Tampa Travel Guide for Students! 🌊🤤

Where to Stay / What to Do / What to Eat in Tampa, Florida! 🌴 ⒈ Where to Stay 🏠 If you don’t have a strong preference for hotels, highly recommend booking an Airbnb! We wanted to visit both Weeki Wachee and Sarasota, so we picked a central location near FL 33615. 💵 Only $200+ per person for 3 nights! ⒉ What to Do 🐬 ① The Dalí Museum General admission: $20 🎨 Skipped the 360 experience, but the second floor has amazing photo and painting exhibits. Went around 10 AM and joined a free tour — the guide was fantastic! Highly recommended for art lovers. ② Dolphin Tour Book in advance! 🐬 Check the weather and sunset time before going. It’s windy on the boat, but the dolphins are adorable 🥹 Chances of seeing them are high — but whether they play with you depends on their mood! ③ Weeki Wachee Kayaking 🚫 Not a fan of the clear kayaks — the water was murky. ✅ Better to book with the official rental — cheaper, better routes, and unbelievably clear water (like Jiuzhaigou!). We still saw manatees, but the view wasn’t great. ⏰ Arrive on time, wear sunscreen, and don’t forget to tip your guide! ④ Siesta Beach The white sand is gorgeous! 🌊 Less commercial and cleaner than Clearwater — loved it! 🅿️ Free parking too. ⑤ Wakeboarding 🏄 Takes courage in winter — better to go in the afternoon when there’s sun ☀️ Super fun though! Recommended for water sports fans. Bring a towel and band-aids just in case. ⑥ Tampa Aquarium A nice visit if you have time! 🐠 Tickets ~$40+ (no student discount) You can touch stingrays and jellyfish — well-designed and takes about 1+ hour to explore. ⒊ What to Eat 🦞 ① Mr. & Mrs. Crab Fujianese-owned — highly recommend the lobster legs 🦞! Tender and flavorful. Corn was amazing too, wings were okay, cocktails were great 🍹 ② Ulele Pronounced “you-le-li” 😉 Reserve ahead — easy parking, great food and service! ③ Oxford Exchange Tampa’s most beautiful brunch spot — no exaggeration! Was already packed by 9 AM 🥞 Pancakes were a bit thick and firm, but everything else was delicious and very Instagram-friendly! 📸 ④ Flame Mountain Northeastern Chinese restaurant 🥢 Went on Thanksgiving — many dishes were sold out. Sweet and sour pork was good (though not super tangy), and the BBQ + kimchi noodles were highlights! ⑤ Buddy Brew Coffee Affogato was a win! ☕️🍦 #NYCGetaway #StudentLife #TravelUSA #Tampa #Florida #NYC #StudyAbroadTravel