FIVE TAMPA SPOTS TOM BRADY WOULD LOVE
I've spent a fair amount of time in Tampa over the last few years, so I'm sure it won't be a surprise to anyone that I'm over-the-moon that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the Super Bowl. While it won't be quite the party that it has been in past years, the NFL has planned some socially-distanced events leading up to Sunday. For anyone who will be visiting Tampa for this Super Bowl, here are five places that I feel you should check out during your quick visit to this amazing city that has welcomed me so warmly.
The Tampa Riverwalk is a great way to explore downtown Tampa and experience the beautiful, scenic banks of the Hillsborough River. It's also nice if you like adult beverages as you can get to-go cups of your favorite drinks to enjoy during your stroll. Find a list of participants in their cup program on their website and enjoy a refreshing beverage while you pass under the palm trees.
The Armature Works is located at the northern end of The Tampa Riverwalk. This historic building has been around since 1910 and was once the storage and maintenance facility for Tampa's electric streetcars. Now, it's a beautiful mixed-use commercial space that includes a range of delicious food vendors and restaurants that are sure to tempt whatever your tastebuds are craving. The interior has been expertly restored to retain many of its original industrial elements that add to the cool factor of the space. Exposed brick walls, skylights, hardwood floors, and exposed wooden beams are many things that I enjoy in a building, so those are things to look forward to if that's your jam too. I mentioned it above, but the food there is delicious and the variety is wide, so make sure you have time for a meal when you visit. It's also part of the Tampa Riverwalk Cup program, so you can take your drink with you after your visit.
With Sparkman Wharf I now bring you to the southern end of The Tampa Riverwalk and a chance for you to refill your adult beverage if you have run out during your walk. It's another mixed-use commercial space, but unlike the Armature Works the majority of the space is outdoors so you can enjoy the sweet, sweet Florida weather. The jewel for me in this complex is the nice little collection of shipping containers that have been repurposed into food trucks (minus the wheels and the actually being a truck part). If you've worked up an appetite again, you can find more delicious snacks here. They often have live music events, so check their calendar of events to maximize your visit.
Bern's Steak House - If you've never been before and like steak, you have to visit this Tampa institution. It's an eclectic formal dining restaurant. You can dine in the bar area if you want a more casual experience. Reservations are strongly recommended as they are a popular spot. One fun fact is that no two members of the wait staff are allowed to have the same first name while they work. So, if Tom starts working there and there already is a Tom on staff, the second Tom will be given an alternate name that he can use while working. They say this is to avoid confusion with customers, but I think it's just the owners having a bit of fun. Either way, I love it. The food is delicious, so don't hesitate to order whatever, and if you like dessert they have a separate dessert restaurant within Bern's so ask your server about putting your name on the list for the dessert room. Finally, they offer tours of the kitchen and their wine cellar (which contains the world's largest private collection of wine with over 600,000 bottles in storage.) and your server can hook you up with that when you're finished your meal. The important message here is to get to know your server.
Finding Ybor City is like finding a tiny slice of New Orleans in Florida as it reminds me of the French Quarter in the Big Easy. Let me know if you feel the same after your visit. This area just north of downtown, as alluded to by the reference to New Orleans, is like Tampa's wilder younger sibling. On any given Friday or Saturday night it can turn into something that resembles Mardi Gras, but don't let that deter you because during the day it is a great spot for relaxing with drinks, enjoying good food, and learning about the history of Tampa. Wondering why Tampa is referred to as Cigar City? Well, in Ybor you've still got lots of evidence of why that is with all the cigar lounges that are still alive and well. Cigar production was once one of the largest industries in Tampa Bay with a peak production of 500 million cigars per year. One final note, if you've ever wanted to actually see a chicken cross the road, Ybor is the place for you! Some of its most famous residents are wild chickens that roam its funky streets.
This is not even close to a complete list of places you should see during a trip to Tampa, but these are a good foundation to build on, and I thought five was a manageable number of places to squeeze in between your Super Bowl festivities. Feel free to DM me on Instagram (@TravelEat.Drink) if you'd like additional suggestions, or comment below. Have a great visit and Go Bucs!