Planning a quick trip to Tampa in the next few weeks. What beach do you recommend? Are there any restaurants (breakfast, lunch or dinner) or spas I should not miss?
I will have a car so driving will not be an issue.

Thanks in advance!

I think Clearwater and St Pete's Beach are considered nice ones, on the Gulf. I think this is a good article on choices

https://10best.usatoday.com/destinat...tions/beaches/

AS for restaurants, Columbia's in Ybor City (Spanish/Cuban) is iconic, I enjoyed it. It's not too far from the aquarium.

https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

The heritage trolley in Ybor City is also iconic.

Hi ruwithme

I really liked Pass-a-Grille Beach which has an “Old Florida” feel that appealed to me. The Seahorse restaurant there I appreciated for its friendly beach town vibe plus the cod I had was excellent. I second the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City—an institution and a unique experience.

Have fun! Daniel

Tampa is famous for NOT having any beaches nearby---that's why it is known as "Tampa Bay." The downtown Tampa area has recently gone through a renovation, and it is quite nice to walk along the river walk. At the south end of the river walk, there is the fascinating Tampa Bay History Museum, and there is a branch of the Columbia Restaurant within the museum. I personally don't like chain restaurants, but the branch within the museum has nice views.

Regarding beaches, I personally like the ones around St. Pete. It is quite a schlep across the bridge, especially in rush hour. It's nice to walk along the water there, and look at the birds. There are many breweries in downtown St. Pete, and my favorite museums there are the Western-themed James Museum, the Dali, and the Holocaust Museum.

Most people consider St Pete, Clearwater, etc to be "nearby". FYI bays can have beaches. Tampa itself does actually have some small beaches but they aren't as good, of course, as those on the Gulf.

Christina - FYI, we have a house in Tampa, so I am quite familiar with the geography here. The number one complaint I hear from young families, especially in the summer, is that there are no beaches nearby. That is why a substantial number of the parks here have splash pads. The bridge going to and from St. Pete gets clogged during the week, and most people with families rarely go there specifically to go to the beach. It can take well over an hour each way. However, it is a nice event on weekends to make a day of it for lunch, a museum, and a stroll on the beach and pier. I was being facetious about Tampa Bay, that's an inside joke here.

ruwithme - I forgot to mention, if you decide to go on the river walk, there is Tampa University, with a museum on site. It was formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel. The hotel played a significant role during the Spanish American War, since it housed the officers. The building is ornate. I like the museum and the building itself, but my husband thinks the museum is boring, and the building is stuffy. On Sundays, the museum has performances by local actors on a rotating basis, and they talk about the history of the hotel. So far, we have seen Teddy Roosevelt, and an enlisted man from the Spanish American war who died of dysentery. The script was based on actual letters he wrote to his parents.

For casual restaurant for breakfast or lunch, go to Wright's Gourmet Deli. The food is good but what is amazing is the dessert! They have heavenly slices of cake and other goodies.
Even if you just stop in to pick up dessert to go, you will be happy.