The beautiful city of Tampa is a popular tourist destination due to its beautiful beaches with clear waters and exciting cultural attractions like Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium. But, if you’re looking for a peaceful getaway, check out one of these top spots near Tampa that will still offer plenty of fun in the sun. Organized by distance away from the city, you’ll find plenty of beautiful beaches and exciting attractions to explore.
Under 1 Hour Away
Clearwater Beach
Looking for an all-in-one package destination? Less than an hour from Tampa is Clearwater Beach. It will lure you in with its white sandy beaches and clear blue waters. The town is also home to an aquarium and several parks with nature trails for hiking and biking. Retreat after a day of sightseeing to Sandpearl Resort. This luxurious resort features spacious guest rooms with flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, high-speed internet and en-suite bathrooms with organic toiletries and plush bathrobes. On-site, you’ll also find several restaurants, a full-service spa, a swimming pool, a fitness center and several boutiques for shopping.
Honeymoon Island State Park
Located in Dunedin, Florida, Honeymoon Island State Park is an easy vacation spot from Tampa because it is less than an hour away. This park offers a relaxing atmosphere where you can go fishing, swimming, kayaking, or for a casual walk in the sand. There is a dog beach that allows pets on the island, as well as a nature center with exhibits to learn about here. Sailing trips and fishing charters are available around Honeymoon Island State Park. Or you can head into downtown Dunedin to check out art, watch a baseball game, or browse a museum.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
A really unique place to visit for your vacation from Tampa Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, which is famous for its live mermaid shows. The shows have been a tradition in the park since the 1950s. It’s also fun to experience kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and fishing charters when you visit Weeki Wachee. It takes just over an hour to get to the park from Tampa. When you make this trip, it’s easy to combine Weeki Wachee with a visit to the historic sponge docks at Tarpon Springs and see some manatees in their natural habitats nearby.
Palm Harbor
Golf lovers will want to take a break in Palm Harbor. After a long day of perfecting your swing, you can kick back at the Innisbrook Golf Resort, a 900-acre luxurious property with plenty of luxury on-site amenities. It’s also home to the PGA’s Valspar Championship, as their four top-rated courses have been named some of the “Top 100 You Can Play” by Golf Magazine and among the “Top 75 Golf Resorts in America” by Golf Digest. But, golf isn’t all there is to do here. You can also play tennis, go swimming, take a fitness class, rent a bicycle and go for a ride, fly down a zipline or relax with a massage at the spa. Plus, the suites and guest rooms will have you feeling like royalty with flat-screen TVs, high-speed internet, iHome radios, and plush beds.
Under 2 Hours Away
Orlando
Traveling families know the city of Orlando, Florida well since it is the home base for the famous Disney theme parks. Aside from Walt Disney World, there is also Universal Orlando, Discovery Cove, Sea World, and Epcot that you can visit. Aside from the big theme parks, you can find places to play mini-golf, check out art museums, or watch a show at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Orlando. For a bit of nature and peacefulness, you can head to Lake Rianhard or Lake Eola Park on your trip here after arriving from Tampa.
Sarasota
Sarasota is filled with lots of restaurants, shops, and art experiences for a well-rounded vacation destination near Tampa. You can drive from Tampa to Sarasota in just a little over an hour. When you arrive, you can spend time on the city’s beaches, catch a live art performance, or browse a museum to learn something new. The Ringling is a collection of museum venues to check out here to learn about the city’s circus history, while there is also the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens and the Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium to visit with your family.
Under 3 Hours Away
Fort Pierce
The small town of Fort Pierce is located a little less than three hours from Tampa and is one of the most affordable beach towns in the state. Steeped in original Spanish-style architecture, the picturesque town offers opportunities to enjoy the water with fishing, boating and diving, as well as plenty of cultural activities like a farmers market, live jazz music, a performing arts theater and lots of shops and restaurants. It’s even home to one of the state’s most unique wineries. The National Navy SEAL Museum, located along the oceanfront, also provides a unique glimpse into the elite military operation with exhibits, artifacts, weapons and vehicles on display.
Matlacha
For the ultimate in Florida’s small-town beach escapes, take a trip to Matlacha, located just under three hours from Tampa. This tiny town is colorful and welcoming, from its art gallery and gardens to its lively boat tours that allow visitors to get an up-close glimpse of dolphins and whales. There’s also an inlet where you can go kayaking or paddle boating, or you can rent a bicycle and ride down the Calusa Heritage Trail. There are lots of great restaurants to check out too, like the Old Fish House Marina restaurant that serves up authentic local seafood on the waterfront.
*Matlacha suffered significant damage from Hurricane Ian. Check official sources for updates before you travel.
Naples
It’s fun to travel to Naples when you are in the Tampa area, as these cities are only about two and a half hours apart. Naples is a favorite vacation spot among couples because of its golf courses, high-end shops, and fabulous restaurants. On a vacation in Naples, you can spend days at the beach, walk through the botanical garden, or head to the pier for some fishing. Other top Naples attractions include the Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary, Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park, and the Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens.
Sanibel Island
Another good option for a Tampa getaway is Sanibel Island, which offers sandy beaches filled with shells to collect. There are some boutique shops selling locally made shell jewelry and artwork and also the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum to learn more about seashells. Bowman’s Beach, Captiva Island, and Blind Pass Beach are all popular spots to check out on Sanibel Island. There’s also a nice lighthouse to see here. Your trip from Tampa to Sanibel Island will typically take a little under three hours by car.
3+ Hours Away
St. Augustine
Just a little over three hours from Tampa, St. Augustine is another beautiful coastal city loaded with things to see and do. It is claimed to be the oldest city in the country, so there is plenty of history to explore here including the Old Jail, the Fort Matanzas National Monument and the Mission of Nombre de Dios. But, that’s just the beginning because you can also visit the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum, visit an alligator farm, sample some spirits at a distillery, take a living history tour and visit the Ripley’s Believe It or Not Odditorium. Of course, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the water too, like setting out on a fishing charter, taking a biplane ride or even going on an airboat safari.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is located four hours from Tampa and is popular for its quiet beaches and luxurious resorts. Admire beautiful Spanish architecture, stay at a small beachside inn or a splurge on a stay at a luxurious oceanfront resort. There’s lots to explore on the island during your stay, including a historic downtown district that features eclectic shops, delicious restaurants, and the Amelia Island Museum of History. Plus, there are opportunities for golfing, hiking, enjoying live music, relaxing with a spa treatment, and horseback riding along the beach. The city is also home to many special events throughout the year like Restaurant Week, the Wellness Festival, and the Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, which celebrates the island being the birthplace of the modern shrimping industry.
Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida is located near the ocean and St. Johns River, so it is called the River City by the Sea. There are lots of craft breweries and even waterfront rooftop bars for sipping your favorite beverages while you relax. Other things to do during a vacation to Jacksonville include looking at the street art and going to the beach. To see animals here, head to the Jacksonville Zoo & Gardens or the Catty Shack Ranch Wildlife Sanctuary. Little Talbot Island State Park and Big Talbot Island State Park are in this area too. It is a little over three hours by car to travel from Tampa to Jacksonville.
Everglades National Park
If you have a little more time for your vacation, consider going four hours southeast of Tampa to visit Everglades National Park. This is a protected region that is home to many plant and animal species that are stunning to observe and admire. Go for a hike along the boardwalks in the park to get a safe, yet up-close, look at the unique waterways. It’s also possible to take a ranger-led canoe tour, give birdwatching a try with some binoculars, or kayak around the islands to immerse yourself in the nature of the park. To extend your stay in the national park, there are two drive-in campgrounds where you can stay overnight with your RV. Wilderness camping is also available on beach sites and elevated platforms, but you will need to get a permit and be prepared to access your site via canoe, kayak, motorboat, or on foot.
Miami
If you’re looking for excitement and energy for your vacation getaway, look no further than Miami. This South Florida destination is about four and a half hours from Tampa, so you might want to plan this getaway for a long weekend or weeklong stay. In Miami, you can spend time together at trendy beaches, shop for high-end fashion, admire unique art galleries, and experience the vibrant nightlife scene. If you have never been to Miami before, top attractions for your to-do list include the Wynwood Arts District, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Zoo Miami, the Miami Design District, and Bayside Marketplace.
Tallahassee
A little bit further, another vacation option from Tampa is to travel about four and a half hours north to reach Tallahassee, which is Florida’s capital and a city filled with interesting attractions to visit. Top things to do in Tallahassee include the observation platform of the capitol building, the Tallahassee Museum, and the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum. To add a bit of nature and outdoor activity to your trip, head over to the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park or the St. Mark’s National Wildlife Refuge.
