Your Tampa Concierge
Our Top Tip!
Explore! Want to get a feel for Tampa? Go for a drive! Start from the corner of Dale Mabry Hwy & Kennedy Blvd and drive 20 minutes to the North, West, East, and South of there. Turn onto some of the side streets to get a feel for the neighborhoods. Google Maps is a very accurate GPS throughout Tampa Bay.
In The City Attractions:
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park - city park with lots of festivals, concerts, art shows - 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 274-8615.
Sparkman’s Wharf - popular spot with live music, upscale food trucks on the water - 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 345-5881.
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts - theater shows, classical music ensembles, and plays - 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 229-7827.
Henry B. Plant Museum - located on the University of Tampa campus this stunning building hosts exhibits and tours - 401 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606 - Phone: (813) 254-1891.
Tampa Museum of Art - lots of modern and contemporary art with frequently changing exhibits - 120 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 274-8130.
Pirate Water Taxi - a scenic, hop-on hop-off taxi cruise that takes you along the Riverwalk by boat - 603 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 390-3711.
Sports:
Amalie Arena - Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team stadium that has concerts too - 401 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 301-6500.
Raymond James Stadium - Tampa Bay Buccaneers professional football and University of South Florida college football stadium that has concerts too - 4201 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607 - Phone: (813) 350-6500.
Tropicana Field - Tampa Bay Rays baseball team stadium - 1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg, FL 33705 - Phone: (727) 825-3137.
Al Lang Stadium - Tampa Bay Rowdies soccer team stadium - 230 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 - Phone: (727) 222-2000.
Shopping:
International Plaza and Bay Street - Tampa’s premier mall - 2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33607 - Phone: (813) 342-3790.
Hyde Park Village - upscale strip mall with shopping and eateries - 1602 W Snow Cir, Tampa, FL 33606 - Phone: (813) 254-6210.
Day Trip Attractions:
Busch Gardens Theme Park - 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 - Phone: (813) 884-4386.
SeaWorld’s Adventure Island Water Theme Park - 10001 McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 - Phone: (813) 884-4386.
Clearwater Beach - voted the #1 beach in America multiple times - Clearwater Beach, Clearwater, FL - Beach is always open.
Anna Maria Public Beach - the beach the locals love - Anna Maria Public Beach, Anna Maria Island, FL - Beach is always open.
Fort De Soto State Park - nature park great for camping, bird watching, trails - 3500 Pinellas Bayway S, St. Petersburg, FL 33715 - Phone: (727) 582-2267.
Lettuce Lake Park - nature park great for trails, bird watching, you may even see a Florida alligator in the Hillsborough River! - Walking trail is far above ground from the alligators. - 6920 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637 - Phone: (813) 987-6204.
Dolphin/Snorkeling/Dinner Cruise - ParrotDise Express Boat Tours - 51 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698 - Phone: (727) 388-7333.
Brick House Tavern + Tap - bar/pub with delicious food - 1102 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33607 - Phone: (813) 350-9108 - Price: $.
Yummy House South China Bistro - excellent dim sum Chinese restaurant - 302 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609 - Phone: (813) 513-4788 - Price: $.
Armature Works - a restored Tampa train station with lots of great restaurants in one building - 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 250-3725 - Price: $.
World of Beer - bar with great food and delicious brunch - 5311 Avion Park Dr, Tampa, FL 33607 - Phone: (813) 930-5499 - Price: $.
Timpano Italian Chophouse - excellent Italian cuisine - 1610 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 - Phone: (813) 254-5870 - Price: $.
Edison: Food+Drink Lab - amazing imaginative cuisine highly recommend (you MUST try the Butter Crusted Pound Cake!) - 912 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606 - Phone: (813) 254-7111 - Price: $.
The Colombia Restaurant - a Tampa classic for authentic Cuban food - 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605 - Phone: (813) 248-4961 - Price: $.
Ulele (pronounced: you-lay-lee) - a Tampa classic with native Floridian cuisine and barbacoa grilling (take a walk along the Riverwalk after you dine) - 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602 - Phone: (813) 999-4952 - Price: $.
Bern’s Steakhouse - hands down the absolute best steakhouse in Tampa; make sure you do the dessert room and the tour of the wine cellar - 1208 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606 - Phone: (813) 251-2421 - Price: $$.
Food - Stock up on non-perishables such as canned goods, and freeze items like bread so that they will slowly thaw if you lose electricity.
Water - Ensure that you have 1 week of water for each person in your household. Fill bathtubs and recycling bins with water so you will have water to flush toilets.
Gas - Fill your vehicle with gas ahead of time so that you can evacuate if needed.
Medications - Refill all prescriptions and store them in a waterproof container.
Electronics - Purchase a solar-powered emergency storm radio, extra batteries, and a couple rechargeable power banks (with necessary cables) to power your laptop, cell phone, tablets, e-book readers, etc.
Entertainment - A couple magazines, a couple books, a deck of cards, 1-2 board games will keep you occupied -- kids may need a few more items.
Pets - Contact your vet and ask them to email you your pets vaccination records since these may be required by accommodations if you choose to evacuate.
What about the alligators? Yes, there are alligators in Tampa Bay. They are usually in clearly marked waterways and avoid people. In case you do encounter one, just remember they are wild and should not be approached or fed. Simply walk away and carry on with your day and the alligator will likely do the same. Other forms of wildlife you can expect are: manatees, exotic birds, and dolphins.