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

What's included

What you'll see and do

1. We start your tour at Armature Works, a restored warehouse and vibrant social hub filled with many variety of restaurants. From here, you can see the riverfront and get a view of the beautiful Hillsborough river.

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2. Tampa Riverwalk

   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.

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3. Straz Center for the Performing Arts

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

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4. Stop at the Tampa Postcard Mural, a colorful public artwork celebrating the city’s neighborhoods. Take photos and enjoy the vibrant street scene.

   5 minutes here

5. Tampa Museum of Art

   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.

   Pass by without stopping

6. Glazer Children's Museum

   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.

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7. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park

   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.

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8. Bayshore Boulevard

   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.

   10 minutes here

9. Hyde Park Village

   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.

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10. An upscale residential area built on two man-made islands in Tampa Bay. 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.

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11. Tampa Convention Center

    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.

    10 minutes here

12. Driving through Water Street Tampa, you’ll see a modern waterfront neighborhood with condos, offices, and restaurants. Highlights include Benchmark Arena and The Tampa EDITION hotel, adding a vibrant, contemporary feel to downtown Tampa.

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13. Sparkman Wharf

    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.

    10 minutes here

14. Tampa’s main seaport, historically central to the city’s growth through shipping, trade, and military use. Today, Port Tampa Bay is one of Florida’s largest ports, serving cargo vessels and cruise ships traveling to the Caribbean.

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15. The Florida Aquarium

    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.

    Pass by without stopping

16. The Channel District originally supported port operations, storage, and maritime commerce. 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.

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17. Ybor City

    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.

    10 minutes here

Where it starts and ends

Before you book

Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Languages

en

Ticket

Mobile Only

Runs on

Every day

Group size

Up to 13 travelers per booking

Operated by

Torvi Travel

Know before you go

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Photos

Traveler reviews

19 verified traveler reviews for Best of Tampa City Tour: History, Waterfront Views & Landmarks. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.