activities

Discover an area that’s alive with the arts, seriously sports-minded, always planning a party or parade, and filled with one-of-a-kind Tampa Bay experiences. Countless activities await you when you’re a guest at our luxurious Tampa Bay hotel. Visit the acclaimed Florida Aquarium and get a better understanding of the delicate balance and fragility of our worldwide eco-system. Thrill to the new Jungala and SkeiKra experiences at Busch Gardens. Tour historic Ybor City – Tampa's Latin Quarter. Or spend some time watching your favorite team at one of the nearby stadiums. Whether you're visiting for business or just enjoying some time away, the activities that await you at our Tampa Bay Florida hotel are sure to delight you.

The Florida Aquarium
Experience all the wonderment of the Deep Sea Ocean while learning about the beauty and fragility of our eco-system. Home to more than 20,000 aquatic plants and animals from Florida and all over the world, the Florida Aquarium serves as a significant example of the state's commitment to preserving native landscapes, ecosystems and Florida's historical and archaeological sites. Let your children take a 30 minute swim through the Coral Reef Tanks and see fish up close. Watch the Penguin Promenade as they waddle their way into your heart to meet and greet their guests. Encounter dolphins in their natural habitat on a Dolphin Ecotour. Just 8 miles from the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, the Florida Aquarium truly offers a beneath the surface view of beautiful Tampa Bay.

Busch Gardens
Explore an African savannah, see hapless pirates fumble with their loot, ride the Southeast's largest and fastest Double wooden roller coaster or visit with the world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales – you're sure to find something to interest everyone at this expansive amusement park that is also an African wildlife habitat. Hear raucous calls and marvel at the glorious colors of over 500 tropical birds from around the world. Thrill to the new Jungala activity – the only jungle that plays with you. Fly through lush, green tree tops, come face to face with a tiger, or climb and explore right alongside wild animals. Soar 200 feet up and 90 feet straight down on Sheikra, a one-of-a-kind dive coaster with an Immelman twist and a "floorless" car that allows riders an unobstructed view of the 70 mph rush. Take a self-guided walking tour through a scenic habitat of hippos, hyenas, meerkats (stars of Meerkat Manor on Animal Planet), vultures, a Nile crocodile and more. Book a special tour and have the privilege of feeding the animals. Wind up your visit with a meal to remember at one of 20 in-park restaurants located near many of the favorite animal attractions.

Museums / Monuments
Though Tampa's beaches and waterfront location are major attractions, the city maintains an impressive collection of museums. Pay close attention to the museums' unique architectural styles - many of them designated as National Historic Landmarks. View the largest collection of works by Salvador Dali. Participate in demonstrations and hands-on exhibits at a museum designed for children. Learn about historic Ybor City – Tampa's Latin Quarter – and its contributions to the city.

Great Explorations
This interactive museum in nearby St. Petersburg offers kids hours of fun. Explore the world of animals at The Veterinary Office, where kids can view real animal x-rays under a microscope. Design your own robot and then control its every move.

Henry B. Plant Museum
See what turn-of-the-century Florida was like at this downtown museum. Admire the Moorish revival architecture. Peruse the galleries featuring furniture and sculpture from the gilded age. Envision what life was like for guests at this former railroad hotel.

Museum of Fine Arts
The elegant grounds alone are worth a visit to this St. Petersburg museum. Meander through halls of pre-Columbian and Asian art. Reflect on the 19th and 20th century paintings of artists like Georgia O'Keefe and Robert Henri.

Museum of Science and Industry
Known as Mosi, the museum includes an IMAX theatre, planetarium and myriad exhibits. Stare up at a massive Diplodocus dinosaur. Stargaze in the planetarium.

Salvador Dali Museum
Opened in St. Petersburg in 1982, this museum contains the most comprehensive collection of Dali's paintings. The collection includes 96 oil paintings, over 1,300 graphics, photographs, objects d'art and sculptures. Attend a family fun day, held every Saturday.

Tampa Bay Automobile Museum
It is one of America's great loves – the automobile. Wander the 12,000-square-foot gallery. Peek inside 35 vintage vehicles from around the world.

Tampa Museum of Art
Located in downtown Tampa, this museum contains 20th century and contemporary art as well as a renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. Marvel at over 400 Greek and Roman objects including silver and gold coins, glass and painted pottery.

Shopping / Galleries
The Tampa area offers countless shopping options, ranging from small specialty stores to large retail centers. Shop international brands at an upscale retail plaza. Drop the teens off at a mall that not only offers plenty of shopping and dining options, but that also boasts a movie cinema and IMAX theatre. Understand where local artists gain inspiration for their art. Meet a local painter to discuss his technique at a gallery exhibition.

Brad Cooper Gallery
Located in the heart of Ybor City, this gallery features contemporary works from emerging as well as locally and nationally-known artists. Work with the gallery to figure out which pieces to add to your collection. Stop by during a reception and exhibition of an artist's work.

Central Ybor
Tampa's Latin Quarter features national retail chains as well as specialty shops and boutiques. Pick up a beautiful vase reflecting the area's Spanish heritage. Breathe in the aroma of a fine Cohiba wafting from a tobacco shop. Splurge on designers like Versace and Dolce & Gabana. Stop for an early dinner at a restaurant utilizing the freshest produce and local seafood.

Channelside
Lined with palm trees and fountains, this center has prime shopping, casual dining, movie cinemas and an IMAX movie theatre. Meet a friend at a local coffee house. Shop for fine wine or decadent chocolate.

International Plaza and Bayside
Conveniently located near the Tampa Airport, International Plaza maintains over 200 specialty shops with an open-air village of fine restaurants and small boutiques nearby. Spend the day scouting stores such as MAC Cosmetics, Sigrid Olsen and Williams-Sonoma.

Michael Murphy Gallery
Wander the gallery featuring nearly two dozen artists. Snatch up a colorful abstract oil painting. Consult with the gallery on the frame best-suited to your watercolor. Then let them frame it for you.

Old Hyde Park Village
Spend the day at this outdoor shopping mall.

Relax during a movie at the cinema. Survey photographs at a gallery. Refresh your look with a new hair style and makeover at a salon or spa. Savor a steak at the chophouse. Purchase monogrammed correspondence cards from the stationery store.