Day Trips from Tampa, Florida

Location:

Clearwater Beach, FL

Highlights:

If you're craving a beach day filled with soft white sand and warm blue water, this one’s a total no-brainer. Just under an hour’s drive from Tampa, Clearwater Beach is one of America’s most beloved coastal escapes.

Recommended For:

Families, couples, water sports enthusiasts, beachcombers, and anyone looking for a classic Florida beach day.

What I Love: ♥

Calm, shallow water perfect for swimming, a vibrant boardwalk scene, and plenty of fun on the water from jet skiing to paddleboarding.

• Swim in warm, clear Gulf waters ideal for families and casual swimmers.
• Relax under a private cabana or umbrella while soaking in the Florida sunshine.
• Play on the water with rentals for parasailing, jet skiing, and stand-up paddleboarding.
• Explore the lively beachfront promenade with great restaurants, shops, and people-watching opportunities.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take around 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending on traffic.

How to Get to Clearwater Beach:

Take FL-60 W from downtown Tampa across the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Follow signs to Clearwater Beach, which leads you directly onto the island.

Location:

Jacksonville, FL

Highlights:

If you’re in the mood for a city that blends riverfront charm with beachy vibes, Jacksonville totally delivers. Just about a 3.5-hour drive from Tampa, Jacksonville is Florida’s vibrant “River City by the Sea.”

Recommended For:

Urban explorers, beach lovers, nightlife seekers, and fans of local breweries and artsy neighborhoods.

What I Love: ♥

River and ocean views, trendy rooftop bars, bold street art, and a buzzing brewery scene.

• Stroll through colorful neighborhoods decorated with eclectic street art.
• Unwind with drinks and city views at one of the many waterfront rooftop bars.
• Beach-hop across more than 20 miles of coastline—perfect for a surf session or relaxing day in the sun.
• Discover Jacksonville’s youthful energy through its buzzing nightlife and growing craft beer scene.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take around 3 hours and 30 minutes.

How to Get to Jacksonville:

Take I-75 North from Tampa, then merge onto I-10 East toward Jacksonville. Follow I-95 North into the city center or toward the beaches depending on your destination.

Location:

Sarasota, FL

Highlights:

Looking for a beach getaway with a splash of culture and history? Just an hour south of Tampa, Sarasota offers the perfect mix of white-sand relaxation and vibrant arts and entertainment.

Recommended For:

Beach lovers, art and history buffs, couples, and fans of live performances and cultural attractions.

What I Love: ♥

Stunning Gulf Coast beaches, rich circus history, and a thriving performing arts scene anchored by The Ringling and Van Wezel Hall.

• Relax on some of Florida’s best beaches, including Siesta Key, known for its powdery white sand.
• Explore the fascinating world of circus history at the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
• Enjoy live ballet, Broadway shows, and musical performances at the waterfront Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall.
• Stroll through downtown Sarasota for charming boutiques, art galleries, and award-winning restaurants.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 1 hour to 1 hour and 15 minutes.

How to Get to Sarasota:

Take I-75 South from Tampa and exit onto Fruitville Road (Exit 210) west into downtown Sarasota. For the beaches, follow signs to Lido Key or Siesta Key.

Location:

Lake Wales, FL

Highlights:

If you need a serene escape filled with nature, music, and beauty, Bok Tower Gardens is a dream day trip. Just about 1.5 hours from Tampa, Bok Tower Gardens invites you to slow down and explore one of Florida’s most peaceful landscapes.

Recommended For:

Garden lovers, nature enthusiasts, families, and anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic outing.

What I Love: ♥

The iconic Singing Tower, contemplative gardens by a master designer, a boardwalk through wetlands, and a whimsical children’s garden.

• Wander the 50-acre Olmsted-designed contemplative garden, a lush escape filled with native plants and quiet paths.
• Marvel at the Singing Tower, home to a rare carillon that plays concerts daily.
• Explore other areas like the endangered plant garden, wetlands boardwalk, and 2.5-acre Hammock Hollow Children’s Garden.
• Visit the historic Pinewood Estate, a Mediterranean-style mansion open seasonally for tours.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 1 hour and 30 minutes.

How to Get to Bok Tower Gardens:

Take I-4 East from Tampa, then exit onto US-27 South toward Lake Wales. Follow signs to Bok Tower Gardens at 1151 Tower Blvd.

Location:

Cabbage Key, FL

Highlights:

If your dream day involves unplugging, toes in the sand, and no schedule at all, this is your place. About 2.5 hours from Tampa plus a short boat ride, Cabbage Key delivers pure Old Florida charm on a tiny, no-frills island.

Recommended For:

Beach bums, laid-back explorers, boaters, nature lovers, and anyone craving a peaceful escape.

What I Love: ♥

Car-free island vibes, rustic nature trails, serene beaches, and the legendary Cabbage Key cheeseburger.

• Unplug from the modern world—there are no cars or paved roads, just sand paths and sunshine.
• Relax on quiet, pristine beaches perfect for beachcombing or doing absolutely nothing.
• Hike gentle trails that wind through native foliage and offer chances to spot birds, gopher tortoises, and more.
• Dine at the iconic Cabbage Key Inn, known for its dollar-bill-covered walls and the famous “Cheeseburger in Paradise.”

Distance from Tampa:

Drive about 2.5 hours to Pineland Marina or nearby docks, then take a 20–30 minute boat ride or water taxi to the island.

How to Get to Cabbage Key:

Take I-75 South from Tampa to Pine Island Road (Exit 143). Head west to Pineland Marina in Bokeelia, FL. From there, catch a boat or water taxi to Cabbage Key (reservations recommended).

Romantic Day Trips from Tampa:

Location:

Crystal River, FL

Highlights:

If seeing manatees up close is on your bucket list, this is your moment. Just under 2 hours from Tampa, Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge is one of the only places in the U.S. where you can legally swim with these gentle giants.

Recommended For:

Wildlife lovers, families, eco-tourists, kayakers, and anyone with a soft spot for manatees.

What I Love: ♥

Winter manatee gatherings, the crystal-clear waters of Three Sisters Springs, and the unique chance to snorkel or paddle beside these peaceful marine mammals.

• Watch manatees from the Three Sisters boardwalk during their winter migration—best from November through March.
• Paddle around Kings Bay in a kayak for peaceful, close encounters with manatees in their natural habitat.
• Snorkel with a guided tour for an unforgettable in-water experience (strict no-touch rules apply).
• Learn about conservation efforts at the Three Sisters Springs Center before boarding the shuttle to the springs.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

How to Get to Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge:

Take FL-589 North (Suncoast Parkway) from Tampa, then merge onto US-98 North/US-19 North. Follow signs to Crystal River and the Three Sisters Springs Center at 123 NW US Highway 19 to access the boardwalk via shuttle.

Location:

St. Petersburg, FL

Highlights:

If you’re up for something quirky, inspiring, and close to home, this one’s a must. Just about 30 minutes from Tampa, the Dali Museum houses one of the world’s largest and most fascinating collections of Salvador Dali’s surrealist art.

Recommended For:

Art lovers, culture seekers, architecture buffs, and anyone curious about the surreal and spectacular.

What I Love: ♥

Over 300 Dali masterpieces, a dreamlike garden with a labyrinth, and an unforgettable museum design that feels like walking into a surrealist painting.

• View more than 300 original Salvador Dali paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, and textiles.
• Take a guided tour or opt for a self-paced audio guide to explore at your own rhythm.
• Wander through the Avant-garden, featuring a peaceful grotto, a labyrinth, and a Dali-esque ficus tree.
• Marvel at the museum’s architecture—part glass, part dream—with its striking “enigma” dome.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 30 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic.

How to Get to the Dali Museum:

Take I-275 South over the Howard Frankland Bridge, then follow I-175 East into downtown St. Petersburg. The museum is located at 1 Dali Blvd near the waterfront.

Location:

Southern Florida

Highlights:

Craving a wild adventure through one of America’s most unique ecosystems? Roughly 4 to 5 hours from Tampa, Everglades National Park is a tropical wilderness where alligators, panthers, and manatees roam beneath endless skies and swaying sawgrass.

Recommended For:

Wildlife lovers, photographers, outdoor adventurers, families, and anyone ready to experience Florida at its wildest and most untamed.

What I Love: ♥

Airboat rides through crocodile country, scenic boardwalk hikes, epic wildlife encounters, and the sheer size and scale of the Everglades.

• Spot dozens of alligators and birds along Loop Road in nearby Big Cypress National Preserve.
• Glide across the marsh on an airboat tour—keep an eye out for manatees, dolphins, and crocodiles.
• Hike short scenic trails like Anhinga Trail and Mahogany Hammock on raised boardwalks over the wetlands.
• Watch for rare wildlife like the endangered Florida panther and nesting leatherback turtles in season.

Distance from Tampa:

Expect the drive to take about 4 to 5 hours, depending on your entry point into the park.

How to Get to Everglades National Park:

Take I-75 South (Alligator Alley) or US-41 to access the northern and western areas. The main entrance near Homestead can be reached by following US-27 or I-95 South to FL-821 and then US-1. For airboat tours and Big Cypress, Shark Valley and Everglades City are great access points.