The Tampa Bay tours every new resident should do to truly call themselves a local

Croc Encounters

813-217-4400
Alligators are a major part of living in Florida, and so you better start learning all about 'em now. Get up and close with alligators, crocodiles and other reptiles at Croc Encounters. The 15-acre facility offers guided tours and plenty of opportunities to hold reptiles and maybe even feed a few gators.

Photo via Colin Wolf

Bay Rocket

(813) 223-7999
If you are looking for an adrenaline-filled adventure check out Bay Rocket. The 2,800-horsepower speedboat gives guests a calm tour out of the Bay, then speeds up to do 180-degree spins and bow dips. Make sure not to wear anything fancy, there's a high chance of getting soaked.

Photo via Bay Rocket Tampa/Facebook

Florida Aquairum SeaTREK Experience

(813) 223-7999
The best way to learn what's in Tampa Bay is to literally get in the water and see for yourself. Dive in deep and get close look at fish, eagle rays and bonnethead sharks with the SeaTREK experience. Guests will literally plop into a massive tank at the Florida Aquarium and walk along the bottom thanks to a helmet tank.

Photo via The Florida Aquarium/Website

Tampa History Center walking tours

813-228-0097
The perfect tours for history-buff dads who own a good, broken-in pair of New Balances. Get a first-hand look at some of Tampa’s most historic areas and neighborhoods with this 90-minute guided walking tour. Each route is about a mile long and you can choose between Central Avenue East, downtown Tampa or Ybor City.

Photo via Tampa Bay History Center

Skyway Bridge light show cruise

727-380-0431
Sure, you've seen the Skyway Bridge, but have you seen it up close at night, and under the lights?! Hop on a 50-foot catamaran for a scenic trip of Tampa Bays most iconic bridge. Stops include Outback Key, where you can see the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico, and the Skyway Bridge for the must-see light show. There is also a bar on the boat that offers a variety of beer and wine.

Photo via St.Pete Coastal Cruises/Website

Amalie Arena Gameday tours

(813) 223-7999
Get a behind the scenes look at how the Bolts won all those Stanely Cups with a gameday tour at Amalie Arena. Stops include the pipe organ, the press box, and the zambonis. Don't forget to take a picture next to the ice.

Photo via Visit Tampa Bay

Riverwalk bar crawl

One of Tampa's biggest tourist traps is without a doubt the downtown Riverwalk. But did you know the Riverwalk is a certified "wet zone," and anyone over the age of 21 can grab a Riverwalk speciality to-go cup from any of the bars ands restaurants along this massive waterfront path? It's true. Pro tip: Start at Armature Works and try your best to end your boozy journey at Sparkman Wharf.

Photo via Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel

Museum of the Arts and Craft Movement

(727)-440-4859
Located in downtown St. Petersburg, the Museum of the Arts and Crafts Movement features textiles, photography, and woodblocks from 1890-1930. The spot offers private tours and self-guided tours with over 100 stops. The museum also has an app that features a floor-by-floor audio tour.

Photo via Museum of the Arts and Craft Movement/Website

Tampa Bay bike tours

813-217-4400
Hop on a bike and take in the sights on a Tampa Bay bike tour. There are four different options, City Showcase, Brew Loop, Historic Ybor and private tours. Guests can expect to see all of the different highlights in the Bay area, like the Tampa Riverwalk, local breweries and the historic 7th Avenue.

Photo via Tampa Bay Bike/Facebook

American Victory Ship tour

(813) 350-6500
Built in only 55 days in 1944, the American Victory Ship served in WWII and the Korean and Vietnam wars and is one of three full-functioning ships in the country. Take a journey through three level cargo holds, hospital, steering stations, engine room, and crew cabins. There are self-guided tours, docent-guided and group tours.

Photo via American Victory Ship & Museum/Facebook

Behind the scenes tour at Raymond James

(813) 350-6500
Here's you chance to climb around on that pirate ship. The behind the scenes tour at Raymond James Stadium includes stops at a luxury suite, the infamous pirate ship, the University Of South Florida home team locker room, Hall Of Fame Club and of course the field. Guests can either book a public or private tour.

Photo via Raymond James Stadium/Facebook

Shine Mural audio tour

(727) 754-6404
Take a walk down the streets of St. Petersburg and look at the arrangement of murals on the building sides with the Shine Mural audio tour. The outdoor gallery consists of 150 murals from local, national, and international artists. The audio tour helps guide you through the outdoor gallery with information about each piece.

Photo via St.Petersburg Arts Alliance/Website

Get Up and Go Kayaking Tour

352-834-1556
Make the most out of the remainder of manatee season at Crystal River with this two-and-a-half hour tour. Hop on the clear bottomed tandem kayaks and paddle through Kings Bay, Hunter Springs and Jurassic Springs. If you’re lucky, you’ll also be able to spot other animals like dolphins, fish, turtles and birds. Bring your own kayak to pay less than their rental prices.

Photo via Get Up and Go Kayaking Tour/Instagram

Keel Farms Wine Tour

813-752-9100
Sip on a glass of wine, beer or cider during the trolley ride as they take you behind-the-scenes of Keel’s farm and winery. Learn about the history, mission and sustainable practices of how all its products are made. If you get hungry after the tour, stay for a handcrafted meal at its restaurant, and if you’re still thirsty visit its brewery to try more of its products.

Photo via Keel Farms/Website

Little Toot Dolphin Adventure

727-446-5503
Get up close and personal with Florida’s marine life during this hour and a half tour. The captain will navigate Clearwater Harbor and the Gulf of Mexico to take you through spots that guarantee dolphin sightings. The boats have soft drinks, water and beer available to keep you cool throughout the journey.

Photo via Little Toot Dolphin Adventure/Facebook

Dunedin Food Walking Tour

813-310-4401
On this three hour long walking tour, you’ll get to experience up to seven family-owned independent restaurants and breweries that reflect the local cuisine of Pinellas County. During this exclusive two mile tour, you’ll get the chance to meet owners, chefs and brewers while enjoying house specialties, like a hog fish slider and the “chef’s creation of the day.”

Photo via Dunedin Food Walking Tour/Website

The Ringling Museum Tour

941-359-5700
Avoid the hassle of waiting for others with The Ringling Museum’s self-guided audio tour. Pop some headphones in and use them in conjunction with the museum’s website by clicking on the gallery and image you’re viewing to learn more about them.

Photo via The Ringling/Facebook

PedalPub

727-581-3388
Let’s be honest, whenever we see one of these on the road we resent them because of how much space they take and how obnoxious the people on it seem, however, deep down you wish you were one of them. Shake the jealousy away and join the party by drinking and doing some light exercise with Pedal Pub and its route through downtown St. Petersburg. The two hour long tour takes you to up to three staple bars, breweries and murals. Even though alcohol is not included and no hard liquor is allowed, you are able to bring your own beer, hard lemonade, hard cider, seltzer, boxed wine and snacks.

Photo via PedalPub/Facebook

Tampa Bay Food Tours

813-310-4401
Calling all foodies. Tampa Bay Food Tours offers four different locations to choose from to experience the local cuisine during the walking excursions. Select the Channel District, downtown Tampa, Dunedin or downtown St. Petersburg tour to be delighted by some of the area's hot spots.

Photo via Tampa Bay Food Tours/Facebook

The Tour and Wine Tasting Experience at Aspirations Winery

727-799-9463
Learn all about the winemaking and the bottling process while touring the production room at Aspirations Winery. Every guest gets a 3 oz. flight of any three wines, a small meat and cheese plate, a take home bottle of your choosing and a souvenir wine glass.

Photo via Aspirations Winery/Facebook