Tell me about Tampa

[kired]

Been to the area twice for a day --- our bowl game in 2016, and finals SEC basketball tournament 2009. So don't know much about the area. Any recommendations where to stay & what to do for someone that would be taking 2 kids between ages 5 - 10? Did some brief research last week but have been to busy at work to plan this trip. We're not big beach people so spending a couple of days at the beach isn't something we want to do, and already been to Disney this year so not doing that again.

 

[Ishmael]

I know very little about Tampa, but if you like beer, Cigar City brewery is great and worth a visit, even with kids.

 

[Drebin]

The football stadium is near the airport. And it's also near Mons Venus. Stop by...you may see Hugh Freeze hanging out in a corner.

 

[WrapItDog]

Last time I was in the area (Clearwater). The Neil Diamond impersonator at the Holiday Inn Lounge was on point. Happy Hour and show started at 4:00 and the joint was empty by 8:00. That's all I got.

 

[Dawgtini]

Busch Gardens.

 

[Bobby Ricigliano]

Hookers.

 

[Jeffreauxdawg]

I hope the kids like shuffleboard and lawn bowling.. The oldest people in America live in Tampa, their parents live in St. Petersburg.

 

[thatsbaseball]

Manatee and Sarasota counties were hammered in late summer by Red Tide. I'm sure it's better now but if you get a deal on a beachfront condo for $100 for a week....might want to investigate a bit farther.

 

[charlienoharom]

Live in Tampa

We have a 2 & 4 year old and have lived in Tampa for three years. It’s pretty awesome and getting better all the time. All of the things below are kid friendly. If you have $$ I recommend staying at The Epicurean in SoHo. Other than that your bets are either downtown or by the stadium/airport.

Sparkman Wharf - Outdoor green space on water with biergarten, restaurants, shuffleboard, live music, etc. This just opened but is legit. A Splitsville is here as well.
Hyde Park Village - Ritzy neighborhood but with its own little, quaint downtown area. Free parking above shops and restaurants. Walkable to SoHo (South Howard Ave. which has some cool joints.
Goody Goody Burger - Local old time diner resurrected by local restrauntueur, in Hyde Park Village.
Armature Works - Old works building turned into a food hall with many bars/restaurants. Giant checkers. On the water.
Ulele - Restauraunt/brewery on the water and next to Armature Works.
C.1949 - Florida Beer Bar with large patio, live music.
The Independent - Beer focused restaurant with live music on patio.
Favorite St. Pete Breweries - Green Bench Brewery (Awesome brewery across from the Trop in St. Pete, open green space.) Cage (Large patio and green space, cornhole, etc.)
Shuffle - Hip indoor shuffleboard joint with bar/restaurant.
Nebraska Mini Mart - Old minimart turned into outdoor shuffleboard spot, bocce ball, table tennis, great food.
Favorite Tampa Breweries - Angry Chair (not super kid friendly but we take our kids there early since their beer is so good and we can walk), Coppertail.
Touristy things that you may like - Cigar City Brewery, Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City - (Columbia, Zydeco, Rock Brothers), Dali Museum, Busch Gardens.
Buddy Brew - Not for the kids but great local coffee shops.
Pirate Water Taxi
St. Pete has tons of awesome murals to check out.

I’ll add more if I think of it...

 

[Fritz!]

Tampa has a WWII Victory Ship (later version of a Liberty Ship)& museum. It’s not as involved as going through the Alabama, but it’s really interesting to see something that big that was built in only a few months.

 

[charlienoharom]

I wouldn’t say that is even remotely the case any longer. There has been impressive change for a while and especially over the last few years.

 

[bruiser.sixpack]

I know very little about Tampa, but if you like beer, Cigar City brewery is great and worth a visit, even with kids.

Kids.... in a brewery....,.WHAT is the world coming to? Next thing you know they will have Arcade Games in Bars! #Dave&Busters

 

[was21]

cigars??

 

[Crucifictorious]

Head across the Bay to hang with the Dark Lord Xenu and the rest of Mullen's Scientology buddies.

 

[8dog]

Can we sticky this post?

 

[Tigr2ndbase]

Just moved to Tampa a few months ago. The mermaid shows at wekiwatchee springs is great for the little ones. Plus you can kayak with manatees. There’s also Dinasaur World in Plant City not to far away. Haven’t been but I heard the zoo and aquarium are great.

 

[Clarence Boddicker]

Ybor City

/thread

 

[ronpolk]

I grew up in Tampa but have not lived there in nearly 20 years. I’ve seen a lot of good stuff listed. I grew up closer to Clearwater, so I’m partial to that area and the beach. It’s typically warm enough to hang out at the beach (water may be cold though).

There is a big cat rescue in Tampa that is pretty cool. Kids would enjoy it. And for the younger crowd with no kids, Ybor City is a good time.

 

[tbaydog]

Stay in Downtown St. Pete. More night life than Tampa, other than Ybor City. Has tons a great restaurants and bars..

 

[charlienoharom]

This wouldn’t be for the little ones but is a tip for everyone else. There is local rum distillery called 82 West. You get two free drinks to try the rum and they usually have all the games on 3 big screens.

 

[RingN2012]

What about live music? Where would recommend single 20-30 somethings to stay and spend NYE?

 

[Barkman Turner Overdrive]

Not necessarily “kid friendly” but Madeira Beach Brewing Company has great brews. Burns Steak House if you want to drop some coin.

 

[ronpolk]

What about live music? Where would recommend single 20-30 somethings to stay and spend NYE?

Either downtown st Pete (central avenue) or ybor city.

 

[charlienoharom]

I definitely recommend Downtown St. Pete as another person mentioned. Great nightlife and walkable. Ybor if you want to be closer to Raymond James but it won’t be nearly as good as DTSP, in my opinion.

 

[aTotal360]

Mons. Venus.

 

[HumpDawgy]

Ybor has a lot of live music options, but my fav place is still Skippers smokehouse. Check their website to see who is playing.

 

[TwoDawgs]

I've always said it is the only city in Florida I would ever live in. Does not feel like the rest of Florida. Great restaurants and bar scene. Spent a lot of time there because my dad is from Tampa and his side of the family is still there. Solid city!

 

[ezsoil]

What you don't see this time ....you can see it in April when the women are there for the final four,,,,

 

[was21]

not as good as Pensacola..jmho

 

[Oak23]

Great city- Clearwater beach is a good vacation. I’ve been 4-5 times. I got engaged there and my daughter was conceived there.. enuf said!

 

[Bulldogg31]

Three things you should know about Tampa:

1. Dinner is served at 4:00. Sharp.

2. Just because her blinker is on it doesn’t mean she’s turning left.

 

[MaverickAG]

I definitely recommend Downtown St. Pete as another person mentioned. Great nightlife and walkable. Ybor if you want to be closer to Raymond James but it won’t be nearly as good as DTSP, in my opinion.

I've lived here since 2011 and these are all spot on. There is a ferry that runs between both downtowns so it'd be pretty easy to do both.

For kids, I'd just add ZooTampa, the aquarium, and any of the dozen or so public parks like Water Works, Curtis Hixon, Kate Jackson, or the new one on the Hillsborough River near UT.

For adults, all of the abovementioned suggestions are solid. There is a lot to do - both indoors and out.