Ocala to Tampa: Complete Travel Guide
Florida's Cigar City — Bay Waterfront, Cuban Heritage & Craft Beer Scene
About Tampa
Tampa sits on the eastern shore of Tampa Bay, about 84 miles south of Ocala on I-75. What began as a small military outpost in 1824 grew into Florida's third-largest city, shaped by Henry Plant's railroad in 1884 and the Cuban cigar industry that transformed Ybor City into one of the most culturally rich neighborhoods in the American South. Today Tampa blends that layered history with a thriving waterfront, a legitimate arts and food scene, and professional sports energy unlike anywhere else in central Florida.
For Ocala day-trippers, Tampa is an easy interstate run with almost no navigational complexity — I-75 South drops you right into the metro. The city rewards visitors who wander off the tourist trail into Seminole Heights for craft beer, Hyde Park for brunch, or the Riverwalk for sunset views. The Cuban bread, the hand-rolled cigars, and the deep-blue water of Tampa Bay make this one of Florida's most satisfying urban day trips.
Getting from Ocala to Tampa
Primary — I-75 South
I-75 S to I-275 S into downtown
Alternate — US-301 South
US-301 S through Zephyrhills and Plant City
Parking Tips
Downtown Tampa has metered street parking and many garages (Water Street garage recommended, ~$2/hr). Ybor City has free street parking on side streets off 7th Ave or use the Centro Ybor garage. For Busch Gardens, use the on-site lot ($25/day).
Best Time to Visit Tampa
70s–80s°F, low humidity
Gasparilla Distance Classic races, outdoor festivals along the Riverwalk, comfortable patio dining season.
90s°F, frequent afternoon storms
Florida Aquarium summer programs, indoor air-conditioned escapes; hotel rates drop significantly.
75–85°F, humidity fading
NFL Buccaneers home games, craft beer festivals, Busch Gardens Howl-O-Scream Halloween event.
60–72°F, low humidity
Gasparilla Pirate Festival (January), holiday lights on the Riverwalk, best beach weather for day-trippers.
Tampa Neighborhoods Guide
Ybor City
Historic Cuban-American culture meets weekend nightlife
- ·Hand-rolled cigars
- ·Columbia Restaurant (est. 1905)
- ·7th Avenue dining & bars
Hyde Park
Upscale bungalow district with boutique shopping and brunch
- ·Hyde Park Village shopping
- ·Bayshore Boulevard walking path
- ·Oxford Exchange
Channelside / Water Street
Modern waterfront development, new Tampa's showcase district
- ·Sparkman Wharf food trucks
- ·Tampa Riverwalk access
- ·Amalie Arena events
Seminole Heights
Hip, walkable craft beer and local restaurant corridor
- ·Armature Works food hall
- ·Indie breweries
- ·Historic Craftsman bungalows
South Tampa
Family residential with excellent waterfront dining
- ·Bayshore Boulevard (longest sidewalk in US)
- ·Local seafood restaurants
- ·Davis Islands
A Brief History of Tampa
Tampa's story begins with the Tocobaga people, who inhabited Tampa Bay's shores for thousands of years before Spanish explorers arrived in the 1520s. Fort Brooke was established in 1824, and the town incorporated in 1855. The city's modern identity was forged by two forces: Henry Plant's railroad (arriving 1884) opened Tampa to trade and tourism, and the arrival of Cuban cigar makers in the 1880s who built Ybor City into the "Cigar Capital of the World," producing 500 million cigars annually by 1900. During World War II, Tampa served as a major staging and training ground, and MacDill Air Force Base remains active today.
Post-war growth was slow until the 1990s tech boom and the Buccaneers' 2003 Super Bowl win energized the city's identity. The 2020s Water Street development project — a $3 billion urban redevelopment — has made Tampa one of the fastest-growing major cities in America.
Top Attractions in Tampa
Ybor City Historic District
Walk 7th Avenue past cigar shops, Cuban restaurants, and century-old brick buildings. Free to explore.
Tampa Riverwalk
2.6-mile waterfront path connecting downtown museums, restaurants, and parks along the Hillsborough River.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
World-class theme park combining thrill rides (Cheetah Hunt, Iron Gwazi) with African wildlife experiences.
Florida Aquarium
One of the top aquariums in the Southeast, featuring reef exhibits, sea turtles, and penguin encounters.
Tampa Museum of Art
Modern art museum on the Riverwalk featuring rotating contemporary exhibitions and an impressive permanent collection.
Henry B. Plant Museum
Housed in the ornate 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel, now University of Tampa — showcases the Gilded Age excess that built modern Florida.
Sparkman Wharf
Outdoor waterfront food and entertainment hub with converted shipping containers housing local restaurants and a beer garden.
Lowry Park Zoo (ZooTampa)
Nationally ranked zoo with Florida wildlife, manatee rehabilitation center, and Africa-themed sections.
Tampa Bay History Center
Excellent local history museum in the Channelside district covering pre-Columbian through modern Tampa history.
Columbia Restaurant — Ybor City
Florida's oldest restaurant (established 1905), famous for its tableside 1905 Salad and flamenco dinner shows.
Amalie Arena
Home of the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team; check schedule for concerts and sporting events.
Armature Works
Restored 1910 streetcar maintenance building transformed into a massive food hall and event space in Seminole Heights.
Where to Eat in Tampa
Local recommendations for day-trippers from Ocala
Columbia Restaurant
$$$Florida's oldest restaurant (1905). Order the 1905 Salad prepared tableside and the Cuban sandwich.
Bern's Steak House
$$$$Tampa legend since 1956. World-renowned wine list (600,000+ bottles). Reserve weeks ahead.
Ulele
$$$Inventive menu using indigenous Florida ingredients, housed in a restored 1903 water pumping station.
Oxford Exchange
$$Stunning historic building with bookshop; perfect for weekend brunch. Order the avocado toast and house coffee.
Rooster & the Till
$$$James Beard-nominated chef. Small plates, local ingredients, neighborhood gem.
Cena
$$$Modern Italian in the new Water Street district with wood-fired dishes.
Datz
$$Known for over-the-top comfort food and craft beer selection; local favorite.
La Teresita
$No-frills authentic Cuban diner. Best Cuban sandwich debate contender in the city.
Price guide: $ = under $15 · $$ = $15–30 · $$$ = $30–60 · $$$$ = $60+
Where to Stay in Tampa
Budget
La Quinta by Wyndham Tampa near I-75
Clean, no-frills budget option near I-75 corridor ($80–120/night). Best for early-morning arrivals.
Holiday Inn Express Tampa Brandon
Suburban option with free breakfast and parking ($75–110/night); 15 min from downtown via I-75.
Mid-Range
Hilton Tampa Downtown
Reliable mid-range option in the CBD ($130–200/night), walking distance to Riverwalk.
Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk
Boutique independent hotel, great location, often better rates than chains ($120–190/night).
Luxury
Epicurean Hotel
Boutique foodie hotel in Hyde Park ($200–350/night). Rooftop bar, Élevage restaurant, outstanding location.
Tampa Marriott Water Street
Waterfront flagship property with direct Riverwalk access ($180–280/night).
Local Insider Tips for Tampa
Leave Ocala by 7:30 AM on weekdays to clear I-75 before Tampa morning rush hour builds south of Wesley Chapel.
Park once in Ybor City and walk — 7th Avenue is compact and fully walkable for 3–4 hours of exploring.
The Tampa Riverwalk is free and connects most downtown attractions; rent a bike or scooter for the full 2.6-mile stretch.
Bern's Steak House requires reservations but their after-dinner dessert room (Harry Waugh Dessert Room) accepts walk-ins.
Armature Works in Seminole Heights offers an excellent lunch option with local vendors — less tourist-heavy than Ybor City.
Avoid driving into Ybor City on Friday and Saturday nights after 10 PM — parking becomes a nightmare and traffic is heavy.
Annual Events in Tampa
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Tampa's most famous event — a mock pirate invasion of Tampa Bay with a massive parade, over 400,000 attendees.
Gasparilla Distance Classic
Major running event along Bayshore Boulevard with 5K, 8K, 15K, and half marathon distances.
Guavaween
Ybor City's legendary Halloween street party, drawing tens of thousands in costume to 7th Avenue.
Tampa Bay Margarita Festival
Annual outdoor festival celebrating Tampa's Latin heritage with margaritas, food, and live music.
Outback Bowl (Raymond James Stadium)
Major college football bowl game at the same venue that hosts Super Bowls.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ocala to Tampa
How far is Ocala from Tampa?
Ocala is approximately 84 miles from Tampa, a straight shot south on I-75. Under normal traffic conditions, the drive takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes.
What is the best time to drive from Ocala to Tampa?
Weekday mornings before 7:30 AM or midday (10 AM–2 PM) avoid Tampa rush hour. Weekends are generally smooth. Avoid driving into Tampa between 4–7 PM on weekdays.
Are there tolls on I-75 from Ocala to Tampa?
I-75 itself is toll-free. However, certain connector roads into downtown Tampa (I-275, the Crosstown Expressway/Selmon Expressway) may have tolls. A SunPass transponder saves time and money.
What is Tampa best known for?
Tampa is known for Ybor City (historic Cuban cigar district), the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Lightning, Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium, and an emerging craft beer and food scene.
Is Tampa worth a day trip from Ocala?
Absolutely. Tampa is one of the best day trips from Ocala — close enough for a comfortable drive, with enough to fill a full day between Ybor City, the Riverwalk, a museum or two, and dinner.
Where should I park in Tampa for a day trip?
The Water Street garages (near the Riverwalk) and Centro Ybor garage are the best centrally located options. Ybor City also has free street parking on side streets.
What neighborhoods should I visit in Tampa?
Ybor City for history and Cuban food, Hyde Park for boutiques and brunch, the Water Street district for waterfront dining, and Seminole Heights for craft beer and local restaurants.
Can I visit Busch Gardens as a day trip from Ocala?
Yes. Busch Gardens is about 90 minutes from Ocala on I-75. Plan to arrive when gates open (typically 9–10 AM) to maximize your time. Buy tickets online in advance to skip box office lines.
What is the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City?
The Columbia Restaurant (1905) is Florida's oldest restaurant, a Tampa institution serving Spanish-Cuban cuisine with nightly flamenco shows. Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner.
How is Tampa compared to Orlando as a day trip from Ocala?
Tampa is slightly farther but offers a different experience — more urban culture, a real waterfront, and authentic neighborhoods. Orlando skews more theme-park focused. Both are excellent; it depends on your interests.
What is the best thing to do in Tampa for a first-time visitor?
Start with the Tampa Riverwalk for orientation, then head to Ybor City for lunch and cigar history, and end with dinner at the Columbia Restaurant or Armature Works food hall.
Is Tampa family-friendly as a day trip?
Very much so. Busch Gardens, ZooTampa, the Florida Aquarium, and the MOSI science museum are all excellent family options for a day trip from Ocala.
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Back in Ocala?
There's plenty to do right here in Marion County. Explore local events, things to do, and all the cities within easy reach of Ocala.