Tampa, Florida

As Ponders, We Expect You Enjoy Water And Relaxation As Much As Us

It's likely you're very familiar with Tampa, so we're going to focus on some of the water related activities (or at least activities in close proximity to water) that we enjoy in the area. Starting with Tampa Bay, which has a heavily used 10 foot wide sidewalk that runs along the Hillsborough Bay portion. One side is sprinkled with gorgeous homes on huge lots (by South Tampa standards) and on the other side is the Bay where you can occasionally spot a dolphin fin, a stingray or various water birds dodging boats and gentle waves. The Bay Shore Boulevard side walks boasts 4.5 miles continuous sidewalk meaning there aren't streets to cross or lights to deal with. This is said to be the longest uninterrupted sidewalk in the world. While it gets hot, a decent breeze can be felt coming off the water on some days. The walk contains great views of Tampa's growing downtown which includes a couple new luxury condominium projects that are underway. Cruise ships can also be seen entering and leaving the cruise terminals near downtown, North of Harbor Island and Davis Island.

New Developments in Downtown Tampa

A relatively new part of downtown is the Water Street development. What once was old restaurants, bars and a ton of parking lots, now is home to rooftop bars like Azure and one of Tampa's first 3 Michelin star restaurants, Lilac, both of which are situated in The Tampa EDITION hotel on Channelside Dr. This area now has several small grocery stores, a local outdoor pop-up market on the 3rd Sunday of each month, plus a food stall-filled eatery (Sparkman's Wharf) with music and public events, new office space and high-end condos. The Florida Aquarium happens to be within walking distance to all of this. Pro-Tip: on extremely hot days, not only will the aquarium provide you with a few hours of air-conditioned entertainment, but it also has a great partially-covered playground with water features that can keep your little ones busy for hours while you take a load off and relax. 3, 4 and 5 star hotels have popped up as well as a variety of new restaurants and a location of the Columbia Cafe, known for its fabulous Spanish and Cuban food as well as freshly made salads and sangria, assembled and mixed right next to your table. Lastly, Amalie Arena holds all kinds of events from music performances to sporting events, including all Tampa Bay Lightening home hockey games.

South Tampa

Another outdoor spot where you can get in some paddle boarding, kayaking, or fishing is Ballast Point Park. There is a great playground which serves as a frequent birthday party location, a free splash pad and a 600 foot pier that has a small seafood restaurant at the start of it. While parking is limited, there are plenty of benches and places to enjoy some food by the water or playground. In the same proximity, you'll find the Tampa Yacht & County Club which has a swim team for kids and beautiful ground for weddings. Across the street from the park is a stable called Perennial Farm Riding Academy, where they offer horse riding lessons for children.

Family Activities In Warm Weather

If you haven't noticed, Tampa is a wonderful place for families. We have children of our own, so maybe that's why we notice so many events and activities that are kid-friendly, but with the weather and so many great options, it's hard to ignore the large amount of options that cater to a younger audience. Tampa, Florida, enjoys a warm subtropical climate, making it a very outdoor-friendly environment all year-round. Winters are mild, with average highs in the mid-70s°F, while summers bring hot and humid conditions, with highs often exceeding 90°F. The summer months, from June through September, are filled with afternoon thunderstorms that may bring intense rainfall for short periods of time. The consistent sunshine makes it a prime destination for beachgoers, boaters, and those looking to soak up Florida’s famous warmth.