Tampa has been enjoying somewhat of a renaissance. There are several reasons for that. The Rays and the Tampa Bay Lightning are perennial contenders in their respective sports, and the fishing and other water sports are not to be missed.
If you visit there, you can easily find transportation options like a shuttle to Tampa airport and other ways to get around. Before you book your trip, though, let’s spend some time learning about some of the neighborhoods there. You may want to spend time in some of these.
The Downtown Area
Downtown Tampa is a thriving place with many shops, restaurants, and bars. You can eat a nice seafood dinner there, shop for souvenirs, or dance the night away at one of the clubs.
If you brought the kids with you, you can also check out the Glazer Children’s Museum. The Tampa Museum of Art is also worth visiting. You can find several beautiful pieces there that are part of the permanent collection.
Ybor City
Ybor City has the unofficial title of being the city’s Latin Quarter. You will certainly find some other ethnicities residing there, but there are also many Latin residents who bring their own unique culture and flavor to this area.
You immediately notice this when you see the Ybor City State Museum. There, you can find many artifacts and exhibits from the city’s past. You can also find many Cuban and Mexican bars and restaurants.
Some of the restaurants are quite cheap. You can get some amazing, authentic Latin food, and you’ll get a huge portion for very little money.
Hyde Park
If you’re feeling swanky, you might check out Hyde Park next. This area is known for its eclectic shops and fusion restaurants.
You will see lots of plant life growing naturally there. You can stop to smell the wildflowers in the cultivated green spaces. In Hyde Park Village, you will find many retailers you recognize, but you might be better off supporting some of the smaller local merchants. You can stimulate the economy when you buy things from the little mom-and-pop shops.
Bayshore Boulevard is probably the best place to stroll in this part of the city. It’s about four miles long, and when you’ve worked up an appetite, you can choose which restaurant you’d like to frequent.
East Hillsborough
This neighborhood in outer Tampa has some wilderness adventures that you should enjoy if you’re feeling rugged. The Hillsborough River State Park is certainly worthy of your attention. It has about 4,000 protected acres, and you will find all kinds of flowers, plant life, animals, birds, etc.
You can go hiking or cycling on the trails, or you can even rent a kayak and go out on the water. If you’re worried about mosquitoes, you might go to the Tampa Bay Grand Prix go-kart track instead.
You should find Tampa accommodating and charming. The city loves tourists, and you can probably find many more hidden treasures if you look around for them.
