to visit the Moon Bay exhibit and interact with this prehistoric species of moon jellies, which have glided through the oceans for more than 500 million years!
• Glazer Children’s Museum: This interactive learning museum's mission is to turn children into lifelong learners and leaders. Exhibits like the Central Bank, Engineer’s Workshop, and Farm teach kids life skills through play.
• eBoats Tampa: Rent one of these eco-friendly electric boats and take the family on a tour of Tampa’s waterfront. Pull up to one of the docks along the route and dine at a local restaurant, then go for an after dinner stroll before continuing your relaxing river cruise.

While Tampa may not have a large selection of cheap hotels, there are some great wallet-friendly options in nearby Port Richey, just 40 miles outside Tampa.

• Hotel Bayonet Point - North Port Richey: This modern hotel has a large garden area so you can take advantage of Tampa’s subtropical temperature.. The trendy hotel also has free Wi-Fi, a pool, and common area with sofas for relaxing
• Hotel New Port Richey Gulf Beach US-19: This tasteful, budget-friendly hotel has a front desk staffed 24-hours a day to help you whenever you need it. The hotel also has a pool, and a coin-operated laundry.

The nearly three miles of open space and walking trails along the HIllsborough River in Tampa is a fun place to spend the day. Here are a few of the best things to do along the Riverwalk:

• Public Art Walking Tour: Take a 2.4 mile walking tour of art along the Riverwalk. The walk talks about 90 minutes, depending on how long you stop to admire the individual pieces. Sculptures, installations made out of tempered glass, murals, and stunning architecture make this a lovely educational outing.
• Grab a meal: The Riverwalk is loaded with delicious restaurants featuring a variety of cuisines. You’ll find pizza, BBQ, craft cocktails, ramen and everything in between. Have an upscale meal at Oak & Ola, featuring food created by James Beard-winning chefs. Or, check out the Heights Public Market which has over a dozen restaurants in a chic industrial setting with an open-floor plan.
• Amalie Arena; Check out what’s happening at the Amalie Arena, home to the Stanley-cup winning Tampa Lightning. When there’s not a hockey game, the arena hosts all sorts of concerts and events.