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I just got back from a Tampa weekend getaway that included a stay on St. Pete Beach and think I found my new fav place in Florida! Tampa is one of the last major US cities I haven’t been to yet (at least as an adult… I did go to Busch Gardens and ZooTampa as a kid!), and it did not disappoint. From historic neighborhoods to weekend markets to white-sand beaches and roller coasters, Tampa has a lot to offer. I think this trip is the perfect long weekend getaway, especially if you’re visiting from the Northeast. This guide is going to cover my top recommendations for a sunny Tampa weekend getaway!
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How To Get To Tampa
Tampa is on the west coast of Florida (along the Gulf of Mexico), and is centrally located in the state. The region is well-connected and fairly easy to get to, whether you’re flying, driving, or taking the train.
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By Plane
The most convenient and most obvious way to reach Tampa is by flying into the Tampa International Airport (TPA). It’s just 15 minutes from downtown and consistently ranked as one of the best airports in the U.S. for ease of use and cleanliness. TPA offers nonstop flights to and from most major U.S. cities, as well as some international destinations.
Additionally, you can fly into St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport (PIE). This is what my mom, sister, and I did! We flew Allegiant Airlines direct from Portsmouth, New Hampshire. This airport was small and easy to navigate. Plus, it was less than 30 minutes to drive to our hotel at St. Pete Beach.
There’s also the Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), which is located about 1 hour south of Tampa and is a good option for exploring the coast. We flew into here for our weekend in Sarasota with Allegiant Air a few years ago!
By Car: Driving To Tampa
Tampa is centrally located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, making it a great road trip destination. It’s accessible via I-75 (north-south) and I-4 (east-west). It’s located just 1.5 hours from Orlando, 4-5 hours from Miami, 4 hours from Jacksonville, and about 6.5 hours from Atlanta. Tampa would make an incredible girls weekend getaway in the southeast!
By Train Or Bus
Lastly, Amtrak offers service to Tampa via the Silver Star line, which connects cities from New York down to Miami. The Tampa Union Station is located downtown. This would be a LENGTHY trip, but if you like train travel and want to explore more of the east coast, it’s important to note that this option exists.
Greyhound and Megabus also operate in Tampa, with routes from many Florida and Southern cities. While slower than flying, these options can be budget-friendly.
Where To Stay In Tampa / St. Pete
I didn’t stay in downtown Tampa during my Tampa weekend getaway, so I don’t have a city hotel recommendation, but I do have an incredible accommodation for you along St. Pete Beach.
My sister, mom, and I stayed at the Treasure Island Beach Resort! This hotel is centrally located along St. Pete Beach on the scenic Treasure Island! There’s an on-site, elevated American restaurant called BRGR that serves craft cocktails, burgers, salads, and more. You can enjoy indoor or outdoor seating here.
Additionally, there’s an outdoor pool and hot tub here, a gym, and beachfront access. The hotel rooms were clean, serene, and modern. We LOVED the wrap around balcony on our suite!
Pro-tip: There is also on-site parking for guests at this resort. I highly recommend renting a car during your Tampa weekend getaway so you can explore the beach area, downtown St. Petersburg, and of course — Tampa too!
Where To Eat In Tampa / St. Pete
During your Tampa weekend getaway, I recommend exploring both downtown Tampa and St. Pete when eating out! Both cities are full of oceanfront cafes and restaurants, and fun bars for nightlife. Here are a few recommendations I have for where to eat.
Coffee / Breakfast / Brunch
Café Soleil
For brunch in St. Pete, you must try Café Soleil! This place is located in St. Pete Beach and is a Cannes, France-inspired coastal cafe. They serve the best coffees, along with homemade croissants, quiche, and sandwiches. It’s so bright and homey in here.
Patrona Coastal Cafe
Patrona Coastal Cafe is also located in St. Pete. This is no joke one of my new favorite cafes in the world! It’s located along the bayside, not far from the bridge that brings you into downtown Tampa. This place was BUSY but was well worth the wait in line.
This coastal cafe has 2 docks with seats and umbrella-covered umbrellas, along with more tables set in the sand. Palm trees and mangroves surround the food trucks and wood stands that make up this outdoor cafe. The best part? There’s a stand up paddle board business right next door so you can do some yoga or paddle before your latte.
Paradeco Coffee
The third & final recommendation I have for brunch in St. Pete is Paradeco Coffee. Located in downtown St. Pete (near the Plaza Tower Courtyard & Shops), this chic cafe serves healthy food, smoothies, and yummy coffees. There were a lot of people working remotely in here too when we visited. Try the pesto chickpea toast & green smoothie!
Lunch
Since we ended up eating a brunch most days, I really only have one recommendation for lunch (would be a GREAT brunch option too), and that is Oxford Exchange in Tampa! This place also quickly made its way to the top of my favorites list. Oxford Exchange is a restaurant (set in the most beautiful, open-air atmosphere), coffee shop, bookstore, home goods store, and event space. The reservations here are definitely hard to come by, so plan in advance!
If you aren’t able to get a table here, I still recommend planning a visit for an hour or so to shop, enjoy a coffee, and take photos. It’s so beautiful in here!
Dinner & Drinks
Downtown St. Pete has the best nightlife in this part of Florida, however my one main dinner option is on St. Pete Beach. You MUST visit Coconut Charlies during your Tampa weekend getaway. Located at a hotel along St. Pete Beach, there is a front restaurant and a back beach bar. Go to the back beach bar! Here, you can catch sunset, enjoy live music, and choose from a menu of casual, coastal bites. I highly recommend the coconut shrimp and fish tacos — some of the best I’ve ever had!
What To Do During A Tampa Weekend Getaway
Now that I’ve covered where to stay and eat in the Tampa / St. Pete area, let’s dive into what to do during a Tampa weekend getaway. The beaches here are the nicest I’ve seen in FL, besides those along Route 30A! Aside from just sitting at St. Pete Beach and soaking up the sunshine, do these activities!
Chiluhy Museum & Glass Blowing Demonstration
The Morean Arts Center is an exhibition space / museum located in downtown St. Petersburg. Here, there’s a permanent collection of the Chihuly Collection, featuring 18 installations spanning several of the artist’s most popular series. Highlights include the Ruby Red Icicle Chandelier. Dale Chihuly is one of the most famous glass artists, and has had his work featured in numerous exhibits around the world.
The glass work is truly mind-blowing and this exhibit didn’t take too long to explore — probably just 30-45 min. This would be the perfect activity on a rainy day or to escape the sunshine for a bit.
Pro-tip: Your ticket, which costs $20 for adults, also includes access to the glass blowing demonstration across the street! After you explore the museum, pop over for the ~30 min demonstration to watch a piece of art be created from the start.
Shop In Historic St. Pete
After the glass experience, I recommend exploring downtown St. Pete and historic St. Pete. There are tons of shops and restaurants here, including the Paradeco Cafe mentioned above. I would browse up, down, and around Central Street.
Pro-tip: If you’re visiting the area on a Tampa weekend getaway between October – May, you must catch the Mezzo Market! The markets rotate each month between Tampa and St. Pete, and are much more than just a farmers market. Aside from getting produce, you can also shop vintage goods, artwork, boutique clothing, plants, jewelry, food & drinks, and more!
Bayshore Blvd & Hyde Park
For this final recommendation, I’m putting these two things together so both are near each other in Tampa. My mom, sister, and I spent one full day exploring St. Pete and the second day exploring Tampa. Be sure to see both!
I knew I wanted to walk along Bayshore Blvd during my Tampa weekend getaway. This walk hugs Tampa Bay and is a scenic pathway that passes luxury neighborhoods, wildlife, tons of palm trees, and has really good views of the skyline. Since this sidewalk is 4.5 miles long, it is actually known for being the longest continuous sidewalk in the world! Walking along here is a must during your visit (ideally in the morning or evening before it gets too hot!).
If you park centrally along the Bayshore Blvd, you’ll be very close to Hyde Park. Hyde Park is wealthy & beautiful neighborhood in Tampa, and Hyde Park Village is also worth the visit! This outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment plaza is such a great place to hangout in Tampa. They have tons of shops here to browse, and a few well-known restaurants, including Meat Market. After walking along Bayshore, we explored Hyde Park for awhile!
That brings us to the end of this guide covering a Tampa weekend getaway. This was the last *new* area of Florida that I’ve been wanting to visit, and it did NOT disappoint. I hope your guide helps you plan the best visit, and thank you again to Allegiant Airlines for working with me again!
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