Overview
Brandon is a commuter city to the east of Tampa near Florida's West Coast, near the junction of Interstate 4 and Interstate 75.
2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Brandon
TGH Ice Plex
The Official Training Facility of the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team. Also has public skating and laserstrike, laser-tag upstairs as well.
Alafia River State Park
Has such amenities as bicycling, birding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horse trails, picnicking areas, wildlife viewing and full camping facilities. This park is especially great for mountain bikers as a Mountain bike club…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 91°F; winter lows dip to about 53°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Tampa)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TPA Tampa International Airport, Tampa — 15 mi away (major hub). Directions
- LAL Lakeland Linder International Airport, Lakeland — 17 mi away. Directions
There are several Hillsborough County Regional Transit routes that go to Brandon.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning TGH Ice Plex
- Lunch The Stein & Vine
- Afternoon Alafia River State Park
- Dinner Ploy Thai
- Evening O'briens Irish Pub
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By bus
There are several Hillsborough County Regional Transit routes that go to Brandon.
By car
FL-60 passes through the town from east to west, while I-75 passes through it from north to south. A toll road, FL-618, ends in Brandon as the Brandon Parkway, and serves as an expressway with off-ramps. It provides access from downtown Tampa to the west. As a part of the I-4 corridor, I-4 passes just north of Brandon. This interstate connects three of Central Florida's primary cities: going from west to east, Tampa, Orlando, and Daytona Beach, crossing to the east coast of the state.
Do
Do Alafia River State Park
Has such amenities as bicycling, birding, canoeing, fishing, hiking, horse trails, picnicking areas, wildlife viewing and full camping facilities. This park is especially great for mountain bikers as a Mountain bike club has developed a great amount of advanced trails.
Buy
Shop Westfield Brandon Town Center (Westfield Brandon Shopping Mall)
Westfield Brandon Town Center has several things to offer shoppers visiting. From several popular clothing shops such as Express, Abercrombie & Fitch, G by Guess, Hollister, to restaurants such as The Cheesecake Factory, California Pizza Kitchen, and a full foodcourt. There is plenty to see here and plenty of places to entertain kids including an arcade, trampoline jumping, merry go-round, and playground.
Eat
Eat Ploy Thai
If you're looking for some great Thai food then this is the place in Brandon to go to. From great soups and curries, to tasty noodles such as Pad Thai, and sweet desserts, Ploy Thai has plenty offer Thai food lovers.
Drink
Drink O'briens Irish Pub
Nice atmosphere and reasonable prices at this Brandon institution. The Sheppard's Pie is great, and so is the menu. Variety of pub foods and drinks. Okay for families before 8PM.
Sleep
Go next
- The main city is immediately to the west, Tampa.
Nearby
Tampa
City / town · 111 listings · 11 mi away
Plant City
City / town · 15 listings · 11 mi away
Ruskin
City / town · 3 listings · 18 mi away
Mulberry
City / town · 17 listings · 19 mi away
Land O Lakes
City / town · 19 listings · 21 mi away
Lakeland
City / town · 56 listings · 21 mi away
Zephyrhills
City / town · 10 listings · 22 mi away
Saint Petersburg
City / town · 87 listings · 24 mi away
My experience
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