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
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the options include Florida Botanical gardens, Clearwater Beach, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Tampa Riverwalk sunset cruise and more.
Explore the Riverwalk, visit the Florida Aquarium, or simply unwind at one of the beaches in Tampa.
Enjoy dining at various QSRs and cafes, shop for duty-free items, relax at the lounges or simply peruse the art exhibitions at the airport.
It is approximately 7 miles away from TPA International Airport which is typically a 15 minutes drive.
The distance is approximately 9 miles and a 10 minutes car ride from the airport.
The Clearwater beach on the Gulf Coast is 21 miles away from the airport and is the closest one.
Take a taxi or a rideshare service or you can even rent a car at the TPA.
The airport is nearly 8 miles from the Gulf of Mexico.
There are no dedicated sleeping zones, areas and pods at the airport.
Yes, Tampa Airport offers several lounges that are available for passengers.
In 4 hours, you can explore the airport, visit the art exhibits, grab a meal, shop for souvenirs, relax in a lounge, connect, and read a book.
