A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Baltimore for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or Baltimore?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Baltimore? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Tampa

Tampa is a laid-back, easy-going, and low-key city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the food and beaches.

Baltimore

Baltimore is a diverse, colorful, and historic 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, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Baltimore: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Baltimore?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Baltimore than Tampa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Baltimore is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, and shopping, while Tampa is known for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Baltimore is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for the Inner Harbor and its many water based activities. It is also home to the National Aquarium. Tampa is popular for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Tampa different from Baltimore?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or Baltimore?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Baltimore offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city is known for its historic ships that are found in the Inner Harbor. There are many other museums around town as well like the American Visionary Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and the Baltimore Museum of Art. Many days can be filled exploring the many art, history, or science museums in the area.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Baltimore? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Baltimore has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's location near the Chesapeake Bay means that there are many great local seafood dishes. Blue crab is a regional favorite and is often served as crab soup, crab dip, or crab cakes. You'll find many famous restaurants in the Inner Harbor, but if you want something more local you should check out Little Italy or Fells Point.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Tampa or Baltimore Better for Nightlife?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

Baltimore has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many night time activities like breweries, night clubs, and cocktail bars. There's even outside the box activities like ballroom dancing or arcade bars.

Tampa is generally a quiet destination but there are options around. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Is Tampa or Baltimore Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Baltimore is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Tampa has a few snorkeling spots. 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.

Baltimore is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Baltimore Better for Beaches?

Tampa is well known for the beache. However, Baltimore 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.

Baltimore is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Baltimore?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Baltimore. Shopping is a great way to experience the different neighborhoods around town. For high end shopping head to Harbor East. For a bit more history check out Federal Hill. Hampden is known for its quirky style and Fell's Point is particularly popular with tourists.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Baltimore Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Tampa or Baltimore.

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.

Baltimore is a very family-friendly place to visit. The National Aquarium is a highlight for many families. It's an impressive aquarium with dolphins, sharks, puffins, and fish. Also in town is the Port Discovery Children’s Museum which has many interactive exhibits. The Maryland Science Center, the Maryland Zoo, and the many historic ships in the harbor also offer educational opportunities for kids. For something a bit different, check out Urban Pirates in the Inner Harbor.

Is Tampa or Baltimore Better for Couples?

Baltimore is a popular place for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Baltimore is a good city for couples to visit. Most visitors spend the majority of their time around the Inner Harbor. There are restaurants and romantic hotels that are perfect for couples. The city also has many entertainment options and other activities that make for a great date night.

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 Tampa or Baltimore Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Baltimore is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Baltimore. There are a couple of hostels around town, but most international travelers overlook this city.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

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

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

The public transit in Baltimore can get you to most places easily. There are water taxis and a free downtown bus service that's called the Charm City Circulator. MTA also operates a metro and a light rail system.

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 Tampa or Baltimore a more walkable city?

Baltimore is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

Baltimore is a very walkable destination. The downtown area is the most walkable part of the city. In particular, the Inner Harbor and Fells Point are particularly walkable.

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 Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Baltimore Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Baltimore or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Baltimore?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Baltimore. In our opinion, Baltimore has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Baltimore than Tampa. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Baltimore 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 Baltimore.

One day in Tampa or Baltimore?

You'll find food around the city of Tampa. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

In Baltimore, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this historic destination offers. This city 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.

A weekend in Tampa or Baltimore?

You'll find food around the easy-going destination of Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Baltimore. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. 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.

Five days in Tampa or Baltimore?

Travelers enjoy the food when visiting the low-key city of Tampa. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Baltimore is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Baltimore. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Baltimore?

Tampa is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find food and shopping around the vibrant destination of Baltimore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City.

When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Baltimore, we can see that Baltimore is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Baltimore?

Baltimore has a larger population, and is about 88% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Baltimore, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Tampa or Baltimore?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Tampa or Baltimore in the Summer?

Both Baltimore and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Baltimore for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 82°F (28°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 78°F (25°C).

In Baltimore, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the summer, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Baltimore. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 283 hours of full sun.

Baltimore gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Baltimore. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 4.1 inches (103 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Baltimore in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Baltimore. Many travelers come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions. Furthermore, many visitors come to Baltimore in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Tampa is much warmer than Baltimore in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 75°F (24°C) in October, and Baltimore fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 196 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Baltimore in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Baltimore. Many visitors come to Tampa in the winter for the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Baltimore for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Baltimore can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Tampa is much warmer than Baltimore. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampa in January average around 60°F (15°C), and Baltimore averages at about 32°F (0°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Baltimore. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Baltimore receives 153 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Baltimore. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Baltimore in the Spring?

Both Baltimore and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tampa for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Baltimore because of the activities around the city.

In April, Tampa is generally much warmer than Baltimore. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 71°F (22°C), and Baltimore fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Baltimore. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Baltimore during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Baltimore receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Baltimore. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Baltimore receives 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Baltimore and Tampa