Southwest® flights from Miami to Tampa from $79

Tampa has a long history as an important center for commerce, even earning its Cigar City moniker by rolling out as many as 500 million cigars in one year at the height of its cigar-making days. Like many port cities, Tampa grew substantially to support military endeavors during World War II. Now it’s a bustling city full of post-modern architecture, robust nightlife, and beautiful parks and beaches.

Plan your trip to Tampa to coincide with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, an annual tradition since 1904. This mock pirate invasion is sometimes referred to as, "Tampa's Mardi Gras" and includes flotilla displays as well as several smaller parades and festivals in the months leading up to the main event. Tampa plays host to a number of film festivals, the Florida State Fair, conventions, and celebrations like Tampa Riverfest. The Tampa Riverfest takes place on the Tampa Riverwalk, a popular waterfront attraction that can connect visitors to several different museums as well as parks and other attractions. Plan a stroll along this pretty public way when you visit Tampa.