By Contributor,Jennifer Kester,Jesse Scott

Copyright forbes

This Gulf Coast getaway is having a renaissance.
iStock-Sean Pavone Photo

Tampa is having a multifaceted moment. This sun-soaked city on Florida’s Gulf Coast is balancing its historic roots with a visible renaissance, luring visitors with glitzy developments, a robust foodie scene and easy access to culture-rich St. Petersburg and powdery Gulf beaches. Anchored by the Water Street Tampa neighborhood, a $3.5 billion urban revitalization project, downtown is a hub of glassy towers, riverfront dining and world-class hotels.

Your home base for a weekend escape is Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star The Tampa EDITION, a sleek standout that embodies the city’s new energy. The 172-room boutique retreat impresses with its Ian Schrager-led design, interiors by Roman and Williams and other creatives, and a prime location just steps from the Tampa Riverwalk and Benchmark International Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

With a stay here, you can spend downtime indulging in the serene Four-Star EDITION Spa, sipping cocktails at the disco ball-ceilinged Arts Club or enjoying skyline views from the rooftop pool with flora-draped cabanas.

When you step away from your room, here’s how to make the most of your time in Tampa, balancing culture, cuisine and undeniable coastal cool.

Let your Florida fun start at The Tampa EDITION.
The Tampa EDITION

Ease into your getaway with breakfast at Armature Works, a former trolley barn that’s been converted into a lively food hall. Start with a breakfast pizza from The Fold or biscuits and gravy from Butcher N Barbecue, then stroll out to the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile waterfront pathway linking parks, attractions and restaurants. Locals come here to jog or bike, and visitors will find it an easy way to orient themselves to the city while taking in breezes off the Hillsborough River.

Those looking to dive deeper can purchase a Riverwalk Attraction Pass, which gives discounted access to seven downtown cultural stops, including the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Museum of Art and Henry B. Plant Museum.

Tampa Museum of Art is a delightful detour.
iStock-csfotoimages

After seeing the sights and grabbing a bite, cross Tampa Bay via the convenient Cross Bay Ferry (at the nearby Tampa Convention Center) to St. Petersburg, which boasts a thriving art scene and a walkable downtown. Begin at the St. Pete Pier, a 26-acre waterfront playground of restaurants, green spaces and public art installations. Then make your way to the Dalí Museum, home to the most extensive Salvador Dalí collection outside Spain, and the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses works by Monet and Georgia O’Keeffe. Continue to the Chihuly Collection to see glass master Dale Chihuly’s vibrant sculptures in a gallery designed specifically for his work. Also carve out time for the Florida Holocaust Museum, which offers an impactful experience.

Back on Central Avenue, browse boutiques and admire a colorful collection of murals, a hallmark of St. Pete’s creative identity. Stop for a cup at Bandit Coffee Co. or cozy up to Green Bench Brewing Company, a local favorite known for its innovative pours and expansive beer garden. Adjacent Webb’s City Cellar is dedicated to barrel-aged and mixed-culture ales, paying homage to a historic St. Pete department store that once spanned seven blocks.

Have dinner in Lilac’s striking dining room.

If you’re traveling with four-legged companions, St. Pete’s dog-loving culture shines through at Mutts & Martinis, a sports bar with water play zones, and the Dog Bar, a unique blend of off-leash dog park and tavern. The Downtown Looper Trolley makes it easy to hop between the waterfront, arts districts and shops.

Return to Tampa proper for dinner at your hotel’s Four-Star Lilac, where chef John Fraser blends Mediterranean flavors with seasonal Florida ingredients. The culinary experience includes tableside preparations and a striking dining room that feels intimate yet theatrical, with a sparkling open kitchen.

If you have energy after dinner, explore 10 minutes away at Ybor City, Tampa’s historic district, once famous for cigar manufacturing. Today, it is a lively hub of music venues, cocktail bars and Cuban culture, great for an always-lively late-night walk under its century-old streetlights.

Wat Mongkolratanaram turns into an outdoor market on Sundays.
iStock-Marti157900

Should your visit fall on a Sunday, head to Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida, a Thai Buddhist temple that transforms into a bustling outdoor market each weekend. Arrive early with cash in hand to sample authentic dishes like mango sticky rice and noodle soup while listening to monks chanting in the riverside temple.

Any day of the week, choose your own adventure depending on your interests. Outdoor lovers should consider Hillsborough River State Park, about 30 minutes north of downtown. The park blends lush landscapes, historic structures and rare Class II river rapids, making it one of Florida’s most scenic day trips. Hike along shady trails, rent a kayak or canoe or enjoy a picnic under rustic pavilions built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s.

Hillsborough River State Park is great for a day trip.
iStock-James Robert Smith

Those who prefer a more leisurely pace can step back in time at Tampa Theatre, a 1926 Mediterranean Revival movie palace. Its twinkling night-sky ceiling, hand-painted décor and weekend lineup of classic films offer a romantic escape and a window into Tampa’s history. Alternatively, Hyde Park Village provides a polished shopping experience in a leafy six-block district filled with boutiques, restaurants and courtyards, ideal for an afternoon of strolling and people-watching.

Wrap up your weekend with a Spanish-inspired feast at Bulla Gastrobar, in Tampa’s trendy SoHo neighborhood. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and contemporary take on tapas, Bulla’s menu features dishes like grilled octopus with corn purée and chorizo-stuffed dates alongside craft cocktails, like the refreshingly floral lavender margarita, and Spanish wines.

After dinner, ascend to the restaurant’s rooftop Luna Lounge for panoramic views of downtown Tampa’s skyline, a fitting finale to your two-day visit. Before returning to your room, take one last stroll along the Riverwalk to see it illuminated in colorful lights. This scene perfectly captures the city’s charm and will have you wanting to book a return trip soon.

MORE FROM FORBES
ForbesForbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Edge ListBy Jennifer KesterForbesFrom Anguilla To Australia, Forbes Travel Guide’s 2025 Star Award WinnersBy Jennifer KesterForbes3 Storied Florida Resorts Turn 100—And They’ve Never Been More LuxuriousBy Katie LaraForbesThe Insider’s Guide To Naples’ Two Ritz-Carlton ResortsBy DeMarco Williams

Editorial StandardsReprints & Permissions