About Tampa
Located on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico on the west coast of the Florida peninsula rests the city of Tampa. Nicknamed “The Big Guava”, Tampa is known for its close proximity to wonderful beaches, a beautiful city, and lots of fun Spanish culture.
The weather in Tampa is stereotypical “beach weather” for a lot of the year and therefore is a great place to host a birthday party! Whether you’re looking to have a small indoor get-together or a swinging waterside dance party, Tampa has everything you need to throw the perfect birthday celebration.
Birthday Party Options in Tampa
The planning process of a party is half the fun. Once you have your Tampa birthday party venue decided, think about other details.
- Decor
Decorating the venue is half the fun of throwing a party! You can set an extravagant and outlandish theme of the night or keep it low-key, but either way, the decor will help set the mood. Whether it’s handmade construction paper cutouts or movie-quality animatronics and fire jugglers, your imagination is the only limit you have when it comes to party decor.
- Caterers
You can’t have a birthday party in Tampa without food! Hiring the right caterer is the difference between a mediocre event and one they’ll always remember. There are caterers for every style of food and drink you can think of, particularly in major cities.
- Event Planners
Don’t do all of this work yourself. Event planners exist to make your life so much easier when planning your big event. They work with you to hammer out every detail and provide you with a list of vendors to make sure your party goes off without a hitch.
- Bands
There is nothing like rocking out to a live band on your birthday. With all the local acts in the area, it won’t be hard to find a decent cover band to play all your favorite hits for your big day. Live music is a sure-fire way to keep the energy up and ensure a great time.
- Photographers
Do you want this party to be something you’ll remember forever? Hire a photographer to capture all those wonderful moments. Through their lens, you’ll be able to catch all the intimate moments, the big reveals, the tear-filled hugs, and the looks of surprise that happen naturally at any good birthday party. Most photographers also provide videography work as well for an additional fee.
Birthday Party Companies in Tampa
Once you've decided on your Tampa birthday party venue, rely on the pros to make it a smashing success!
- 7th and Grove
For great catering and downhome upscale southern cooking in Tampa, check out 7th and Grove. Fried catfish, oxtail, collard greens, and sugar honey iced tea – delicious comfort is the vibe you’ll get at 7th and Grove.
- C'Nergy
If you are looking to have a fun, energetic band play at your Tampa birthday party venue, check out C’Nergy. They do private functions and they cover everything from Latin Top 40 to English Top 40. They are based in Orlando, but that isn’t too far away from Tampa.
- Let’s Plan a Party
Planning a birthday party can be tough. Hire a party planner to share the load! At Let’s Plan a Party, they provide everything from face painting to balloons to decorations and more. Let them help you make your birthday party a hit!
Pros and Cons of Birthday Parties in Tampa
There are pros and cons to having a birthday party in a tropical paradise. The weather tends to be in both categories. If you enjoy beach life and some great outdoor time, you’re all set! Just look out for thick humidity and natural disasters.
Advantages
- Great weather
There is a reason that Florida is called the Sunshine State. The weather is always either warm or hot and it is perfect for any outdoor activity.
- Beautiful beaches
If you plan to have some fun in the sun at your Tampa birthday party, you’re in luck! There are a great number of popular beaches to choose from in or near Tampa including Ben T Davis, Apollo, and Madeira Beach.
- Tons of festivals
You can plan your birthday party in Florida around any one of the amazing festivals that Tampa throws every year, like Gasparilla, Tampa Bay Pride, and Sunset Music Festival.
Disadvantages
- Poor public transportation
When traveling to the party, make sure you have a ride of your own. The public transportation in Tampa is not so great.
- Tropical storms/hurricanes
Keep an eye on the weather; Florida is susceptible to tropical storms and hurricanes all the time. Plan your birthday party accordingly.
- The humidity is dreadful
Sometimes it may feel like you are walking through a lake with the intense humidity. It is something to get used to, but if you aren’t, don’t plan on having a good hair day for your birthday party.
Famous Locations in Tampa
- Busch Gardens
Roller coasters, big cats, giraffes, and so much more await you at Tampa’s biggest amusement park, Busch Gardens! This African-themed park gets the adrenaline pumping for both children and adults. Watch tigers on the prowl, ride the Kumba, and buy a cool gift at the gift shop on the way home.
Museum of Science and Industry
Immerse your kids in this wonderful, imagination-fuelled world of Science and Technology. They offer tons of exhibits, obstacle courses, and information centers. The Museum of Science and Industry will get kids excited about science in an interactive and exciting way.
- Ybor City
Are you ready to dance the night away? While, during the day, this area is a historic part of town rich with history, Ybor City is party central for the 21+ crowd after the sun goes down.
- Big Cat Rescue
Famous for the groundbreaking documentary, Tiger King, Big Cat Rescue is a big cat conservation park dedicated to the rehabilitation, education, and conservation of tigers, lions, bobcats, and the like. You can also come up close and personal with these magnificent creatures for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.