A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Everglades National Park vs. Tampa for Families, Food, and Couples

Should you visit Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Everglades National Park and Tampa can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a pristine, adventure-filled, and unique national park. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the hiking.

Tampa

Tampa is a easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. It's also popular because of the food and beaches.

Everglades National Park and Tampa: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Tampa. Although Everglades National Park and Tampa are popular destinations, Tampa has more sights and attractions for tourists. Tampa is very popular for its food, nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Everglades National Park attracts visitors for its museums, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Everglades National Park is more touristy than Tampa and is known for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. It is also well known for Busch Gardens.

How is Everglades National Park different from Tampa?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Tampa and Everglades National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Everglades National Park is a decent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

While most people don't head to Everglades National Park specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Tampa? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Tampa is very good for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Tampa is becoming an appealing option for foodies. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Nightlife?

Tampa is adequate for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

Tampa doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is adequate for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Everglades National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Everglades National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a great city for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Tampa is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Everglades National Park. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Everglades National Park is not a good area for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping in Everglades National Park can be found for those interested. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Families?

Tampa is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Tampa. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Everglades National Park is a good national park for couples to visit. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park is an excellent place to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Everglades National Park. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Everglades National Park or Tampa offer decent public transit.

Public transit is quite limited in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Everglades National Park or Tampa a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park and Tampa are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Everglades National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Tampa Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Tampa or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Everglades National Park and Tampa. You can spend similar amounts of time exploring each one. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Tampa than Everglades National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tampa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Everglades National Park than Tampa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Everglades National Park that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Everglades National Park than Tampa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Everglades National Park.

One day in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

In Everglades National Park, many people enjoy the that this wild destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

With food around the low-key city of Tampa, there's plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A weekend in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Everglades National Park. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

With food around the easy-going destination of Tampa, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Everglades National Park is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the when visiting the destination of Everglades National Park. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find food around the low-key city of Tampa. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people come for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Tampa?

You'll find around the adventure-filled destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Tampa is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Everglades National Park and Tampa, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Everglades National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Everglades National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Everglades National Park and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Tampa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampa than you might in Everglades National Park.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Everglades National Park Expensive? and Is Tampa Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park or Tampa?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Tampa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Tampa. Most visitors come to Everglades National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Tampa in the summer. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Tampa fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during summer. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Everglades National Park gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Tampa. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Tampa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Tampa. The autumn months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year.

In the autumn, Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Tampa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Everglades National Park in October average around 78°F (26°C), and Tampa averages at about 75°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the autumn, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Tampa. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 234 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Tampa. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Tampa in the Winter?

Both Tampa and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine.

In January, Everglades National Park is generally a little warmer than Tampa. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 67°F (19°C), and Tampa fluctuates around 60°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Tampa during winter. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Tampa receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampa. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Tampa in the Spring?

Both Tampa and Everglades National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Tampa in the spring. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 74°F (24°C) in April, and Tampa fluctuates around 71°F (22°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the spring, Everglades National Park often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampa. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampa receives 299 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Tampa. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Tampa receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Everglades National Park.

Typical Weather for Tampa and Everglades National Park