Tides Turn: Tampa Tourism

Orlando and Miami are often the first cities booked for a Florida vacation but a third city is vying for a spot on the podium.  Tampa is becoming more attractive to tourists with added entertainment like the new downtown river walk, plenty of beaches and boardwalks as well as a mix of art, culture and dining that is quick to fill a trip itinerary. Tourism is also expected to blow up here with talks of the U.S. lifting the embargo on Cuba, opening a gateway to the mysterious country. Here are 10 reasons to visit now.

1. Tampa Water Taxi

A city overview is better by boat. Tampa Water Taxi offers several tour options- one focused on dolphins, another that takes off just before sunset and a third with a run down on the history. Or, choose the celebrity homes tour to see massive mansions and even the home of Derek Jeter. The boats pick up from several spots but our favorite is Curtis Hixson Park so you can walk along the energetic river walk that was recently completed.

2. Perfect Picnic Stop at University of Tampa

Grab a picnic and enjoy from the grassy lawn in front of the University of Tampa for views of the river walk and downtown. As a former luxury resort from the early 1800’s, the architecture is absolutely stunning. Nearly 100 years later it was the headquarters for the U.S. Army during the Spanish American War, a time when Tampa served as the point of embarkation for Cuba. After the Great Depression, it was acquired by the city and later became the University of Tampa.

3. Pinky’s Diner

Down to business and quick service is the name of the game at this diner that racks up rave reviews. Top menu items include the pancake sandwich (two eggs, ham and cheese between two buttermilk pancakes). For something less sweet, go for the Fried Egg Sandwich (2 eggs over easy, bacon, Swiss cheddar, lettuce, tomato and mayo on 7-grain bread). Expect a wait but self-serve coffee in mix matched mugs helps the time pass. Insider Tip: Order bacon made in house for a thick slab of the good stuff.

4. Fly a Kite at Treasure Island

You may notice a colorful parade of kites and an array of designs as you approach the white sands of Treasure Island. Stop at Windworks, at St. John’s Pass where staff can point you in the right type of kite. Find everything from hi-tech modern designs and well as classic kites that are easier to fly.

5. Taco Bus

“Broken English, Perfectly Spoken” is the kind of tag line you want to hear when you are searching for authentic Tex Mex. Taco Bus serves up everything from tacos, tostados, tortas, burritos and more out of a yellow school bus. But first, they are topped with the goods. Three top picks: 1. Pescado (dos equis battered grouper with cream sauce) 2. Cochinita Pibil (shredded pork marinated in achiote and bitter orange, smoked in banana leaves) 3. Butternut Squash (grilled with sweet red peppers, tomatoes, and onions). Chase it down with your choice of an aqua fresca- pineapple, mango or horchata.

6. Ybor City

Many claim that Miami offers the most authentic Cuban experience in the states but it would be hard to argue that Tampa’s Ybor City shouldn’t take the cake. Ybor City is the oldest Cuban settlement in the United States and is still rocking the history with Cuban coffee stands, cuisine and cigars. For the full experience, head to Tabanero Cigars where you can see stands set up with Cuban masters hand rolling cigars seven days a week. You can also take a factory tour to learn about different types of tobacco, aromas and the best ways to cut, punch, and light them.  Plus, here they are hand rolled, many other cigar stores trick customers saying hand made which simply means a worker puts the label on the cigar after a machine did the hard work.

Insider Tip: York City isn’t just about Cuban cuisine. You will also find plenty of other cuisines from other countries, like at Row Boat Mediterranean. The colorful and bright atmosphere inside breathes a new kind of life into the historic area. Top menu picks: falafel, hummus and baba ghanoush.

7. Head to the Beach.

Tampa is the kind of place that offers a city experience and also plenty of water and beach activities in nearby areas like St. Petersburg and Clearwater Beach. Clearwater Beach is especially hyped with street performers and musicians as well as on beach activities like inflatable slides and trampolines. For a more laid back experience, head to the boardwalk at St. John’s Pass where wooden buildings home to shops and restaurants serving up fresh catches evoke a fisherman’s village.

 

Insider Tip: After grab a seat facing the water at the colorful outdoor patio at Tiki Hut Grill at St. John’s Pass for a local beer from Cigar City Brewing.

8. Munch’s

Here, find a classic roadside diner that captured the attention of TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives for serving up breakfast comfort food. Here, big time skillets covered in thick gravy and buttermilk biscuits along with Texas hash and cheese grits are served up quick. A must try is the homemade maple, brown sugar sausage.

9. Dali Museum

Right on the water, the Dali Museum is one of the most recognized spots in Tampa. But it’s not just the stunning architecture and the massive mustache on the outdoor lawn that make this one of the most visited spots in Tampa. Inside, find over 2,100 Dali paintings, prints sculptures and drawings making this the largest collection of Dali’s work outside of Spain.

10. Tampa Downtown Market 

One of the best ways to feel out the local scene is a Saturday Farmers Market and the Tampa Downtown Market is filled with the best of. And of course one of the highlights is local produce like the famous Florida oranges. Live music and food vendors peddling everything from Cuban and Ethiopian cuisine.

Carri’s Catch: Tampa isn’t exactly boiling over with craft breweries but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t a few to put on your list. Cigar City Brewing is one of the largest in the area focusing on Cigar City highlights when it comes down to the labeling, names of beers and recipes like the Cuban—Style Brown Ale.