Top 12 Romantic Things to Do in Tampa

With its beautiful bay views, vibrant culture, exciting attractions and balmy weather, Tampa sets an alluring scene for romance. From sunset cruises and beach picnics to fine dining experiences, Tampa entices couples with many romantic activities perfect for kindling affection.

No.	Activity	Description
1	Dining at Bern’s Steak House	Intimate dining with old-world elegance, exquisite steaks, and desserts in a charming atmosphere.
2	Sunset on Bayshore Boulevard	Scenic evening stroll along the waterfront with beautiful sunset views.
3	Straz Center Performance	Enjoying performing arts in an opulent setting at a major arts complex.
4	Boat to Egmont Key	Private boat charter to a secluded island for beach relaxation and snorkeling.
5	Spa at Tampa Hyatt	Indulgent couple’s treatments in a luxurious spa setting.
6	Skydiving Excursions	Tandem skydives over Tampa for an adrenaline rush.
7	Tampa Museum of Art	Exploring diverse art collections and engaging in artistic date nights.
8	Dancing on SoHo’s Strip	Vibrant nightlife with dancing and pub crawling in trendy lounges and bars.
9	Florida State Fair	Fun-filled fair experience with carnival rides, food, and attractions.
10	Relaxing at Armature Works	Casual time at a trendy market with food, drinks, and river views.

Here are the top 12 most romantic things to do in Tampa sure to have you falling deeper in love.

Dining at Bern’s Steak House

Name and Location:
Bern’s Steak House, located in South Tampa, Florida.

History and Significance:
Established in 1956, Bern’s Steak House is renowned for its exceptional steaks and extensive wine collection. It’s a culinary landmark in Tampa with a rich history.

What to Expect:
Guests can expect top-quality steaks, a variety of sides, and a legendary dessert room. The wine list is one of the largest in the world.

Visitor Information:
Reservations are highly recommended. The dress code is smart casual.

For the ultimate romantic dining splurge, book an intimate evening immersed in old-world elegance at Bern’s Steak House. This acclaimed Tampa institution pampers guests across multiple themed dining rooms filled with flowers and chandeliers. Share decadent appetizers like colossal lump crab cakes in lemon beurre blanc before tucking into expertly prepared cuts of aged steak like filet mignon or New York strip perfectly paired by their in-house sommeliers. End dinner on a sweet note with a menu of tempting desserts like warm chocolate soufflé that serenades before being tableside sauced with decadent molten fudge. After dinner, take a kitchen tour learning Bern’s behind-the-scenes secrets or head downstairs to their magical Harry Waugh Dessert Room for a nightcap among charm and chocolate. For fine dining magic sure to spark romance, Bern’s sets an alluring mood no couple will soon forget.

Watch the Sunset on Bayshore Boulevard

Name and Location:
Bayshore Boulevard, Tampa, Florida.

History and Significance:
Bayshore Boulevard is known for having the world’s longest continuous sidewalk. It’s a favorite spot for both locals and tourists to enjoy scenic views.

What to Expect:
An incredible view of the sunset over Hillsborough Bay, joggers, bikers, and a relaxing atmosphere.

Visitor Information:
Accessible all day, free of charge. Ideal for evening strolls and sunset viewing.

For simple sunset-hued romance, take an evening stroll hand-in-hand along scenic Bayshore Boulevard watching the golden orb sink slowly towards the glittering Tampa skyline across Hillsborough Bay. Bring a loved one to admire dramatic streaks of pink and orange deepening to purple twilight as pelicans skim over calm waters and palms rustle in the breeze. Find a bench along this curving coastal road or pull off at Bayshore Drive’s tiny but picturesque public pier park extending out into the bay. Light boutiques, charming eateries and waterfront parks dot this paved 4.5 mile promenade bordering prestigious mansions behind a lush buffer of gardens. Whenever the day dwindles alongside Tampa’s beautiful blue bay, Bayshore Boulevard sets an idyllic outdoor stage for falling in love.

Catch a Performance at the Straz Center

Name and Location:
Straz Center for the Performing Arts, Downtown Tampa.

History and Significance:
The Straz Center, opened in 1987, is the largest performing arts center in the Southeastern United States.

What to Expect:
A variety of performances including Broadway shows, opera, ballet, and concerts.

Visitor Information:
Ticket purchase is required for performances. Visit their website for schedules and pricing.

Surround yourselves in performing arts elegance taking in a spectacular show together at the Straz Center for Performing Arts overlooking Tampa’s glittering downtown. As the second largest arts complex in the southeastern U.S, this visually striking campus anchored by the 2,500 seat ornate Morsani Hall enthralls couples through top-tier Broadway musicals, classical concerts, ballet, opera, comedy acts and more in an opulent setting. Dress to impress for a special theater date night then linger lakeside admiring the Straz Center’s sleek waterfront architecture cupping the glimmering Patel Conservatory. Under the stars together outside multiple world-class performance venues, the arts come dazzlingly alive.

Boat Out to Egmont Key

Name and Location:
Egmont Key, accessible by boat from Tampa Bay.

History and Significance:
Egmont Key is a secluded island known for its lighthouse, built in 1858, and its wildlife refuge.

What to Expect:
Beautiful beaches, snorkeling opportunities, and historical ruins. A peaceful escape from the city.

Visitor Information:
Accessible by ferry or private boat. No facilities on the island, so bring your own supplies.

Enjoy breezy seclusion surrounded by wildlife and crystal waters just the two of you when chartering a private boat to remote Egmont Key off Tampa’s mouth in the Gulf of Mexico. This protected Florida state park reachable only by personal watercraft makes for a perfect escape where couples can play Adam and Eve enjoying pristine beaches to themselves. Pack a gourmet picnic basket to enjoy tucked away into the lush foliage together as gulls wheel overhead. Wade hand-in-hand to peer at marine life in the bay’s tea-colored waters before snorkeling spectacular reefs right offshore. For romantic isolation with Mother Nature and plenty of island passion vibes, Egmont Key delivers.

Relax at the Tampa Hyatt’s Soothing Spa

Name and Location:
Soothing Spa at the Tampa Hyatt, Downtown Tampa.

History and Significance:
Part of the Hyatt, known for its luxurious accommodations and services.

What to Expect:
A range of spa services including massages, facials, and body treatments in a serene environment.

Visitor Information:
Advance booking is recommended. Spa packages and gift cards are available.

Rejuvenate spirits and spark togetherness indulging in pampering couple’s treatments inside downtown Tampa Hyatt Regency’s Stillwaters Spa. Surrender stress as skilled massage therapists work aromatic oils into tangled muscles across tables side-by-side during relaxing Swedish Couples Massages. Or soak luxuriously in the extra large Tranquility Tub built for two while gazing out floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Tampa Bay before lounging dreamily in plush robes together post-treatment. With soothing lighting, tinkling fountains and Zen decor, Stillwaters Spa sets an indulgent ambiance for couples bonding beautifully through therapeutic waters and wellbeing rituals.

Fly High Over the City During Skydiving Excursions

Name and Location:
Skydiving centers around Tampa, Florida.

History and Significance:
Skydiving in Tampa offers a unique way to experience the city’s beautiful landscapes from above.

What to Expect:
Tandem jumps with experienced instructors, breathtaking views, and an adrenaline rush.

Visitor Information:
No experience necessary. Reservations and a brief training session are required.

Get hearts racing together soaring above Tampa landmarks hand-in-hand on thrilling tandem skydives with Skydive Tampa offering breathtaking bird’s-eye views. After a safety briefing, loving duos rise up above central Florida with instructors secured behind holding tight literally joined at the hip. Burst through clouds taking in spectacular aerial panoramas from miles high then sail blissfully together in freefall at 120mph before parachutes gently deliver you straight into each other’s arms upon landing. Whether enjoying your first tandem thrill-seeking leap or hundredth jump, skydiving makes for excitement amplifying affection and admiration soaring between couples.

Attend the Tampa Museum of Art

Name and Location:
Tampa Museum of Art, Downtown Tampa.

History and Significance:
Established in 1979, the museum is dedicated to providing the community with world-class art exhibitions.

What to Expect:
A diverse collection of modern and contemporary art, as well as Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities.

Visitor Information:
Open daily. Admission fees apply, with discounts for students and seniors. Free on certain days.

Spark sweet conversation meandering through creative galleries together discovering beauty and meaning in artwork old and new at the Tampa Museum of Art near downtown. Their expansive permanent collection and special exhibitions cover varied mediums from Greek antiquities and Baroque masterpieces to contemporary photography andAbstractionism sure to inspire observation and insights from multiple perspectives. Interactive date nights might include curator talks unveiling compelling backstories on display pieces followed by exclusive after-hours gallery receptions mingling alongside fine works with drinks in hand. For aesthetically inspired outings furthering bonds through a shared passion for the arts, Tampa’s foremost fine art institution entices couples creatively.

Dance the Night Away on SoHo’s Strip

Name and Location:
South Howard Avenue (SoHo), Tampa, Florida.

History and Significance:
SoHo is Tampa’s bustling nightlife district, known for its vibrant energy and diverse entertainment options.

What to Expect:
A lively atmosphere with a variety of bars, nightclubs, and restaurants. Great for nightlife enthusiasts.

Visitor Information:
Most bars and clubs have their own age and dress code policies. Some may charge a cover fee.

Sparks fly and hips sway when couples hit the dancefloor at one of Tampa’s best nightlife streets in historic yet hip SoHo(South Howard). Just west of downtown, SoHo’s compact corridor features blocks of trendy lounges, rooftop bars, indie music venues, LGBTQ+ clubs and chic eats packed every evening with sexy swagger. Dress to impress your paramour pub crawling from swanky cocktail dens to neon-lit dives before finally heating up dance floors cheek-to-cheek when DJs drop the beat. Under disco balls until the wee hours, Tampa’s vibrant SoHo nightlife scene sets hearts racing in perfect unison.

Attend the Florida State Fair

Name and Location:
Florida State Fairgrounds, East Tampa.

History and Significance:
The Florida State Fair, held annually, showcases the state’s agriculture, industry, and culture.

What to Expect:
Rides, games, live performances, animal exhibitions, and a wide range of food.

Visitor Information:
Occurs in February. Admission fee required, with additional costs for rides and certain attractions.

Get your date delirious on a whirlwind of carnival rides, tasty fair foods and nostalgic attractions spread across the sprawling Florida State Fairgrounds during the annual 12 day state fair extravaganza. Thrill together cresting 200 feet on the Super Wheel Ferris Wheel revealing sweeping Tampa views. Nibble deliciously greasy goodies like funnel cakes or giant turkey legs wandering the colorful midway. Gawk at talent show contestants and livestock competitions inside coliseum events. As the sun sets, let sparks fly watching fireworks explode over the musical fountain dancing to the Beatles. For nonstop entertainment fanning the flames of young love, immerse yourselves in good old-fashioned fair magic.

Relax at Armature Works

Name and Location:
Armature Works, Tampa Heights neighborhood.

History and Significance:
A restored mixed-use building that once served as a storage and maintenance facility for Tampa’s streetcars.

What to Expect:
A food hall, market, restaurants, and event spaces in an industrial-chic setting.

Visitor Information:
Open daily. No entry fee, but purchases at individual vendors.

Armature Work’s trendy Heights Public Market set inside a restored industrial building makes for a central hangout destination for urban couples seeking grab-and-go coffees, unique boutiques, a fantastic food hall, rooftop bar views and breezy communal seating perfect for conversing and relaxing. Constructed from an old streetcar facility containing soaring steel beams and walls of windows, this hip mixed-use space retains historic factory architectural details downstairs while upstairs eateries overlook the Hillsborough River. Meet friends for brunch cocktails, shop handmade artisan goods, watch boats drift by then cuddle enjoying artisan ice cream beneath Tampa’s skyline all in one photogenic and appetizing locale.

With an enviable coastal setting flanked by beautiful beaches, pleasant weather, vibrant arts and downtown entertainment alongside family-friendly enclaves like Busch Gardens, Tampa impresses visitors with an excellent variety of things to experience. Use this local guide when planning your Florida vacation to discover Tampa’s top attractions promising memorable fun beyond Orlando’s neighboring theme parks. Let electric Tampa set the scene for your Sunshine State adventure exploring everything from fascinating culture to thrilling rides showcasing sizzling Florida flavors.