Photo courtesy of iStock / SeanPavonePhoto
Downtown skyline
Downtown Tampa, a business and commercial hub, sits right on the waterfront, with its high rises towering above excellent museums, restaurants, shops and bars.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
Latin Quarter
Ybor City, Tampa’s Latin Quarter, ranks among the city’s most celebrated neighborhoods. Historic 7th Avenue, or “La Setima” as locals call it, runs through the heart of the neighborhood and has been designated one of the American Planning Association’s Great Streets in America.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
Cigar Capital of the World
Ybor City was once known as the Cigar Capital of the World, thanks to immigrants Gavino Gutierrez, Vicente Martinez Ybor and Ignacio Haya who began manufacturing cigars in Tampa in the late 1800s. Visitors can still watch the process of cigar rolling today at places like Nicahabana Cigars.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
The chickens of Ybor City
Spend some time wandering around Ybor City, and you’ll likely encounter some of the city’s wild chickens. These legally protected fowl are direct descendants of the chickens brought by Ybor City’s original residents more than a century ago.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
A historic ride
One of the best ways to get between Downtown Tampa and historic Ybor City is aboard the TECO Line Streetcar, a 2.7-mile electric heritage streetcar that’s completely free to ride.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
Waterside revitilization
Colorful Sparkman Wharf along the Garrison Channel in downtown Tampa is the go-to place for waterfront dining, drinking and live music. The area gets its name from Stephen Sparkman, the region’s first congressman who secured funding to dig channels into Tampa’s downtown.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
The green side of Tampa
Tampa is home to more than 3,540 acres of parkland, including 178 parks and more than 300 miles of trails. Water Works Park, situated at the northern end of the Tampa Riverwalk, is home to an outdoor amphitheater, splash pad, and sprawling green space on the banks of the Hillsborough River.
Photo courtesy of Keir Magoulas | Visit Tampa Bay
On the water
Outdoor recreation in Tampa often takes place on the water. Those looking to escape the city can grab a paddle to explore the Hillsborough River just outside the urban center, where it’s possible to spot turtles, alligators and birds.
Photo courtesy of iStock / benedek
Walk on the wild side
Just a few minutes outside downtown Tampa, Hillsborough River State Park feels worlds away, thanks to its 7 miles of nature trails, campgrounds, class II river rapids and an ADA accessible swimming pool.
Photo courtesy of iStock / mokee81
World’s longest sidewalk
Tampa’s Bayshore Boulevard is known as the World’s Longest Continuous Sidewalk, stretching for 4.5 miles along Tampa Bay. You’ll find people out on the trail at almost all hours of the day walking, jogging, biking and soaking up the bay and downtown views.
Photo courtesy of iStock / TriggerPhoto
Choose your own beach
Downtown Tampa is within a 30-minute drive of some of Florida’s best beaches, making it an ideal base for sun seekers. The blindingly white sands of Clearwater Beach are a short drive away, as is the solitude of Fort de Soto Park.
Photo courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay
Downtown views
For the best views of the Tampa skyline (especially around sunset), make your way to the fishing pier at Ballast Point Park. The park also features a boat ramp, picnic shelters, a playground and a waterpark.