I had traveled to Tampa, Florida a, dozens of times, but I only saw it once- and this was last week. There is a lot more to the Tampa Bay Waterfront resort area, that some visitors may not realize.
The Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, just minutes from Tampa International Airport, is a picture-perfect resort setting close to several Marriott and Hilton-managed competitors. However, this does not even touch on what else Tampa Bay has to offer its visitors beyond this immediate airport resort spot.
Tampa International Airport is known to be less complicated, more sophisticated, and passenger-friendly than most US airports.
With an increasing number of direct flights from all over the U.S., and also from Europe, Mexico, and even Panama connecting Tampa with Latin America, Tampa is developing into a major Florida destination besides Miami, Fort Lauderdale, or Orlando.
However, Tampa managed to maintain its safe small-town atmosphere. Adding world-class accommodation, and food options, the city’s focus on international Meetings and the Incentive market is making Tampa Bay a talk-about resort and business destination on a global scale, while maintaining its charming small-town and historic image.
The just concluded Destination International Summit was a testimony to the importance this Florida City is putting on tourism and its developments.
Visit Tampa Bay treated Destination International delegates to a spectacular drone show and block party in downtown Tampa. Tampa Bay went all out to showcase the destination to Destination International Delegates and attending international media.
It made many of the 1900 attending destination representatives a little jealous when trying to promote their destination.
Tampa may have very much just set a new trend for events in America, Cuban Style included.
Yes, Tampa Bay has a diverse history and vibrant population that blends Latin American influences, Florida Cracker culture, and the descendants of Cuban, Spanish, German, and Italian immigrants who built historic Ybor City into the Cigar Capital of the World.
Yes, Tampa has all the attractions a visitor to Florida is excited to experience, such as the Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa, as well as the nature parks, and it’s very walkable.
Visit Tampa Bay is also a party town catering to an all-inclusive rainbow mix of visitors and locals.
Tampa Bay is without doubt paradise on earth for food lovers. Thanks to Mary Haban, VP of Global Communication of Visit Tampa Bay, my pledge to cut down on sugar and food while on my Ozempic treatment was thrown out of the window.
Or should I say: Taking Ozempic is a must when visiting Tampa and enjoying its world-class eateries, so one can cut the giant food portions in half and taste even more?
It all started in 1905 at Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest restaurant. Located in the historic Latin Quarter, it has a menu one cannot find anywhere else. Here, the chef learned from his Grandmother, and it shows.
The 1905 salad was it! In the 1970s, this flavorful salad was Columbia’s answer to the ubiquitous salad bar. Created by waiter Tony Noriega in the 1940s, it was adapted by Columbia, eventually phasing out the use of black olives and celery. The Columbia created a new dressing that featured Spanish olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, and white wine vinegar, enhanced by Worcestershire sauce, lemon, and Parmesan cheese. It was voted the 10 Great Places to Make a Meal of a Salad.
Oxford Exchange is the place to go to breakfast. Stylish and sophisticated, it’s located in a historic building near the University of Tampa – and was named the most Instagrammable restaurant in Florida.
Another mouthwatering dinner restaurant is Berns Steakhouse. The Filet Mignon may have very been the most tender and best-tasting steak I had in my life.
Since 1956 Bern Steakhouse provided their guests with a unique culinary experience. Prime steaks are cut to order and dry-aged in-house for 5-8 weeks. Berns offers oysters, escargot, 16 different caviars, and many other mouth-watering selections.
10 Tampa food classics:
- 1 – Cuban Sandwich.
- 2 – Deviled Crabs.
- 3 – Grouper Sandwich.
- 4 – Chicharrones.
- 5 – Stone Crab Claws.
- 6 – Empanadas.
- 7 – Key Lime Pie.
- 8 – Spanish Bean Soup.
- 9 – Alligator Bites
- 10 – Bloomin’ Onion
Tampa however is not only a food, and party place, it’s a destination for active adventurists, and those who are looking for a safe family destination with positive-minded people welcoming visitors.
Tampa has a wide variety of brand names and independent accommodation and meeting options, but it appears Marriott is dominant regarding larger meetings and conventions, with the JW Marriott Tampa Waterstreet and Westin Tampa Waterside, a walkable area in the Water Street convention sector.
A San Fransicso-type street car connects the Waterfront with other tourist spots, including restaurants, coffee shops, museums, historic buildings, shopping spots, and urgent care facilities in Tampa every 15 minutes and is free.
No matter what you do in Tampa, visit the J.C. Newman Cigar Factory Founded in 1895, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is America’s oldest family-owned premium cigar maker.
Yes, Tampa is home to several outstanding malls. The International Plaza and Bay Street Mall are known for their impressive 200 + upscale stores, including Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Neiman Marcus. Shoppers can enjoy high-end shopping with exceptional dining. The open-air Bay Street makes it the ideal spot for fashion lovers and casual shoppers alike.
You’ll have the best seats in the house with year-round pro sports action in Tampa Bay. Follow the MLB Tampa Bay Rays, NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers, NHL Tampa Bay Lightning, as well as the New York Yankees spring training, and several semi-pro and collegiate teams at Tampa Bay’s premier pro sports facilities. Sports is BIG in Tampa, and of course BIG for tourism.
There is more, so check out: Visit Tampa Bay
