Tampa FL has miles of beautiful beaches, championship sports teams and a vibrant culinary scene. Tucked inside reimagined 1901 streetcar warehouses, along the bustling Tampa Riverwalk, and tucked amongst some of the best hotels in Tampa, there are plenty of delicious ways to satisfy your appetite.
Downtown
Tampa’s downtown area offers fun for all ages. From visiting stingrays at the Aquarium to enjoying a meal on a river cruise, there’s no shortage of activities. The city’s rich history also makes for fascinating sightseeing.
The area is dotted with historic buildings that have been converted into trendy restaurants and shops. Curtis Hixon Park is located near the Tampa Bay River and is a great place for picnics or frisbee games. The park hosts a number of concerts and events throughout the year.
Ybor City Saturday Market offers another example of what this district can offer in terms of culture. You can buy unique gifts and meet local artists.
Old Seminole Heights
Long before Cappy’s and Starbucks or Interstate 275, the neighborhood thrived. When the automobile became the dominant mode of transportation after WWII, the bungalow-style homes gave way to larger and more imposing dwellings, but the sense of community survived.
Today, a renaissance is under way in the area known as Old Seminole Heights. The neighborhood’s main thoroughfares of Florida and Nebraska Avenue are home to a popular array of restaurants, craft breweries and distilleries. Many of these businesses, along with the historic theater and Lowry Park Zoo, are fostering a revitalization of this classic Tampa neighborhood. The neighborhood’s walk score is 78 and its bike score is 64.
Channel District
As a seller’s market, homes in the Channel District sell quickly. On average, they spend 35 days on the market.
Channel District’s buzzing downtown waterfront is home to a mix of loft-style office space, restaurants and shops–including JoToro, Battery and Splitsville Southern & Social, as well as food stands in converted shipping containers. The Florida Aquarium and cruise ship terminals are across the street.
Families flock to the American Victory Museum and the Florida Aquarium, while hockey fans pack the Amalie Arena to watch the Tampa Bay Lightning play. The area’s also home to the renowned Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. There are many housing options, from luxury condominiums to single-family homes.
Port Tampa
Port Tampa Bay, located on Florida’s Interstate-4 Corridor is the largest and most diverse seaport in the state. It ships a mix of bulk, break-bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo, including containers. It operates ship repair shops.
You can shop at many vintage and antique shops in Ybor City or the International Plaza in downtown Tampa. There are also many upscale malls in the area.
German is the most common ethnicity among residents of Port Tampa City (14.4%). Other common ancestry groups include Irish (6.6%) and Italian (4.6%). Many people also speak Spanish here.
Lettuce Lake Regional Park
Lettuce Lake Regional Park, one of Hillsborough County’s most popular parks for conservation, is a beautiful place to visit. The park’s unique habitat includes pine flatwoods and hardwood swamp forests. It is home to a variety of wildlife. Visitors can stroll a 3,500 foot boardwalk or climb the observation tower to look for birds, reptiles and other critters.
There is also a wooded picnic area, playground and bicycle path/jogging trail with a fitness course. For a more in-depth experience, join a guided nature tour led by a park ranger or volunteer. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available for those who want to explore the park’s waters. The park has a $2 per car entrance fee.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island is a Tampa waterpark that is open year-round and offers a great combination of high-speed thrills and tranquil settings. The waterpark is located directly across from Busch Gardens. It features 30 acres of thrilling rides and relaxing beach. Speed down twisting slides like Vanish Point and Caribbean Corkscrew or kick back at a refreshing pool, waterfall, 17,000-square-foot wave pool or children’s water playground.
The Hang Ten Tiki bar, Surfside Cafe, and Mango Joe’s are great places to cool down. The park also has a full-service gift shop and outdoor cabanas. Load up your Treasure Card with points for easy access to all attractions and arcade games.