Tampa FL has miles of beautiful beaches,championship sports teams and a vibrant culinary scene. There are many delicious places to satisfy your hunger in Tampa. You can find them inside renovated 1901 streetcar warehouses along the Tampa Riverwalk and among some of the city’s best hotels.
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.
Old Seminole Heights is experiencing a revitalization. The neighborhood’s main thoroughfares of Florida and Nebraska Avenue are home to a popular array of restaurants,craft breweries and distilleries. These businesses,as well as the Lowry Park Zoo and historic theater,have helped revitalize this classic Tampa area. 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.
The American Victory Museum,the Florida Aquarium and hockey fans throng the Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay to see the Lightning play. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is also located in the area. A wide variety of housing options exist,from luxury condos to classic 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. The Port Tampa Bay ships containers,bulk cargo,and break-bulk. It also operates ship repair facilities.
A great place to shop is at the International Plaza and Bay Street in downtown Tampa or in Ybor City,where you can find lots of vintage and antique stores. There are also many upscale malls in the area.
Residents of the Port Tampa City neighborhood most often identify their ethnicity as German (14.4%). Other common ancestry groups include Irish (6.6%) and Italian (4.6%). There are many people who speak Spanish.
Lettuce Lake Regional Park
Lettuce Lake Regional Park is one of Hillsborough County’s most popular conservation parks. Its unique habitat,which includes a hardwood swamp forest and pine flatwoods,makes it home to an abundance 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. Join a nature tour guided by a volunteer or park ranger for a deeper experience. Canoe and kayak rentals are also available for those who want to explore the park’s waters. There is a $2 car entry fee.
Adventure Island
Adventure Island,a Tampa waterpark open all year round,offers an exciting combination of thrills with a tranquil setting. The waterpark is located directly across from Busch Gardens. It features 30 acres of thrilling rides and relaxing beach. You can speed down twisting slides such as Caribbean Corkscrew and Vanish Point or relax in a pool,waterfall,wave pool,or children’s playground.
The Hang Ten Tiki bar,Surfside Cafe,and Mango Joe’s are great places to cool down. There is also a gift shop with full service and cabanas outside. Load up your Treasure Card with points for easy access to all attractions and arcade games.