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Tampa
Bay has all of the attributes that make Florida one of the
world's favorite destinations. Enjoy a waterside cafe, a
day at Busch Gardens, see live sharks at The Florida
Aquarium, ride a streetcar to Channelside for shopping,
and check out a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game, see the Devil
Rays, or a Lightning game. Then on to historic Ybor City
where the Cuban sandwiches are hot and crisp, the cigars
are hand-rolled, and the colorful streets are lined with
fun.
The
abundance of natural beaches, lakes and rivers greatly
adds to the Tampa Bay area's overall appeal. Crowded
cities and busy roads seem miles away when you paddle down
the scenic Hillsborough River. Snorkeling, diving,
sailing, fresh or saltwater fishing, kayaking, chartering
a sunset cruise or simply spreading out a towel and
unpacking a picnic lunch can be enjoyed almost every day
of the year.
The arts
are a vital component of this vibrant community. Theater
groups, orchestras, world-class performance halls,
museums, galleries and much more provide enriching
performances, inspirational youth education programs, and
exhibits that showcase the world's most talented artists,
actors and musicians.
Visit Ybor City and
discover the cigar industry. The cigar industry originally
brought to Tampa in the late 1800s by Don Vicente Martinez
Ybor created a 12,000-strong immigrant workforce that
churned out 700 million cigars a year. It also created a
vivacious Latin community, a "cultural collage,"
where Spaniards, Italians, Cubans, Germans and Romanian
Jews worked and lived side by side.
In Tampa
Bay, any excuse to celebrate will do and locals break out
the fireworks, parade floats, food vendors and live
entertainment nearly every month for the area's fantastic
line-up of festivals and events. While the cool and breezy
days of spring draw the largest concentration of
festivals, Tampa's wild and wacky cast of characters are
showcased year-round through unusual events.
Tampa's
exciting growth as a cruise destination has helped the
Port of Tampa become the fastest growing cruise port in
North America. The growing number of cruise ships means
more options for your vacation. Cruise passengers love
Tampa and its climate. The waterfront area with its
immediate access to the Gulf of Mexico is an ideal port
for the cruise industry.
The
dining scene in Tampa Bay is among the most diverse and
distinctive in Florida. From the waterfront bistros
serving fresh seafood to the Spanish dishes served by
families who own and operate their own cafes, to the quest
for a memorable meal ends here. Every type of food and
every sort of atmosphere is offered on the local menu.
Enjoy the evening at an outdoor cafe with a steaming cup
of Cuban coffee, a smooth nightcap, a fine cigar or a
sumptuous dessert while watching the stars. Or enjoy the
moonlight and listen to the waves on one of the area's
dinner and dance cruises or private charters.
For
those that love to shop, there are Major shopping malls
plentiful, as are smaller collections of specialized
stores located in unique and distinct neighborhoods.
Antique shops, vintage clothing stores, weekend markets
that feature handmade jewelry and crafts, and most major
chains round out the area's ever-changing, ever-expanding
retail environment.
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