There’s no shortage of fun birthday ideas in Tampa! This sunny city’s collection of amusement parks, beaches, delicious food, and more makes it the perfect place to celebrate a special day with friends or family.
The best thing about planning a fun-filled birthday celebration in the Tampa Bay area is that you don’t have to pick just one thing. You can bring the party with you everywhere you go! You can easily enjoy a long, lazy beach day or pool party before you celebrate with a sunset cruise or birthday dinner in downtown Tampa.
A tour we think you'll love
This list of nine unforgettable Tampa birthday ideas highlights the best ways to celebrate another trip around the sun in one of America’s sunniest places!
1) Experience The Magic Of Clearwater Beach’s Sunset
One of the best birthday ideas for making memories with your closest friends on a special day is to book one of our cruises available out of Clearwater Beach. The waters off of Tampa Bay are teeming with majestic wildlife that only those who set sail are lucky to see! We offer top-notch dolphin excursions, sunset cruises, and private charters.
Our Dolphin Exploration Tours bring guests from sparkling Clearwater Bay toward Clearwater Pass to enjoy the radiant emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Yes, you can usually expect to spot dolphins in the wild on this trip!
Don’t miss out on the chance to experience the magic of our Sunset Celebration Cruises. As the sun begins its descent, prepare to be mesmerized by the breathtaking beauty of a Clearwater Beach sunset. It’s a sight that will leave you in awe and create memories to last a lifetime.
If you like the idea of private events, you’ll enjoy the fact that we offer intimate Private Charters that help you avoid the feeling of being stuffed on a big boat or overcrowded floating tiki hut with tons of strangers. This setup is perfect for “destination” Tampa Bay birthday parties because your group will sail away on a double-decker catamaran boat with a sun deck, enclosed shade area, and bar with delicious drinks.
Make this the most magical birthday celebration of a lifetime by booking a spot for your group with us!
2) Go To Busch Gardens
If the thought of turning a year older feels scary, you’ll love letting out some screams while riding roller coasters at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay!
Busch Gardens is a 335-acre animal theme park offering rides, animal encounters, and so much more for both kids and “kids at heart.” A birthday party here can span multiple events and attractions that can include:
-
A list of nearly 20 rides that includes Skyride, Congo River Rapids, Scorpion, and Iron Gwazi
-
Live shows and presentations
-
The 65-acre Serengeti Safari experience
-
Elephant Insider Tour
-
Cheetah Insider Tour
-
Penguin Insider Tour
-
Sloth Encounter
Pro tip: If you’re bringing a crowd along with you, Busch Gardens offers birthday party packages for groups of 15 or more that include admission, general parking, one meal, and one snack.
3) Tour The Florida Aquarium
One of the most exciting birthday ideas in Tampa is a day with marine life at the popular Florida Aquarium. Located in downtown Tampa, this 250,000-square-foot aquarium features a variety of habitats and exhibits covering:
-
Wetlands of Florida
-
Journey to Madagascar
-
Shorelines
-
Stingray Beach
-
No Bone Zone
-
Coral Reef
-
Reef Secrets
-
Waves of Wonder
-
Moon Bay
With conservation at the heart of all that this aquarium does, this is one of the best birthday ideas for animal lovers! You’ll love the SeaTREK experience that brings guests 15 feet deep into the Heart of the Sea habitat for a guided underwater walking tour among coral caves where fish, eagle rays, loggerhead sea turtles, and bonnethead sharks lurk!
4) Party By The Pool
One of the best birthday party ideas in Tampa for adults is a fun pool party. If you’re coming from out of town, you might be wondering where you can find a pool for a birthday celebration. The answer is to book a spot at WTR Pool.
WTR Pool can be described as a “day life” destination that offers guests the chance to lounge beside a luxury pool with DJs, food, and drinks. Guests also enjoy sparkling views of Tampa Bay while lounging!
If you’re looking for ultra-luxurious Tampa birthday ideas, plan to rent a cabana where you can relax in the shade with a private party.
5) Celebrate With A Fun Meal
No list of birthday ideas is complete without a nice birthday dinner with friends! Of course, birthday party ideas are always better when they combine great food with great views. That’s why you might want to plan to have your birthday party meal at one of the incredible restaurants in the Channel District located just outside downtown.
A spot in the Channel District called Sparkman Wharf places craft beer, live music, and exceptional dining all within walking distance. You can choose from fusion restaurants, Mexican restaurants, seafood spots, beer gardens, dessert shops, and much more! As you dine along Garrison Channel, you’ll also enjoy beautiful waterfront views.
6) Plan A Lazy Beach Day
The best birthday parties sometimes involve nothing more than a beach blanket and some fresh air. If you’re looking for a low-profile way to party, make a plan to celebrate in the sand at Clearwater Beach.
Famous for being a very laid-back beach, Clearwater Beach offers some of the softest white sand you can find. The beach stretches for 2.5 miles on a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico. While the sandy portion of the beach is typically quiet, there’s always a lot going on at the beach’s full marina. When you’re ready to have a little fun with friends, try these activities:
-
Parasailing
-
Paddleboarding
-
Rollerblading along the promenade
-
Live music at the nightly festival at Pier 60
If you’re looking for a beach with easy swimming, you’ll have an awesome time frolicking with your friends in the shallow conditions that can let you walk for what feels like miles into the water before encountering waves. Of course, you should always stay within view of lifeguards!
7) Have A Birthday Party In Nature At Lettuce Lake Regional Park
A little picnic at Tampa’s Lettuce Lake is one of the birthday ideas for outdoorsy nature lovers! Here’s what this natural gem has to offer:
-
1.25 mile bicycle path/jogging trail
-
3,500-foot boardwalk
-
Observation tower for viewing wildlife
-
Rentable canoes and kayaks
-
Playground
With 240 acres of land to explore, Lettuce Lake makes it easy to feel like you have the park to yourself for a birthday party. Guests can find several wooded picnic areas that are perfect for eco-friendly birthday parties.
Important: Be sure to carry out or throw away every single item you bring into the park for your fun birthday party picnic!
8) Enjoy A Birthday Party Joy Ride In A Streetcar
One of the most memorable birthday ideas is to jump on the TECO Line Streetcar System to get from place to place while all decked out in a birthday crown and sash!
The TECO Line Streetcar System is a 2.7-mile line that brings riders to spots throughout downtown, the Channel District, and Ybor City. However, this is more than just an easy transportation option. The TECO Line Streetcar brings riders on fun, historical trips that follow the same paths riders took back when the lines were first built in the 1800s.
Don’t miss the chance to bring your party on the road with this safe, easy way to visit multiple places for celebrating a birthday party in Tampa!
9) Fun Filled Birthday Celebration For Families With Kids
Are you looking for the perfect place to celebrate your child’s birthday? Look no further than the Glazer Children’s Museum in Tampa! This interactive and hands-on museum is the perfect destination for a fun-filled birthday celebration for families with kids.
From imaginative play areas to educational exhibits, your child and their friends will have a blast exploring and learning at the museum. And the best part? The museum offers birthday party packages that include private party rooms, museum admission, and even a special gift for the birthday child.
So leave the stress of planning a party at home behind and let the Glazer Children’s Museum make your child’s birthday one to remember! Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture all the fun moments.
Start Planning Your Destination Birthday Party In Tampa
There’s truly no age limit on fun in Tampa once you know how to plan a birthday party featuring the attractions that excite you! One of the perks of bringing your party to Tampa is that you can split your celebrations between land and water. That’s why you don’t want to miss the chance to book spots for everyone attending your party with a local cruise company.
When you plan an awesome time watching the sunset or spotting playful dolphins in the water with The Tropics Boat Tours, you’re able to bond over once-in-a-lifetime memories. Our crew will help you plan every detail to ensure your group gets the VIP treatment. Plan your fun, magical party charter today!
