Support Us Button Widget

How to spend an extra 24 hours in the Tampa Bay area

From climbing challenges to Strawberry Festival fun, it’s sure to be one to remember.

Murals at Perry Harvey Sr Park depicting Black icons of the Tampa Bay area. The murals are in black and white and apartment complexes are in the background.

Perry Harvey Sr. Park is named after the famed union leader and civil rights activist.

Photo via City of Tampa

Leap Day is upon us, TBAY.

This extra day is added to the calendar every four years to keep it synchronized with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. How will you make the most of an extra day in our beautiful slice of the Gulf Coast?

We have a few ideas:

Take our recommendations

  • Try a new-to-you coffee shop, and then submit your favorite spot to our coffee shop bracket.
  • Up your “me time” by doing more of what you love — reading, working out, or volunteering in the community.
  • Spend a few more precious hours with your life partner. Book a dinner resy or inventive date night using our list of faves.
  • Explore Tampa + the Burg with a new lens, using our roundup of local murals. Pro tip: Post them to Instagram and tag us and we might just share your creation.

A few local event options

  • Leap Year Run presented by On Running | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 6:30-8 p.m. | St. Pete Running Company, 6986 22nd Ave. N., St. Pete | Free | Join fellow TBAY track stars for a trek around the Burg + and complete the Leap Year Streak Challenge (any kind of exercise for 29 minutes every day in February).
  • Florida Strawberry Festival 2024 | Thursday, Feb. 29-Sunday, March 10 | Times vary | 303 BerryFest Place, Plant City | $4-$15 | Spend the day with a very TBAY celebration full of fair rides, performances by artists like Jordan Davis + the Black Eyed Peas, and plenty of berry-themed food + drinks.
  • Leap Day Leap of Faith | Thursday, Feb. 29 | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Empower Adventures Tampa Bay, 423 Lafayette Blvd., Oldsmar | $74 | Zip Line Adventure participants can take on the additional climbing challenge completely free.
More from TBAYtoday
Whether you want to indulge in a lavish end of year meal or shimmy all night, we’ve got you covered.
Let us know what we should cover in Tampa + the Burg in 2025.
The pocket of Scotland and TBAY sister city is home to thousands of years of history.
Well, maybe not us directly — but TBAY and St. Pete really are the gifts that keep on giving.
As Tampa Bay continues to grow, we’re keeping an eye on upcoming developments and recently-opened businesses.
TBAYtoday readers shared which local restaurants + meals they miss the most — and we think you’ll agree.
Historical markers are physical signs, plaques, and statues that commemorate a significant place or event. Where would you like to see a historical marker around Tampa Bay?
Pack your reusable shopping bags, because we’ve rounded up 12 farmers’ markets around TBAY.
Bookmark this list for when you don’t feel like cheffing it up for the holidays.
We’re checking in on where the Rays might play in 2026, the Bucs’ victorious run, and who’s playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl.