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

Should you visit Tampa or Cleveland?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Cleveland? 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 low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. Other reasons to visit include food and beaches.

Cleveland

Cleveland is a authentic, under-rated, and diverse city. It's also popular because of the live music, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Cleveland: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Cleveland?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Tampa than Cleveland. While Cleveland is larger than Tampa, Tampa has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Tampa is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Cleveland is more popular for its museums, nightlife, music, and shopping. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. Also, Tampa is famous for Busch Gardens. Cleveland is well known for being the home to "rock 'n roll" as well as its friendly and hard working people.

How is Tampa different from Cleveland?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cleveland 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 Cleveland?

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

Cleveland offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. There are diverse museums around town such as the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Museum of Contemporary Art (moCa), and the Great Lakes Science Center. Music lovers will appreciate a visit to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Tampa is a nice place to visit for its restaurants. However, Cleveland is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Tampa. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Cleveland. Casual dining with comfort food is the way most residents prefer to eat. There are local foods that have made a name for themselves such as gourmet hot dogs and deli sandwiches. The food is also influenced by the city's German, Irish, Polish, and Italian roots. Pierogis, bratwurst, and chicken paprikash are all common.

Is Tampa or Cleveland Better for Nightlife?

Cleveland is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Tampa is lacking in options for nightlife.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Cleveland. Breweries have become a popular nighttime activity. There are also comedy clubs, music venues, and several theaters.

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 Cleveland Better for Music?

Cleveland is an excellent place to visit for its music scene. However, Tampa is not a live music destination.

Whether you like big venues or smaller artists, Cleveland has diverse options. Home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it has long been a destination for music enthusiasts. There are many independent music venues and it's the perfect place to catch a show.

Tampa is not a live music destination.

Is Tampa or Cleveland Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a decent place to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Cleveland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's possible to 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.

Cleveland is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Cleveland Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a very popular place for its beaches. However, Cleveland is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Tampa. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Cleveland is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Cleveland?

Cleveland is a popular place for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Cleveland has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Large shopping malls offer plenty of selection. There's also West Side Market, which is the oldest public market in the city. Other interesting shopping areas include Little Italy and the Cleveland Flea.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Cleveland Better for Families?

Tampa is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Cleveland is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Tampa is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cleveland. Kid-friendly activities in the area include the Children’s Museum of Cleveland, the Great Lakes Science Center, and the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. There's also the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo as well as the smaller Akron Zoo.

Is Tampa or Cleveland Better for Couples?

Neither Tampa or Cleveland is generally regarded as a top spot for a couple to visit.

Tampa is not always the best place to visit for a couple. 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.

Cleveland is not the best destination for a couple to visit. There are several romantic date night activities like boat rides on Lake Erie or dining at a nice restaurant.

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

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

Public transit is mostly limited in Cleveland. There are bus, trolley, and train lines through the city, but a car is the most efficient way to get around.

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 Cleveland a more walkable city?

Tampa and Cleveland are respectable when it comes to walkability.

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

Cleveland is generally not very walkable. While some neighborhoods are more walkable than others (Downtown, Ohio City and Buckeye - Shaker), most visitors need a car to easily access everything they wish to do.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Cleveland Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cleveland or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Cleveland?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Cleveland. In our opinion, Cleveland has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Cleveland than Tampa. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Cleveland.

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

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

One day in Tampa or Cleveland?

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 Cleveland, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this diverse destination offers. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Cleveland?

You'll find food around the low-key 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 Cleveland. 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 Cleveland?

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.

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

A week in Tampa or Cleveland?

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 live music and shopping around the diverse destination of Cleveland. 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 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 Tampa and Cleveland, we can see that Tampa is more expensive. And not only is Cleveland much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cleveland would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cleveland 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 Cleveland.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a larger population, and is about 39% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Cleveland, 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 Cleveland?

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 Tampa or Cleveland in the Summer?

Both Cleveland and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, many visitors come to Cleveland in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tampa is a little warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Cleveland averages at about 75°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Cleveland. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives less sunshine than Cleveland during summer. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 307 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. It's quite rainy in Tampa. In July, Tampa usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 4 inches (101 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tampa or Cleveland in the Autumn?

Both Cleveland and Tampa during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tampa in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Furthermore, most visitors come to Cleveland for the shopping scene and the music scene during these months.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than Cleveland. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Cleveland fluctuates around 56°F (13°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the autumn, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 165 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets more rain in October than Cleveland. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.9 inches (49 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Cleveland in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Cleveland. Most visitors come to Tampa for the cuisine during these months. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Cleveland because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Cleveland can be very cold. Tampa is much warmer than Cleveland in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Cleveland fluctuates around 28°F (-2°C).

In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Cleveland during winter. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Cleveland receives 95 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tampa usually receives more rain than Cleveland. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 1.5 inches (39 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tampa or Cleveland in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Cleveland. The spring months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than Cleveland. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Cleveland averages at about 51°F (10°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Cleveland. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the spring, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Cleveland. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cleveland receives 213 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in April than Cleveland. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Cleveland receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Cleveland and Tampa