From North America’s highest hybrid rollercoaster to international sports spectacles to awesome new waterfront dining experiences, Tampa Bay has endless options for great discoveries. It was a challenge, but we’ve managed to whittle the list to our top 20 reasons to visit Tampa Bay in 2020.
No. 1
Photo credit – Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Iron Gwazi at Busch Gardens — the highest, steepest, fastest hybrid coaster in North America? Yes, please.
No. 2
WrestleMania 36 at Raymond James Stadium & a whole week of WWE thrills in the hometown of stars Dave Bautista, Titus O’Neil, John Cena, and Jinder Mahal.
No. 3
Delta seasonal flights from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport give Florida another connection to a key European transportation hub, putting much of the world one stop from Tampa Bay.
No. 4
Photo credit – Visit Tampa Bay
Boutique Hotel Haya opens in historic Ybor City this spring, adding a beautiful new venue that incorporates two of the neighborhood’s oldest buildings – along with bird’s eye views of Seventh Avenue from its classic iron balconies.
No. 5
New flights from Nashville, Richmond, Seattle & San Juan let thousands of travelers every month experience first-hand why we love Tampa International Airport so much. [Sad face for their hometown airports.]
No. 6
MSC, Celebrity & Holland America Line cruises set sail from Port Tampa Bay starting with the 2020 fall season, joining legacy cruise lines Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian.
No. 7
NCAA March Madness kicks off with Men’s Rounds 1 & 2 at Amalie Arena, setting up the Sweet 16 and the road to the Final Four.
No. 8
The amazing animal experts of ZooTampa star in 6 episodes of the latest season of Nat Geo Wild’s “Secrets of the Zoo” series, rescuing manatees while preserving and conserving other species from across the world.
No. 9
A reinvented Sail Pavilion comes with expanded seating, a stage for live music & local favorite Big Ray’s Fish Camp – all with great people-watching as you bask in the winter sun along the Tampa Riverwalk.
No. 10
Photo credit – Visit Tampa Bay
Sparkman Wharf combines food hall-style dining with waterfront views. Come for the incredible selection at the Biergarten, stay for bowling at Splitsville.
No. 11
For Tampa Bay’s newest cocktail spots, look up: rooftop bars M. Bird at Armature Works and Rox at the Current Hotel give guests a bird’s eye view. Next up – way up on the 26th floor of the new JW Marriott, the highest rooftop bar in downtown.
No. 12
Reach for the moon – the moon jellies at The Florida Aquarium’s new touch-tank exhibit featuring these gentle creatures. Two fingers, please.
No. 13
The new Tampa Bay Vipers XFL football team kicks off the league’s inaugural season, giving sports fans one more reason to make the pilgrimage to Tampa Bay in 2020.
No. 14
Norwegian Airlines expands its service between London Gatwick & Tampa International, making the hip, urban heart of Florida’s west coast that much easier to reach from the UK.
No. 15
Photo credit – Visit Tampa Bay
Stone’s Throw at the north end of the Tampa Riverwalk lets you enjoy a cocktail while watching boats and paddleboards – any maybe even a dolphin — pass by on the Hillsborough River.
No. 16
Florida’s oldest restaurant, the Columbia, celebrates its 115th anniversary, making it one of the oldest restaurants in the entire US. Stop in for authentic Cuban & Spanish dishes and authentic flamenco 6 nights a week.
No. 17
Take Tampa Bay’s cocktail culture home with you when you buy a copy of “Tampa With A Twist,” our DIY guide to the finest mixology in Florida.
No. 18
500 luxurious new rooms to choose from, awesome food, amazing shows, and Elvis’ gold piano are waiting for you at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
No. 19
World-famous Cigar City Brewing and the Tampa Bay Lightning join forces on a new taproom on January 7, making pre-gaming that much better in downtown.
No. 20
Photo credit – Visit Tampa Bay
50 years of the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, the juried festival that brings hundreds of artists in dozens of media to Tampa Bay in March.
And for on the horizon for 2021 …
No. 21
Super Bowl LV conquers Tampa Bay on February 7, 2021!
There you have it. The 20 Reasons to visit Tampa Bay in 2020…and one in 2021. So plan your trip now to one of the best places to visit in Central Florida.