Planning the Best Tampa to Miami Trip: 9 Things You Must Do
Looking to take some time out in Florida?
With its huge variety of sights and sounds, making a trip from Tampa to Miami is a perfect way to see what the state has to offer.
Read on to find out about the top 9 things you have to see or do in Tampa to Miami.
Tampa Busch Gardens
If you’re starting out in Tampa, one of the best places you can take a visit to is Busch Gardens.
Busch Gardens opened in 1959; originally it housed only beer gardens and expanded quickly to include a 29-acre Serengeti exhibit. Its huge 300-acre ground space is host to some of the most entertaining activities in Tampa.
Busch Gardens features exciting shows, shopping centers, interactive experiences and most of all, one of the largest zoos in North America.
Notably, Busch Gardens zoo is also responsible for massive animal conservation efforts with world-class facilities.
Tampa Museum of Art
Tampa’s Museum of Art is highly modern art space the is home to a wonderful collection classical and contemporary art.
The Museum of Art can be found alongside Tampa Bay’s riverwalk (which is worth an expedition in itself). The Museum found its roots in 1979 and was updated in 2010 with an all-new interior and impressive translucent ceiling.
It was designed by Stanley Saitowitz to look like art in itself and features a combination of glass and aluminum, as well as fiber-optic lighting on the outer wall.
Going inside you can expect to see a tasteful decor comprised of white surfaces and modest lighting playing host to the various works on display.
Big Cat Rescue
Big Cat Rescue is an acclaimed exotic cat sanctuary – in fact, it’s also one of the biggest.
The rescue teams here put their heart into maintaining a collection of wild cats and take pride in knowing they are one of the biggest wild cat promoters on Earth.
With an M.O. of rescuing these magnificent creatures from captive abuse, the sanctuary began rescuing wild cats in 1992.
It currently houses a huge number of these beasts – expect to find over 80 tigers, lions, cougars and more when you visit here.
Also of importance is their cultivation of endangered species, with ocelots and leopards being among them.
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is not to be missed either.
It can be found in downtown Tampa, and plays host to a massive range of plant and animal species.
Various interactive exhibits allow visitors to find out what it’s like to visit Tampa’s wetlands, come hand-to-hand with aquatic predators, and experience the splendor of a coral reef.
As well as finding out plenty about the various types of wildlife, children can also go wild at the outdoor water adventure zones, complete with cannons and geysers.
Straz Center for Performing Arts
Looking for something a little more theatrical?
Before you head from Tampa to Miami, check out the Straz Center. This huge performing arts complex puts on a wide variety of artistic and musical events.
The Arts Center is, in fact, one of the largest in Southeastern America.
The Straz Center is located along the banks of the Hillsborough River, and its line-up includes over 3000 concerts, performance and other events each season, ranging from opera to shows on Broadway.
The Patel Conservatory also lies within the Straz Center. Here you can find an array of educational programs and workshop, all of which specialize in educating communities in the performing arts.
From Tampa to Miami
South Beach
Miami’s South Beach is easily one of its top attractions.
Most people would sneer at the idea of visiting Miami without making a stop-off here!
Although it is often crowded with tourists, it does feature a wonderful expanse of golden sand and cool waters with which to take a dip.
It is also a great place to spot your favorite celebrities, many of whom own property in the area!
Aside from actually setting down on the beach itself, you can also explore the various sights dotted around.
Grab some breakfast at a cafe, or indulge in a little retail therapy at the upmarket boutiques – then perhaps quench your thirst in one of many lounge bars.
Art Deco District
One reason people (and couples in particular) travel from Tampa to Miami is for the wonderful sights. The Art Deco District is certainly one of them.
Hosting a bunch of pastel-painted buildings dating back to the 30’s, the Art Deco District can be found on Ocean Drive (overlooking South Beach).
With plenty of restaurants and bars available to spend your time at, you’ll never be left wanting for a trendy drink or bite to eat.
The district’s history includes more than 800 building going all the way back to the 20s and 40s.
An even more interesting fact – the candy colors the area’s buildings are known for aren’t all original – some were added in the 80s in an attempt to draw more attention to the area!
Little Havana
Got a taste for Cuba?
Little Havana found its place in 1959 during Fidel Castro’s rise to power, whereby huge amounts of people flocked to Miami to escape.
Little Havana is now home to the burgeoning Cuban expatriate community. This fantastic area provides some of the most interesting cultural flavors in the city.
Take some time out to explore the range of cafes and eateries, where you can gorge on delicious food and coffee.
Little Havana also has a vast array of art galleries and cigar stores located in this vibrant neighborhood.
Or you can sit back and admire the Mediterranean vibe just sitting here – the architecture, domino players in the park or Latin music gliding through the air.
Festivities
Miami is no stranger to celebrations!
Depending on when you to choose to visit, you can find a range of festivities to suit your taste.
Carnival Miami takes over each spring, with a Latin crowd hosting 10 days of beauty pageants, as well as cookoffs, galas and celebration of Latin jazz.
Downtown Miami’s festival Ultra also includes huge performances by music’s top performers spread over two weekends, complete with pyrotechnic shows and costumed dancers.
There is also the Little Havana block party, or Calle Ocho, which features an impressive turnout of a million people coming to watch live salsa and Caribbean music.
So there you have it!
If you ever find yourself taking a trip from Tampa to Miami, you’ll never be short of ideas on what you should do.
Take a look at some of our shuttles, too – they’re one of the easiest and most comfortable ways to get around!