Tampa in winter is absolute magic! If you’re looking to escape the inevitable tale of winter blues where you live this year, you’ll find plenty of things to do in Tampa in January that bring you outdoors for fun events.
The mild weather and abundant sunshine here mean that parks and attractions stay bustling all year long. Whether you want to spend winter in Tampa after the holiday season or come down for a twinkling New Year’s Eve, it’s all waiting!
A tour we think you'll love
Here’s a look at seven incredible things to do when you come to Tampa Bay this winter!
1) Do A Dolphin Exploration Tour
Voyage from Clearwater Bay to Clearwater Pass while enjoying the emerald waves of the Gulf of Mexico in pursuit of sightings of bottlenose dolphins. We promise that snow and cold will feel miles away as soon as you step foot on one of our boats!
The Tropics Boat Tours offers the only Ocean Friendly-certified commercial boat operation in Pinellas County. When you voyage with us, your experienced local captain will point out all of the amazing natural wonders around you! The journey even breezes by celebrity waterfront mansions that sparkle from the shore. Our guests enjoy:
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Fun double-decker catamaran boats with shaded enclosure, sun decks, and bars
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Boats with restrooms
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Optional drink upgrades providing unlimited beer and soft drinks
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Reasonable prices
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The option to book a private charter
In addition to our famed Dolphin Tours on the Gulf of Mexico, we also offer a Sunset Celebration Cruise that follows the path from Clearwater Bay through Clearwater Pass to provide you with a beautiful view of a breathtaking sunset shimmering on the Gulf of Mexico.
A complimentary sunset champagne toast is provided for all guests aged 21 and up! Our tours are perfect for people who are celebrating special events, planning dates, or simply looking for a way to bond with friends and family.
There’s no need to spend a lot of time planning the best thing to do in Tampa in winter. Let The Tropics Boat Tours take care of every detail while you sit back, relax, and make memories! We’re here to help you plan a day you’ll never forget.
Book your excursion with Tampa Bay’s #1 dolphin tour company today!
2) Shop For Goodies At Winter Village At Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Are you coming to Tampa Bay as a way to close out the holiday season? The Winter Village Shop at Curtis Hixon Park is a treasured event that runs through the first week of January. During the Winter Village event, the Tampa Riverwalk stretch within Curtis Hixon Park transforms into a winter wonderland for all ages.
There’s even an ice rink! Of course, the highlight is a shopping experience composed of various boutiques from local makers and vendors. It’s perfect if you need a last-minute gift idea for the holidays.
Pro Tip: Don’t forget to stop at Café at Winter Village inside Curtis Hixon Park for a pop-up event featuring hot drinks and festive sweet treats.
3) Visit The Florida Aquarium
Situated near the cruise ship terminals in downtown Tampa, the Florida Aquarium is a fun and educational attraction that offers so many ecosystems in one! Families love coming here to learn about wildlife and have special encounters with sea life. Highlights include:
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500,000-gallon panoramic coral reef gallery that’s home to tiger sharks, stingrays, sea turtles, and more
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A spot called Stingray Beach where guests can feel the smooth, slippery skin of rays
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A Reef Secrets Habitat featuring seahorses of all kinds
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A Waves of Wonder Habitat experience featuring jellies, clownfish, and anemones
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A bird aviary
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A Florida wetlands habitat with alligators
Visitors can easily spend a whole day at this family friendly attraction! If you’re ready to start planning, you can book your tickets from wherever you are now to ensure that you can visit on your ideal date.
4) Walk The Beautiful Tampa Riverwalk On The Hillsborough River
Looking to get some fresh air and exercise while visiting Tampa? The Tampa Riverwalk offers a great way to explore downtown Tampa by foot. This 2.6-mile pedestrian trail follows the Hillsborough River.
While some people utilize the trail to bike or run, others prefer to take it slow by foot in order to hop and off to get to easily accessible spots that include the Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay History Center Museum, Glazer Children’s Museum, and other popular downtown Tampa attractions.
5) End The Holiday Season At Busch Gardens
This is a favorite spot for families visiting Tampa Bay because it offers the perfect combination of thrills and learning! Enjoy coasters, animal encounters, and live entertainment at this world-class park. Of course, a holiday visit to Busch Gardens Tampa is even more magical.
The park’s famed annual holiday event continues through January each year. That means you can take a magical train ride, see coasters all lit up in red and green, and dine with Rudolph and other beloved holiday characters.
Pro Tip: If you’re arriving in the Tampa Bay area by Dec. 31, consider attending the Busch Gardens New Year’s Eve Celebration that rings in the new year with holiday magic shows, fireworks, and fun events all day long.
6) Attend The Famous Gasparilla Parade
This is one of the most amazing things to do in Tampa in January for those lucky enough to linger around until the end of the month. The annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival takes place during the last week of January each year.
Providing the experience of a pirate invasion, the event is named after a fierce pirate named Jose Gaspar who terrorized the shores of Florida during the 18th century.
The highlight of the event is a 4.5-mile parade route featuring hundreds of floats. Attendees can also enjoy live music, art displays, food, and road races all throughout the event.
7) Visit Zoo Tampa At Lowry Park
Start the year on a wild note at this famed zoo. January is an ideal time for a zoo trip for families because you can spend the day walking around without getting overheated. This 63-acre zoo is home to more than 1,000 creatures from around the world!
Considered Florida’s best zoo by many, Zoo Tampa impresses with its tigers, penguins, and African elephants. Here are some highlights that might convince you to add a zoo trip your Tampa winter vacation:
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Behind-the-scenes torus of elephant habitats
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Giant tortoise encounters
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An opportunity to get in the water with stingrays
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African penguin encounter with the zoo’s adorable colony
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An opportunity to go behind the scenes to watch the zoo’s manatee recovery team work
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Fun with koalas
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Rhino feeding
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Giraffe encounters
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Lorikeet feedings at the aviary
Pro Tip: Planning early can help you save with this one! You can get a discounted entry if you purchase tickets online ahead of time for your preferred date.
Add A Little Sunshine And Magic To Your Winter – Plan Your Winter Trip To Tampa
If your mind is turning to thoughts of a great vacation once the holiday season winds down, Tampa is the perfect place! While other parts of the country begin to shut down for the cold, long winter head, Tampa is bustling with fun events that you can enjoy with friends and family. Warm January days mean that even getting on the water here on the Gulf of Mexico is enjoyable.
If you’re ready to make this a January to remember, The Tropics Boat Tours is ready to bring you out for an unforgettable dolphin tour or sunset cruise. There’s nothing like seeing the shimmering emerald waves of the Gulf of Mexico while eagerly anticipating a sighting of a dolphin pod.
As experienced local experts, we’re able to take care of all of the details to make this an unforgettable experience with no stress! Book your tour with us today!
