Day 3 Will Shock You
Who knew a bachelorette could be SO MUCH WORK!
You want everything to be perfect and don’t know where to start because there are so many options!
It all started on a napkin at Buddy Brew Coffee in Tampa. I was overwhelmed with ideas but couldn’t organize my thoughts. The barista saw me scribbling frantically and brought over an extra napkin.
“Start with what makes her light up,” she said. That simple advice changed everything. I listed all the things I loved about Tampa—the energy, the food, the beach—and built experiences around each one.
That coffee-stained napkin became my blueprint for the perfect bachelorette weekend for my bestie.
Here’s how our weekend went down:
Day 1: Arrival
Start your bachelorette trip as soon as you arrive at Tampa International Airport (TPA) and head to see Pheobe the Flamingo. She is a celebrity and you need a picture!
We chose downtown Tampa for easy access to top restaurants, bars, and entertainment. If your group prefers the beach then stay in St. Pete beach, Sarasota or Clearwater.
Getting Around Tampa Bay
- You can rent a car or use uber. We ubered everywhere! Fairly affordable especially for a group.
- You can also use the SuperShuttle to pre-book your ride to and from the airport. We like options!
Besties Brunch
After checking in early around 1pm, we went straight to Willa’s, a trendy neighborhood restaurant and bar in North Hyde Park.
The food here is SO good and I have been here so many times. They never miss!
Known for its welcoming atmosphere and delicious menu, Willa’s has been recognized as “The South’s Best New Restaurant” by Southern Living and one of the nation’s “Coolest Restaurants to Dine at Right Now” by Architectural Digest.
Make sure you get the Caesar salad aka “Girl Dinner”. Extra parm please!
After brunch, we went to walk off all the carbs and check out Hyde Park which is an upscale neighborhood with cute places to shop and people watch. I convinced the girls to pop in to Meat Market for a Chocolate Chip cookie.
We ended up taking 3 to go! Then it was time to go change so we can head out for some music and drinks. I’m sober so I always try to find places that have NA drinks or good mocktails.
Midtown Tampa
My bestie loves live music so I decided we should head to Sal Y Mar Rooftop Bar in Midtown Tampa. It is a very mature crowd with good drinks, a lively bar section and they always have amazing live music.
This night was salsa so we danced the night away on the rooftop.
5 Star Dinner at The Tampa Edition
If you know Tampa, then you KNOW you need a photo on the spiral staircase at The Edition. This spot is next-level and you need to dress up so it is the perfect place for a bachelorette.
This is where the celebrities stay when they visit so make sure to look your best! They have several restaurants to choose from, my favorite is Lilac but make sure you have a reservation.
Day 2: Bronzed & Boating
Breakfast at Oxford Exchange
I love unique experiences and this is no exception. Oxford Exchange is a historic spot combining a bookstore, gift shop, and café in a restored building. Enjoy a latte, specialty tea, and fresh pastries or a hearty breakfast.
The elegant design offers the perfect atmosphere on a Sunday afternoon. You can take beautiful photos in the champagne room or wait to head to the beautiful dining area.
You need a reservation but can wait by looking at the books or making a candle at Candle Pour.
After breakfast, it’s time to drive to Clearwater Beach for fun in the sun. Clearwater is ranked as one of the top beaches in the U.S and you will not be disappointed.
We spent the morning relaxing on the beach, playing volleyball and enjoying some drinks under a cabana.
There are so many cabana and picnic companies in Tampa Bay you can use to set up a girls day at the beach.
The bachelorette loves experiences so I set up a private boat excursion with Bach Boats. We cruised across the Gulf waters, anchored at a secluded island called Beer Can Island and even saw dolphins.
Be sure to pack sunscreen, hats, swimsuits, and lipgloss.
After a day on the water, we decided to have a casual dinner at Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill. It was the perfect Florida day but it was time to get ready to go home and clean up for the evening.
Ybor City
Half of the group of girls wanted to stay home so the rest of us got ready and headed to Ybor. From downtown Tampa you can take the free TECO trolly to Ybor.
Ybor City is a must-visit area with so much history and culture. It is also known for its nightlife, you’ll find salsa clubs, cigar lounges, and craft cocktail bars and clubs geared toward college students. You can find a lot to do in this area if you are looking to party hard.
Day 3: Best Day EVER!
It was time for an adventure so we went ziplining, just north of Tampa. There are several ziplining companies to choose from and they all have great service and a good time.
We went soaring through the sky and took in stunning views of the wetlands and wildlife. I am afraid of heights and still had an exhilarating time. This is a MUST-DO activity if you’re in the area.
I surprised the girls by planning a trip to Florida’s first man made lagoon. It has live music, bars and floating obstacles with water slides! They absolutely loved it. We sat in our chairs, ordered food and went onto the floating obstacles. After trips, slips and falls, we decided to take it easy and go back to our seats. We took in some sun and while the girls were getting drinks, I was in the pool and realized we may have to cut the party short. The skies started getting dark and moody. This video ended up getting shared and sent so much. Our Bachelorette was interrupted by Hurricane season.
We went to grab our items to leave and it started pouring and the wind immediately picked up. The girls who didn’t live in Tampa Bay started to see if they can get an early flight out and we had to put the rest of the bachelorette on pause.
The first half was amazing weather and an amazing experience filled with laughs, joy and love. The second half was going to be the cherry on top.
The best 2nd half of the bachelorette that never happened..
Even though we didn’t get to all of the itinerary I thought I’d share the rest with you. Hopefully this helps you plan some amazing days in Tampa Bay.
Dinner at Ulele
Head to Ulele, located along the Hillsborough River in Tampa Heights. Known for its indigenous-inspired dishes, Ulele offers a range of fresh seafood and steaks. You need reservations for this hot spot in town.
M. Bird for Vibes
M. Bird is a cool rooftop bar in downtown Tampa above Armature Works. It has a lively atmosphere with skyline views and creative cocktails. Perfect for a sunset picture with the beautiful skyline behind you.
St. Pete Beach: Brunch at The Library
This cozy brunch spot offers a literary-inspired menu with options like avocado toast and gourmet omelets, along with delicious coffee blends. Too bad we were not able to visit as a group.
Art at The Dalí Museum
Next, visit The Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, home to the largest collection of Salvador Dalí’s works outside of Spain. Explore surreal masterpieces and enjoy the museum’s unique architecture.
Wine Tasting at Keel & Curley Winery & Hard Rock Spa
There were so many activities and not enough days that the girls decided we wanted to split up and half would go to Keel & Curley Winery in Plant City for a wine tasting. You are able to sample fruit wines like blueberry and strawberry, and enjoy a guided tour of the vineyard. For the other half of us, we decided to go to Hard Rock to gamble a bit and then get Swedish massages. Our bodies needed this!
Farewell Dinner at Columbia Restaurant
The historic Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City is famously Florida’s oldest restaurant. You can enjoy Spanish and Cuban cuisine, including the signature 1905 Salad and sangria made tableside. The reservation was for around 9pm when they have Flamenco dancing and a live show.
Tampa has become my home for the last four years because of all the amazing things to do, the community and the sunshine most days of the year. Hurricanes are the one thing that still scare me and this time if it cut my bestie’s bachelorette short. I hope to be able to resume the bachelorette itinerary soon!
You can follow all of my Tampa adventure on instagram and substack for more detailed reviews.
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