Tampa

Understand

Tampa is on the north shore of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida. Saint Petersburg lies west of the bay, while Bradenton is on the southern shore. The downtown business center of the city is on the north shore of Hillsborough Bay (a small bay within Tampa Bay which is bordered by the eastern shore of Tampa Bay and the small peninsula of South Tampa) and Ybor City lies just to the east. MacDill Air Force Base is on the southern tip of South Tampa, while the city also extends to the north all the way to New Tampa.

Orientation Tampa is divided into five main districts fanning out from Downtown in the south-center between the Hillsborough River and Ybor Channel. West Tampa, once a separate city, lies across the Hillsborough River to the west of Downtown. South Tampa, a large residential area, extends south along the Interbay Peninsula. Historic Ybor City (sometimes considered a part of Downtown) lies on the northeast side of downtown. East Tampa, the historically African-American side of the city, lies north of Ybor City. North Tampa forms the urban/suburban sprawl north of Busch Boulevard. The northernmost extremity of North Tampa, known as New Tampa due to its having been annexed to the city in 1988, is very suburban and somewhat isolated from the rest of Tampa. Within Tampa proper, there are six official "historical districts" (Hampton Terrace, Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Historic West Tampa, Ybor City) and at least 86 named neighborhoods.

History The Tampa Bay area was visited by many Spanish explorers, beginning with Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528. However, no long term permanent settlements were created until 1824 when the US federal government created a reservation for north Florida Seminole Indians. At the same time, the US created Fort Brooke to oversee the reservation as well as protect the strategic harbor. The town's first population boom occurred in the 1880s. In 1883, phosphate was discovered in the area, spurring the development of the mining and shipping industries in the area. Shortly after, Henry B. Plant completed work on his railroad linking Tampa to Jacksonville. He began promoting Tampa as a holiday spot and built the grand Plant Hotel as a luxury resort destination. In 1886, Vicente Martinez Ybor opened Tampa's first cigar factory in Ybor City which encouraged the immigration of many Spanish, Cuban and Italian (primarily Sicilian) workers. During the Spanish American War at the turn of the century, Tampa was the main port of departure for troops heading for Cuba. During this time, the Plant Hotel was convert

Getting there

By plane

Tampa International Airport

1 Tampa International Airport (TPA IATA), 4100 George J Bean Pkwy (8 mi (13 km) West/NW of downtown, on the Tampa side of Old Tampa Bay, via Exit 39 from I-275 at its jct of SR-60 (cross over bay from Clearwater). From St Petersburg it is 21.5 mi (34.6 km) north/NE across the bay via I-275.), ☏ +1 813 870-8700. The airport is built with a central terminal, accessible by ground transportation, where passengers check in for flights and reclaim checked luggage (arrivals). The central terminal is then connected to (4) airside satellite terminals by SkyConnect trains to access flights. Non-stop service is available from most major U.S. cities (and from Puerto Rico); intrastate flights from other parts of the state (with Silver Airways, Southwest, and Southern Airways Express); and international flights from the Bahamas, Canada, Cuba, Great Britain, Germany, Mexico, Panama and Switzerland with the following:

Airside A: JetBlue, Silver Airways, United/United Express Airside C: Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest, Sun Country Airside E: Air Canada, Delta/Delta Connection, Frontier Airside F: American Airlines/American Eagle, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Copa Airlines, Edelweiss, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Swift Air, Westjet, international arrivals Car rental is located in a separate 2 Rental Car Center located along Airport Service Rd, next to the economy parking buildings. It is accessible from the main terminal by the frequent SkyConnect train. Courtesy pick-up for off-airport car rental companies can be arranged at the red or blue luggage reclaim zones at the airport or at the "commercial curb" at the Car Rental Center. Bus stops for Hillsborough Area Transit (HART), to Tampa (Rt #10, 30, 32) and to St Petersburg & Clearwater with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)(Rt #300x) are next to the Rental Car Center. Follow signs to the "remote curbside" from the Rental Car Center to reach the bus stops. HART #10 and PSTA #300x buses connect the airport to downtown Tampa. Check Schedules. 3 Saint Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (PIE IATA) is an alternative 15 miles away, generally serving Allegiant Air, Sun Country and private VIP flights. 4 Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ IATA) is a bit further away, but it's in proximity to beautiful Gulf beaches to the south of Tampa.

By train

Amtrak runs its Silver Star daily train (#91, 92) from New York City and Miami to Tampa. The train journey through Florida offers great views, but be aware that, while Amtrak reports an 80% on-time rat

Getting around

By car Car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times. The main freeways in Tampa are Interstate 275, Interstate 4, the Veterans Expressway (toll FL 589), and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway (toll FL 618). Some of the main east-west roads through town are Kennedy Boulevard (SR 60), Gandy Boulevard (SR 694), Hillsborough Avenue (US 92) and Fowler Avenue (SR 582), while some of the north-south roads are Dale Mabry Highway (US 92) and Florida/Nebraska Avenue (US 41). Traffic is especially bad during the rush hours: from about 7:30AM to 9:30AM and 3:30PM to 7:30PM. During these times, try especially to avoid I-275 between I-4 and SR 60 (by the airport) as this section runs by downtown and is being rebuilt.

By bus

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) provides extensive bus service throughout Hillsborough County. There are four types of routes offered: "local", "Commuter Express", "MetroRapid" (Bus Rapid Transit), and trolleys (see below). Local routes are ones which have many stops in a small region. Commuter Express lines are long-distance lines namely providing service from suburbs into Tampa. Only local to local & commuter express to local transfers are allowed. Fares are $1.75 for local routes and $2.75 for commuter express lines. Four small routes (83, 87, 88, & 89) have a 50¢ fare with no transfers. Riders over 65, 17 and under, on Medicare, or disabled are half-price: 85¢ for "local" routes and $1.35 for "commuter express" routes. Bus transportation in the Tampa area is not popular and one can expect plenty of room in buses. 1 Marion Transit Center at 1211 N Marion St, just north of downtown is the hub for almost all local and regional buses. PSTA, offers service in Pinellas County (the county west of Tampa Bay, home to Clearwater and St. Petersburg) similar to what HART offers in Hillsborough.

By streetcar Tampa's TECO Line Streetcar runs from Whiting and Franklin Streets downtown to Centennial Park in Ybor City with 9 stops along the way (11 total stops). The line is useful for tourists and convention-goers. The line runs by many local shops, restaurants, and attractions including the convention center, Embassy Suites, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Channelside, the Florida Aquarium, and through Ybor City. There are 3 types of streetcars in operation: 9 "Birney Safety" replicas (picture, right), one "Breezer" open-air replica (picture, left), and one original "Birney" car (

See

Downtown Tampa

1 Channel District. The Channel District has many shops, restaurants, and is one of the beginnings of the Tampa River Walk. Formerly home to a shopping center named Channelside Bay Plaza, this area is now completely remodeled and opened in late 2018 as Sparkman Wharf, with many take away eateries and a beer garden, along with a lively lawn beside the waterfront. The area also serves as a major cruise hub with five lines embarking or stopping in Tampa. The Florida Aquarium is also here (see entry below). (updated Jan 2019) 2 Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive (Channelside district, just east of downtown), ☏ +1 813 273-4000. Daily 9:30AM-5PM. Fabulous aquarium following a drop of rain from a swamp through Florida's aquifer, to its rivers and out into the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Restaurant, gift shop, children's play area, touch tank, interactive dive experiences, and eco-tours of Tampa Bay. The aquarium also has a great outdoor water play area (included with admission), so on hotter days bring swim attire and towels for the kids - bathrooms are located adjacent for changing. There is a fee for parking at the main lot, but on busier days/times only members are allowed to use it - others will be directed to the parking garages nearby. Adults $28.95, ages 3-12 $23.95, discount if bought online. (updated Jan 2018) 3 Tampa Museum of Art, 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza (downtown Tampa on the Hillsborough river), ☏ +1 813 274-8130 (main), +1 813 421-8380 (tickets). M-Th 11AM – 7PM; F 11AM – 8PM; Sa Su 11AM – 5PM. Adult $20; senior $12, Florida educator $12, military plus one guest $12 (each); student $5; and child age 6 and under free. (updated Jun 2018) 4 Tampa Theatre, 711 Franklin Street, ☏ +1 813 274-8982. Opened in 1926 in downtown, the Tampa Theatre is a historic movie palace featuring a wide range of independent, foreign, and documentary films on a daily basis. Architecturally stunning inside and out, it is no wonder that the Tampa Theatre has become a city and national landmark. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. It is Tampa's only non-profit theatre and operating costs are largely covered by its membership program, various corporate sponsors, and ticket sales. 5 University of Tampa. Built at the turn of the 20th century as the Tampa Bay Hotel by railroad magnate H.B. Plant, the beautiful old building is now used as the administration building and classrooms for the University of Tampa. It has been lovingly restored to most of its prior glory; the ballroom is a showpiece with its domed c

Do

Walking tour of Ybor City — Every Saturday at 10:30AM, the Ybor City State Museum offers a 60-minute walking tour of Ybor City highlighting the cigar industry's impact on the area, historic cottages/businesses, and tours of the YC State Museum & YC Cigar Museum. The $6 cost includes both museum entrance fees. Longer tours are available by appointment Tu-Th for $12. If possible, stop by the 100-year-old Columbia Restaurant at the end of the tour for a tasty Cuban lunch. Cruise ships, Port of Tampa. Gasparilla Pirate Festival. An annual event consisting of several parades, live entertainment, and fireworks. The event is also known as the Mardi Gras of Tampa, and normally takes place on the last two Saturdays in January. 1 Adventure Island. Water park adjoining Busch Gardens, combined or single admission with the main park is available. (updated Dec 2021), 2 Sky Zone Tampa. Trampoline Park. (updated Dec 2021) - in Tampa. Sant'Yago Knight Parade. An illuminated nighttime parade that takes place one Saturday in February in Ybor City. Several film festivals take place at the Tampa Theatre several times a year. Read the Tampa Bay Times -- Tampa has some sort of event going on nearly every weekend, especially in the spring and early summer. Art festivals, a terrific Renaissance festival, street festivals -- take advantage of the great weather and enjoy our city. Surprisingly, ice skating is a popular activity in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay Skating Academy in nearby Oldsmar has two NHL-sized ice surfaces. Other well-known rinks include Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, and Sunblades Center and the rink in Westfield Countryside Mall, both in Clearwater. Lettuce Lake Park between I-75 and the University of South Florida has boardwalks that go through a nearly pristine area with 700-year-old cypress trees, alligators, egrets and herons. One end of the boardwalk overlooks the Hillsborough River in its original state, a far cry from what it looks like in the downtown area. L-39 Albatross jet fighter flight. From St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport (updated Jun 2017)

Sports

Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an American football team whose home field is Raymond James Stadium (off Dale Mabry a couple of miles north of I-275). They won the Super Bowl in the 2002 and 2020 seasons. The season lasts from August (preseason)-January (postseason, if they qualify). Tampa Bay Lightning. are an NHL (ice hockey) team who have won the Stanley Cup in 2004, 2020, and 2021. Their home ice is at Amalie Arena in the Channelside area of downtown. Season includes 41 home game

Buy

1 International Plaza and Bay Street, 2223 N Westshore Blvd, ☏ +1 813-342-3790. International Plaza is near the airport, and would be worthwhile if you are trying to spend a few hours. The usual stores are present, plus a collection of boutique shops, restaurants, and bars in the outdoor area. Lots of food and drink options as well. (updated Nov 2021) 2 Westshore Plaza Mall. Also near the airport, has a food court, movie theater and shops. (updated Feb 2017) Channelside. Beside the cruise terminals in downtown, this shopping complex has shops, food, and drinking places. Take the streetcar into Ybor City for more shopping and restaurants, the ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes. (updated Feb 2017) 3 University Mall, 2200 E Fowler Ave, ☏ +1 813-971-3465. Near University of South Florida, it has mid-range shops and food. Few tourists would have a reason to visit this mall, but in a pinch it would be a good bet for basic clothing needs. However, in the mall's parking area along Fowler Ave, there are several good family-style restaurants such as Portillo's Hot Dogs, Long Horn Steakhouse, and a Racetrack convenience store. (updated Sep 2018) 4 Westfield Citrus Park. In the northwest part of the county. Another Westfield Shopping Town with the standard food court, shops, and a movie theater. (updated Sep 2018) Big Top Flea Market, Fowler Ave. (Past I-75 on the left). Sa Su. 5 Couture Designer Resale Boutique, 10117 Montague St, ☏ +1 813 926-9889. M-sa 10AM-6PM. Founded in 2003, Couture Boutique is one of the leading providers of authentic used luxury goods in the United States. Couture offers a wide selection of designer handbags, jewelry, clothing, and accessories and features top-name designers that include Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, and David Yurman. With their ever-changing inventory and friendly staff, Couture Boutique has become a popular shopping destination for Tampa Bay area residents and travelers alike.

Eat

Budget 1 Bo's Ice Cream, 7101 N Florida Avenue. Very close to Lowry Park Zoo at Florida & Sligh. Amazing local soft-serve, shakes and banana splits. 2 Carmine's Restaurant, 1802 E 7th Ave. Ybor City neighborhood. Cuban, Spanish, and Italian. 3 Cappy's Pizza, 4910 North Florida Avenue, ☏ +1 813 238-1516. Between MLK and Hillsborough on Florida Avenue. Great local pizza joint, family friendly. 4 Hattrick's, 107 S Franklin Street, ☏ +1 813 225-4228. Daily 11AM-3AM. In downtown Tampa, chow down on wings, mozzarella sticks and other dishes while watching the Tampa Bay Lightning play against their rivals. (updated May 2015) 5 The Jerk Hut, 1241 E Fowler Ave, ☏ +1 813 497-8241. Don't be put off by the name - "jerk" is a Jamaican term for slow-roasting meats. The Jerk Hut serves theirs with an addictive sweet red sauce. Also, curries and oxtail stew. 6 Mel's Hot Dogs, 4136 E Busch Blvd, ☏ +1 813 985-8000. A tacky little restaurant near Busch Gardens. Good hot dogs and bizarre hot dog related memorabilia. 7 La Teresita, 3246 W Columbus Dr, ☏ +1 813-879-9704. Inexpensive Cuban diner with good food and interesting characters. A true Tampa institution. (updated Nov 2018) 8 Westshore Pizza, 4802 W Bay Ct Ave, ☏ +1 813 832-5331. Numerous other locations throughout Tampa Bay. A local chain with good, cheap eats including pizza and cheesesteaks. 9 Xtreme Juice Smoothies, 619 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, ☏ +1 813 879-6033. South Tampa's best smoothies. A local smoothie shop that offers buy one get one free on Sundays.

Mid-range 10 Bahama Breeze, 3045 N. Rocky Point Drive E, ☏ +1 813 289-7922. 11 Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Avenue, ☏ +1 813 247-1422. Ybor City section of Tampa. Brew pub with a good food menu including shepard's pie and huge calzones in addition to more standard fare.

Splurge 12 Bern's Steak House, 1208 S Howard Av, ☏ +1 813 251-2421. Considered to be one of the best steakhouses in Florida: it claims to have the largest privately owned wine lists in the world, with over 7000 labels and a million bottles. It is commonplace to have a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar after dinner, but expect to spend at least a few hours. (updated Nov 2018) 13 The Columbia Restaurant, 2117 East 7th Avenue, ☏ +1 813 248-4961. Spanish, a landmark in the Ybor City neighborhood since 1905. Famous for their "1905 Salad, " traditional Spanish menu, and flamenco dance shows. (updated Nov 2018) 14 Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd, ☏ +1 813 254-5373. (updated Nov 2018)

Drink & nightlife

1 Cigar City Brewing, 3924 West Spruce Street, ☏ +1 813 348-6363. West Tampa section of Tampa. Very popular craft brewery with a tasting room. Ybor City is a historic area of Tampa which now hosts the region's best known bar and nightclub district. It is a nationally known arts, bar and dining district and you could take several days visiting all of the bars and places to eat here. Certain parts to the extreme west and east sections of this neighborhood can be dangerous after midnight, but if you stay in the main areas it's well lit and there are plenty of police around. You can find any type of bar here, from punk rock/metal, hip-hop, house, blues, indie, country, or dive. 2 Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Avenue, ☏ +1 813 247-1422. Ybor City section of Tampa. Good variety of well made beers. Seminole Heights is one of the most dynamic historic areas of Tampa. Just north of Downtown, it is filled with beautiful craftsmen and Mediterranean Revival homes. Seminole Heights is centered on two primary north/south thoroughfares, Florida Avenue and Nebraska Avenue. Florida Ave is more developed with a higher concentration of bars and restaurants, while Nebraska remains slightly grittier but definitely up and coming. Florida Ave, north of Hillsborough Ave. 3 Chop Chop Shop, 6605 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 4 Rooster & the Till, 6500 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 5 82 West Distillery, 6430 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 6 Trip's Diner, 6414 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 7 Angry Chair Brewing, 6401 N. Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 8 The C House, 6005 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 9 Front Porch & Barts Tavern, 5924 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 10 Bodega, 5901 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) Florida Ave, south of Hillsborough Ave. 11 Ichicoro Ramen, 5229 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 12 Red Star Rock Bar, 5210 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 13 Independent Bar & Cafe, 5016 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 14 Cappys Pizzeria, 4910 N. Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 15 Florida Ave Brewing Company, 4101 N Florida Ave. (updated Jun 2021) Nebraska Ave. 16 Blue Sea Seafood Market & Restaurant, 7110 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 17 7th Sun Brewery, 6809 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 18 The Mermaid Tavern, 6719 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 19 Hampton Station, 5921 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 20 Martha's Restaurant, 5202 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 21 Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe, 5119 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 2021) 22 Ebisu Sushi Shack, 5116 N Nebraska Ave. (updated Jun 20

Sleep

Budget 1 Gram's Place (Hostel), 3109 N Ola Ave, ☏ +1 813 221-0596. Clean, quiet, restful, music-themed "Bed & Beat" rooms and a simulated railroad depot and sleeper car, over-sized in ground Jacuzzi and BYOB bar in courtyards. Dorms $23+, private rooms $50+. 2 Ramada Tampa Airport Westshore, 1200 N West Shore Boulevard, ☏ +1 813 282-3636, toll-free: +1-800-449-4343, fax: +1 813 282-0055. 3 Suburban Extended Stay Hotel Airport, 6902 W. Hillsborough Ave, ☏ +1 813 886-7799, fax: +1 813 243-9833.

Mid-range 4 Comfort Suites At Fairgrounds-Casino, 4506 Oak Fair Boulevard, ☏ +1 813 868-7770. 5 Courtyard Tampa Brandon, 10152 Palm River Rd (Rt 60 & Falkenburg Rd), ☏ +1 813 661-9559, fax: +1 813 661-4583. 6 Courtyard Tampa Westshore/Airport, 3805 West Cypress St, ☏ +1 813 874-0555, fax: +1 813 870-0685. 7 DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Tampa Bay, 3050 North Rocky Point Drive West, ☏ +1 813 888-8800. 8 Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa USF Near Busch Gardens, 3705 Spectrum Blvd, ☏ +1 813 875-1555. 9 Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore, 555 N. Westshore Blvd, ☏ +1 813 977-7066. 10 Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Tampa East/Fairgrounds-Casino, 6720 Lakeview Center Drive, ☏ +1 813 626-3000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $79-159. 11 Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa/Ybor City/Downtown, 1301 East 7th Avenue, ☏ +1 813 247-6700. Rooms and suites with free internet, flat screen TV, and large work space. Hotel provides, free hot breakfast, pool and fitness center. $85-140. 12 Hilton Tampa Airport Westshore, 2225 North Lois Ave, ☏ +1 813 877-6688. 13 Hilton Tampa Downtown, 211 N Tampa Street, ☏ +1 813 204-3000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Hotel in a skyscraper; amenities include a 5th floor pool with fire pit and a restaurant on the ground floor. $169/night. (updated May 2015) 14 Tampa Airport Marriott (At the Tampa International Airport), ☏ +1 813 879-5151, toll-free: +1-800-564-3440, fax: +1 813 873-0945. 15 Residence Inn Tampa Downtown, 101 East Tyler Street, ☏ +1-813-221-4224. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Extended stay accommodations with full size kitchens, free Internet, and complimentary hot breakfast buffet daily. (updated Apr 2015) 16 Sheraton Tampa Brandon Hotel, 10221 Princess Palm Ave, ☏ +1 813-623-6363, [email protected]. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. Just off I-75. Warm rooms with balconies come with WiFi (fee), flat-screen TVs and coffeemakers. Club rooms provide access to a lounge with complimentary continental breakfast, all-day snacks and afternoon appetizers. Suites offer microwaves, mini-fri

Go next

Disney World in Orlando. Gulf Beaches - Take State Route 60 or I-275 west towards Clearwater or St. Petersburg and follow signs. 45 minutes to an hour drive. There are many beaches towns to choose from including the world famous Clearwater Beach, but also smaller places such as Madeira Beach with the Johns Pass shopping/ entertaining complex. Filled with shops, restaurants, and bars, is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon or, better yet, evening. Sarasota - About an hour south off of I-75. Home to the John Ringling Museum (house, circus exhibit and art museum). Crystal River - Dive with manatees in a natural spring Tarpon Springs - An authentic Greek town along the Anclote River in Pinellas County. Fabulous restaurants with alfresco seating along Dodecanese Boulevard and the historic Sponge Docks. Nearby and still in Tarpon Springs is Fred Howard Park, a great place to watch the sunset. About 45 minutes to an hour from Tampa. Titusville