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.
Historic buildings have been transformed into trendy shops and restaurants. Curtis Hixon Park is located near the Tampa Bay River and is a great place for picnics or frisbee games. The park is also home to a variety of events and concerts 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
The neighborhood was thriving long before Cappy’s, Starbucks, or Interstate 275. 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 walk score of the neighborhood is 78, and its bike rating is 64.
Channel District
Channel District is a seller’s market. Homes in this area sell quickly. They spend an average of 35 days on the marketplace.
The Channel District’s bustling downtown waterfront features a variety of loft-style offices, restaurants, shops, including JoToro and Splitsville Southern & Social. There are also food stands inside 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. 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. It ships a mix of bulk, break-bulk and roll-on/roll-off cargo, including containers. 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. The area is home to many high-end malls.
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%). Many people also speak Spanish here.
Lettuce Lake Regional Park
Lettuce Lake Regional Park is one of Hillsborough County’s most popular conservation parks. 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. For those looking to explore the waters of the park, canoes and kayaks are available for rent. 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. Fill up your Treasure Card to gain easy access to all arcade games and attractions.
