Nobody strives for a lengthy layover at an airport, as this can be boring and tedious as it could be. But, with meticulous planning, it could be an opportunity for fun and exploration as you could never imagine. Tampa International Airport is located in the heart of the vibrant city of Tampa, which is also the ‘de-facto’ venue of the arts and entertainment. Not just the airport, but the city also offers a range of activities and things to do on a layover At Tampa international airport. Thus turning your boring connection into a memorable one.

In this article, we will explore a variety of things to do in Tampa Airport, highlight some exciting activities, and how passengers can make the most of it.

Part 1 – Exploring Tampa International Airport

When you are stuck with a tedious layover at TPA, you’ll be amazed to find the variety of amenities that let your time fly. From chic art exhibitions to authentic dining options, there’s never a dull moment at TPA that caters to your delights and experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for shopping for some unique souvenirs or simply on a gastronomic adventure, Tampa international airport has everything you desire for.  Let’s explore the fascinating options that are waiting for you inside the terminals –

What are the things to do at TPA for art lovers?

Passengers with long layovers can fancy themselves with a stunning array of installations and artwork here. There are a wide variety of paintings, sculptures and artworks on display, and taking a self-guided tour is a perfect activity to kill some time at TPA. Simply tour the terminals or soak it into the artistic impressions, as the exhibitions change here on a frequent basis. You can also navigate to the airport’s website to learn about the latest installations and other art developments.

Below is the list of current installations that are waiting for your gaze, and is counted among as one of the top things to do by Tampa Airport –

Location	Artwork	Artist	Installed
Main Terminal, Baggage Claim & Airside E	Tapestries	Ron Renmark, Virginia & Michael Reck	1988
Airport Chapel, Landside Terminal, Level 3	Light Passage	Yvonne Barlog	1998
Main Terminal, Ticketing Level	Burgert Brothers Photographic Collection	Brothers Al and Jean Burgert	2004
Main Terminal, Blue Baggage Claim	El Movimiento del Mar	Elle Terry Leonard, Sarasota, FL and Josh Johnson	1999
Main Terminal, Red Baggage Claim	Tropical Fish Tile Collage	E. Joseph McCarty	1999
Main Terminal – Atrium of Long Term Parking Walkway and Blue Express Curbside	Greetings from Tampa Bay	Sheryl Oring	2021
Airside A	Copper Birds	Roy Butler, Plantation, Florida	Originally installed in 1971, relocated to Airside A in 2018
Airside A	Birds Leaving Earth	Elizabeth Indianos, Tarpon Springs, FL	1998, relocated in 2018
Airside A	Kites in Flight	Lisa and Joe Vogt, Wesley Chapel, FL	Artwork on loan
Airside C	Specula	Kristen Jones & Andrew Ginzel, New York, NY	2005
Airside C	Final Boarding Call	Christopher Still, Tarpon Springs, FL	2005
Airside C	Q	Christopher Still, Tarpon Springs, FL	2005
Airside C	Orange Blossom!	Stephen Robin, Philadelphia, PA	2005
Airside C	The Barnstormer	Harrison Covington	–
Airside E	The Art of Flight	George Snow Hill	2002

Where to head at TPA to experience the culinary delights?

There are plenty of dining options available at the airport including the restaurants, cafes, and bars to suit every taste. Below is the detailed list of all options that eliminate the boredom on your long Tampa Airport layover.

Restaurants & Bars on main terminal at Tampa Airport (Level 1 and Level 3)

Restaurant	Hours	Description	Level
Chick-fil-A	5AM – 7PM	America’s original chicken sandwich	Level 3
Hard Rock Café	8AM – 8PM	Classic American fare alongside musical history	Level 3
P.F. Chang’s	10AM – 10PM	Made-to-order, Asian inspired cuisine and sushi	Level 3
Qdoba Mexican Grill	10AM – 8PM	Mexican grill kitchen	Level 3
Starbucks Evenings	3:30AM – 11:30PM	Iconic coffee shop serving wine and beer; breakfast all day	Level 3
Wendy’s	6AM – 10PM	Popular American burger eatery	Level 3
Starbucks	6AM – 8:30PM	Iconic coffee shop	Level 1, Red Bag Claim

Restaurants & Bars at Tampa Airport Airside A (Gates A1 – A18)

Restaurant	Hours	Description	Location
Auntie Anne’s	10AM – 4PM	Famous freshly baked soft pretzels	Near Gate A5
Bay Coffee & Tea Company	4AM – Last Flight	Artisan coffee and fresh pastries	Near Gate A3
Burger 21	4:30AM – Last Flight	Chef-inspired burgers and craft beer	Near Gate A12
Chick-fil-A	5AM – 9PM	America’s original chicken sandwich	Near Gate A12
Ducky’s Sports Lounge	6AM – 8PM	Local favorite for dressed-up bar fare	Near Gate A10
Duomo Gelato	TEMPORARILY CLOSED	Artisanal gelato and sorbet	Near Gate A5
New York, New York Pizza	9AM – 9PM	Pizza, pasta and salads	Near Gate A12
Pei Wei	7AM – Last Flight	Fast casual Asian cuisine	Near Gate A14
Starbucks Reserve	4AM – Last Flight	Iconic coffee shop and breakfast all day	Near Gate A12

Restaurants & Bars at Tampa Airport Airside C (Gates C30 -C45)

Restaurant	Hours	Description	Location
Bavaro’s	12PM – 8PM	Neapolitan wood-fired pizza, pasta, salad and sandwiches	Near Gate C34
Burger 21	4AM – Last Flight	Local favorite for chef-inspired burgers and shakes	Near Gate C39
Cafe Con Leche	4:30AM – 8PM	Locally-roasted coffee drinks, fresh churros, pastries and sandwiches	Near Gate C34
Cigar City Brewing	6AM – Last Flight	Beer handcrafted on-site and local pub fare	Near Gate C43
Goody Goody	5AM – 9PM	Tampa’s legendary burgers, pies and milkshakes	Near Gate C34
Louis Pappas	12PM – 7PM	Greek cuisine featuring the Famous Greek Salad	Near Gate C34
PDQ	8AM – 8PM	Chicken tenders, salads and sandwiches	Near Gate C39
Rumfish Grill	7AM – 7PM	Fresh, locally-caught seafood	Near Gate C37
Starbucks	4AM – Last Flight	Iconic coffee shop and breakfast all day	Near Gate C39
Ulele	7AM – Last Flight	Native charbroiled and raw oysters, craft beers and cocktails	Near Gate C34

Restaurants & Bars at Tampa Airport Airside E (Gates E62 – E75)

Restaurant	Hours	Description	Location
Beers of the World	9:30 AM – Last Flight	Beers from 4 continents and 8 countries	Near Gate E70
Columbia Café	4AM – Last Flight	Authentic local Spanish/Cuban flavors from century-old recipes	Near Gate E68
Four Green Fields	7AM – 7PM	Irish pub that serve Guinness beer and traditional fare	Near Gate E64
illy Caffe	4AM – Last Flight	Italian coffee, fresh daily pastries and paninis	Near Gate E64
Panda Express	9AM – 9PM	Chinese-inspired quick serve including breakfast	Near Gate E69
Starbucks	4AM – Last Flight	Iconic coffee shop and breakfast all day	Near Gate E71

Restaurants & Bars at Tampa Airport Airside F (Gates F77 – F90)

Restaurant	Hours	Description	Location
Bella’s Café	11AM – 8PM	Brick-oven pizzas and Italian food	Near Gate F85
Buddy Brew	5AM – 12PM	Local hand-roasted coffee drinks	Near Gate F85
Cigar City Taproom	9AM – 7PM	Local brewed beer and tapas menu	Near Gate F88
illy Caffe	4AM – Last Flight	Italian coffee, fresh daily pastries and paninis	Near Gate F77
Square 1	6AM – 8PM	Angus burgers, cocktails and bottled beer	Near Gate F85
Starbucks Reserve	4AM – 8PM	Iconic coffee shop and breakfast all day	Near Gate F87
The Cafe by Mise en Place	6AM – Last Flight	Local, modern-American dining with chef-driven menu, impressive wines and cocktails	Near Gate F85
The Gasparilla Bar	7AM – Last Flight	Fun pirate ship bar serving grog and grub	Near Gate F83
Yogurtology	6AM – 8PM	Frozen yogurt & toppings	Near Gate F84

What are the things to do at Tampa Airport for shopaholics?

Grab the exciting shopping opportunities on your TPA layover where you can browse for duty-free stores, gift shops, boutiques and speciality stores. The airport is a home to various global luxury brands, allowing you to indulge into a retail therapy like never before.

Below is the guide of all the shops and stores available at each terminal – 

Shops at Tampa Airport’s main terminal (Level 1 and Level 3)

Store	Hours	Description	Level
Mindworks	6AM – 8PM	Children’s toys, gadgets, games, clothing and activities	Level 3
PGA Tour Shops/The Runway	7AM – 8PM	Golf fashions and activewear including Nike, Puma and Under Armour	Level 3
The Shoppes at Bayshore	12AM – 11:59PM (24 hours)	Food market, local favorites, designer apparel and newsstand	Level 3
Tampa Life	7AM – 8PM	Dali Museum gifts and other collections rich in Tampa Bay history	Level 3
Tampa Bay Sports	6AM – 8PM	Authentic professional and college sports merchandise	Level 3
Tech on the Go	7AM – 7PM	Electronics including Bose, Sony, Beats and Monster	Level 3
Ybor City News	7AM – 8PM	Newsstand	Level 1, Blue Bag Claim

Shops at Tampa Airport Airside A (Gates A1 – A18)

Store	Hours	Description	Level
CNBC	4AM – 9PM	Newsstand and fresh grab-and-go food	Near Gate A4
Dylan’s Candy Bar	7AM – 8PM	Endless variety of candy, fun gifts and gadgets	Near Gate A11
InMotion	6AM – 8PM	Premium electronics and accessories	Near Gate A12
Ron Jon Surf Shop	4AM – Last Flight	Beach inspired apparel and gifts	Near Gate A12
Stellar Bay News + Market	4AM – Last Flight	Newsstand, local gifts and market	Near Gate A12
The Apartment	7AM – 8PM	Fashion and accessories	Near Gate A11

Shops at Tampa Airport Airside C (Gates C30 -C45)

Store	Hours	Description	Location
News Channel 8 WFLA	4AM – Last Flight	Newsstand and fresh grab-and-go food	Near Gate C35
Stellar Bay News	4AM – Last Flight	Newsstand, local gifts, grab-and-go food	Near Gate C31
Tech on the Go	6AM – 7PM	Electronics including Bose, Sony, Beats and Monster	Near Gate C36
The Body Shop	8AM – 8PM	Beauty products inspired by nature	Near Gate C36
Time Zone / Shades of Time	8AM – 8PM	Eyewear by Ray Ban, Maui Jim, Costa, watches and local jewelry	Near Gate C36

Shops at Tampa Airport Airside E (Gates E62 – E75)

Store	Hours	Description	Location
Air Essentials	4AM – Last Flight	Newsstand, local gifts and fresh grab-and-go food	Near Gate E69
BookLink	4AM – Last Flight	Bookstore, stylish gifts and local tea	Near Gate E69
Corsa Collections	7AM – 8PM	Designer jewelry and handbags including Pandora and Brighton	Near Gate E68
World Duty Free of Tampa	9AM – 8PM	Everyone welcome to shop fragrances and confections; alcohol/tobacco products limited to international passengers	Near Gate E74

Shops at Tampa Airport Airside F (Gates F77 – F90)

Store	Hours	Description	Location
Bay to Bay News	4AM – Last Flight	Newsstand, local gifts and fresh grab-and-go food	Near Gate F84
MIXX	4AM – Last Flight	Women’s designer fashion apparel and accessories	Near Gate F84
Stellar Bay News	4AM – 9PM	Newsstand, local gifts and grab-and-go food	Near Gate F87
Swarovski	9AM – 5PM	Affordable, luxurious fashion jewelry	Near Gate F85
Tumi	9AM – 5PM	Leading travel brand of luggage, backpacks and handbags	Near Gate F85
Tech on the Go	6AM – 7PM	Electronics including Bose, Sony, Beats and Monster	Near Gate F84
World Duty Free Tampa	9AM – 7PM	Everyone welcome to shop fragrances and confections; alcohol and tobacco products limited to international travelers	Near Gate F85

What to do for relaxation and wellness at the TPA Airport?

There are several lounges at TPA airport where you can relax, and get away from the bustle and crowds of the Tampa International Airport. If you have a layover of 4 hours or more, simply head to one of the many lounges here. Take a nice shower, relish on the complimentary beer and food, or simply relax with the comfortable seating and ambience. If you’re a frequent flyer with one of the airlines operating here, it’s a plus sign, as you can have complimentary access. If you don’t there are other prepaid lounges too which offer you entry without any memberships.

For instance, passengers with Delta SkyClub membership, can simply head to the Delta Terminal Tampa International Airport to get complimentary access to its lounge. This way they can kill boredom and rejuvenate for the next flight.

Below is the list of few of the lounges at TPA, that help you alleviate stress and commemorate your trip into a lavish experience – 

Lounge	Location
The Club at TPA	Airside F, near Gate F85
Delta Sky Club	Airside E, near Gate E68
United Club	Airside E, near Gate E62
American Airlines Admirals Club	Airside F, near Gate F85
Escape Lounge	Landside, Main Terminal

Part 2 – Exploring all the nearby attractions in Tampa

What if you’re stuck with a layover of 12 hours or more at TPA? There are times when passengers have to spend an entire day at the airport before they prepare for their next flight connection.

In those cases, make sure you have proper immigration and paperwork that let you step out of the airport, and explore things at your own pace.

This is a very common occurrence with passengers on a long layover at Tampa International Airport.

We understand that at times, you are traveling on a budget. And, exploring the whims and fancies of a city like Tampa may stress your pocket. Keeping that in mind, we have covered certain activities in the city which are free things to do near Tampa airport or require just a handful of benjamins!

So what to do near Tampa airport for fun and adventure? Browse this list!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

For adventure seekers and nature-lovers, this indulgence is a must where they can please themselves with adrenaline rush rides, exotic animal encounters, and rare species of botany. And is definitely among the best things to do in Tampa near Airport.

Tampa Bay History Center

Another fun things to do near Tampa airport is this cutting edge interactive exhibit that features the 12000 years of Bay Area. Here you can learn about the Seminole artifacts, Spanish conquerors, and more than 1000 relics that reflect the past of the city which was once a bustling cigar capital of the world.

The Florida Aquarium

Families with children who are stuck on layover at TPA can indulge into the fascinating world of marine life. With over 10,000 aquatic creatures and interactive exhibits, this attraction is none less than an educational and entertaining experience. This must be on your list, as this is one of the top things to do around Tampa airport.

Tampa Riverwalk

This is where you can partake into the picturesque tour of the downtown waterfront. Steps onto the concrete path that follows the banks of the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel which is used by the walkers, joggers and cyclists on a daily basis.

Bayshore Boulevard

This sidewalk is the most visited attraction in Tampa. One of the longest walkways in the US, that stretches 4.5 miles from Gandy Boulevard to downtown Tampa. It offers a picturesque view of the lake and city skyline on one side and some of Tampa’s priciest real estate on the other. This is also the venue that hosts some of the existing festivals, parades and events that flocks tourists all across the globe.

Final Words

A long layover at TPA doesn’t have to be dull. With plenty of activities within the airport, combined with ranges of attractions near Tampa Airport, you can color your boring and long layovers into memorable and exciting ones. Whether you choose to savor local delicacies or simply want to walk the talk at the art exhibitions, Tampa International Airport offers a share something exciting for everyone.

So next time when you need to adapt yourself with a long layover, embrace the whims and wonders of Tampa, and with ContactForSupport, make the most of your time at Tampa International Airport.

Read our latest blog here: Fun Things To Do on a Boring Layover At Frankfurt Airport

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