Your 2026 Tampa Bay Bucket List
- December 20, 2025
- Chloe Ketterer
Your 2026 Tampa Bay Bucket List
Looking ahead to a sun-filled, experience-packed 2026? Tampa Bay is the perfect blend of waterfront beauty, vibrant culture, incredible food, and year-round activities. Whether you love city energy, coastal breezes, or a bit of both, this bucket list rounds up 10 must-do Tampa Bay experiences to help you plan the perfect getaway.
1. Catch a Sunset From Your Private Balcony — Sailport Waterfront Suites
There’s nothing quite like watching the sun melt into Tampa Bay from your own private balcony at Sailport Waterfront Suites. The sky often bursts into shades of gold, pink, lilac, and deep orange, reflecting across the calm waters of the bay. It’s peaceful, romantic, and one of the most relaxing ways to unwind after a day of exploring Tampa. With the bay breeze drifting in and panoramic water views stretching out beyond the horizon, this is a sunset moment you’ll remember long after your trip ends.
2. Taste Local Flavor
Start your foodie adventures right at Sailport with Big Bamboo Bayside Café, offering waterfront views and casual, delicious dishes, including fresh-cut fries, island wraps, burgers, and tropical drinks. Enjoy your food on the deck for a breezy, resort-style vibe. Then head into Tampa for a completely different, must-do food experience: Armature Works. This historic streetcar warehouse, transformed into a foodie marketplace, features dozens of eateries (from ramen to empanadas to gourmet ice cream) along with a stunning riverfront lawn. Between these two stops, you’ll taste Tampa’s diversity in the most scenic way possible.
Another one of Tampa Bay’s most beloved restaurants is Ulele, situated along the Tampa Riverwalk with stunning views of the Hillsborough River and the downtown skyline. Their menu celebrates native Floridian and Native American–inspired dishes, and top picks include the Charbroiled Gulf Oysters, Ulele Burger topped with house-made cheese, and the richly flavored Barbacoa Short Ribs. Pair your meal with one of Ulele’s craft beers brewed on-site, like the Wedding Beer or Rusty Red lager. With gorgeous waterfront seating, vibrant flavors, and a sense of Tampa history woven into every dish, this is a bucket-list dinner you won’t forget.
3. Savor a Signature Cocktail
For a waterfront cocktail experience with a view, head to Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill in Tampa Bay. This lively spot offers a tropical, beachy vibe and a menu full of inventive drinks, such as the Tampa Bay Mojito, packed with fresh mint and a citrusy kick, or the Coconut Rum Punch, a sweet and refreshing favorite perfect for sipping on the patio. For something bold, try the Spiced Pineapple Margarita, a tangy and lightly smoky take on a classic. With its waterfront seating, live music on select nights, and casual island-style atmosphere, Whiskey Joe’s is the perfect place to toast your Tampa Bay adventures in style.
4. Explore Tampa Bay by Bike or Foot — Tampa Riverwalk
Stretching 2.6 scenic miles along the water, the Tampa Riverwalk is one of the best ways to soak in the city’s culture, nature, and skyline. Walk or bike past parks, museums, public art installations, and bustling restaurants as the river sparkles beside you. You can stop at benches, piers, breweries, and cafés along the way, making it perfect for an easygoing adventure. Whether you explore during golden-hour light or under the glow of nighttime lights, the Riverwalk always feels lively, beautiful, and full of energy.
5. Take a Dolphin-Watching or Sunset Cruise
For a memorable time on the water, hop aboard a Tampa Bay Fun Boat or take a scenic ride with the Pirate Water Taxi. These cruises glide through Tampa Bay’s calm waters, where it’s common to spot playful dolphins swimming alongside the boat. Sunset cruises are especially stunning, with the skyline lighting up as the sky shifts through warm evening colors. Many boats offer narration or fun local facts about the bay, making it both scenic and educational. It’s the perfect way to explore Tampa from a new perspective.
6. Spend a Day On the Water
Tampa Bay’s inlets, mangrove areas, and open waters offer endless opportunities for water adventures. Rent a kayak or paddleboard and glide past wildlife-rich shorelines, or pick up the pace with a jet ski. Calm waters make it great for beginners, and more experienced adventurers can explore channels with beautiful views of the bay and city skyline. Whether it’s a quiet morning paddle or an exciting afternoon ride, Tampa’s waterways make every moment feel fresh and invigorating.
7. Have a Bonfire on the Beach
Sailport’s private bayfront beach is perfect for an evening bonfire. Gather friends or family around the firepit, toast marshmallows, or sip a cocktail while the sky darkens and city lights twinkle across the water. It’s an intimate, cozy experience that combines warmth, conversation, and the gentle sounds of the bay. Whether it’s a romantic night or a social gathering, the fire adds a magical element to your waterfront escape. Bring blankets and a camera — the golden firelight against the backdrop of the bay is unforgettable.
8. Shop Local at Markets & Boutiques
For an afternoon of browsing unique finds, take a trip to Hyde Park Village, one of Tampa Bay’s most charming outdoor shopping districts. The village blends upscale boutiques, local artisan shops, and trendy home décor stores with leafy walkways and cozy patios. Discover locally crafted candles, Florida-inspired apparel, artisan jewelry, and seasonal pop-up markets. With its relaxed, stylish vibe and numerous spots to grab coffee or a treat, Hyde Park Village transforms simple shopping into a full experience.
9. Relax on the Pool Deck at Sailport Waterfront Suites
Unwind at Sailport’s serene bayfront pool deck, where palm trees sway, the breeze drifts in off the water, and comfortable loungers make it easy to recharge. The views are unmatched! Think endless blue water, passing boats, and Tampa’s skyline in the distance. Afternoons here are perfect for sunbathing or taking a refreshing dip, while evenings feel peaceful and breezy with warm lighting and quiet ambiance. It’s a refreshing escape that feels worlds away yet close to everything Tampa has to offer.
10. Enjoy a Cozy Morning in Your Suite
One of the best luxuries at Sailport Waterfront Suites is simply slowing down and enjoying a peaceful morning in your spacious suite. Brew your coffee, step out onto your private balcony, and watch the water shimmer as the day begins. The suites feel like home, complete with full kitchens, spacious layouts, and large windows that fill your space with sunshine. It’s the perfect way to recharge before another full day of Tampa Bay adventures.
Stay at Sailport Waterfront Suites — The Best Views in Tampa Bay
Ready to start checking off your Tampa Bay bucket list? Book your stay at Sailport Waterfront Suites, the only full-suite, full-waterfront resort in Tampa Bay — and home to the best views in the city. With a private beach, firepit lounge areas, a serene pool deck, and exceptional sunset-facing balconies, Sailport blends comfort, style, and unbeatable waterfront beauty. Make Sailport your home base and experience Tampa Bay exactly the way it should be experienced — right on the water.