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Tampa is the holy grail for romantic getaways, thanks to the beautiful beaches, natural attractions, and downtown life.
The very essence of Tampa can be felt in the famous Clearwater Beach, a hot spot for romantic couples.
You can grab a bite to eat from the local restaurants surrounding the beach.
One of the top things to do in Tampa for couples is visiting theme parks such as the Busch Gardens, known for its action-packed rides.
Before you know it, you’d be in an uproar, sliding down the adrenaline-inducing roller coasters that keep you excited and all over the place with your sweetheart.
Downtown Tampa offers a vintage vibe, home to many of the city’s historical attractions, such as the Cigar Museum in Ybor City.
The food scene is thriving here, giving the foodies a memorable vacation.
This article covers the top 15 exciting things to do in Tampa for couples.
Table of Contents
Chill out in Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach is the best vacation spot to chill out in Tampa, Florida. You can do anything from parasailing to paddleboat riding while feeling the place’s vibe.
A festival called the Sunsets at Pier 60 is held on the beach during sunset time to bring a celebrating mood among romantic couples.
Comfortably lounging on the white sands is one of the top things to do in Tampa for couples.
You may also consider having a local fish called Grouper. The restaurants that serve this savory dish will indeed delight you.
The beach is also a hot spot for some of the artistic events in Tampa. Eleven prominent sculptors gather at the beach to create some powerful artistic impressions.
Stroll along Honeymoon Island State Park
Catch a fantastic sunset view at the Honeymoon Island State Park. The beach is well lit with its native wildlife and nighttime cameo.
Strolling across the 4 miles of beach is one of the favorite things to do for couples in Tampa. There is also a three-mile trail to view one of the last remaining virgin slash pine forests.
You might want to check out the aerial view. Eagles, osprey, and great-horned owls fly above your head on a mission to guard the Park.
You can also choose to do some activities while on Honeymoon island. Go swimming, hiking, and bicycling, and make it a wonderful day with your sweetheart.
Stroll along Tampa Riverwalk
Ambling through Tampa Riverwalk is one of the top things to do in Tampa for couples. The iconic Tampa bay is lined up with the local restaurants, shops, and museums.
The Riverwalk stretches up to 2.6 miles, offering scenic views as you stroll down the Hillsborough River by downtown Tampa.
Romantic couples can start their journey from the south end of the Riverwalk. You will immediately witness the river wall, a beautiful collage of 550 photographs by Bruce Marsh.
Water bikers and e-boaters make their way through the Tampa Bay, stopping by Sail Pavilion to drink in Tampa Bay’s only 360-degree open-waterfront bar.
Dining in one of the waterfront restaurants along the Riverwalk will make your day memorable.
Explore Cypress Breeze Farm
On Cypress Breeze farm, it’s all about the country cowboy life.
Going for a horseback ride on the white sand and exploring the beauty of nearby Pinellas Park is one of the top things for couples to do in Tampa.
Horseback riding tours take around 60-90 minutes, and you can choose the trail you want to, whether it be the pristine beaches or lush woodlands.
The local support staff of the Cypress Breeze Farm makes sure that every horse-human interaction is a positive one. The horses are well trained to accommodate couples of all skill levels on their back.
You can go along the beautiful 60-acre Helen Howarth Park & Equestrian Trail, which is a lovely experience. Surely it will be one of the top couple things to do in Tampa.
Take a stroll at Bayshore Boulevard
Romance is all about the setting. Your sweetheart will remember those moments if you’ve got the setting right.
Bayshore Boulevard features 4.5 miles of spacious walkway along Hillsborough Bay, where romantic couples can stroll along at their own pace while having a great conversation.
Catch some clear views by going for a bike ride during sunset. You can also look at mansions lining up the other side of the road.
If you take a detour off the path up Howard Ave, you can stop by Fresh Kitchen to have a sumptuous meal. You can also try out Mexican cuisine at Green Lemon.
Go on a Tampa Dinner Cruise
A dinner cruise along Tampa Bay is one of the top romantic things to do in Tampa for couples. The scenic atmosphere that fills the air of this beautiful city will make you feel at home.
That being said, start your dinner cruise with your loved one during sunset. The entire glam of the city of Tampa becomes evident then. You can go for any of the tours offered by different agencies here.
A three-course meal and a glass of champagne are what it takes to make you feel contended. Look out for a dinner cruise that offers open bar service and live entertainment.
See diverse marine life at The Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is full of surprises and fun, making the visit here one of the top couple things to do in Tampa.
As you navigate along the aquarium, you will be pleased to see the diverse marine life, all up close from where you are standing.
Sea turtles, sharks, dolphins, and many other water creatures such as the moon jellies can all be seen within a hand’s distance.
Wetlands Trail features fearsome alligators, otters, and the ever acclaimed Burmese python. You can click snaps with your sweetheart, the background being the aquarium.
If you want to feel the aquatic for real, head on to Stingray Beach, where you can touch creatures such as anemones and sea stars.
Get close to animals at ZooTampa Park
The ZooTampa park is home to various species of wild animals. The Park is highly esteemed for its tropical zoological setting and animal encounters.
Depending on your preference, you can feed certain animals, such as the giraffe, rhino, and tortoises. Splash around in the Manette fountains to have a great time with your life partner.
Pose with your favorite animals as the official photographers of the zoo capture memorable moments.
The primary mission of ZooTampa park is to conserve and protect endangered wildlife. Black bears, red wolves, owls, and skunks are taken care of to ensure their wellbeing.
Get on the rides at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Woofffff… That was one hell of a ride. You’d be saying this once you have taken a rollercoaster ride here in the Busch Gardens.
The rides are very thrilling, some of them challenging you to hold on tightly to your seat and pray for the worst.
Try the Tigris ride that sets you off on an array of looping twists coupled with forward and backward motion to increase the fun.
Go for the Cheetah Hunt ride that takes you on a triple launch to soar even fasters with the coasters.
Once you’ve done some roller coasting, you can visit the zoo, home to around 300 species of animals. Take the time to enjoy live shows that world-class artists perform.
Go fishing at Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto Park is highly acclaimed for being ecologically diverse, with sea life, bird life, and plant life thriving here.
The Park is spread over five interconnected islands spanning 1,136 acres. You can rent kayaks and canoes at Topwater Kayak Outpost.
There is a 2.25 -mile paddling trail that promises glorious views of dolphins, egrets, and manatees. You can also go fishing by getting a boat from the boat ramp.
The Arrowhead Picnic area features a one-mile nature trail where you can spot endangered gopher tortoise on your hike. Click snaps beside the tortoise to have a boast with your friends.
Go kayaking to Shell Key Preserve
Kayaking your way to Shell Key Preserve is one of the top things to do in Tampa for couples. When kayaking, dolphins, pelicans, starfish, and other marine creatures will give you company.
Opt for the guided tour as you learn more about the picturesque stops along the way. If you’re going in the morning, go for a completely clear kayak.
Nighttime kayaking is the best as you get to use LED lights to paddle along the way. Take a look at the stars and paddle off as swiftly as you can.
Keep a track of the wildlife that you see along the way. Once you reach Shell Key Preserve, you’ll have to weave your way through mangroves and sandbars.
Watch a show at the Tampa Theater
If you’re thinking about something heritage, the Tampa theater fits the bill. Watching historical shows in this theater is one of the top things for couples to do in Tampa.
The theater features documentaries, independent films, and foreign works.
Back in the good old days, the theater was known by all as the movie palace. Today, it’s much more than that. You can book seats for the latest films, and live shows that commence here.
The seats of the theater are arranged in a semicircle to give you the ultimate experience of the film. There is a balcony to backstage tour that will give you an overview of the place.
The tour starts in the lobby at 11:30 am with a demonstration of the Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Organ.
Experience peace in Weedon Island Preserve
Want an escape from the city? Head on straight to Weedon Island Preserve. There’s so much peace and tranquility in this place that you’d be tempted to spend the whole day here.
Spanning across 3,190 acres, this island in Tampa Bay is one to watch out for. It’s home to innumerable species of flora and fauna that you can snap some pics to make the occasion memorable.
Look out for hiking trails and saltwater ponds as you pass on. You can also go kayaking through the mangroves to explore the interior life of this island.
There is an elevated observation deck that offers panoramic views of Tampa.
Experience pre historic times at Dinosaur World
Going through a Jurassic Park experience is one of the top couple things to do in Tampa. Dinosaur World invites you to a world of life-sized dinosaurs in a natural setting.
There are many Dino-themed slides and swings which make the trip better and more exciting.
You can join along with others in the Fossil Dig which is an activity to dig for fossils in a specially stocked pit area.
Head out to the Prehistoric Museum which features various fossils of that period, those of trilobites to Allosaurus.
If you want to see some of your favorite dinosaurs come to life, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus, Pterodactyl, and Triceratops, just take a ticket that includes a motion-activated display.
Camp at Hillsborough River State Park
The Hillsborough River State Park is a cool place to hang out with your loved one. Camping at this Park is one of the top couple things to do in Tampa.
You just have to drive a few minutes to reach the Park from downtown Tampa. The innumerable number of trails can make your hiking trip exciting.
The wildlife in this place comes to the picture as the sun sets down. You might even be able to spot an alligator around the marshes.
The adventure begins when you hike through a trail that’s full of mangroves, bayous, swamps, and vines.
