Things to do in Tampa Bay
-
A
Columbia Restaurant
See that enormous building covered in hand-painted tiles? That's the famous Columbia, serving Spanish and Cuban specialties since 1920. Reservations and $6 gets you seating for flamenco performances.
reviewed
-
B
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
This is the largest performing-arts center south of the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. It hosts major concerts, touring Broadway productions, plays, the Tampa Ballet and special events. The complex has five theaters: Festival Hall (a 2500-seat venue where touring Broadway shows and headliners perform), Ferguson Hall (with 1000 seats), the Jaeb (a three-floor cabaret), the Teco (with 200 seats) and the 100-seat Shimberg Playhouse, a ‘black box’ venue for cutting-edge performances by local and national artists and groups. Free backstage guided tours are offered Wednesday and Saturday at 10am, by reservation.
reviewed
-
C
Museum of Science & Industry
This museum is deservedly one of the biggest draws around, and it’s definitely in contention for Florida’s best hands-on science museum. With upwards of 450 ‘minds-on’ activities, hyperactive kids will think they have walked into heaven. Look for traveling exhibits and a cool hot-air balloon exhibit, as well as ones on the human body and the amount of garbage the average North American generates annually. Enter a flight-avionics simulator or a Gulf Coast hurricane before taking the 1-mile trail within the on-site wetland preserve. Finish the day with an IMAX movie.
reviewed
-
Adventure Island
This 25-acre water park, run by Anheuser-Busch, has 16 different areas, including Key West Rapids, on which rafters go down a six-story twist, ending in a 60ft-long pool. Other slide rides include the Aruba Tuba (some portions are in total darkness) and Rambling Bayou, where you go through weather ‘effects’ areas (some foggy, others have heavy rain). There’s also a 9000-sq-ft swimming pool with waterfalls, diving platforms and tube slides. And don’t forget the 76ft, free-fall body slide, Tampa Typhoon.
reviewed
-
D
Lowry Park Zoo
This zoo has the great manatee encounter and aquatic center, and good exhibits on panthers, alligators, Komodo dragons, pandas, primates and bison. The Asian domain highlights a rare Indian rhinoceros, while families love the Wallaroo Station, an Australian-themed area with kangaroos and wallabies that kids can pet. They can also pet and feed stingrays elsewhere in the park. Before leaving, don’t miss the 18,000-sq-ft, free-flight aviary.
reviewed
-
Restaurant BT
Tampa’s hottest restaurant is worth the hype. Serving gourmet French-Vietnamese fare in ultrachic environs, everything on the menu is fresh, delicious and authentic. If you like hot, you can’t go wrong ordering hot pepper squid with chili paste and jasmine rice. Reservations are recommended – it’s not unheard of for Floridians to drive five hours north from Miami just to try Chef Trina Nyugan-Batley’s innovative creations.
reviewed
-
E
Town and Country Skateworld
Cruise at Town and Country Skateworld, one block north of Hillsborough Ave, where rental is included, unless you want in-line (around US$3) or speed skates (around US$3). From downtown, take the I-275 south to the Veteran's Expressway (Tampa International Airport exit off the interstate) to Hillsborough Ave. Then head about 2 miles west to Hanley Rd and turn right on Hanley Rd.
reviewed
-
F
Mise en Place
A longtime chef-owned SoHo bistro, Mise en Place is arguably Tampa’s brightest culinary shooting star. The creative and seasonal menu, with Floribbean (blend of Caribbean and Floridian cuisines) twists, is decidedly eclectic and always a treat. Put on some trendy black and saunter over for mustard-and-pecan-crusted rack of lamb with a bourbon shallot demi-glace.
reviewed
-
717 South
Young professionals gather after work to mingle and sip martinis (there is a rainbow of flavors) in the posh lounge at one of Tampa’s top spots to see and be seen. If you need something to eat after all the vodka, head to the restaurant dining room for imaginative takes on Italian classics served amid art-deco paintings, high ceilings and an open kitchen.
reviewed
-
G
Hyde Park Café
This downtown late-night indoor-outdoor café, pizza place (pizzas $9 to $15), and VIP club gets really packed on Tuesday nights with eclectic music. Patrons drop by on other nights to check out the DJ spinning tunes. Happy hour (with no cover) dominates from 8pm to 10pm, while silicone implants and South Beach slick attire pick up the slack after 10pm.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
H
Old Hyde Park
Bayshore Blvd, the world’s longest contiguous boardwalk, measuring a whopping 6.5 miles, is a great place to cycle, walk or run along the water. While you’re in the area, drive or walk around Old Hyde Park, a residential area with brick streets, gas lanterns and renovated Victorian-style architecture. It’s the loveliest part of Tampa.
reviewed
-
Penelope T
For a new pair of fantastic jeans or the perfect little black dress, head to Tampa’s favorite designer boutique for a little retail therapy in a shop designed for pampering. From Rebecca Taylor to Citizens of Humanity, Penelope T has all the midrange designers, along with quite a few lesser-known names (which come with lower price tags).
reviewed
-
I
Legends Field
The New York Yankees play spring-training baseball games in March at Legends Field, the 10,000-seat stadium modeled after the ‘House that Ruth Built’ (ie Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York). The Yankees’ minor-league team, the Tampa Yankees, plays at Legends Field from April to September (tickets $3 to $5).
reviewed
-
J
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
This casino sucks in those who love the thrill of winning big-time. But don’t bet on it. Like a spider spinning a web with high-stakes bingo and stud poker, this place has it all and has designed on keeping it.It's about 15 minutes from downtown Tampa off the I-4 (head east to Orient Rd and then head left).
reviewed
-
K
Cephas
This little eatery, a slice of Jamaica right in Ybor City, is run by Cephas Gilbert, who showed up in the US in 1982 with $37 in his pocket. Since then he’s parlayed his small stake into a customer-friendly joint. Head here for huge plates of jerk chicken wings, curry goat or chicken and brown stew.
reviewed
-
L
Wine Exchange
When you care as much about pairing wine and food as you do enjoying them separately, this crowded Tampa Bay spot delivers the goods. Each component is heightened by the other. Order a sophisticated nightly specialty like encrusted salmon to take advantage. They also have good sandwiches and pizzas.
reviewed
-
M
Channelside
This huge entertainment megaplex, directly on Ybor Channel, boasts a fun bar (Newk's Café with outdoor seating), an IMAX theater, a movie theater, lots of eateries, some clubs and open-air shops. You'll also find cruise ships pulling into the Port of Tampa here, as well as the Florida Aquarium.
reviewed
-
N
Children’s Museum of Tampa
Located near Lowry Park Zoo and also known as Kid City, this place has interactive displays and a permanent, 45,000-sq-ft outdoor exhibition that kids love: child-size replicas of 13 buildings, each with activities. Care to try your hand as a judge in the courthouse or a reporter at a TV station?
reviewed
-
Parque Amigos de José Martí
Parque Amigos de José Martí contains an inaccurate but life-sized monument to Martí that was actually dedicated by Martí’s son, actor Cesar Romero. The park is sited at Paulina Pedroso’s house, where Martí stayed after the Spanish government attempted to assassinate him in 1892.
reviewed
-
O
Side Bern's
The Bern's Steak House spin-off is nothing like its parent. You'll find contemporary fusion cuisine here, which utilises spices from around the world to enliven the mostly seafood dishes. Ostrich or lamb devotees need not worry, though: you'll find these on the menu, too. Reservations suggested.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
P
Parque Amigos de José Martí
Parque Amigos de José Martí contains an inaccurate but life-sized monument to Martí that was dedicated by Martí's son, actor Cesar Romero. The park is sited at Paulina Pedroso's house, where Martí stayed after the Spanish government attempted to assassinate him in 1892.
reviewed
-
Q
Davis Island
To glimpse another 'real' neighborhood in Tampa, head over to the little village straddling the roadside. Take Davis Island Blvd off Bayshore Blvd and then at the split, take E Davis Blvd. Grab a coffee and hang around or settle in with some chips and salsa at one of the sidewalk restaurants.
reviewed
-
R
Big City Tavern
The Ybor City setting, complete with a spirited bar scene, couldn’t be more dramatic: Big City Tavern is ensconced within an old ballroom with wrought-iron balconies and huge windows. As for the food, the high-falutin’ creative cuisine is executed with just enough panache to get by.
reviewed
-
S
Bean There Traveler's Coffee House
When you're heading between St Petersburg and Tampa, this local almost-SoHo coffee shop serves breakfast (all day on weekends), sandwiches and strong coffee. Take Bayshore Blvd from downtown to Bay-to-Bay Blvd and turn right; it's on the right side of the road, past MacDill Ave.
reviewed
-
T
dish
This wildly popular Ybor City eatery is different from others in that it consists of grilling 'stations.' Bring your plate to a chef's station, tell them what you want and they'll whip it up for you. Return to the stations as often as you like for the same price.
reviewed
