Tampa is a city located on Tampa Bay, along Florida’s Gulf Coast. A large natural harbor with a shallow estuary connected to the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa is located on the west-central coast of Florida. In 1886, Vicente Martinez Ybor visited this city and set up his Cuban-born cigar empire. The Ybor City neighborhood is a dining and nightlife destination. It was developed by the Spanish and Cuban cigar factory workers at the turn of the 20th century.
Today, Tampa is a major business center and is also known for its museums and other cultural offerings. Busch Gardens is an African-themed amusement park that has thrill rides and animal-viewing areas. Tampa is a mix of historic architecture and modern landmarks infused with both Cuban and Spanish flavors.
CLIMATE AND SEASONS IN TAMPA
| The months September to December are the best time to visit Tampa. During these four months of the year, the vacant hotels offer fire-sale prices. The months from May to August are the busiest at the area attractions, plus the weather can be uncomfortably muggy. The months between January and April, though cooler, is a more expensive time to plan a trip.
Tampa has temperatures as high as 90°F in June, 90°F in July, and 90°F in August. The hottest month is typically July. Tampa also has temperatures as low as 54°F in December, 52°F in January, and 54°F in February. The coldest month is typically January. |
Average Temperature 82℉ Seasonal Temperatures
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MORE TO EXPLORE
Tampa is a beautiful place to work, play, and unwind with its mix of historic architecture and modern landmarks. It has a culture infused with Cuban and Spanish flavors, and there are vibrant business districts and beautiful waterways. In Tampa, you will find that there are more things to do than time to do them.
Golf
Tampa Bay has some excellent resort courses for the discerning golfer. There are 20 golf courses in Tampa, and three are municipal, with another 61 courses within 60 miles. The most famous golf course is the Innisbrook Golf Resort which was recently renovated from tee to green. Innisbrook may be the best round of golf you will ever play.
Arts and Culture
Many of Tampa’s cultural centers, like the Tampa Museum of Art, Tampa Bay History Center, or the Florida Aquarium, are located along Downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk and offer breathtaking views for your meeting’s off-site functions.
Tampa Riverwalk – The Tampa Riverwalk offers gorgeous views along the waterway where you can enjoy the view and the warm sun. The Riverwalk runs 2.6 miles and follows the Hillsborough River to where it meets the Garrison Channel. You can begin your walk at the Heights Market at Armature Works, stop at the vibrant Curtis Hixon Park, and then go until you reach the Sparkman Wharf. Visitors and locals can walk, bike, or take a scooter down the Riverwalk. At night, the sounds and the colorful lights bring the Riverwalk to life.
Attractions
OUTDOORS
Tampa Bay has some of Florida’s best city adventures, but it’s also home to unique outdoor experiences just minutes from downtown. You can paddle a canoe, go birdwatching, watch the manatees, watch the dolphins swim, or interact with the animals at the Tampa Zoo or on Busch Garden’s Serengeti Plain. You can kayak, water bike, fish off a pier, or fish off a boat in the Gulf of Mexico. There is plenty to do in the sun of Southcentral Florida.
Hillsborough River runs through a 16,000-acre wilderness park and where you can discover natural Florida. You can see birds, turtles, and gators on a two-hour or a full-day downstream paddling adventure.
SHOPPING IN TAMPA
Tampa is a Florida hot spot for shopping and is favored among many keen to explore both upscale retailers and artisan markets.
International Plaza and Bay Street – The pride of west coast shopping, International Plaza is not just a mall. It’s a destination. This gorgeous, upscale mall has mid to high-end retailers, including Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Dillard’s, Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Apple, and Crate & Barrel. Restaurants include The Cheesecake Factory and The Capital Grille. There is also active nightlife.
Hyde Park Village – An upscale urban space with a mix of national retailers and locally owned businesses, Hyde Park Village is known for its farmer’s markets, music events, and a great outdoor space to relax and unwind. This outdoor shopping mall in Tampa is a modern oasis for discerning shoppers, travelers, and Tampa residents.
NIGHTLIFE
As the Tampa sun dips down beneath the horizon and the city’s lights emerge, Tampa gets ready for a good time. While the Ybor City and SoHo neighborhoods host many of the top spots, there are plenty of options throughout the city. Tampa has a dynamic live music scene.
SPORTS FANS
There is year-round pro sports action in Tampa with the MLB Tampa Bay Rays, NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NHL Tampa Bay Lightning, the New York Yankees spring training, and several semi-pro and collegiate teams at Tampa Bay’s premier pro sports facilities.
WHY IS TAMPA APPEALING FOR A MEETING?
In addition to Tampa Convention Center, Tampa offers a wide variety of unique venues. Options include state-of-the-art museums, first-class restaurants, and exciting attractions, Tampa has spectacular venues to accommodate meetings and events of any size. The nearest airport, the Tampa (TPA), is located five miles away and is the closest. Other airports include St. Petersburg (PIE) and Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ).
Some things to consider when planning your meeting in Tampa:
What is the objective? Some examples:
- Many company retreats are designed to improve productivity and to “refocus” the efforts of their employees. In Tampa, your people will be able to get away from the social politics of the workplace to rediscover their strengths. New leaders emerge, connections are made, and milestones are reached. In the end, corporate retreats help bring out the best in everyone.
- Executive retreats are also popular in Tampa as this destination offers exclusive luxury where leaders can recharge as well as connect with each other.
- Incentive travel combined with meetings can be valuable for companies, key stakeholders, and top performers.
Tampa is the perfect place to unlock the potential of your next meeting. Tampa has a lot of places to discover, which will provide unique dining experiences, leisure activities, or recreational choices. Tampa is known for being a city appropriate for all tastes and ages. Some accommodations are suitable for any budget, and they cater to everyone, families, wine connoisseurs, foodies, or outdoor adventure seekers. As a city once known for being a melting pot for all cultures and settlers, today, the city is still a welcoming place for those individuals seeking fun, opportunity, and a chance to try new things.
Do you need help planning a corporate meeting or incentive travel reward to Tampa? Contact Gavel International for more information.
This article was last updated on April 5, 2023
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