Travel news, reviews and intel for high-flyers

Tampa Bay: Work and Play, All in One Stay

Extend your work trip and discover Tampa Bay’s treasures

Pirate Water Taxi in Tampa Bay / Photo: Courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay

With MICHELIN Starred dining, modern hotels, and unforgettable events and attractions, Tampa Bay blends business and leisure travel perfectly. You can visit for work and extend your stay to play all weekend with family and friends. You’ll find a laidback vibe that makes it easy to take advantage of everything Tampa Bay offers.

Work Meets Play, Just Steps Away

The Tampa Riverwalk conveniently links the vibrant downtown business district and must-experience destinations like gems on a string. With 2.6 miles of scenic waterfront views, stroll or bike to celebrated museums, beautiful parks, award-winning restaurants and unique attractions.

On the south end, The Florida Aquarium offers an exotic excursion with coworkers or family and friends. Pet stingrays, meet penguins, swim among sea turtles and even set sail on a dolphin-watching cruise. For evening entertainment, the Straz Center for the Performing Arts features traveling Broadway shows, stand-up comedy’s biggest performers, musical acts and more.

Sustainability Meets Wellness

Downtown is also home to the innovative Water Street Tampa neighborhood. It’s the first in the world to earn WELL Certification for integrating sustainability and wellness into buildings and pedestrian spaces. There are extra-wide sidewalks promoting foot traffic, water bottle refilling stations, recycling bins and buildings with cutting-edge energy conservation.

Savor MICHELIN Starred Tastes

Whether it’s a business dinner or a meal before a night of exploring, Tampa Bay turns every meal into an adventure. The prestigious MICHELIN Guide to Florida bestowed Tampa Bay restaurants with a coveted MICHELIN Star. On the star-winning list are the elegant Italian favorite, Rocca; the Japanese cuisine innovator, Koya; and the Mediterranean master, Lilac.

A Calendar Full of Sunshine and Possibilities

You’ll always find plenty to discover after the workday ends—and plenty of reasons to extend your trip to keep exploring. Tampa Bay’s calendar is stacked with outdoor music festivals, multicultural celebrations, big games and more, reflecting the destination’s diverse people and interests.

New Adventures Await in Every Direction

Whether you want to take teambuilding to new levels or make memories with family and friends, Tampa Bay has a variety of celebrated attractions to explore. Among the many choices, one essential experience is feeling the rush of record-breaking thrill rides at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay. For a truly wild time, head to ZooTampa to feed rhinos and giraffes, plus enjoy an array of other up-close animal encounters.

An Array of New Ways to Stay

Tampa Bay offers hotel options to fit any type of trip. There’s the refined style of the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and its sprawling views and a rooftop pool. And The Tampa EDITION offers five-star luxury that earned a place on Travel + Leisure’s 100 Best New Hotels in the World list for 2023. There are stylish rooms and suites, a restaurant spearheaded by a MICHELIN-ranked chef, a spa, and more.

In historic Ybor City, Hotel Haya offers midcentury Cuban flair among the area’s dazzling nightlife. And in another hub of lively activity, The Aloft Midtown Tampa Hotel boasts sleek sophistication with cutting-edge touches like smartphone-based check-in and room access.

Ready to unlock your Tampa Bay adventure? Go to VisitTampaBay.com.