Explore Southwest Airlines® destination Tampa.

When you deplane at Tampa International Airport, you have several options from which to choose for getting around the Tampa Bay area. Hop on a bus, call a car, or pick up a rental car so you have full control of your comings and goings. You’ll want to drop your bags off quickly so you can get to the beach! Tampa is known for year-round beach fun in the sun. No matter if you’re with a group or riding solo, head to Picnic Island for fishing, a playground for little ones, and the beach for swimming and sunbathing. Beaches abound in Tampa Bay, so you’ll find plenty of opportunities to dig your toes into Gulf Coast sand.

Tampa is a city built of 84 official, distinct neighborhoods, divided into six historic districts. Architecture fans should head to the Ybor City district—a designated National Historic Landmark District—to see several places listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lovers of early 20th-century social clubs will especially enjoy all of the well-preserved and well-restored architectural examples of these vibrant spaces. Less into nightlife and more interested in the subcultures of mid-century America? Head to Perry Harvey Sr. Park for a visit to the Bro Bowl to see one of the last remaining skateparks from the 1970s. The first skatepark to be listed on any registry of historic places, this bank-style park was constructed as a free, public space during a time when parks like these typically charged admission. Try your hand at an ollie or simply take in the Americana.

If you’re visiting early in the year, make sure to check out the Gasparilla Pirate Festival. Often called the Mardi Gras of Tampa, this well-known local celebration is an annual mock pirate invasion commemorating the pirate invasion led by the pirate ship Jose Gasparilla. After the parade, consider acquainting yourself with Floribbean cuisine: regional foods that are influenced by immigrant communities—primarily the Caribbean, including Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Get ready for bayside fun in the sun and book your next flight to Tampa on Southwest®. Southwest Airlines flies to Tampa International Airport often, making it easy to plan your next Sunshine State getaway. Book your upcoming flight with confidence, knowing that the process will be straightforward from flight selection to checkout. Of course, having a memorable trip to Florida is about more than finding a great deal on a flight to the Tampa Bay area. Learn more about the Southwest® Experience and book your upcoming flight to Tampa International Airport.