Coming to downtown Tampa September 10-12th is the 2021 Tampa Boat Show held at the Tampa Convention Center. This boat show is the official kick-off event of the fall boating season and is one that you will not want to miss. If you are visiting the area we can understand how daunting that can be, that’s why we created the ultimate Tampa visitors guide with the best places to stay, activities & attractions, best restaurants, and entertainment. The best part of all, everything is less than 10 miles from the Convention Center. Come find the boat of your dreams and make a vacation out of it by exploring the great city of Tampa Bay.
Places to Stay | Tampa Boat Show
If you are traveling from out of town, chances are you are going to need a place to stay for the weekend of the Tampa Boat Show. Our Tampa Visitors Guide displays the highest rated hotels in the area for you to choose from. Best of all, each one is less than 0.5 miles from the Tampa Convention Center and makes for an easy stroll to the boat show.
3 Star | Tampa Marriott Water Street (0.3 miles)- Experience Tampa’s dynamic downtown with a stay at Tampa Marriott Water Street. Concierge-level rooms grant access to the hotel’s Lounge, and modern suites provide Tampa Bay views and expanded living areas.
4 star | Hilton Tampa Downtown (0.4 miles)- The Hilton Tampa Downtown hotel rooms are designed with comfort and convenience in mind, providing a place to unwind or to catch up on work. Located next to the Tampa Convention Center.
4 Star | The Westin Tampa Waterside (0.4 miles)- The Westin Tampa Waterside is a waterfront luxury hotel located on the Bay near the downtown business district, Ybor City, the Convention Center and much more.
Tampa Visitors Guide
Tampa Bay is known for its vibrant business districts, historic charm, and beautiful waterways. People from all over the world come to Tampa to partake in the countless activities and attractions this city has to offer. Chances are you won’t be spending the whole weekend at the boat show, that’s why we created this Tampa visitors guide full of top rated attractions, activities, restaurants, and entertainment for you to indulge in while visiting. Don’t worry if you choose to stay near or around the convention center for the Tampa Boat Show, all of these things to do are within 10 miles.
Activities & Attractions
Tampa, FL
Busch Gardens
The Florida Aquarium
Tampa River Walk (0.2 miles)- The Tampa Riverwalk is the perfect spot to experience the best of Tampa Bay. From art and culture to outdoor adventures, and live entertainment. There is something for everyone.
Busch Gardens (10 miles)- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is the ultimate family adventure. Combining world-class thrill rides, live entertainment, and more than 12,000 animals.
The Florida Aquarium (1 mile)- Come see why The Florida Aquarium is one of the top aquariums in the country! Experience sharks, alligators, penguins and much more!
Lowry Park Zoo (6.4 miles)- Lowry Park Zoo is a 63-acre nonprofit zoo home to more than 13000 animals. Famous for having one the of the most beautiful tropical settings in the world. It was also got the vote for #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US.
Best Restaurants
Oxford Exchange
Columbia Cafe
Yah Mon
Tampa Bay is home to some of the best dining in the world. A prime location for seafood dishes, premier steakhouses, Cuban cuisine, and so much more. Here are a few select places near the convention center that have high ratings and top-notch dishes to enjoy. We recommend calling ahead to make reservations.
Oxford Exchange (0.5 miles)- Oxford Exchange is a restaurant, bookstore, lifestyle gift store, coworking space, design studio, and event venue.
Columbia Café ( 0.5 miles)- Enjoy outdoor seating and waterfront views at the expanded Columbia Cafe on the Riverwalk at the Tampa Bay History Center.
Eddie and Sam’s N.Y Pizza (0.5 miles)- Authentic New York Pizza in downtown Tampa. That’s how people who visit Eddie & Sam’s N.Y. Pizza explains the mouthwatering slices, pies, and other Italian convections they’ve enjoyed since 1998.
Yah Mon (0.6 miles)- Elegant, neat and classy dining that features truly authentic food from the Caribbean. Yah Mon is Tampa’s Highest and Best-Reviewed Caribbean Restaurant.
Burn’s Steakhouse (2.0 miles)- Perfectly aged steaks, one of the largest wine collections in the world, and an internationally famous dessert room, provide guests with an experience to remember. Reservations are required well in advance.
Entertainment
Seminole Hard Rock
Ybor City
Tampa Theatre
There are plenty of options when it comes to fun entertainment in Tampa. Whether you plan to explore Ybor City or looking for a night out on the town, our Tampa Visitors Guide has you covered. Check out our top entertainment options located near the Tampa Convention Center.
Seminole Hard Rock Casino (7.4 miles)- Hard Rock Tampa is the king of Florida gambling, entertainment, and action. This is the coolest gaming scene in town. The newest addition to the property is over 33,000 square feet. Featuring a casino expansion of 880 slot machines, 19 live-action table games and Tampa’s hottest new spot L Bar.
Tampa Theatre (0.3 miles)- The Tampa Theatre is a historic U.S. theater and city landmark in the Uptown District of Tampa. The theatre features a wide range of independent, foreign, and documentary films on a daily basis.
Raymond James Stadium (4.9 miles)- Start your weekend out right by attending a Bucs game.
Ybor City (3.2 miles)- Ybor City is the only neighborhood on Florida’s west coast that is a National Historic Landmark District. Featuring growing corporations and small businesses, diverse retail stores, and varied restaurants.
Experience The Tampa Boat Show VIP Style
Now that you have your bucket list full of activities to indulge in while visiting the area, talk to the experts for your VIP Tampa Boat Show experience. Set up an appointment by clicking the button below. We’ll set you up with one of our knowledgeable yacht brokers.
Let our professional yacht brokers serve as your yacht show concierge. We can show you any brokerage yacht in the show including our exceptional line-up of new and brokerage yachts. Enjoy the exceptional Tampa Boat Show VIP experience that only a Galati yacht broker can offer.
Vanessa is the Sr. Content Creator at Galati Yacht Sales — you might have seen her work among our extensive yachting news section over the years. She concentrates mainly on content creation, website optimization, and tackling editorial tasks, among many other things.