An Insider’s Guide to Tampa Bay and Florida’s Gulf Coast

Words: Lucy Connors

Dreaming of escaping dreary grey skies for Florida’s Gulf Coast, where the summer never seems to end?

The heart of Tampa Bay stretches along the coastline, making it one of the most varied and underrated destinations in the US. From vibrant cities and white sand beaches to wildlife preserves and independent restaurants, the region offers endless ways to fill your days.

We are transporting you across the pond with an insider’s guide to our favourite hidden gems along Florida’s Gulf Coast, starting in Tampa Bay and stretching towards untouched islands and coastal towns.

Tampa and St Petersburg are the sister cities of the bay, yet despite their close proximity, they offer completely different personalities and experiences. Tampa is one of the fastest-growing cities in the US and provides an epicentre for sports, nightlife and upmarket dining. St Petersburg, meanwhile, leans into a more artistic and eclectic atmosphere. It is somewhere you can spend your days browsing galleries, wandering local markets and watching dolphins drift through the Gulf at sunset.

For those planning a wider American adventure, Tampa Bay also makes the perfect addition to a broader Southern itinerary, much like the routes explored in our guide to The Great South East USA Road Trip.

Tampa and St Petersburg: Florida’s Twin Gulf Coast Cities

Tampa Bay

One of the first restaurants I discovered in Tampa was Oxford Exchange, a beautifully curated restaurant, bookstore and café housed inside a historic building. The space immediately captures your attention, with shelves of carefully selected books leading into elegant dining rooms and sunlit conservatories draped in vines.

Oxford Exchange has become something of a Tampa institution thanks to its refined interiors and acclaimed brunch menu.

The restaurant offers both a more formal, art-filled dining room and a glass-roof conservatory complete with fountains and climbing greenery.

"The Channelside location provides not only a culinary experience but also one of the best atmospheres in Tampa Bay..."

The food does not disappoint either. From brunch plates and sandwiches to seasonal small plates, the menu is carefully considered throughout, although it is the whipped feta that steals the show.

For a more casual experience, head down to Sparkman Wharf, a waterfront social hub where shipping containers have been transformed into independent restaurants and boutiques. It hosts live music in the evenings and screens the sporting events that give life to Tampa: The Bucs, The Rays and The Bolts.

If you are after something savoury, Gallito Taqueria serves some of the finest street tacos around, while Whatever Pops offers refreshing acai bowls and gelato that feel essential in the Florida heat. The Channelside location provides not only a culinary experience but also one of the best atmospheres in Tampa Bay for whiling away an afternoon.

The Best Things to Do in St Petersburg, Florida

University of Tampa

Heading across to St Petersburg, Florida, one stop that should not be missed is the Salvador Dalí Museum. Home to one of the world’s most extensive collections of Dalí’s work, the museum combines surrealist masterpieces with immersive digital installations that allow visitors to experience the artist’s world in entirely new ways.

Beyond the museums, St Petersburg’s independent café culture is thriving. A special mention must go to The Crislip Café, tucked away inside an arcade just off Central Avenue.

Stepping inside feels slightly like slipping into Wonderland, thanks to the eccentric interiors and wildly inventive drinks menu. Their specialty coffee selection ranges from Purple Rain Lavender Lattes to Red Velvet Cappuccinos, all made using fair trade and sustainably sourced beans.

For dinner, head to The Lure, where sushi, tacos and tapas collide in a vibrant crossover of Mexican and Southern American influences, with an emphasis on fresh seafood and inventive flavour combinations.

Wildlife and Nature Along Florida’s Gulf Coast

St. Petersburg Pier

With Florida’s Gulf Coast bursting with wildlife, it would be unwise to miss the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

I first discovered the region’s remarkable ecosystems while spending two days wild camping on Shell Key Preserve, a completely untouched barrier island accessible only by kayak.

Surrounded by mangrove tunnels and shallow turquoise waters, Shell Key Preserve offers one of the most immersive wildlife experiences in the Tampa Bay region.

Camping permits are restricted to protect the local environment, allowing sea turtles, dolphins and countless bird species to thrive relatively undisturbed. During our stay alone, we witnessed over twenty separate dolphin sightings, many appearing at sunset as they moved into warmer shallow waters.

For another unforgettable wildlife encounter, head inland to Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River.

During the cooler months, the springs become home to manatees seeking warmer waters, creating one of Florida’s most remarkable wildlife spectacles.

The Best Day Trips From Tampa Bay

Saratosa

Stepping beyond Tampa Bay itself, there are countless day trips that reveal even more of Florida’s Gulf Coast charm.

Dunedin offers visitors the chance to watch the Toronto Blue Jays during MLB Spring Training in one of the most relaxed and picturesque baseball settings imaginable.

Sarasota, meanwhile, provides a completely different atmosphere and is home to the extraordinary John and Mable Ringling Museum.

"Tampa Bay offers a slower, more creative and more authentic side of Florida that often feels overlooked..."

Built as a cultural legacy for the people of Florida, the Ringling Museum combines Renaissance-style architecture with European paintings, circus history, Gilded Age interiors and ancient artefacts, making it one of the most unique museums in the state.

Continuing the journey through Sarasota, Owen’s Fish Camp is an essential stop. Permanently bustling, this downtown institution recreates the atmosphere of an old Florida swamp shack while serving elevated Southern seafood.

Fried oysters, blackened shrimp and boiled peanuts all feature heavily on the menu, while live country music drifting through the outdoor dining area only adds to the authenticity.

The Best Beaches Near Tampa Bay

Tampa Beaches

No guide to Florida’s Gulf Coast would be complete without mentioning its beaches.

Anna Maria Island feels almost dreamlike, where crystal-clear waters meet impossibly white sands and brightly coloured beach houses overlook the shoreline. Indian Rocks Beach is one of the best spots along the Gulf Coast for sunset watching and dolphin spotting, while St Pete Beach offers similarly stunning scenery much closer to the city.

What makes the Tampa Bay region so special is its range. Within a relatively short drive, you can move between world-class museums, wildlife preserves, independent restaurants and some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States.

Whether you are kayaking through mangrove tunnels, discovering hidden cafés in St Petersburg or watching dolphins drift through the Gulf at sunset, Tampa Bay offers a slower, more creative and more authentic side of Florida that often feels overlooked compared to the state’s bigger tourist destinations.

And while cities like New York and Tokyo may dominate many travel wishlists, as explored in our guides to the 5 Boroughs of New York City and the futuristic aspects of Tokyo, Florida’s Gulf Coast delivers something entirely different: a blend of laid-back coastal culture, wildlife and year-round warmth that is difficult to replicate anywhere else.