There is no shortage of amazing things to do and see in Tampa – from secret and unique places, to lesser known spots. So here’s a guide full of tips from a local about the best hidden gems in Tampa, Florida.
Are you planning a trip to Tampa but want to see more than beaches and nightlife? Tampa is one of the oldest towns in Florida and is filled with secret things to do, rich history, and hidden gems, many of which even the locals might not know about.
From peaceful parks that enchant the senses, and intriguing museums tucked away where you might not expect to find them, to major live music and performing arts venues that make the Tampa Bay area a leading cultural hub. I’ll be your guide on this unusual Tampa adventure.
Grab your map and a sense of curiosity as we head off the beaten path to discover the heart and soul of these hidden gems in Tampa.
Table of Contents
Eureka Springs Park
Tucked away off I-4 lies a 31-acre natural wonder of formal gardens, winding paths, and a boardwalk through the floodplains.
Established in 1938 by botanist and traveler Albert Greenburg, his botanical garden became a tribute to rare and unusual tropical plants.
Greenburg gifted his labor of love to Hillsborough County in 1967 for future generations to enjoy the peaceful location and the many plants he collected over the years.
As many as five freshwater springs once flowed at the park. However, the construction of the nearby Tampa Byway Canal caused most to stop flowing. One still flows intermittently in the floodplains and another beneath the turtle pond.
The real gem of this park, however, lies in the plants and gardens.
Eureka Springs Park is home to the largest public collection of ferns in Florida. The rose garden around the arbor fills with color each spring as the roses bloom. And in the greenhouse and surrounding pavilions, orchids show off their delicate flowers.
The park is open daily from 8 AM to 6 PM. Cost is $2 per vehicle.
You can visit Eureka Springs Park at 6400 Eureka Springs Road, Tampa, FL 33610.
TECO Manatee Viewing Center
Manatee viewing and taking tours to swim with manatees has become a big draw in Florida recently. The adorable gentle giants spark awe in visitors and provide once-in-a-lifetime memories.
While usually out in the Gulf of Mexico and bays, in the winter manatees seek out warmer waters, often around power plants.
Tampa Electric Co-op (TECO) saw an opportunity many years ago to educate nature lovers while giving them the perfect place to safely see manatees and built the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach.
Here, hundreds of manatees gather from November through March to stay warm in nearby water.
The Manatee Viewing Center offers a 50 foot boardwalk from which to see the manatees. But there’s more to see here!
The education center provides information about manatees and other marine and local wildlife. There’s also a cafe, an observation tower, and more boardwalks through the protected reserve.
TECO Manatee Viewing Center offers free admission; however, it’s only open from November 1 through April 15.
Visit at 6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572.
Henry B. Plant Museum
In the late 1800s, while Henry Flagler built his railroad empire along Florida’s Atlantic Coast, Henry Plant did the same along Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Located just across the Hillsborough River from the Tampa Museum of Art, the Henry B. Plant Museum is on the University of Tampa campus, standing as a testament to the railroad tycoon’s life and contributions to the city of Tampa.
Plant constructed the building that houses the museum as the Tampa Bay Hotel, a resort for his wealthy friends and acquaintances. He and his wife traveled the world in search of unique and unusual items with which to decorate it.
The grand hotel was built featuring historic architecture in a Moorish style with minarets at the corners. It had three floors of rooms, a ballroom, and a restaurant, while the grounds featured a zoo, pool, and numerous activities such as fishing, shooting, and sailing.
Plant opened the grounds for Roosevelt’s soldiers to live and train during the Spanish-American War.
Today, the museum occupies the first floor of half of the building while the University of Tampa uses the rest for offices, classrooms, and a dining room.
The museum features artifacts from Plant’s time as well as many of the items from the original hotel such as garden decor, room furnishings, and a spectacular display of Christmas trees.
Henry B. Plant Museum opens Tuesday through Saturday at 10 AM and Sunday at noon. The cost is $12. The price increases during December when the museum is decorated for the holidays with antique ornaments, trees, and other decorations.
Visit at 401 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606.
Sanwa Farmer’s Market
Located on the edge of the Seminole Heights neighborhood, Sanwa Farmer’s Market sits on no tourist lists. It’s mostly known to retail produce stands who purchase all of their goods from here or supplement what they find directly from the farmers.
Sanwa is, however, open to the public and is one of the best places to visit for anyone who wants fresh local produce, especially hard-to-find varieties.
In 1980, Hong Kong native Tony Leung saw a need for a place to grow Chinese produce. He began operations on 160 acres near Tampa on which he grew seedlings, produce, and herbs.
Forty-three years later, Sanwa still specializes in ethnic produce and supplies major restaurants and retailers throughout Florida and Georgia.
Besides produce, Sanwa also carries meat, dairy, dry goods, and seafood. Visit Sanwa to find harder to find items such as kohlrabi, fresh marjoram, Chinese eggplant, and halal meat.
Of course, you might not want to cook on your vacation, yet a visit to Sanwa is a treat in itself (plus, it’s free and air-conditioned!), and it’s a great place to find fresh fruit and veggies to take to the beach or any Florida park with you.
Sanwa opens daily at 4:30 AM (except Sundays when it opens at 8 AM) and is open until 5 PM.
Experience this true hidden gem in Tampa at 2621 E Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33610.
Hillsborough River State Park
The Hillsborough River State Park is part of the multiple award-winning Florida state park system and is considered one of the jewels among the state parks in the Sunshine State.
It’s one of the few places in Florida with river rapids, making it a wonderful Tampa secret spot to visit and photograph.
Hillsborough River State Park opened in the 1930s as a public park. Many of the buildings and structures, such as the famous suspension bridge, were built during this time by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
The rustic construction style blends in with the surrounding landscape to provide a peaceful and scenic place to spend a day.
This state park encompasses more than 3,000 acres and serves to help protect the Hillsborough River watershed.
Though swimming is not allowed in the river at the park, there is a swimming pool and a kayak launch. Kayakers can paddle a mile or so upriver to experience the rapids.
Hiking at Hillsborough River State Park is another popular activity, with more than seven miles of trails within the park. Visitors might also enjoy Fort Foster, the park’s cafe, and the campgrounds.
Hillsborough River State Park opens daily from 8 AM until sundown. The cost to enter is $6 per vehicle. Camping costs extra, and reservations are required as the campgrounds fill quickly once reservations open.
Visit the park at 15402 US-301, Thonotosassa, FL 33592.
If the outdoors is your thing, check out Empower Adventures, with its 400 to 650 feet of ziplines.
José Martí Park
In one of Tampa’s most historic neighborhoods, Ybor City lies a tiny piece of Cuba.
Reminiscent of Little Havana in Miami, one of Florida’s hidden gems, Parque Amigos de José Martí, or José Martí Park as most people call it, has been owned by the Cuban people since 1956.
In fact, it was the only piece of Cuban-owned land in the United States until the Cuban embassy opened in Washington D.C. in 2015.
José Martí Park is dedicated to the memory of José Martí, a poet, journalist, and revolutionary who fought for Cuba’s freedom from Spanish rule in the 1880s and 1890s. During that time, Martí spent a lot of time among his brethren in Ybor City drumming up support for his cause.
The tiny park occupies less than an urban lot, a mere 0.14 of an acre on the corner of 8th Avenue and 13th Street. But the location holds historic significance.
It was at a boarding house on this lot in 1892 that a Marti supporter nursed him back to health after an assassination attempt.
The home was demolished in 1956 and the land was given to “La Gente de Cuba” (the People of Cuba). Today, it’s a place for exiled Cubans to feel closer to home and a hidden gem in Tampa where others can “visit” Cuba without a passport.
José Martí Park is only open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM. It’s free to enter.
Visit at 1303 E 8th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605.
American Victory Ship & Museum
For our next Tampa hidden gem, we head to the port where we visit the American Victory Ship and Museum for a unique and enriching historical experience.
One of only four WWII ships that are still fully operational, this museum offers an unparalleled opportunity to step back in time and explore the lives and history of the ship and her crew.
The SS American Victory played a vital role during the war, participating in missions across the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of war.
Today, this floating museum serves as a time capsule, allowing visitors to witness the conditions and challenges faced by the brave sailors of the past.
Most of the ship is open to the public, including the three-level cargo hold, captain’s quarters, crew quarters, galley, and flying bridge.
Rare artifacts are displayed, interactive exhibits help visitors understand the workings of the ship, and items such as weaponry immerse you in the history of the ship.
The American Victory Ship & Museum is open daily until 5 PM. The cost is $15 though there are special cruises and events throughout the year which cost more.
Visit the SS American Victory at 705 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602.
Oxford Exchange
Is it a restaurant? A bookstore? A boutique? Actually, it’s all of that and more! Oxford Exchange is a favorite among locals who crave a more refined experience or want European flair without flying to Europe.
Oxford Exchange occupies a two-story building in the heart of Tampa. Its iconic black-and-white checkerboard floor, warm wood-tone walls, and floor-to-ceiling windows welcome visitors to the main lobby. From here, choose your adventure.
The bookstore features established and emerging authors and provides an inviting experience among the bookshelves. Browse your favorite titles, attend a speaking or signing event, or join a book club.
In The Restaurant, indulge in champagne while browsing The Shop, enjoy brunch, or have afternoon tea.
This unique shop is an ever-changing collection of items curated locally and globally and includes new and vintage pieces.
If a unique memento of your Tampa trip is what you seek, you’ll find it here.
Oxford Exchange opens every day until 5:30 PM. It’s free to explore which you can do at 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606.
Wat Mongkolratanaram
The Wat, Wat Tampa, or simply the Thai Temple, Wat Mongkolratanaram is a Buddhist temple on the banks of the Palm River southeast of downtown Tampa.
Opened in 1981, the Wat serves as a temple as well as an educational and support center for the local Thai and Buddhist communities.
Though the temple grounds are open daily to the public, the Sunday Market draws the most people.
At the Sunday Market, you can purchase fresh produce and prepare Thai food such as noodle soup, pad thai, and crab rangoon. Visitors are encouraged to find a quiet place to sit and enjoy the serenity of the grounds while eating.
The Thai Temple is also open during special holidays though there are more restrictions during these days to ensure respect and adherence to protocol and tradition surrounding these holidays.
Photography is allowed around the grounds though if you have questions about the propriety of certain behavior, it’s best to ask one of the monks.
Wat Mongkolratanaram is open daily from 9:00 to 6:00.
Visit at 5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa, FL.
Tampa is known for its historic Hispanic quarter, Ybor City, and for its Cuban sandwich. It is also known for its beautiful white sand beaches, fun-filled theme parks, and attractions such as Busch Gardens and Lowry Park.
The best time of year to visit Tampa is October through mid-February. These months offer the mildest weather, lots of things to do, and fewer crowds.
The best ways to get around Tampa are the historic TECO streetcars, the pirate water taxi, or more traditional means such as rideshares. Walking or bikes are also good ways to navigate downtown Tampa.
Do you have any questions about these hidden gems in Tampa?
Let me know in the comments!
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