A Three-Day Trip to Tampa
Located on Florida’s west coast, Tampa is one of the best destinations to visit in Florida. The Tampa Bay area offers fantastic Gulf Coast beaches and world-class museums. Historic buildings have been renovated and now house restaurants, bars, and retail stores. There are many ways to enjoy Tampa Bay, so come along with us as we take a Three-Day Trip to Tampa.
Where to Stay:
Le Méridien Tampa, The Courthouse
Le Meridien is a century-old Historic Federal Courthouse transformed into a one-of-a-kind luxurious boutique hotel. This is where we decided to call home base during our three-day trip to Tampa. I love it when they re-purpose historic buildings instead of clearing trees to build new structures.
This unique accommodation features stunning architecture, marble hallways, and original oak doors. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of downtown Tampa and allow plenty of natural light to stream in. Bizou Brasserie (located inside the hotel) is a great place to sit down and enjoy French & American cuisine.
The Le Meridien downtown hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Le Meridien Tampa, The Courthouse: 601 N. Florida Ave, Tampa
Downtown Tampa Hilton
I did not stay here this time but I have before when I used to take my TV students to the Florida Scholastic Press Association conventions. They have recently remodeled and completed a multi-million dollar property renovation. The location is hard to beat as it is just a couple of blocks from the middle section of Tampa’s Riverwalk. Their rooftop pool has a nice view of the downtown area.
Downtown Tampa Hilton: 211 N. Tampa Street, Tampa
Day One:
The Heights Public Market at Armature Works
Converted from the old Tampa Electric streetcar storage warehouse after sitting vacant for over fifty years, Armature Works is now a fully restored multi-purpose building in the historic Tampa Heights neighborhood. They recycled as many original materials as possible in the renovation of this building. The inside of Armature Works features original exposed brick walls, skylights, windows, and doors.
The Heights Public Market in Armature Works has spaces to host events, a few shops, and waterfront restaurants and bars. It is the perfect place to come for meals if you can’t agree on where you want to eat in Tampa. There is something here for every taste.
Many food options under one roof include Asian, Barbecue, Pizza, Cuban, Mediterranean, or Mexican Cuisine. Top off lunch or dinner with an Astro Craft ice cream, a sweet treat from Bake’n Babes, or a cup of coffee from Buddy Brew. Check out the A.W. Mercantile retail shop that sells locally sourced, handmade goods, or take home a bouquet from Tonella’s cute little flower truck.
You can eat inside among the many tables or take your meal or drinks outside overlooking the Hillsborough River.
Since it was steamy hot when we visited, we were glad that my cousin Mary suggested a sit-down restaurant at the Armature Works building called “Steelbach”.
Heights Public Market: 1910 N. Ola Avenue, Tampa
Dinner at “Steelbach”
Maybe it was because we had reservations and had to rush to get there in time from the Riverwalk. Or because it was a hot August night in Tampa and dodging rain showers in 100% humidity, but when we arrived at the restaurant the AC was not working. We did not find out about this problem until after sitting down. Our waiter said that AC outages occur often. Really?
“Steelbach” is a Southern-inspired kitchen and chophouse offering innovative steaks and seafood paired with timeless flair. After considering canceling our reservations because of the broken AC, We decided to stay and order. For my main dish, I ordered the 8 oz Boneless Fillet that was cooked to perfection over an oak-fired grill with a shareable side of Mac & Cheese made with pasta, fontina cheese, lemon, thyme, and panko. My brother David enjoyed the Black Grouper made with brioche, shrimp, andouille, Savannah red rice, tomato water, and sweet basil.
“Steelbach” brings a slice of small-town, southern food to Tampa. It adds to the rustic decor of the building. In addition to dining indoors, seating is also available outside overlooking the river. That might have been a better option on this hot summer evening.
“Steelbach”: 1901 N. Ola Ave, Tampa
Take an Evening Stroll on Tampa’s Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is a two-and-a-half-mile walking and bike trail along the Hillsborough River in Downtown Tampa. You can follow the Riverwalk from The Public Heights Market North of Downtown to Sparkman Wharf. Along the way are beautiful views of the Tampa skyline. When the weather cools down, it is a pleasant walk.
The Riverwalk is great for walking, biking, or jogging and connects Tampa’s parks, restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues like the Amalie Arena and the Stratz Center for the Performing Arts.
Folks come out in the evening as the sunsets, and the Riverwalk lights up.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
Continuing our walk along the riverfront, the Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park is nestled in between Tampa’s skyscrapers. Families and friends brought footballs to toss and soccer balls to practice their skills on the 8-acre park’s huge lawn area. If you like listening to music under the stars, the park hosts musical concerts monthly throughout the year. When the moon rises, the evening reveals a beautiful display of water fountains with LED lights against a downtown Tampa backdrop.
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park: 600 N Ashley Dr, Tampa
The Tampa Theatre
On our way back to the hotel, we passed The Tampa Theatre. Since 1926, Tampa’s majestic movie palace has hosted more than 600 events including first-run films, classic movies, concerts, corporate events, educational programs, weddings, and tours. It’s an excellent location to catch a movie or live performance. The weekend we were there, “Blazing Saddles” graced the silver screen. As we rode off into the sunset, we completed our first day of “Three Days Trip in Tampa”.
The Tampa Theatre: 711 N. Franklin Street, Tampa
Day Two:
Breakfast at The Oxford Exchange
First, let me say that you will need reservations or an early arrival time if you plan on starting your day with breakfast at The Oxford Exchange. If you have booked that table, you may be seated in an art-filled dining room with an open kitchen or the sunlit Conservatory. We were told the wait was about two hours so we grabbed a cup of coffee and a breakfast sandwich. The weekend brunch is the busiest time here.
Located in a restored historic building across from the University of Tampa and the legendary Tampa Bay Hotel, this European-inspired spot combines a restaurant, a coffee bar, a champagne bar, a book store, and a few other shops under one roof.
This popular gathering place is one of the most charming Instagram-worthy spots in the city. The Book Store showcases individual books and has many first editions signed by best-selling authors. Browse “The Shop at Oxford Exchange” and you might find that perfect keepsake from your Three Day Trip to Tampa.
The Oxford Exchange: 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
The Henry B. Plant Museum
After breakfast, we headed over to the Henry B. Plant Museum. We were about an hour early and did not get a chance to go to the museum, but we walked around and into the building that once was the lobby of the Tampa Bay Hotel. During the 1880s, Henry Bradley Plant built an empire of railroads, steamships, and hotels.
This building once housed one of the most luxurious hotels in the country, boasting Florida’s first elevator, and the state’s first hotel room suites with lights and telephones. Some famous guests who stayed here include Teddy Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Babe Ruth.
Today, the former hotel’s estate is the University of Tampa. One wing of Plant Hall has been conserved as the Henry B. Plant Museum, in which visitors can see what life might have been like long ago for the rich and famous.
Henry B. Plant Museum: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
The Florida Aquarium
If Mother Ocean is calling and you still haven’t hit the beaches, the next best thing would be The Florida Aquarium in Tampa’s Channelside District. The aquarium is the largest in Florida and features thousands of animals and aquatic plants including alligators, octopuses, seahorses, stingrays, turtles, sharks, and more.
The exhibits tell the story of water’s journey from the Florida Wetlands to the Coral Reefs of the sea. The wetlands are home to playful river otters and alligators. The mangrove forest has a large aviary with ducks and free-flying birds. Journey on to Madagascar and meet a family of tomato frogs.
Touch tanks allow you to touch stingrays and moon jellyfish. One of my favorite areas was the 500,000-gallon Coral Reef Habitat. This is home to big fellas like sharks, sea turtles, giant stingrays, and hundreds of fish.
Tip: When we visited on a Sunday afternoon, it was more crowded than a can of sardines. If you visit try and pick a less crowded day. Busy weekends make it hard to walk around, relax, and enjoy much of what the aquarium has to offer. For a better experience, get there early. The aquarium opens at 9:30.
The Florida Aquarium: 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Sparkman Wharf
After you visit the aquarium, grab some grub at Sparkman Wharf. This downtown waterfront area uses colorful shipping containers to house food and drink. Think of it as food trucks without wheels operated by the top chefs from some of the best restaurants in Tampa. We met my cousin Keith here and ducked into Splitsville Southern + Social to escape the summer heat. We enjoyed some Southern-inspired Fish & Chips while catching up. Bowling balls were whizzing around us as people were throwing strikes at Splitsville. Yep, this restaurant has a 12-lane bowling alley right in the restaurant.
While inside, one of Florida’s Famous Thunderboomers dumped rain outside, so we didn’t see the sunset. On a normal evening, folks sit in the lawn area for conversation, craft beer, games, and live music in their outdoor entertainment center. Sparkman Wharf is located on the South end of Tampa’s Riverwalk on the waterfront. And that my friends, completes the second day of our Three Day Trip to Tampa.
Sparkman Wharf: 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Day Three
Hyde Park
Today we are going to visit a couple of Tampa’s historic neighborhoods. The first stop will be the beautiful Hyde Park. As we were looking for Hyde Park Village, I think I intentionally got lost on some of the tree-lined streets to view some 19th-century architecture. Each of the houses here carries its character and personality. I am ready to move into any one of them if we could orchestrate a trade.
Shopping at Hyde Park Village
After breakfast, we walked around the area and poked our heads into a few charming stores in Hyde Park Village. There are six city blocks of independent local shops and restaurants.
The Village was starting to come alive as store owners were opening up and tending to morning chores like watering the plants at the Leafy Luv Affair Garden Center and preparing for the matinee at the CineBistro movie theatre, or restocking the books in the free Book Booth Library. Hyde Park Village is easily walkable and a true breath of fresh air.
Grab a cupcake from Sprinkles ATM, bring your dog, and shop at Downtown Dogs, or bring them with you shopping as Hyde Park Village’s outdoor spaces and restaurant patios are pet-friendly. Many of the stores are also pet-friendly. There is so much to do in Hyde Park Village but we have a lunch reservation in Ybor City.
Ride the TECO Line Street Car to Ybor City
We arrived at Ybor City and saw the TECO Line Street Car passing by. Now, I probably should have mentioned this earlier and should have taken advantage of it myself. If you don’t have a car when visiting, this could be a lifesaver. The TECO Line Street Car system operates on a 2.7-mile line and features historical replica streetcars of the original Tampa Streetcar Line. There are 11 covered stations where you can hop on or off with stops that connect Downtown Tampa, the Channel District, and Ybor City.
Lunch at The Columbia Restaurant
This Tampa restaurant started in Ybor City in 1905 and has since opened multiple locations across Florida. I think it’s a law that you have to eat a Cuban Sandwich during your three-day trip to Tampa, so you might as well order one here at Florida’s oldest restaurant. To go along with that Cubano, have a 1905 salad tossed right at your table.
The Columbia Restaurant: 2117 E. 7th Ave, Tampa
Exploring Ybor City
Ybor City was founded when Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants came to work in cigar factories. This multi-ethnic neighborhood still has a lot of character and reminds me of Tampa’s version of Bourbon Street in New Orleans.
It can be especially amusing to see the roosters roaming the streets! You may see chickens crossing the road around Ybor City for no apparent reason. So, the age-old question remains. About 150 wild feathered friends call this part of Tampa home. In addition, these chickens rule the roost in Ybor City. Harassing them in any way is strictly off-limits. Tampa’s Bird Sanctuary Law protects these critters and all wild birds within Tampa city limits.
To learn more about Ybor City, check out my post “A Day in Ybor City”.
What I missed!
Well, that wraps up our weekend. It was great to get away. There is so much more to see in Tampa than you can fit into a three-day weekend like riding roller coasters at Busch Gardens, visiting the critters at Zoo Tampa, or trying your luck at The Seminole Hardrock Casino. For me, there is also the fact that I have family in the area who will be upset that I didn’t get to visit them all. Oops! Sorry to those I missed.
You can also follow year-round sports in the Tampa/St. Pete area depending on when you take your three-day trip to Tampa. From the Tampa Bay Lightning to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that hosted the Super Bowl in 2021 and won the game. There is the Tampa Bay Rays that made it to the 2020 World Series. You might hear sports fans in the area referring to Tampa Bay as “Champa Bay”.
Tampa hosts some popular annual events held yearly in January and February. Tampa is known for The Florida State Fair and the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion to name a couple.
This itinerary should more than keep you busy during your Three Day Trip to Tampa. What did I miss? If you have further suggestions, please comment and let me know so that I can include them on my next visit. Until then: AHOY MATEYS!
