7 Fun Things to Do in Tampa with CityPASS (2023)

Are you looking for the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS?

Having lived in Tampa for 5 years, I have fallen in love with the Floridian city.

Wedged between its wealth of museums and cultural sites are several amusement areas.

Whether you are a history buff or an intrepid out for adventure, there are always things to do in Tampa for you.

Nestled on the eponymous dolphin-dappled bay, the happening city is a hotbed for themed parks with wild rides, exotic aquariums, and fascinating art centers.

The Big Guava also boasts an elaborate food scene that will just leave foodies smitten and salivating.

Plus, the variety here ranges from international gastropubs to a farm-to-table fare and everything in between.

I mean who wouldn’t love the city?

Tampa City Pass with classic welcome card painted on brick wall in Ybor City. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa.

THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. PLEASE READ MY DISCLOSURE FOR MORE INFO.

Visiting Tampa Bay, Florida

Once without a skyline, look at it now teeming with tall buildings flanking the boisterous streets!

NikkyJ in Tampa, Florida. Welcome to some of the to places to get the best food in Tampa, Florida with NikkyJ drinking a cocktail with avocado toast and waffles. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa.

Add to that a medley of romantic Riverwalk, photogenic café, sandy beaches, and Tampa becomes a must-do destination on every traveler’s list.

The best part about touring Tampa is that it does not break the bank.

Downtown Tampa Bay, Florida old Tampa theater. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa.

Whether you are traveling on a budget, hate to wait in long queues, or both – CityPASS Tampa is the way to go!

It is a pay-one-price pass that can save you more than 50% on combined admissions to the city’s most popular attractions.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Iron Gwazi Roller Coaster in Florida Sun. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa. — **Iron Gwazi Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens Tampa**

So, before we explore all the fun Tampa activities, let’s talk a little about its CityPASS.

What Is CityPASS and It Is Worth It?

CityPASS is an American company that issues discounted ticket packages in different North American metropolitans including Tampa.

Ybor City during the holidays in Tampa, Florida. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa.

The ticket sold by the company includes a booklet with information to all covered city attractions.

If you are looking for a way to maximize traveling time, skip long kiosk lines, and save money while touring Tampa’s top attractions, then the answer to that second question would be a definite YES!

Busch Gardens Tampa Cobra's Curse drop. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa. — **Cobra’s Curse Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens**

Tampa Bay CityPASS covers six must-see attractions of the city and you can visit five of them.

NikkyJ at Tampa Beach in Treasure Island, Florida. Keep reading to get the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Tampa. — **Treasure Island, Florida**

With a small but mighty pass as such, you will have saved hundreds of dollars and hours of time while exploring Tampa.

Ready to plan your theme park trip? Watch the best vacation planning tips on YouTube. Get started here!

How Does the Tampa CityPASS Work?

The CityPASS is easy to purchase and use throughout the city. You can get your CityPASS online at the official site.

The page will show a list of cities that are accessible with the help of this pass. On the other side of the screen, you will see a blue window. That is where you will book the pass.

Sunset in Downtown Tampa. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

While doing so, you can choose Email as your delivery option. When you choose email, the company may send a mobile ticket or a PDF voucher.

Tampa CityPass with beautiful skyline in the background.

Tampa CityPass with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the background.

Getting the Mobile Ticket Emailed

If you choose the option to get the CityPASS via email, the company will mostly send a mobile ticket.

Busch Gardens. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

You will be able to show it on the mobile to get instant entry.

It will be on your discretion whether you want it printed or not. A mobile ticket will expire within a year of the date of purchase.

Getting the Voucher PDF Emailed

Instead of a mobile ticket, the company can also send your CityPASS as a voucher in PDF document.

If you have booked for three passes, you will receive three separate PDF documents. They can be opened with the help of Adobe’s free version or Google Docs.

Once you have received and opened the voucher, you will need to print it before arriving at the first city-covered Tampa attraction.

Sunshine Skyway Bridge. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

You’ll have one year from the date of purchase to start using your tickets.

Just know that your CityPASS is valid for 9 consecutive days starting with (and including) the first day you visit an attraction.

When you arrive to the Tampa attraction, you will present your CityPASS® tickets, your attraction reservation, or both.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Sheikra splash. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS — **SheiKra Roller Coaster at Busch Gardens**

Plus, you’re able to visit these Tampa destinations in any order you would like.

All About the Tampa CityPASS Discounts and Benefits

Ah, the big question!

How much do I save?

Give me a number.

How about we start with the percentage?

With the Tamp CityPASS in your pocket, you will save a whopping 53% on your combined package tickets to five popular Tampa attractions.

The percentage accounts for saving $155.03 on adult tickets and saving $134.26 on tickets for kids.

This is not just my calculations, CityPASS says it too.

Top 7 Attractions Included in CityPASS Tampa

The CityPASS lets you enjoy quick prepaid admissions into five of these seven Tampa travel destinations:

The Florida Aquarium
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) or
The Tropics Boat Tours Dolphin or Sunset Cruise or
Glazer Children’s Museum

HIPSTER POWER TIP: You will automatically have The Florida Aquarium, ZooTampa and Busch Gardens; however, you will need to choose two additional attractions among MOSI, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, The Tropics Boat Tours, and Glazer Children’s Museum to complete your CityPASS.

1. Busch Gardens (Home to the Best Drop Tower in America)

Wondering what could be the most fun and unique thing to do in Tampa – exploring Busch Gardens.

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay entrance to falcon's fury. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS — Falcon’s Fury at Busch Gardens

It is a popular African-themed park with 10 African-named zones.

There are epic roller coasters, spin-into-frenzy 70-ft high vertical lifts, 335-ft high drop tower, and world-class rides that will give your adrenaline a solid rush.

Busch Gardens. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS Prices and tickets

You can observe and even take part in the animal care experience that is offered by the park’s on-site Animal Care Center.

Busch Gardens Tampa Animal Care Center. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

Add to this animal encounters, top-notch performances, shopping, lunch, and a variety of other entertainment.

In short, there is just so much to do here, you won’t have time to catch your breath.

Busch Gardens Tampa Pantopia entrance 2 with falcon's fury. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

To get CityPASS entry, head straight to the front gate and show your ticket.

Things to Remember About this Tampa CityPASS Destination:

Opens daily
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (changes depending on the season)
Extended hours on weekends, summer, and holiday season

2. The Florida Aquarium (Swim with the Sharks)

Tampa’s intriguing aquarium is located in the Channelside District of Downtown Tampa.

Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay Press Release Photo of Front Entrance. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS — Photo Credit: The Florida Aquarium in Tampa Bay

It has re-created swamps where you can walk with mangrove-prowling herons and ibis.

There are programs in this aquarium that let you swim among fishes. And in case you are feeling a little too daredevil, you have the option to swim with sharks.

Tampa Florida Aquarium. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

The aquarium also owns catamarans that will take you for a tranquil ecotour in Tampa Bay.

The Florida Aquarium. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

Its signature highlight is still the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef Exhibit with over 2,000 residents like moray eels.

Things to Remember About this Tampa CityPASS Destination:

Opens daily
Timing: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Official website: flaquarium.org

3. ZooTampa at Lowry Park (As Close to Animals as It Gets)

ZooTampa is home to some of the finest natural wildlife that inhabits meerkats, Florida black bears, hippos, white rhinos, African penguins, singing dogs, and more.

Tiger in Lowry Park ZooTampa. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

Here you don’t just observe the animals, but also get to interact with them.

Animal lovers may even gasp in happy-shocks!

In addition to its African, Floridian, and Australian safari, the zoo also includes a unique Giraffe Encounter.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

Get a CityPASS entry at ZooTampa by presenting your ticket at the main entrance itself. It lets you sidestep the ticket window.

Things to Remember About this Tampa CityPASS Destination:

Opens daily
Timing: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas
Official website: ZooTampa.org

4. Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)

The museum is a fun-packed place to learn more about science and industries through interactive activities.

Plus, MOSI includes separate collections, each dedicated to a particular discipline of science.

Museum of Science and Industry Tampa. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS — Photo Credit: Museum of Science and Industry in Tampa

You will find permanent exhibits in all of these collections that teach something about anatomy, biology, physics, and meteorology.

MOSI Museum of Science and Industry electricity in a plasma ball. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

In the outdoor space of the museum are fun-filled playgrounds and nature trails.

While the playground offers adventures like a zip-line, the walkways give you a tour of Floridian flora and fauna.

Museum of Science and Industry or MOSI. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

However, the highlights of the museum include the Idea Zone where you can create your invention and Saunders Planetarium where you can indulge in stargazing.

Things to Remember About this Tampa CityPASS Destination:

Open daily
Timing: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Timings may change during holidays
Official website: mosi.org

5. Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Where the Tale Began)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is a nonprofit organization that pledges to rescue and rehabilitate injured marine animals.

Sign-to-Pier-60-Aquarium-Clear-Sky-and-more.-One-of-the-best-things-to-do-in-Clearwater-Beach-Florida with Tampa CityPASS.

Today, the aquarium teems with dolphins, sea otters, rays, fishes, Atlantic ridley sea turtles.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

It is the best place to restore your faith in humanity, watch these sea animals play, and take in the joy in doing so.

You may also get a chance to interact with some of these animals.

Clearwater Aquarium Dolphins One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS.

But since it can be stressful for dolphins and sharks, you may want to skip getting too close or interactive with them.

Things to Remember About this Tampa CityPASS Destination:

Opens daily
Timing: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Various hours during the holidays
Official website: cmaquarium.org

6. The Tropics Boat Tours Dolphin or Sunset Cruise

If you’re ready to explore the beautiful shoreline of the Tampa area, then the Tropics Boat Tours is the experience you must do this year!

Tropics Boat Tour Cruise. One of the best things to do in Tampa with CityPASS

Clearwater Beach, Florida is host to emerald green waters, exciting nightlife, outdoor adventures and delicious cuisine that will wisp you away on your Florida vacation.

As you enjoy the wonderful views of the Gulf of Mexico, you’ll be able to sip on some premium liquor (ages 21 and over) as well as snacks and soft drinks from the on-board bar.