Unique Activities to do in the Tampa Area
We recently met Destiny from Guided by Destiny via Instagram and fell in love with her Tampa / St. Pete travel guides. She is a Tampa local and knows all the best spots and local businesses to support. Here is a round-up of some of our favorites.
Beach day with The Cabana Club!
If you want to take your St. Pete beach day to the next level, check out The Cabana Club! They literally take care of everything for you (set up and tear down) and provide water, sunscreen, a speaker, a portable charger, and more. Like truly you name it, The Cabana Club has got it covered!
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
2. Florida Orange Groves Winery
Take a break from the beach at Florida Orange Groves Winery! They produce over 43 varieties of wine, and they have tastings and tours daily.
The tastings have 3 parts: a flight of their most popular wines (from sweet to dry), your pick, and then some slushie samples! They’re known for their citrus, berry, and tropical wines, but also offer port, grape, and sparkling wines as well. And of course their slushie mixes!
Head over to Destiny’s page to read more about her favorite wines at Florida Orange Groves Winery.
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
3. Go on a unique kayaking or motorized stand up paddleboard tour
Take a clear kayak tour of Shell Key Preserve. Your guide will take you on a 2-2.5 hour guided tour where you can see wildlife, learn about the area, and get some fun pics snapped if you want!
Sharkey’s Glass Bottom Tours offers LED illuminated night tours on glass-bottom kayaks. You will have a guide, and they even provide you with fish food to ensure you get to witness some marine life on your trip.
Not quite a kayak tour, but have you heard of stand-up pedalboards? That’s not a typo! They’re a new water activity where you actually have a seat and pedals to help you get around!
Head over to Destiny’s page to learn more about a motorized paddle board tour that lets you go 4-6mph in the water!
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
4. Fourth Friday Tampa
Fourth Friday Tampa is a monthly arts and culture crawl throughout Tampa’s Downtown.
Stop at the Fourth Friday hub between 5 PM- 7:30 PM to get your free lanyard. The lanyard will grant you access to special tours, live music, and food and drink deals from participating downtown restaurants and bars!
Head over to Destiny’s page to read more about the discounts and free admission you can get at other local museums.
(Text by Guided By Destiny : Photo by Fourth Friday Tampa)
5. Armature Works events
Armature Works is basically a boujee food fall and event space. While it costs if you want to purchase food or drink, they do host several free events.
They have free yoga, movies on the lawn, live music, Heights Night Market, and more.
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
6. Cruisin Tikis
This downtown St. Pete activity is more suited for 21+, and is your own personal floating bar.
Cruise around St. Pete on this 2-hour cruise; see the pier from a different perspective, and even go to a sandbar. You bring your own booze and snacks, and the tiki provides the views, and typically even some dolphin sightings! Sometimes you can even come across baby sharks by the sandbar!
You can do the tour in the morning, afternoon, or around sunset. We went around sunset and it was so beautiful. Check out my reel for the experience here.
Make sure you book your tour in advance!
They also have on in Clearwater! Check out Destiny’s blog to learn more.
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
7. Mural tour
Each year St. Pete hosts Shine On which is a mural painting festival where several new murals go up! So even if you think you’ve seen them all, you probably haven’t 😉
Curious about the artist or what the mural means, or even how to locate them all? Don’t worry, you’re covered! There’s a complete list of the murals as well as a map and details about the mural and artist! You can walk, bike, or Rollerblade along your own personal art tour!
If you opt for a guided tour, I recommend this one!
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
8. Ride in a hot air balloon
Enjoy a one-hour hot air balloon ride through Tampa with Big Red Balloon! The trip includes all ground transportation to and from the launching and landing fields, a champagne toast after the flight, and a complimentary breakfast after the flight at a local Bob Evans Restaurant.
Head over to Destiny’s blog to read everything you need to know about this experience.
(Text + Photo by Guided By Destiny)
9. Enjoy an Epic Speakeasy
The Saint owners went ALL OUT on this speakeasy. I mean EVERYTHING is on brand— a confessional to enter, the menu, the artwork, the lighting, the glassware, the uniforms. I could go on and on.
Each week, a new confession is posted that must be confessed prior to entering. Once you enter you will appreciate every detail that creates this sinners and saints aesthetic.
Note: They don’t take reservations so if you go on the weekend there may be a long wait. I would definitely recommend checking them out then during the week. FYI : Tuesday through Friday from 5-7 PM they have a holy happy hour.
Head over to Destiny’s page to learn about her go-to drinks
(Text + photo by Guided By Destiny)
10. Get creative
St. Pete is a super artsy district. It may inspire you to explore your own creativity a bit. There are so many options for fun art experiences. You can create your own pottery at Charlie Parker Pottery, paint some pottery at Practically Pikasso, do a glass workshop at Zen Glass Studio (make your own wine glass!), or do a classic favorite, Painting with a Twist!
(Text by Guided By Destiny , Photo by Charlie Parker Pottery)