A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. The Hamptons for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Tampa or The Hamptons?

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

Should I visit Tampa or The Hamptons? 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. It's also known for food and beaches.

The Hamptons

The Hamptons is a lavish, wealthy, and opulent beach destination. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Tampa and The Hamptons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or The Hamptons?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Tampa than The Hamptons, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Tampa is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while The Hamptons is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. The Hamptons is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its long sandy beaches, charming seaside communities, opulent villas, and vacationing celebrities. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port. Also, Tampa is famous for Busch Gardens.

How is Tampa different from The Hamptons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Tampa and The Hamptons can be difficult as they are each notable in their own way.

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.

The Hamptons offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a number of fine dining restaurants in the area and seafood is a favorite. Some restaurants are known to be frequented by vacationing celebrities, so if you're hoping to spot someone famous, do some research and you may have some luck.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons Better for Nightlife?

The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars throughout the area. Head to East Hampton for some of the best options.

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 The Hamptons Better for Resorts?

The Hamptons is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Tampa is not a resort destination.

The Hamptons is known as a popular and fun resort destination. Known as a hangout for the rich and famous, there is no shortage of luxury hotels and resorts in the area.

Tampa is not a resort destination.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a city with a few options for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, The Hamptons 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.

The Hamptons is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a great destination for its beaches. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for the beache.

The beaches at Tampa attract visitors from all over. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

The Hamptons offers a nice beach destination. The beaches in the area feature long stretches of soft sand and plenty of space to spread out. Many beaches do come with a hefty price tag though as they require you to pay for parking or a permit.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons Better for Hiking?

The Hamptons is a popular place for its hiking trails. However, Tampa is not a hiking destination.

The Hamptons is a good destination for hiking. There are a number of picturesque walks through the dunes and wetlands around the area. There is plenty of peaceful nature to explore if you're looking for a break from city life.

Tampa is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or The Hamptons?

The Hamptons is an amazing beach destination to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many people travel to The Hamptons specifically to go shopping. Known as a playground for the rich and famous, you can be assured there are plenty of shopping opportunities where you can flash your cash around town.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons Better for Families?

Tampa is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is 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.

The Hamptons offers lots of family activities. The area has a family-friendly setting with many outdoor activities and a children's museum. There are music events, children's parks, small zoos, and, of course, the beach. Also make sure you pick up some ice cream and enjoy that quintessential beach experience.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons Better for Couples?

The Hamptons is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

The Hamptons makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy beaches, dining out, and escaping the chaos of city life will enjoy a retreat here. The area has many beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, but there are also amazing restaurants 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 The Hamptons Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Neither Tampa or The Hamptons offer decent public transit.

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

Public transit is limited or non-existant in The Hamptons. While there are trains between towns, there aren't many options when it comes to public transit.

Is Tampa or The Hamptons a more walkable city?

The Hamptons is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

The Hamptons is a somewhat walkable beach destination. While some of the towns offer a nice place for a stroll, most of the Hamptons is not very walkable and it's best to have a car.

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 The Hamptons Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in The Hamptons or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or The Hamptons?

Both Tampa and The Hamptons have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in The Hamptons than in Tampa. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 3-7 days is enough time in The Hamptons.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons.

One day in Tampa or The Hamptons?

In Tampa, many people enjoy the food that this easy-going city offers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

In The Hamptons, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this opulent destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Lots of people come for the shopping. This beach destination 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 The Hamptons?

Tampa is a fun place to experience. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hamptons. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or The Hamptons?

You'll find food around the easy-going destination of Tampa. Most people come for the beaches. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

The Hamptons is a fun place to experience. In The Hamptons, many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife that this destination offers. Lots of people come for the shopping. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This would be the perfect place to spend five days, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A week in Tampa or The Hamptons?

Tampa is a popular place to visit. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In The Hamptons, many people enjoy the nightlife and food that this wealthy destination offers. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the shopping. One week is often enough time to do most activities.

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 The Hamptons, we can see that The Hamptons is more expensive. And not only is Tampa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tampa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampa 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 The Hamptons would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in The Hamptons than you might in Tampa.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampa or The Hamptons?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of The Hamptons. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and The Hamptons, 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 The Hamptons?

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 The Hamptons in the Summer?

Both The Hamptons and Tampa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tampa in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to The Hamptons for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Tampa is a little warmer than The Hamptons. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and The Hamptons averages at about 76°F (25°C).

The Hamptons 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 The Hamptons. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or The Hamptons in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and The Hamptons. Most visitors come to Tampa for the city's sights and attractions during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to The Hamptons because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tampa is generally much warmer than The Hamptons. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and The Hamptons fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than The Hamptons. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or The Hamptons in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tampa as well as The Hamptons. The winter months attract visitors to Tampa because of the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to The Hamptons this time of year.

It's quite cold in The Hamptons in the winter. Tampa is much warmer than The Hamptons in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than The Hamptons. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or The Hamptons in the Spring?

Both The Hamptons and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to The Hamptons for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Tampa is much warmer than The Hamptons. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and The Hamptons averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than The Hamptons. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for The Hamptons and Tampa