Tampa - Port Tampa
Explore
Port Tampa
There is much to see and do in Tampa and the surrounding area.
In addition, I would like to expand the area you visit to include St Petersburg.
This expanded area is full of fun places to experience.
The West Coast of Florida’s past, present, and future are there for your discovery.
A Little History
Tampa is rich in history and was incorporated as a town in 1855. Its history is steeped in Spanish and English roots. In addition, there were strong ties to the Native American tribes. The Seminole tribe displaced the Calusa and Timucua. Spanish explorers visited the native Americans in 1528 and Hernando de Soto in 1539.
Ft. Brooke was established during the Seminole Wars in 1824. The war spanned many years, from 1816 to 1858.
Ybor City
Cigars were made in this community for many years. The community was established by Vicente Martinez-Ybor in 1885. The cigar industry attracted many immigrants from Cuba, Spain, and Italy. This is where Hav-A-Tampa Cigars were made. Established in 1902. The cigar industry was so prevalent the city was nicknamed “Cigar City.” Tobacco production in the southern United States supported production efforts. In North Florida, where I live, shade tobacco was grown. The shade tobacco was vital because it was the cigar’s final layer. The dried shade tobacco finishes the cigar. The solid wrapper leaf gives the cigar stability and improves its smokability.
Things to see and do in Tampa.
Visit Ybor City
Restaurant recommendation:
Colombia Restaurant: This traditional Spanish restaurant is one of my all-time favorites. Please make reservations a few days before your visit. It is well worth planning to have a meal of this caliber. Try the 1905 salad.
Colombia Restaurant 1905 Salad
Watching the wait staff prepare the salad at your table is a treat. I have it every time I go.
Walk around Ybor City and get a feel for what it must have been like during its Cigar City days. There are other restaurants, bars, and nightclubs in the area. The place comes alive after dark.
As always, use situational awareness when out and about.
Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is a fun family place to spend the day. It offers various activities, such as safari tours, amusement rides, and unique events that change throughout the year.
One thing that was brought back after COVID-19 was the free beer tasting. Anheuser-Busch Corporation owns the park. Up until 1995, beer was brewed at the park location.
You can sample a 7-oz cup of beer between 10:30 and one hour before closing. All that is required is proof of age and admission.
The park is known for its innovative and thrilling roller coasters. Here is a sample of names: the Serengeti Flyer, Phoenix Rising, Iron Gwazi, Tigris, Cheetah Hunt, and Cobra Curse.
The list goes on and on. If you are a roller coaster fan, you will love this park.
Brightline Train – Future Line
In the future, the Brightline Train will travel between Tampa and Orlando, connecting these two large cities in central Florida. You could take this new, modern train system from Tampa to Orlando Airport and Miami one day. This may close the theme park gap, improving attendance at Busch Gardens.
Visit Downtown Tampa
There are museums and a restored movie theater to experience. In addition, the nearby restaurants and nightlife are decent, too.
Tampa Theater
Built in 1926, this hidden gem is located on North Franklin Street downtown. Still showing movies, this classic 1920s-era movie palace should be visited. The interior is exquisite, with a Mediterranean motif. You will see statuary, flowers, and gargoyles. The ceiling is an artificial night sky. The experience is like watching a movie in the courtyard of a Mediterranean estate in the evening.
Paid Tours Available
Tours are available, or you can buy tickets and go to the movies. I love this place. If you go to a movie, arrive early. We saw an organist play on an elevated stage before the movie screen. The effect of the organist playing as the movable elevator rose to stage level was unforgettable. Is this a unique one-off experience?
Tampa Waterfront and Museums
Near the Glazer Children’s Museum is a beautiful park with an adjacent riverwalk. You can also catch a river taxi from the river walk. From the park, looking across the river, you can see the beautiful architecture of the University of Tampa.
Glazer Children’s Museum
It is a beautiful way to spend time with your child, experiencing play with a purpose. This interactive experience will enrich your child’s mind, and your inner child will have fun, too.
SEE THE LINK BELOW FOR THE GLAZER
Across the park from the Glazer, you will see the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
The gallery features workshops and diverse photographic displays.
Tampa Hard Rock Casino
Check out Hard Rock for great entertainment offerings—this is one of those things you will want to have tickets for before you arrive. The venue is small and intimate, unlike a stadium or arena-style event. There are good restaurants there as well. Dinner and a show are always lovely.
There are many slot machines. Tabletop games like poker, blackjack, and roulette are available at the casino.
Top Golf
Top Golf is near the Hard Rock. For the golfer, this place offers a lot of entertainment for the dollar. Have a meal, a few adult beverages, and hit some balls.
LINK FOR TOP GOLF HERE
Things to do in St. Petersburg
Just across Tampa Bay lies St Pete. If you are staying in Tampa, leave yourself plenty of time to travel across the bridge. The driving time with regular traffic is 26 minutes. Check your smartphone for traffic updates if you have a time-sensitive schedule. You can take a scenic ferry from Tampa to St Pete. It takes 50 minutes.
FERRY LINK FROM PAGE
Newly Rebuilt Pier
If you are driving to the Pier, there is a lot of metered street parking. Park the car and walk to the Pier. It is a nice walk. There is a tram on the walkway that goes to the end of the walkway where the Pier is located.
The old Pier rusted away, and a renovation project of around ninety-six million replaced the old with the new. Just before you reach the Pier on the right, you will see a nice sitting place to view the bay with colorful Adirondack chairs. My wife and I like to sit there and listen to the seabirds and street musicians. This would be a delightful place for a prompt cheese crackers and wine picnic.
Doc Ford Restaurant
Beyond the Adirondack chairs to the right is Doc Ford’s Restaurant. It is a seafood restaurant named for one of the characters from the Randy Wayne White novel series. The novel takes place in Florida. I am told there are twenty-seven books in the series. The books, tee shirts, and hats are all for sale at the restaurant.
Dali Museum St Pete
There is an exceptional opportunity waiting for you in St. Pete. The Salvador Dali Museum is situated in a picturesque tropical environment. The museum’s structural design mimics the surrealistic style of the famous painter, with architect Yann Weymouth at the helm of the project. Even if you are not a fan of Dali, it is highly recommended that you visit the museum. Dali’s artistic creativity and imagination need to be experienced in person. Most paintings are on large canvases, and the concepts behind the paintings and sculptures are thought-provoking. It would take approximately 2 hours to view all of the exhibits. The bookstore and gift shop are delightful and worth a visit.
Dale Chihuly Art Gallery
The Chihuly Collection is a must-visit destination. Mr. Chihuly is a well-known artist who creates fantastic glass sculptures that resemble exotic sea creatures. You can witness a large display of his work on the ceiling of The Bellagio in Las Vegas. While in St. Pete, remember to step into the Vinoy Hotel and admire the stunning glass chandeliers in the ballroom. The hotel was built in 1925 and has a classic 1920s charm. Be sure to pay attention to the intricate details in the architecture, including the elevator area. It will feel like you’ve been transported back in time.
