January is the coldest month in
Tampa on average although with
daytime temperatures at around 70°F, it is still more than pleasant enough for most. There can be
cold spells in January when cold air blows in from the north and lowers the temperature to 50°F or even 40°F during the day. However, these periods of potentially cold January weather only tend to last a few days before the more tropical air from the south returns and pushes the temperature back up to the 60s or 70s. It
rarely rains (about 5 days on average) - and days offer
10 hours of sunshine. The water is still chilly with a
65°F water temperature.
January features
The Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa’s answer to Mardi Gras, the main parade of which is held on the last Saturday in January making it a popular vacation time with party goers. There is also a children’s parade and fireworks extravaganza on the Saturday preceding the main parade for a more family friendly outing.
January is the last month of the off-season in Tampa before the weather starts getting warmer and hotel prices start rising in February.
Best Time to visit Tampa
Tampa has warm weather all year round with spring being the most popular time to visit for vacation in terms of visitor numbers. The summer months can feel quite hot to visitors not accustomed to the humid Florida summer weather so generally the months from September to May are recommended to visit for vacation. Fall would be a particularly good time to visit as the weather and water temperature is still warm but visitor numbers are significantly lower than the spring peak resulting in cheaper hotel prices.
From late May to mid September, expect a daily afternoon thunderstorm. Although almost daily, these thunderstorms typically pass within an hour so don’t interrupt the day too much. Tampa is known as the lightning capital of the United States given the storm frequency over summer although stormy weather outside of the summer months is far more rare.
The winter months have generally mild weather with temperatures averaging around the mid 60s. Although there may be cold periods where temperatures can drop into the 50s and even 40s, these winter cold snaps only tend to last a few days before the more customary mild weather returns. Given its pleasant winter weather, Tampa is a hotspot for “snowbirds” looking to escape the harsh winter weather found in the northern US and Canada.
Things to know about Tampa
The name “Tampa” is believed to have meant “sticks of fire”, a reference to the lightning that accompanies the passing storms throughout the summer months. Tampa is essentially a sprawl city with several different districts worth visiting including Ybor City, the originally cigar manufacturing and now party district. Renting a car is highly recommended to explore the bay area properly although ride sharing apps could also suffice.
The Hillsborough River runs through Tampa and into the bay allowing for activities such as paddling, canoeing, jet skiing or simply taking a water taxi ride along the river. Although part of Tampa Bay, Tampa sees itself very distinctly from its fellow bay area cities of Clearwater and St. Petersburg. A common misconception is that Tampa is a beach town. Whilst there are a few beaches in Tampa, these lie on the bay and if you’re after a trip to a sea facing beach, you’ll need to head west across the bay to the many beaches lining the Gulf of Mexico. Tampa is ideal for shopping, restaurants, cafes, outdoor activities, catching a sports game and nightlife!
The 10 top sights are:
Busch Gardens
Bush Gardens is a must visit destination in Tampa if you’re into
roller coasters! They also host a frightening Halloween event and have a very
impressive range of animals on display if visiting with kids.
Tampa Riverwalk
A
2.4 mile walk along the bay and river including a
protruding walkway that has been built out over the river. Many people cycle along the Tampa Riverwalk and there are many things to see along the walk including parks, museums and the performing arts center.
One of the most picturesque arenas in the United States, this downtown arena sits on the bay, is surrounded by palm trees and looks out over the city skyline. Catch an NHL game or one of the many other events such as concerts that are hosted throughout the year. Be sure to
check out the giant balcony for a drink before or after an event. The large outdoor bar across the street is also a popular Tampa spot for a drink when there’s an event on.
Bayshore Boulevard
Thought to be the
longest uninterrupted sidewalk in the world at 4.5 miles long, Bayshore offers stunning views out over the bay and downtown skyline. It is very popular with runners and those simply looking for a relaxing walk in the fine Tampa weather.
Ybor City
Ybor is a historic district in Tampa originally born out of cigar manufacturing and the reason Tampa is sometimes referred to as
“Cigar City”. Today, Ybor is at the heart of Tampa’s nightlife and during the day has
several eclectic shops, bars and eateries to delight vacation visitors.
Plant Park
Lightning statues are a feature in
Plant Park which is on the grounds of the University of Tampa and is overlooked by the
historically impressive Plant Hall. Plant Hall, featuring its iconic minarets, was built in the late 1800s and was originally a hotel. Today it is part of the beautiful University of Tampa campus.
Sparkman Wharf
Nestled in the southeast corner of downtown Tampa is
Sparkman Wharf which features
restaurants, a beer garden, outdoor activities and views out over the bay.
South Howard Avenue
Howard, as it’s known locally, is where Tampa residents flock to to party. Along with Ybor, this is the heart of the nighttime party scene in Tampa.
The bars feature outdoor areas so you can make the most of the beautiful Tampa weather while on a night out.
International Plaza
This is
the most upmarket mall in Tampa and the heart of its shopping scene. Features several restaurants and bars with outdoor seating.
Hyde Park Village
This
upscale outdoor district features
boutique shops, many restaurants and cafes and the abundance of trees provides cooling shade which is ideal for the sunny Tampa weather.
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