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

Should you visit Tampa or Seattle?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Seattle? 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 easy-going, low-key, and laid-back city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include food and beaches.

Seattle

Seattle is a cultural, outdoorsy, and laid-back city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and theater.

Tampa and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Seattle?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Seattle than Tampa. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Seattle is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, hiking, shopping, big city activities, and impressive beauty, while Tampa attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches. Seattle is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also well known for The Space Needle. Tampa is famous for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Tampa different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Seattle offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is a popular place for its shows and theatre. However, Tampa is not a theatre destination.

You'll find a nice selection of shows in Seattle. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Tampa is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Seattle has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

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 Seattle Better for Nightlife?

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

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

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 Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle 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, Seattle has diverse options. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Tampa is not a live music destination.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option 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.

Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Tampa is notable for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Hiking?

Seattle 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 Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Seattle?

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

Seattle has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Families?

Tampa is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly city. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Couples?

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

Seattle is a good city for couples to visit. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

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 Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Plenty of budget travelers visit Seattle. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Tampa or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

Seattle is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Tampa is not popular with students.

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

Seattle is a popular place for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

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 Seattle a more walkable city?

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

Seattle is a very walkable destination. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Seattle?

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

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

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

One day in Tampa or Seattle?

In Tampa, you'll find food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Each neighborhood in Seattle has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Seattle?

In Tampa, you'll find food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Tampa has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Seattle. 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.

Five days in Tampa or Seattle?

Tampa is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Seattle is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the big city destination of Seattle. 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.

A week in Tampa or Seattle?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Tampa. Many people enjoy the food when visiting Tampa. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find shopping and museums around the cultural big city of Seattle. 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.

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 comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Tampa. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

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 Seattle in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Seattle. Many travelers come to Tampa for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, many visitors come to Seattle in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tampa is a little warmer than Seattle in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Seattle fluctuates around 67°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the summer, Tampa often gets less sunshine than Seattle. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun.

Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets more rain in July than Seattle. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Tampa in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions. Also, most visitors come to Seattle for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Tampa is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampa in October average around 75°F (24°C), and Seattle averages at about 54°F (12°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Seattle. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Seattle in the Winter?

Both Seattle and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Tampa for the cuisine during these months. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Seattle because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

In January, Tampa is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 60°F (15°C), and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun.

Seattle gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Seattle. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Seattle. The spring months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches and the activities around the city. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Seattle this time of year.

Tampa is much warmer than Seattle in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 71°F (22°C) in April, and Seattle fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seattle this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Seattle. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Tampa