Insider Guide To Amazing Team Building Activities: Tampa, FL
Look, I’ve been to a lot of cities, but the team building activities Tampa, FL, offers? They just hit different.
Maybe it’s because I spent four years at the University of Tampa, or that I’ve watched this place completely transform over the last decade, but it just has this perfect blend of “let’s get down to business” and “let’s have some fun” that I can’t get enough of.
Even when I graduated in 2020, Tampa still had more of a business vibe, but now? It’s honestly become super modern and boujee. It’s wild how much it’s changed (and improved) here.
In this guide, I’ll outline some of the best team building activities Tampa, FL, has to offer, plus insider tips on restaurants and venues.
Why Tampa Actually Works for Corporate Events
Tampa, FL, has quickly become a modern area where young people are flocking to—it’s packed with new bars, restaurants, apartments, and other attractions downtown.
The thing about the team building events Tampa has to offer is that you’re not stuck in a boring conference room all day. The weather’s amazing (except for some brutal summer days) and there are tons of cool spots your team will actually want to check out!
I’ve also seen the business scene here grow. We’ve got some big-time players like Citi and JPMorgan here, plus huge healthcare systems, military connections, and (obviously) tourism.
The companies here just get it. They know that Tampa team building activities can make a real difference in how their people work together.
Plus, you can literally do anything you want:
- Want something historic? Ybor City’s got you covered.
- Want something fancy and waterfront? Water Street is your spot.
- Want something fun and interactive? There are tons of options!
When To Schedule Tampa Team Building Activities
It’s hard to go wrong when you’re scheduling team building activities here, but there are some things to keep in mind. Here’s how to enjoy this city year-round:
Plan for Summer Heat
Real talk—Tampa summers can get HOT. Unless you want your team to melt into puddles (or get heat stroke), don’t book active outdoorsy events between June and August without a plan to keep cool. You’ll need to plan for stuff like:
- Shade
- Temperature-controlled indoor spaces to retreat to
- Plenty of water
- Loads of sunscreen
- Backup plans in case someone’s not feeling it
- Morning or evening timeslots to avoid midday sun
You won’t deal with oppressive summer heat every day, or even every year, but events quickly stop being fun if your team is too hot.
Keep Hurricane Season in Mind
You also want to make note of hurricane season, which begins in June and runs through November. Although Tampa rarely gets direct hits, we’ve still had a rough few years with storms and flooding.
That said, it’s always worth having backup indoor plans, just in case. The weather is more likely to be unpredictable during hurricane season, so don’t just check the forecast and assume you’re good. Expect the unexpected!
Enjoy the Rest of the Year
Aside from hot summer days, the rest of the year in Tampa is absolutely perfect. It’s basically summer weather without the oppressive heat and humidity.
If you can swing an event in late January, you might catch Gasparilla—Tampa’s massive pirate festival, where literally everyone dresses up like pirates. It’s as awesome as it sounds!
My Favorite Team Building Activities: Tampa, FL’s Gems
If you’re planning to wow your employees with some fun team building activities for work, Tampa has you covered! It’s hard to go wrong here.
I have found some favorites over the years, though!
Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt
Our Amazing Race Scavenger Hunt is loosely based on its namesake, and it’s the perfect event to have along the Tampa Riverwalk! Or anywhere you’d like to explore in the city, really—we can customize it for any neighborhood.
Regardless, your teams will divide into smaller groups and choose their own route through the race. They’ll be completing challenges and working together as they go, which is perfect for improving communication skills and general teamwork.
Healthcare Heroes Scavenger Hunt
Since healthcare and life science are some of the biggest industries here in Tampa, the Healthcare Heroes Scavenger Hunt is always a hit. Biotechnology, medical research, and healthcare IT are also growing fields in the city.
Healthcare Heroes is a high-tech scavenger hunt that’s all about Corporate Social Responsibility. Your group will split into smaller teams to complete a series of healthcare-related challenges, collecting items for donation to a local hospital.
Each appreciation bag includes things like:
- Surgical caps
- Comfy medical-themed socks
- Stainless steel water bottles
- Healthy snacks
Since Tampa is anchored by institutions like Tampa General Hospital, BayCare Health System, and Moffitt Cancer Center, you’ll also have your pick of where to donate the items.
The Mystery Bus
I almost made this part of the next section, but the Mystery Bus really deserves its own moment to shine! It’s one of my all-time favorite experiences in Tampa, and every team that tries it is impressed.
It’s a custom-tailored team building event that’ll take your team to some of the coolest destinations around Tampa. They won’t know where they’re going until they get there!
It’ll be three to four locations selected to fit your group’s needs and interests. And since it’s a turnkey event, we’ll do all the planning and you’ll get all the credit. Here’s my dream Mystery Bus itinerary to give you an idea of the fun you could have:
- Armature Works: I’d start with a trip to Armature Works, a hub for exploration that’s packed with unique eateries and outdoor seating. It’s in a restored historic structure with a great view of the Hillsborough River, too.
- Tampa Water Taxi: Next, I’d hop on the Tampa Pirate Water Taxi for one of their daily tours to check out some attractions, parks, museums, pubs, and more! Or plan for a sunset tour if you’re here during the summer to avoid midday heat.
- Cuban food in Ybor City: Ybor City is a historical area in Tampa Bay that’s full of exciting sights, cultural roots, and delicious food. I’d hit up La Segunda Bakery for fresh, authentic Cuban bread after a group dinner at Columbia Restaurant.
Between stops on the Mystery Bus, your team will stay engaged with trivia, music, and games, so it’s literally just fun the whole time. It’s such a great experience. Trust me, just do it!
Summer Outings & Team Building Activities
Tampa, FL, is always a great spot for outdoor events—it’s basically summer year-round here! You really can’t beat the great weather. Just remember, these are actually best avoided during the hottest summer months (June-August).
Anyway, our summer activities are some of the best options for team building Tampa, FL, has to offer.
There’s just this constant upbeat vibe here, and everyone loves getting outside to have fun in the sun. You’ll see tons of summer office parties, and events like these never fail to impress:
Getting teams outside, moving around, doing challenges in the fresh air—it just works better than being stuck inside all day!
Best Spots for Team Building Events: Tampa’s Shining Stars
Whether you’re planning a full-day corporate retreat for your team’s first visit here or just looking for a creative, off-site spot for your local crew to chill out and have fun, Tampa has some seriously fun spots to check out.
Tampa has majorly leveled up when it comes to venues over the last few years, too. From rooftop cocktails to historic neighborhoods, it offers a fantastic blend of work and play.
No boring, run-of-the-mill hotel ballrooms here! Just my favorite spots in Tampa—the places that make this city shine!
- Where to eat: I’d suggest eating somewhere in Armature Works. It’s a large indoor/outdoor market with a rooftop bar and outdoor seating. American Social is another great spot right on the bay near the convention center.
- Places to play outside: Tampa has lots of cool outdoor areas and attractions. If you’ve already hit up Armature Works, check out Busch Gardens! It’s an awesome theme park in North Tampa, and so much fun for team outings.
- Where to explore: For some more unique venues and experiences, I’d suggest the Tampa Convention Center, Sparkman Wharf, Curtis Hixon, and Picnic Island. Each spot offers its own unique vibe you don’t want to miss. And don’t forget Ybor City!
A couple of other places that deserve special mention:
- Water Street: A really boujee area in Channelside with nice restaurants right by the water. Be sure to check out Sparkman Wharf while you’re there!
- Seminole Heights: This neighborhood is just north of downtown and boasts some awesome restaurants and bars that ride a little under the radar.
- Raymond James Stadium: Although this isn’t your typical team building location, I once went to an Outrageous Games event with the Buccaneers here and it was a blast. A group of superfans got the chance to play the games with a few members of the team.
Okay, I’ll stop here! I could go on forever about all the fun places to see, things to do, and foods to try in Tampa. It’s just such a wonderful spot for team building!
Ybor City
Last but not least, Ybor City—it’s come up three times in this article (this makes four), so I figure it deserves a quick little spotlight.
Ybor is a historic Cuban/Spanish/Italian neighborhood in Tampa that used to be the cigar capital of the world. It’s a cool area to explore and has a lot of cool old pubs and restaurants.
It’d be a great spot for a Pub Crawl Scavenger Hunt during the day. I’d avoid roaming this area at night, though—it can get a little crazy after dark!
Want To Plan Unforgettable Team Building Activities? Tampa, FL, Awaits!
If I’m being real, any team building activity Tampa, FL, has to offer will be memorable with the right people. But magic happens when you have the best events, facilitators, and focus for your crew!
At TeamBonding, we have over 25 years of experience making this magic, and we’re always happy to help. Every single one of our 200+ programs is customizable, too.
So what are you waiting for? Contact us today to find out how we can help upskill your team, boost morale, and make Tampa an experience your team will be talking about for years to come.
