Best of Tampa City Tour: History, Waterfront Views & Landmarks

b filled with many variety of restaurants. From here, you can see the riverfront and get a view of the beautiful Hillsborough river.

Passing along the Tampa Riverwalk, a scenic path along the river connecting parks, museums, and restaurants. You’ll see people strolling, biking, and enjoying views of the downtown skyline from the water.

One of the Southeast’s premier performing arts venues. Where Broadway shows, concerts, and special performances light up Tampa’s cultural scene.

Take photos and enjoy the vibrant street scene.

A modern and contemporary art museum featuring over 4,000 works, including paintings, sculptures, photography, and decorative arts. Notice its sleek architecture from the van.

An interactive museum designed for children, featuring hands-on exhibits in art, science, and imaginative play. Located along the Riverwalk, the museum is a key family-friendly attraction in downtown Tampa.

A 5-acre urban park along the Hillsborough River featuring lawns, public art, walking paths, and event space. Curtis Hixon Park hosts concerts, festivals, and seasonal community activities, making it a central recreational area in downtown Tampa.

We’ll make a stop along Bayshore Boulevard, one of the longest continuous sidewalks in the world, stretching over 4 miles along Tampa Bay. Take a stroll or snap photos of the scenic Tampa bay waterfront view and elegant historic homes. It is popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists, and is considered one of Tampa’s most iconic streets.

Charming mix of boutique shops, cafes, and historic architecture. This neighborhood was one of Tampa’s first suburbs, and you can still see the tree-lined streets and classic buildings that give it a quaint, walkable feel.

Features waterfront homes, marinas, main street featuring shops and restaurants. Also, small parks, with panoramic views of the bay and downtown skyline. Davis Islands also includes Tampa’s municipal airport and yacht clubs.

A 600,000-square-foot waterfront convention facility hosting exhibitions, conferences, and concerts. The building includes large event halls, outdoor plazas, and access to the Riverwalk, providing views of the Hillsborough River and downtown Tampa. Step out to take photos of the modern architecture and enjoy views of the riverfront plaza.

Highlights include Benchmark Arena and The Tampa EDITION hotel, adding a vibrant, contemporary feel to downtown Tampa.

A waterfront area located on what was historically part of Port Tampa, once used for shipping and maritime commerce. The site has been redeveloped into a public gathering space with restaurants, outdoor seating, and event areas, while still reflecting Tampa’s long connection to the port and waterfront trade. Today, it offers clear views of Tampa Bay and the downtown skyline.

Today, Port Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s largest ports, serving cargo vessels and cruise ships traveling to the Caribbean.

A public aquarium opened in 1995 as part of Tampa’s downtown waterfront redevelopment efforts. It features marine and freshwater species from Florida and around the world, highlighting the region’s connection to coastal ecosystems and marine conservation.

Over time, the neighborhood transitioned into a residential and commercial district, reflecting Tampa’s downtown growth and redevelopment. Today, it includes modern housing, offices, and public spaces while maintaining its connection to the city’s working waterfront.

Your final stop, a historic neighborhood founded in the late 1800s as the center of Tampa’s cigar manufacturing industry. Ybor City was developed by Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrant communities who lived and worked around the cigar factories. The area formed its own social clubs, housing, and commercial streets, shaping Tampa’s early economy and cultural identity. Today, Ybor City remains one of Florida’s most well preserved historic districts, with original brick buildings, streets, and murals, making it a popular area for walking and taking photos.