Things to Do Near Port Tampa Bay

Touch tanks, penguins and a massive outdoor splash pad, right next to the cruise port.

Best for: Families with kids who love animals and water

Pro tip: The outdoor splash pad is free with admission and is the perfect way to tire kids out before boarding. Touch tanks let them feel stingrays and sea urchins. Get tickets online for a discount. Stroller-friendly throughout. The shark exhibit and touch tanks are the highlights. Book the Wild Dolphin Cruise add-on if you have 90 extra minutes — you go out on Tampa Bay to see dolphins in the wild. Tickets are cheaper online. It's literally next door to the cruise terminals — you can see the cruise ships from inside. If you have kids, the splash pad outside is a bonus. Buy tickets online for a discount. The Wild Dolphin Cruise add-on is a unique Tampa experience.

Hands-on interactive museum built for little ones — let them run, climb, and play before the cruise

Best for: Families with kids under 10

Pro tip: Two floors of interactive exhibits — water play, a mini grocery store, an art studio, and building zones. Completely designed for little hands. The museum is air-conditioned, which matters in Florida. Parking at Poe garage next door.

Downtown park with splash zones, a playground and river views. Free, and right on the Riverwalk.

Best for: Quick energy burn, families who need outdoor time

Pro tip: Two splash zones in summer, a modern playground, and a dog park. Pack swimsuits for the splash pad. Clean restrooms. Right next to the Glazer Children's Museum, so combine both for a full morning.

A free vintage streetcar that kids treat as a ride, looping from the port through downtown and Ybor City.

Best for: Train-loving kids, tired parents who want to sit down

Pro tip: Kids love sitting up front and watching out the windows. The full loop takes about 25 minutes and cars run frequently. Air conditioned. Stay on for the whole loop or hop off in Ybor City for a Cuban pastry. The streetcar drops you right on Ybor City's 7th Avenue, with its brick streets, vintage buildings, street art and cool shops. Check out the cigar shops (just to look), browse the vintage clothing stores, grab a Cuban sandwich. It runs frequently through the day.

Big waterfront lawn where kids can run while you grab food from the nearby stalls

Best for: Quick outdoor time right before boarding

Pro tip: The grassy area is big enough for kids to run around. Parents can grab food and drinks from the shipping container restaurants and keep an eye on kids at the same time. Clean restrooms on site. Stroller-friendly. Kids love watching the massive cruise ships from here. Splash fountain area in warm months. Souvenir shops for last-minute Florida gear. Connected to Splitsville bowling if you need more time. Good Wi-Fi for phones, multiple food options, and outdoor seating. It's basically the port's backyard. Live music on many evenings. Plenty of spots to sit and scroll while parents figure out logistics. Good for killing an hour or two without going far. The food is better than average bowling alley food. Less crowded during weekday afternoons. This is the go-to spot when you arrive early and just want to hang out. Shipping container eateries, the Lighthaus beer garden, a waterfront lawn, and live music. No need to drive anywhere.

Interactive pirate and explorer exhibits that feel more like a playground than a museum

Best for: Kids who love pirates, explorers, and interactive exhibits

Pro tip: The Treasure Seekers gallery is designed specifically for kids with hands-on activities. The full-size pirate ship replica is a highlight. The Columbia Cafe inside means you can eat without leaving. Right on the Riverwalk. The pirate ship replica and the Treasure Seekers gallery are the most teen-friendly parts. The Columbia Cafe inside is a legit restaurant if you need food. The Columbia Cafe inside serves the same food as the famous Ybor City restaurant — you can get a 1905 Salad with a waterfront view. The Florida history exhibits are better than you'd expect.

Rent bikes or kid-friendly scooters and cruise the waterfront path — 2.4 miles of flat, easy riding

Best for: Active families, kids who can ride a bike

Pro tip: The Riverwalk is flat, wide, and mostly car-free — perfect for kids on bikes. Rental stations are along the path. Ride from the aquarium end to Armature Works and back. Bring water — it gets hot. Rent an electric scooter and cruise the whole Riverwalk in under an hour. Great photo ops with the Tampa skyline and Hillsborough River. Ends at Armature Works which has a cool food hall. Start at the Florida Aquarium end near the port and walk north toward Armature Works. You'll pass the Tampa Museum of Art, Curtis Hixon Park, and several waterfront bars. Rent a bike or scooter to cover more ground.

Colorful murals, vintage shops, and Cuban culture on brick-lined streets — Instagram gold

Best for: Creative teens, photographers, anyone who appreciates urban culture

Pro tip: Walk along 7th Avenue and the side streets for the best murals and street art. Vintage and thrift shops are scattered throughout. Grab a guava pastry from a Cuban bakery — it's cheap and delicious.

Tampa's newest neighborhood, with shops, restaurants and public art. Good for a wander.

Best for: Teens who want to walk around somewhere new

Pro tip: Clean, modern, and walkable. Some cool public art installations worth seeing. Connects to Sparkman Wharf and the Riverwalk so you can make a loop. Good coffee shops for a caffeine stop. Water Street is Tampa's answer to a walkable urban district. Michelin-honored restaurants, boutique shops, and impressive public art installations. It connects directly to the Riverwalk and Sparkman Wharf.

Brick streets, Cuban coffee and over a century of immigrant history in Tampa's former cigar capital.

Best for: History buffs, foodies, couples wanting a walkable neighborhood

Pro tip: Take the free TECO streetcar from Channelside — the ride itself is part of the experience. Start at La Segunda Bakery for Cuban bread, walk 7th Avenue, peek into the last operating cigar factory at J.C. Newman, then end at Columbia Restaurant for lunch.

Watch hand-rolled cigars being made on a guided tour of Tampa's last operating cigar factory.

Best for: History lovers, cigar enthusiasts, anyone curious about Tampa's roots

Pro tip: Tours include the factory floor, aging rooms and museum. Even non-smokers find it fascinating, because this is living history. Book online in advance, since tours can fill up. The company store sells cigars at factory prices.

Contemporary and ancient art in a striking waterfront building on the Riverwalk

Best for: Art lovers, couples, anyone wanting an air-conditioned escape

Pro tip: The building's exterior light display at night is free and impressive. Combine with a Riverwalk stroll and lunch at Ulele nearby. Check whether any discounted evening hours are running.