CITY CHEAT SHEET: A GUIDE TO TAMPA & ST. PETERSBURG
WHY SHOULD ONE VISIT THIS BEAUTIFUL, EXCITING AREA IN FLORIDA?
The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg Editor Allison Adams can name a few reasons…
The access to water everywhere, including an amazing riverwalk
The beach
The Tampa Museum of Art
Here in this short and sweet guide, Allison shares her favorite local finds and activities for taking in her city.
WHEN TO GO
While Tampa is a fabulous place to visit year-round, there are some festivals that normally draw a lot of visitors and are particularly fun to partake in.Â
Gasparilla is the biggest and most popular festival in Tampa. Every year in late January, the Bay is invaded by pirates, who then descend upon Bayshore Boulevard for a huge parade that is very similar in spirit to Mardi Gras. If this is not your scene, do not come to South Tampa that weekend – you will be stuck in traffic for hours!
Tampa is also becoming a major foodie destination, as seen at the St. Pete & the Bay Area Festival of Food, Wine, and the Arts, which takes place in mid-November. The festival brings all-star chefs together from around the country –as well as local favorites– and shows off their culinary skills.
WHERE TO STAY
Hotel Haya
1412 E 7th Avenue
A new boutique hotel minutes from downtown Tampa, but in a soulful, historic world all its own. Hotel Haya captures the exuberant Cuban, Italian, and Spanish influences of famed Ybor City. Enjoy a delectable meal at Flor Fina, an upscale restaurant with Gulf-Coast inspired Mediterranean cuisine prepared over an open-hearth grill.
Epicurean Hotel
1207 South Howard Avenue
This stylish hotel is situated in South Tampa’s vibrant Soho District. You can enjoy intimate wine tastings, innovative culinary classes, and delectable spa amenities.
The Sandpearl Resort
500 Mandalay Avenue
Located on Clearwater Beach, this is a lavish, family-friendly hotel with locally sourced dining and private poolside cabanas. For the kiddos, The Sandpearl offers fun-filled activities at Camp Ridley, a special club for children ages 5 to ten.
The Current Hotel
2545 N Rocky Point Drive
The Current creates an evolving, contemporary showcase with expansive panoramic views of the calming waters of Tampa Bay and the bustling city of Tampa. Each guest room provides a bay view of Tampa Bay like no other. The energetic and vibrant rooftop bar will allow you to relax and escape in our one of a kind environment. Enjoy the sanctuary of The Current’s refreshing pool while sipping a fresh hand crafted cocktail.
WHAT TO DO
The DalĂ Museum
1 DalĂ Boulevard
Houses an abundance of works by artist Salvador DalĂ. This museum also includes a permanent display of Dale Chihuly’s artwork.
The Tampa Museum of Art & The Florida Museum of Art
120 West Gasparilla Plaza & 400 North Ashley Drive Cube 200
Two other stunning museums for art lovers that are absolutely worth exploring for an afternoon.
Ybor City
Tampa was once considered the Cigar Capital of the World. And, if you walk down the streets of Ybor City you can still see a number of cigar rollers honing their craft. While strolling the brick streets of Ybor City, be sure to stop by J.C. Newman Cigar Co. – the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in America.
Bayshore Boulevard
Starts at the Columbus Statue Park at Platt Street and Ends at Gandy Boulevard
The longest continuous sidewalk in the world. This is the best place to walk, run, or bike to see views of the Bay and the city!
Sparkman Wharf
A dynamic and vibrant piece of Tampa Bay’s downtown waterfront. One of the top community and cultural destinations in the area, with an effortless blend of loft-style office space and ground-floor retail, along with an intimate dining garden, biergarten, and recreational lawn. Sparkman Wharf celebrates the best of Tampa—good weather, waterfront views, live music, craft beer, and exceptional dining.
The St. Pete Pier
26 beautiful acres seamlessly combining the peaceful blue waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant greenery of downtown St. Petersburg’s parks, creating the ultimate place to stroll, bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, take in a concert and more!
T.E.C.O. Line Streetcar System
An almost 3-mile streetcar line that runs along Downtown Tampa, through the Channel District, and Ybor City. The system features historical replica streetcars of the original Tampa streetcar line. The TECO Line Streetcar is free to all with extended morning and late night hours, and is a great way to see much of what downtown Tampa has to offer!
The Tampa Riverwalk
A 2.4 mile walkable, bikeable, skateable path connecting culture and entertainment along the Hillsborough River in the heart of downtown Tampa. Dine and drink your way through Armature Works, enjoy world-class museums, hop aboard a Pirate Water Taxi, or plan a picnic in Curtis-Hixon Park!
 WHERE TO SHOP
Magnolia Interiors
303 South Magnolia Avenue
One of the best home décor and gift shopping experiences around.
Hyde Park Village
Six city blocks of beloved local shops, restaurants and indie brands, as well as the top names in fashion and fitness known around the world.
Deborah Kent’s
2120 South Dale Mabry Highway #A
Women’s clothing boutique in the heart of south Tampa that cannot be missed! Serving Tampa’s most fashionable women for over 40 years!
Tampa Bay Interiors
678 Douglas Avenue
The chicest shop in Dunedin offering casually refined homeware, furniture, lighting, rugs, and bedding for timeless, everyday living!
WHERE TO EAT
Library
600 5th Street
At The Library, the familiar aroma of coffee, the promise of a delicious meal, and the anticipation of friendly buzz will offer a reprieve from the daily chaos. It is where the community as a whole comes to refill their cup, both proverbially and, often, quite literally.
Oxford Exchange
420 West Kennedy Boulevard
Going here for brunch is an absolute must while in Tampa. Their menu is simple, but they use the best seasonal ingredients to create incredibly tasty options (pressed French toast!). Make sure to check out their bookstore and shop too!
Columbia
Multiple Locations
This is Florida’s oldest restaurant, and the historic Ybor City location offers the full Columbia experience. For lighter fare, try the Original 1905 Salad or the Cuban sandwich. But if you have more time, then enjoy some sangria and paella!
Meat Market 1606
W Snow Circle
Meat Market is a dynamic offering of what’s great now, reflecting cuts of meat, delicate seafood, and produce available and offered on a daily, weekly, or seasonal basis under the acute supervision of acclaimed Executive Chef, Sean Brasel.
Willa’s
1700 W. Fig Street
A neighborhood restaurant that loves its people and serves food that people want to eat all the time.
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
2902 22nd Avenue North
A local favorite in St. Petersburg for Italian fare. Their sandwiches are so yummy.
Annata
300 Beach Drive NE
A restaurant and wine bar in St. Petersburg, Florida. Situated on the scenic waterfront of Straub Park, Annata welcomes guests to enjoy contemporary cuisine, warm hospitality, and unparalleled service. Our menu reflects a mix of fine dishes from Italy and abroad, with local ingredients sourced from our relationships with bay area farms and suppliers.
Chill Bros Scoop Shop
1910 E. 7th Avenue
A neighborhood scoop shop serving really good home-made ice cream. Made daily in Ybor City!
OLIVIA
3601 W Swann Avenue
OLIVIA is a modern Italian restaurant that delivers all the authentic flavors of a traditional trattoria with the creative flair of a chef inspired menu.
Bern’s Steakhouse
1208 South Howard Avenue
For a special occasion, try to snag a table at this famous Tampa restaurant that has perfectly aged steaks and the largest private wine collection in the world. And, you cannot leave without going upstairs to the Harry Waugh dessert room.
WHERE TO DRINK
CRU Cellars
2506 S MacDill Avenue
Sleek wine bar and restaurant serving cheese & cured meats, flatbreads & small plates in sleek digs with a garden.
TeBella Tea Company
Multiple Locations
If you prefer to get your caffeine fix through tea, then this is the place for you.
Cigar City Brewing
3924 West Spruce Street
If you love beer, then you should stop by this place for a brewery tour or a beer sampling in their tasting room. The company also has a few taprooms located throughout Tampa.
Intermezzo Coffee & Cocktails
1111 Central Avenue
Intermezzo is a specialty coffee shop and craft cocktail bar aiming to provide a warm and friendly space for friends to gather over coffee, a bottle of wine, or cocktails. Inspired by the many European and American cafés in the 1950’s and 1960’s which served as meeting places for artists, writers, directors, actors, and other creatives to gather over drinks, Intermezzo strives to create beverages that are both rooted in tradition and those that have modern, creative variation.
3 Daughters Brewing
222 22nd Street S
Founded by a group of friends and family who had known each other for decades, 3 Daughters Brewing is now one of Florida’s largest independent and family-owned breweries. Stop by their Tasting Room in St. Petersburg, or find them in stores, restaurants and bars throughout Florida and beyond.
For additional recommendations for what to do, see, and experience in Tampa & St. Petersburg, follow The Scout Guide Tampa & St. Petersburg on Instagram.
