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Tampa Bay Blog

Category - Arts & Culture
  • 9 Cigar Terms to Know thumbnail
    WHY WE'RE CIGAR CITY 9 CIGAR TERMS TO KNOW Few things are as deeply rooted in Tampa Bay as the humble cigar. Since Cuban cigar baron Don Vicente Martinez Ybor opened his first factory here in 1886, hand-rolled cigars have been a staple of Tampa
  • Chicken
    11 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT TAMPA BAY Tampa Bay has a long and colorful history (long for Florida, anyway), much of it is waiting for you to discover. Here are some things you probably never knew about Cigar City. 1. The cigar industry helped build Tampa Bay In the 1880s, Cuban cigar magnate Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his operations from Key West to a patch of scrub just east of downtown close to the port. Henry B. Plant’s newly arrived railroad carried Ybor’s cigars to market in New...
  • Bayshore Boulevard
    THEY SAY THERE'S NO SUCH THING WAYS TO PLAY FOR FREE They say the best things in life are free. Well, sensational sunsets, waterfront views, a scenic drive, a picnic in the park with perfect weather are all things that come at no extra charge when you’re in Tampa Bay. There’s plenty of ways to play without breaking the bank. Here’s some of our favorite free things to do right now. Catch the Florida Sun Embrace the sunshine! If you’re an early riser, get ready for...
  • Tampa Museum of Art exterior
    DEEP DIVE ART IN TAMPA BAY In Tampa Bay, arts and culture run deep. Along the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk, and throughout the downtown and Channel districts, a trove of rich culture and history awaits for you to uncover. From the Latin and Cuban influence of Ybor City to the pirate culture influenced by the legendary José Gaspar, visitors can find inspiration and adventure around every corner.
  • couple enjoying drinks outside at Armature Works
    The kids are back in school, the summer crowds are gone: Now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to a grown-up's get-away in Tampa Bay. Whether you're in the mood for a romantic weekend with your significant other, a girls' getaway or a guys' trip, the hip, urban heart of Florida’s west coast is here for you with just the right combination of fantastic food, exciting experiences, and grown-up fun for Fall. Couple's Weekend Sleep In a Little No one needs...
  • Tampa Museum of Art
    The kids are heading back to school and summer is winding down – what better time to make a quick couple’s escape to Tampa Bay? Decompress with a stroll through exciting new exhibits at our art museums, let yourself be transported by the experience of live theater and orchestra, or enjoy the ornate environs of Tampa Bay’s oldest movie palace. Indulge in an autumn of amazing art in Tampa Bay! Tampa Museum of Art Robert Rauschenberg: America Mix-16 August 9 through January 5,...
  • Jose Marti Park
    CUBA WITHOUT A PASSPORT Visitors to Tampa Bay can make a side trip to Cuba without needing their passports. Tampa Bay’s historic Latin Quarter, Ybor City, is home to a genuine piece of Cuban territory – José Martí Park, dedicated to the memory of the poet, journalist, and firebrand who led the island’s revolution against Spanish rule in the 1880s and 1890s. The park at the corner of 8th Avenue and 13th Street is owned by the people of Cuba. For nearly six decades,...
  • Memory Makers Dylan Breese
    Some places have pigeons -- in Tampa Bay's historic Ybor City neighborhood, they have chickens. Step off the TECO Historic Streetcar near Centennial Plaza in the midst of the urban jungle, and the next sound you'll hear will be the enthusiastic
  • The Florida Aquarium Pointing
    Pardon us while we blow our own horn for a moment: Tampa Bay is riding high as one of the top destinations in the world for everything from Pride celebrations to airport dining. Unlock Tampa Bay and find your own favorite thing about the hip, urban heart of Florida's Gulf coast. MSN: Cities That Are Amazing Getaways "More often than not, most tourists disregard Florida cities and head right to the sunny coastlines—but this culture haven and palm tree paradise should not be...
  • Paulina Pedroso Ybor Riverwalk
    In honor of Women's History Month, Visit Tampa Bay looks at some of the women who helped create our community. First up: Paulina Pedroso. Paulina Pedroso, Savior of Revolution In a quiet corner of Ybor City stands a park dedicated to José Martí -- poet, journalist, and political firebrand -- known to the Cuban people as the Apostle of Revolution. Martí spent years struggling to free his island from the control of Spain. He found strong support for his revolution among the...