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March 11, 2010

Tampa Today

Join us on a neighborhood tour of this Gulf Coast city—it’s a lot cooler than you remember.

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Thanks to its sprawling character and somewhat haphazard development, Tampa is not a walking city. In fact, even if you hop in the car and drive around aimlessly, it’s easy to miss the action.

When it comes to finding fun in Tampa, you need to know where to go. Although there are myriad attractions and landmarks sprinkled throughout the area (see “What’s Your Fancy?”), we recommend honing in on some key districts. These thriving areas are chock full of diverse dining, shopping and entertainment options. Just park the car and wander to your heart’s content. After taking this east-to-west tour of the area’s top neighborhoods, you may realize that Tampa has more to offer than meets the eye.

Ybor City
Known as Tampa’s “Latin Quarter,” this National Historic Landmark District was once the epicenter of the city’s thriving cigar industry. The influences of its earliest residents—Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants—are still present in the architecture and cuisine of Ybor City (ybor.org).

Today, Ybor (pronounced “EE-bore”) is synonymous with “party.” Seventh Avenue is action central, and there are dozens of bars, clubs and lounges in the area. Weekend nights get pretty wild, especially during annual festivals Guavaween (October) and Gasparilla (late January/early February). The five-story Prana is our favorite club (with great views from the rooftop), while Gaspar’s Grotto hosts rum-fueled mayhem in a casual atmosphere.

Visit during the day for a more family-friendly experience. Since opening in 2000, the two-story Centro Ybor (centroybor.com) has become what its name implies: the center of this bustling neighborhood. Channel your inner child at GameWorks arcade, have a laugh at the Improv or catch a flick at Muvico.

Ybor’s seminal dining venue is the Columbia Restaurant, which opened in 1905 and was the first in the now six-location chain. Take in a flamenco show while sampling authentic cuisine at the world’s largest Spanish restaurant, spanning an entire city block and comprising 17 dining rooms.

Channelside Bay Plaza
Part of Channelside’s (channelsidebayplaza.com) appeal is its namesake waterfront location, where visitors can watch ships cruising by from the nearby Garrison Seaport. But the convenience of this two-level complex is also a huge draw: It’s ultra-compact, one-stop shopping for entertainment, dining and, well, shopping.

Start the evening off with dinner—try Tina Tapa’s for a “little taste of Spain” or Gallagher’s Steakhouse, an outpost of the longstanding New York restaurant—and a movie, at the IMAX theater.

Offering a wide variety of watering holes, Channelside has a vibrant nightlife scene, but it’s more laid-back than Ybor. Many people come to just chill in the central courtyard and listen to live music. Popular spots include Margarita Mama’s, with its large patio; Splitsville, a fun bowling/bar concept; and Stumps Supper Club, a modern-day juke joint serving up buckets full of cocktails.

Hyde Park
Built in the 1920s, Hyde Park was Tampa’s first subdivision, home to the city’s most affluent residents. Now, this National Register Historic District—full of architectural gems—houses Tampa’s best shopping and dining. You won’t find too many name brands or franchises in Hyde Park; original, privately owned businesses are the order of the day.

The heart of the area is Hyde Park Village (hydeparkvillage.net), a quaint, oak-shaded collection of 30 shops and restaurants. Outfit your home at several décor shops and galleries; outfit yourself at independent boutiques like the edgy B’Szene, internationally inspired Coco Brazil and the diverse Georgette’s/The Shoe Salon.

Next, head to South Howard Avenue, aka SoHo, a sidewalk- and palm-lined main drag stretching from West Kennedy down to the water. Here you’ll find more shopping, but the street is known as Restaurant Row, offering more than 30 independent restaurants. The sprawling Bern’s Steak House is a Tampa landmark, while its nearby younger sibling, Sidebern’s, is more adventurous but no less refined. Other suggestions include Ceviche Tapas Bar, Bella’s Italian Café and Ciccio & Tony’s California Cuisine.

Finally, don’t miss Bayshore Boulevard, named one of AAA’s “Top Roads.” This gorgeous waterfront street features the world’s longest continuous sidewalk (4 1/2 miles) and some of the city’s most picturesque historic homes.

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