THE SUNZiO SUNCOAST AREA GUIDE
Ten standout stops for riverfront walks, cigar-city history, world-class animal encounters, museums and Old Florida nature.
RIVERWALK MORNINGS. YBOR NIGHTS.
Downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk links museums, parks and waterfront dining, while Ybor City, Tampa Heights and South Tampa each add their own history and food scene. Busch Gardens, ZooTampa and Hillsborough River State Park sit a little farther north for full-day outings. These drive times begin at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport (SRQ), making this guide useful from the moment you collect your SUNZiO vehicle.
10 CAREFULLY SELECTED STOPS
Every stop includes parking guidance, an official planning link and a recommendation from the SUNZiO fleet.
1The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6-mile waterfront path that ties downtown’s parks, museums, restaurants and event venues together along the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel. Start near Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park for views of the Henry B. Plant Museum’s minarets, then walk south toward Sparkman Wharf and the Florida Aquarium. Mornings are cooler and quieter, while evenings bring lit bridges and busy patios. Bikes, scooters and water taxis make it easy to cover more ground. Park once in a downtown garage and let the path connect several stops on this list without moving the car.
Why it’s worth visiting: One scenic, walkable path links many of downtown Tampa’s best attractions.
Ybor City grew up around cigar factories and the Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants who worked in them, and its brick streets, iron balconies and social clubs still tell that story. Walk Seventh Avenue for hand-rolled cigar shops, Cuban sandwiches and strong café con leche, and watch for the neighborhood’s free-roaming chickens. Ybor City Museum State Park explains the district’s history in a former bakery and restored worker cottages. Daytime suits history and food; evenings turn lively with music and nightlife. The fare-free TECO Line Streetcar connects Ybor with downtown and Channelside.
Why it’s worth visiting: Few Florida neighborhoods pack this much history, food and character into a few walkable blocks.
The Florida Aquarium follows Florida’s water from freshwater springs and wetlands to offshore coral reefs, with sharks, sea turtles, otters, shorebirds and a large reef habitat along the way. Children can cool off at the outdoor splash area in warmer months, and behind-the-scenes programs add depth for curious visitors. Plan on two to three hours, buy tickets online and arrive near opening on weekends and holidays to avoid the busiest galleries. The Channelside location sits on the Riverwalk, so lunch at nearby Sparkman Wharf or a short waterfront walk pairs naturally with the visit.
Why it’s worth visiting: It is one of the Gulf Coast’s best rainy-day and family-friendly attractions.
ZooTampa is known for its Florida wildlife and its manatee critical care center, one of the few facilities in the state that rescues, treats and releases injured manatees. Shaded paths continue through African, Asian and Australian habitats, and seasonal rides and animal encounters fill out a family day. Animals are often more active early, so arrive near opening on hot days and carry water. A half day covers the highlights at a relaxed pace. Check the official site for current admission, parking details and any habitat closures before you drive north.
Why it’s worth visiting: Seeing rescued manatees up close is a uniquely Florida experience.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay combines some of Florida’s biggest roller coasters with an open-range Serengeti Plain where giraffes, zebras and other African animals roam. Thrill seekers head for the coasters at opening, while families can mix animal viewing, shows and the Sesame Street area for younger children. Buy tickets online ahead of time, plan for a full day and check the calendar for seasonal festivals and events. Summer afternoons often bring short thunderstorms that pause rides, so tackle outdoor attractions in the morning. Paid parking is on site, with preferred spaces at a higher rate.
Why it’s worth visiting: A theme park and a wildlife park in one, without the longer drive to Orlando.
Bayshore Boulevard runs about four and a half miles along Hillsborough Bay and is lined by a waterfront sidewalk often described as the longest continuous sidewalk in the world. Walk, run or bike with bay views on one side and historic South Tampa homes on the other, ideally at sunrise or sunset when the light is softest and the heat eases. A slow drive along the boulevard is worthwhile on its own. Free street parking on side streets fills quickly on weekends, so arrive early or park near Hyde Park Village, a short drive inland for coffee, shopping and dinner.
Why it’s worth visiting: Tampa’s signature waterfront drive and walk costs nothing and delivers big-sky bay views.
The Tampa Museum of Art sits on the Riverwalk inside Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, pairing one of the Southeast’s notable collections of Greek and Roman antiquities with rotating modern and contemporary exhibitions. After dark, the building’s illuminated facade becomes part of the downtown skyline. Allow an hour or two inside, then step out to the park’s lawn and fountains, which face the river and the Henry B. Plant Museum’s minarets on the opposite bank. Paid public garages are a short walk away, and the museum’s website lists current hours and any discounted evening admission.
Why it’s worth visiting: A serious collection meets one of downtown’s best riverfront settings.
The silver minarets across the river from downtown crown the former Tampa Bay Hotel, opened in 1891 by railroad developer Henry B. Plant and now part of the University of Tampa. The Henry B. Plant Museum preserves original rooms, furnishings and art from the hotel’s Gilded Age heyday, telling the story of early Florida tourism. Allow about an hour, and save time for the wide veranda and the surrounding grounds. December’s Victorian Christmas Stroll is a popular seasonal event. Visitor parking on campus is limited, so check the museum’s current directions before arriving.
Why it’s worth visiting: Tampa’s most striking landmark offers a well-preserved step back into the 1890s.
Armature Works is a restored 1910 streetcar maintenance building that now houses a market hall of local food vendors, bars and restaurants under one roof. It anchors the northern end of the Riverwalk beside Water Works Park, where a lawn and splash pad face the Hillsborough River. Arrive hungry, choose a riverfront table and walk off lunch along the water toward downtown. Sunset is the best time for views and atmosphere, though weekend evenings can be busy. Paid on-site parking fills during events, so allow extra time or use nearby street parking in Tampa Heights.
Why it’s worth visiting: It is the easiest place in Tampa for a group to find something everyone wants to eat.
Hillsborough River State Park shows the wild side of Tampa Bay, with rare Florida rapids flowing over limestone outcrops beneath oaks, cypress and palms. Hike the shaded river trails, cross the suspension bridge, rent a canoe or kayak, or cool off at the seasonal swimming pool. Fort Foster, a reconstructed Second Seminole War fort, opens for special programs and tours. A per-vehicle entry fee applies, and the park can reach capacity on warm weekends, so arrive early. Bring water and insect repellent, and confirm current conditions on the official park page.
Why it’s worth visiting: A true Old Florida river landscape sits less than half an hour from downtown Tampa.
Match easy downtown parking, theme-park family space or open-road comfort to the Tampa trip you want.
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