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Best Time of Year to Visit Tampa

Published: April 05, 2023

Written byAAA Travel Editor, CW

Tampa is one of Florida’s most popular tourist destinations, hosting nearly 15 million visitors each year. With great weather and many activities to explore, it’s a great vacation destination at any time of the year. Although visiting Tampa is a blast all year round, certain times of the year may appeal more to different travelers.

Wondering what the best time to visit Tampa is for your travel needs? Below, explore everything you need to know about visiting Tampa every season to help you determine when to book your trip.

Courtesy of Visit Tampa

Fall (September through October)

Fall is the best time to visit Tampa for travelers seeking comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities. Early fall (September) can still be quite hot and humid, however, with an average daily temperature high of 90° F and an average low of 74° F. October and November offer more ideal temperatures, with average high temperatures of 85° F and 78° F, respectively. If visiting in September through mid-October, note that frequent rain showers still occur.

Visiting Tampa in the fall offers many exciting opportunities for activities. The autumn season is a great time to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay and check out their Howl-O-Scream and Spooktacular special Halloween events.

Courtesy of Visit Tampa

Winter (December through February)

Winter is the best time to visit Tampa if you want to escape the colder weather in the North. Many tourists come to Tampa during this time to escape brutally cold temperatures. In Tampa, the average December high is 75° F, with an average low of 58° F. Temperatures drop slightly in January, with February being the coldest month. Even during the coldest month of the year, weather in Tampa in February still averages a high of 74° F and a low of 57° F.

If you're looking for perfect beach weather, visiting in winter might not be for you. February is the windiest month in Tampa, which is not ideal for relaxing on the beach. However, if you're looking for comfortable, humidity-free weather, winter is the best time to visit Tampa. If you're traveling on a budget, January is an ideal time to travel. Prices for traveling to Tampa often dip right after the holidays and when children return to school.

If you're visiting on a less-than-perfect weather day, there's plenty of excitement while visiting Tampa. The Florida Aquarium at Tampa Bay, located in downtown Tampa, has more than 9,000 sea creatures to explore. This aquarium has excitement and learning activities that visitors of any age can enjoy.

Courtesy of Visit Tampa

Spring (March through May)

Visiting Tampa in the spring is popular as a spring-break destination, with nearly perfect weather for any activity. The summer humidity has not yet hit and plenty of activities are taking place all over the Tampa area. While crowds may be higher during early spring, visiting Tampa during this time is great for nearly any type of traveler. If traveling on a budget, you may wish to wait until summer for slightly lower travel rates.

Rainfall during the spring is relatively low, occurring only 4-5 days each month (March through May). Temperatures in March reach an average high of 78° F, the ideal temperature for nearly any outdoor activity. Temperatures begin to rise toward the later part of the spring season, with an average high of 88° F and a low of 71° F.

During the spring months, Tampa has so much to offer. From a historic Ybor City Food Walking Tour to a Tampa History Cruise, there's an activity to appeal to every type of traveler in the spring.

Courtesy of Visit Tampa

Summer (June through August)

Visiting Tampa in the summer is ideal for families and beach lovers. Temperatures are highest in Tampa during the summer months, with an average high temperature of 90 degrees and an average low temperature of 77 degrees from June through August. The humidity is also quite high in the summer, making it feel even hotter. You'll also find large crowds when visiting Tampa in the summer. It also rains quite frequently, though storms often pass quickly.

If you love the warm weather and spending time on the beach, summer is the best time to visit Tampa. The summer is a great time to try paddle boarding, with rentals available at Harbour Island. Visitors can choose paddle-boarding sessions that last from one to four hours.

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Best Time of Year to Visit Tampa

Fall (September through October)

Winter (December through February)

Spring (March through May)

Summer (June through August)

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