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AKA CIGAR CITY

YBOR CITY

Tampa Bay's historical and cultural roots lie in Ybor City. Many of the buildings echo the charming brick exteriors of converted cigar factories, in homage to the area's celebrated history as the Cigar Capital of the World.


MEET A CIGAR ROLLER 

Since 1910, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has produced traditional hand-rolled cigars at El Reloj in Ybor City. Meet master cigar roller Luis Gonzalez, who has over 25 years of experience with hand rolling. Luis keeps the traditions alive through J.C. Newman’s new hand-rolling classes. Join Luis in honoring Tampeño culture by learning to hand roll a cigar!

 

 

Local Flavors

Ybor City

La Segunda Central Bakery

Tantalize your tastebuds with new flavors as you explore by yourself or with Ybor City Food Tours. The oldest restaurant in Florida, Columbia Restaurant is a must, both for its cultural significance and for its incredible food. Get a test of Sicily at Casa Santo Stefano, or a coffee in a Cuban-inspired bistro at Café Quiquiriqui. For nearly 100 years, La Segunda Central Bakery has used the same hand-baked process and traditional recipes to ensure a taste and texture that can’t be duplicated. 

 

CLIMB ABOARD

Streetcar

TECO Line Streetcar crossing 7th Ave by Jose Marti Park

Hop on the TECO Line Streetcar and enjoy a free ride into historic Ybor City just over a mile from Downtown. Take your time browsing the local cigar shops like Tabanero Cigars, Sweetheart Cigars and J.C. Newman Cigar Co.—including the new on-site museum—to find the perfect accompaniment to your evening stroll through these treasured streets.

 

    Embrace History

    Tampa Baseball Museum

    Tampa Baseball Museum

    Get a dose of local sports history at the Tampa Baseball Museum, built in the childhood home of Tampa’s first MLB player, Al López. A second museum next door, the Ybor City Museum features an urban park in the heart of Tampa's National Historic Landmark District. The museum, housed in the historic Ferlita Bakery, traces the rich cultural history of Ybor City and the cigar-making industry. The museum has self-guided exhibits with written and audio information plus a video presentation.

     

    Look at this Photograph

    Florida Museum of Photographic Arts

    Photography buffs will want to check out the expansive Florida Museum of Photographic ArtsFMoPA is dedicated to exhibiting important photographic art as central to contemporary life and culture.  The museum collects, preserves, and exhibits historic and contemporary works by nationally and internationally known photographic artists.

     

    Flight of the Roosters

    Ybor Roosters

    Chickens are allowed to roam freely throughout Ybor City thanks to a city of Tampa ordinance protecting them. These birds are living memorials to the founding and early days of Ybor City. The chickens of Ybor are protected by a decades-old Tampa ordinance declaring the entire city a bird sanctuary in which it is unlawful to “hunt, kill, maim or trap ... or otherwise molest” birds.

     

    YBOR CITY

    A VISUAL HISTORY

    Cigar making is only part of this multifaceted district’s present and future, with independent cigar rollers keeping the tradition alive. The brick streets and iron balconies of 7th Avenue welcome revelers day and night. 

     

    IDENTITY CRISIS OF THE CUBAN SANDWICH

    We take our responsibility as the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich very seriously. More than 100 years later, the people of Tampa still defend the specific formula that makes our Cuban sandwich unique.

     

    Why Tampa Is Called "Cigar City”

    132 years ago the very first cigar was rolled in Tampa's Ybor City -- setting us on the path toward the rich and vibrant city we know and love in 2018. Take a journey into our rich tradition and the reason why we're known as Cigar City.

     

    128 Year Anniversary with J.C. Newman

    Shades of Havana

    Shades of Havana™'s first episode celebrating the 128th Year Anniversary of J.C. Newman, featuring host David Zimmel, Eric, Bobby and Drew Newman. This six-episode series was filmed at the J.C. Cigar Company Warehouse in Tampa, Florida.

     

    TV SERIES

    Meet My Abuela

    Meet My Abuela features real-life romantic scenarios in which optimistic couples must follow Hispanic tradition to receive approval from their grandmother to make their relationship official. Set against the beautiful Tampa Bay backdrop, cast members experience Tampa Bay’s thriving culinary scene, sparkling waterfronts, and vibrant culture.

     

     

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