Sports & Leisure in Downtown Tampa
Tampa Theatre
Built in 1926 as one of America’s most elaborate movie palaces, the Tampa Theatre features a full schedule of first-run and classic films. The Mighty Wurlitzer theatre organ is played before almost every film screening. tampatheatre.org/ 711 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602 |
Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium is a large scale aquarium whose mission is to entertain, educate and inspire stewardship about our natural environment. The aquarium includes exhibits and adventures with sharks, penguins, stingrays, and dolphins. www.flaquarium.org/ 701 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 |
Stand Up Paddle Boards
Paddle board rentals are available along the Riverwalk. www.urbankai.com/about-us.htm 700 S Florida Ave 33602 |
Running & Walking
The River Walk is a 2.4 mile path that winds along the Hillsborough River through Downtown Tampa. Bayshore Boulevard a 4.5-mile long continuous sidewalk that curves around Tampa Bay, |
Segway Tours
Three companies operate segway tours in downtown Tampa:
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Water Taxi Tours
Pirate Water Taxi runs along the Hillsborough River throughout Downtown and it makes 11 stops including Harbor Island, Davis Islands, the Tampa Bay History Center, Ulele Restaurant, and Ricks on the River. There is also a taxi route to the Lowry Park Zoo. www.piratewatertaxi.com/ |
Biking
Coast Bikeshare stands are located throughout Downtown Tampa and the adjacent areas of Ybor City, Harbor Island, and Davis Islands. You can rent a bike for $8 an hour or $15 per month. There is a kiosk and hub on Franklin Street on the east side of the Hilton. coastbikeshare.com/ |
Waverunner & Boat Rentals
Watercraft rentals are available from the Chanelside Riverwalk. Two companies operate rentals from the Riverwalk. 333 S. Franklin Street, 33602 |
Dolphin Cruises
The Florida Aquariums offers 75 minute cruises to see Tampa Bay wildlife! www.flaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/wild-dolphin-cruise.aspx |
Gasparilla
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest is an annual celebration marking the occasion when a legendary pirate, Jose Gaspar, invaded Tampa. The yearly festival begins when a band of local pirates take their ship (the Jose Gaspar) into downtown to invade Tampa. The mayor surrenders the key to the city and the pirates march along Bayshore in victory. Gasparilla is in January, but the pirate ship is docked on Bayshore all year. Read all about it en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gasparilla_Pirate_Festival#Inspiration |
Sports & Leisure in Nearby Areas
Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo encompasses 56 acres of naturalistic animal exhibits in a lush, tropical garden setting. The Zoo features exhibits of manatees, orangutans, chimpanzees, penguins, elephants, leopards, and many more. www.lowryparkzoo.org/ 1101 W Sligh Ave, Tampa, FL 33604 |
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay is a major theme park with world-class roller coasters, live shows and more than 12,000 animals. Adventure Island Adventure Island is a water park with rides, wave pools, rivers, and sandy beaches. seaworldparks.com/en/buschgardens-tampa 10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 |
Major League Baseball
The Tampa Bay Rays play baseball in south St. Pete (about 40 minute drive) and they are in town during the conference. |
Minor League Baseball
The Tampa Yankees are a minor league team that play at the George Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. tybaseball.com Tampa Yankees Baseball 1 Steinbrenner Drive Tampa, Florida 33614 |