Free Things to Do in Tampa

The Tampa Firefighters Museum is located in downtown Tampa next to Tampa Fire Rescue Station One. Built in 1911, the beautifully restored building served as the Fire Department Headquarters until 1974. A tribute to all those who have served and continue to serve the city of Tampa, the 18,000-square-foot facility is designed to preserve the history of the fire department and to promote fire safety and prevention throughout the community. Included among the historical exhibits and interactive educational displays is an early fire wagon looking as bright and shiny as the day it was made, and a piece of metal recovered from the World Trade Towers on 9/11.

To see the natural beauty of Florida without having to drive very far out of town, Hillsborough River State Park is your best bet. Located upriver from downtown Tampa, in northeastern Hillsborough County, this is one of Florida's oldest and most popular state parks. The list of things to do here is expansive, starting with both full-facility and primitive camping. Canoes and kayaks can be rented to go down the river. In contrast to most segments of the Hillsborough River which are very slow-moving, the river here has a rare section of fast-moving water with Class II rapids. There are also numerous picnic areas, a public pool, and numerous hiking trails where, if you're lucky, you will be able to spot some native Florida wildlife.

The J. C. Newman Cigar Company was founded in 1915 by Julius Ceasar Newman as a one-man operation in Ohio. The company grew and flourished and in the mid-50s, J.C. decided to relocate to Tampa to pursue his dream of producing a premium cigar line. A relative latecomer to Tampa's cigar industry, J.C. Newman took over another cigar factory, the Regensburg factory, one of the last and largest cigar factories built in Tampa. Known for its famous clock tower with hourly chimes, the factory was nicknamed El Reloj, Spanish for "The Clock." In honor of the family's 125th anniversary and the factory's 110th anniversary, the factory was fully restored and re-opened to the public in 2021. Today the factory remains as Ybor City's last operating cigar factory and features a free 3-floor museum and cigar shop. Factory tours are offered Monday, Thursday, and Friday mornings for a $15 fee.

If you're vacationing in Tampa and are looking for a beach close by that offers powdery white sand for lounging, calm water for cooling off and shelters for picnics, then Davis Beach is for you. This is the closest beach to downtown Tampa and the locals' favorite tailgate spot. Davis offers ideal proximity to the airport for travelers who value efficiency. Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings see the beach populated by local volleyball players. This is one of the best spots in town to watch the sunset and is located adjacent to the new Courtney Campbell Trail, a four-mile biking and pedestrian bridge. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Lettuce Lake Regional Park is located along the Hillsborough River about half an hour north of downtown Tampa. The river at this point is in its natural state, untouched by houses and development giving visitors a chance to experience natural Florida at its best. The park features 240 acres of wooded picnic areas, a playground and a paved path for bikes and joggers complete with a fitness course. A haven for nature lovers and bird watchers, the park features an amazing 3,500-foot boardwalk and observation tower where visitors can view a variety of wildlife. Visit the interpretive center for exhibits on the local birds, vegetation, and animals. On Saturday and Sunday morning, the park features a free guided nature walk. You can also explore the river by canoe and kayak as the park features a boat launch and rentals.

Named for the spot where arriving ships would off-load their ballast to enter the harbor, Ballast Point Park and Pier is located in a quiet neighborhood of South Tampa. It features a wonderful splash park for the kids, a large playground area, shade trees and picnic tables. One of the most impressive features of the park is the view of the downtown skyline and Davis Islands. There is a long pier that juts out into the Bay and a conveniently located bait shop if you wish to try your hand at fishing. Alternatively, you can grab a bite at the Taste of Boston restaurant. The food is good, and you can sit outside and enjoy the views. There is also a boat dock and ramp.

Yes, a sidewalk is one of Tampa's best attractions. However, this is a special sidewalk. Running along Bayshore Boulevard from MacDill Air Force Base to downtown Tampa, this sidewalk is the longest continuous sidewalk in the US. And, with Hillsborough Bay on one side and some of Tampa's most expensive real estate on the other, the scenery can't be beaten. It's also the location of our most important celebration, the annual Gasparilla parade in late January. As South Tampa's unofficial gym, at all hours of the day, you can find locals walking, jogging, biking, and rollerblading down the long, flat ribbon of pavement.

Located in the heart of Tampa's historic district, the Ybor City Visitor Center is the perfect place to start your exploration of this charming neighborhood. Operated by the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, the Visitor Center offers free attraction maps and expert advice on where to go and what to see. There is also an abundance of other Tampa travel-related brochures and pamphlets. Take some time to explore the small museum and video presentation to provide some background and context to the colorful history of what was once known as the "Cigar Capital of the World." This is also a good spot to shop for authentic and local souvenirs of your visit.

St. Pete Beach truly has something for everyone and is frequently named as one of the most popular beaches in the U.S. Yes, it has white sand beaches and warm Gulf waters, but it's the extras that make this beach special. There are plenty of beach-side amenities including restaurants, Tiki bars, cabana rentals, jet ski rentals and other adventure opportunities. If you're staying overnight there are plenty of full-service resorts and boutique hotels lining the beach. Explore the shopping opportunities along historic Corey Avenue and take some time to tour the beautiful Don Cesar Resort. This huge pink Mediterranean-style hotel was built during the jazz age and has been the standard of luxury ever since.

The Tampa Riverwalk is a scenic exploration of the downtown waterfront and connects many of the city's most popular attractions, parks, and restaurants. The broad paved path follows the banks of the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel and is easily accessible to everyone including the disabled, kids, and furry friends. There are also many ways to navigate the Riverwalk which accommodates walkers, joggers, and bikers. A few of the landmarks you will pass include the Heights Public Market, Waterworks Park, Tampa Museum of Art, Curtis Hixon Park, the Convention Center, and the Tampa Bay History Center. Along the way, you can discover numerous interpretive exhibits highlighting Tampa's history and public art exhibits. The path is almost 3 miles long, but there are plenty of spots to stop for a rest and grab a drink or a quick bite along the way.