Tampa Florida Travel Guide: Where We Stayed, What We Did, and Where We Ate on a Quick Weekend Trip

TAMPA FLORIDA TRAVEL GUIDE: WHERE TO STAY, EAT, AND WHAT TO DO ON A WEEKEND TRIP

If you are planning a quick weekend trip to Tampa, Florida, this guide covers exactly where we stayed, what we did, and the best restaurants we tried during our long weekend getaway. We visited from Thursday through Sunday while Chad was attending a pest control conference, and I tagged along to turn it into a mini Florida vacation.

Tampa is such a great destination for a short trip because you can easily combine city restaurants, rooftop bars, resort style pool time, and a beach day in nearby St. Pete.

WHERE TO STAY IN TAMPA: JW MARRIOTT WATER STREET

We stayed at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and it was the perfect hotel for a weekend trip. If you are looking for where to stay in Tampa, this area is ideal because it is modern, walkable, and very close to the Tampa Riverwalk, restaurants, and nightlife.

The hotel has a beautiful rooftop pool, great dining options, and amazing city views. It feels upscale but still relaxed, which makes it a great home base whether you are visiting Tampa for a conference, a couples trip, or a girls getaway.

THURSDAY TAMPA ITINERARY: RIVERWALK LUNCH AND ITALIAN DINNER

After checking in, we headed straight to the Tampa Riverwalk for a casual lunch at Big Ray’s Fish Camp & Grille. We both ordered the reuben grouper sandwiches which were incredible, and the onion rings were honestly some of the best I have ever had. If you are looking for casual seafood restaurants in Tampa, this is a great stop.

For dinner, we went to Ava Italian restaurant and did their prix fixe menu. The restaurant had a lively upscale atmosphere and the food was very good. This is a great Tampa dinner spot if you want something a bit more elevated for a night out.

After dinner, we walked to a cute wine bar nearby for a quick glass before heading back to the hotel. I wish I remembered the exact name because it was such a cozy spot and the perfect way to end our first night in Tampa.

FRIDAY TAMPA ITINERARY: HOTEL POOL DAY, ROOFTOP LUNCH, DRINKS AND ARMAATURE WORKS

While Chad was at his conference on Friday, I spent the day relaxing at the JW Marriott rooftop pool. If you are planning a Tampa girls trip or couples getaway, I definitely recommend building in a full pool day because the weather is warm and sunny most of the year.

I had lunch on the rooftop and ordered a cheeseburger which was surprisingly great and perfect for a relaxed poolside afternoon.

That night we went for drinks at The Tampa EDITION, which is a beautiful spot for cocktails and a more elevated nightlife experience. Chad ordered a negroni and I had a mango margarita that was so good.

After drinks, we headed to Armature Works which is one of the best casual food halls in Tampa. There are so many options, and we ended up getting tacos that were amazing. This is a great place to go if you want a fun atmosphere and lots of food choices.

Later that night, we went back to our hotel and had wine and sushi at Anchor and Brine, one of the JW Marriott’s restaurants. It was the perfect spontaneous late night stop and the seafood was very fresh.

SATURDAY TAMPA ITINERARY: ST. PETE BEACH DAY AND SEAFOOD DINNER

One of the best things about visiting Tampa is how close it is to beautiful Gulf Coast beaches. On Saturday, we drove to St. Pete Beach and spent the day hopping between different beachfront spots, grabbing drinks, and relaxing near the water.

If you are visiting Tampa, I highly recommend planning at least one beach day because the white sand and coastal views are worth the short drive.

We ended the day with dinner at Crabby Bill’s which felt like a classic Florida seafood restaurant experience. After a full beach day, it was the perfect casual spot to lean into the coastal vibe.

IS TAMPA WORTH VISITING FOR A WEEKEND TRIP?

Tampa is a great destination for a quick Florida getaway because it offers a mix of resort style relaxation, great restaurants, walkable nightlife areas, and easy access to the beach. Even with just a few days, you can experience a lot without feeling rushed.

If you are planning a Tampa weekend itinerary, save this guide for hotel recommendations, restaurant ideas, and beach day inspiration.