Southwest® flights from Chicago (O'Hare) to Tampa from $69

When you arrive at Tampa International Airport, you’ll find yourself in the cultural center of Florida’s Gulf Coast. When the South Florida Railroad connected with the city in 1883, what was once a small town boomed in size. Tourists began to arrive shortly after, and by the end of World War II, Tampa had become a beloved destination for travelers inside and beyond the Sunshine State.

Eco-tourists, rejoice! There’s lots to explore during your visit. Start with the Manatee Viewing Center, dedicated to preserving and educating visitors about the Florida manatee. You’ll enjoy more local flora and fauna than manatees during your visit to MVC: outside the facility native plants support award-winning butterfly gardens. If you want to do some architectural sightseeing while you stroll through a well-maintained landscape, make the hour-long drive to Bok Tower Gardens. Originally founded as a bird sanctuary atop the area’s tallest hill, the gardens’ centerpiece is the Singing Tower, made of pink and gray marble and styled in a combination of Gothic Revival and Art Deco influences.