Fun Places to Visit in Tampa Bay This Fall
St. Pete skyline at sunset
By Tampa Bay Living Magazine staff
Whether you're looking to explore the great outdoors, indulge in delicious cuisine or immerse yourself in the local arts scene, Tampa Bay has it all. From whitewater rapids to stunning beaches, here are some of the sites that make Tampa Bay a fun place to visit this fall.
Tampa Bay’s history is very different from what you might think.You might believe that Miami is where the Cuban sandwich was introduced to the United States—quite the contrary.
In search of a portable meal, Tampa cigar factory employees created this famous pork-filled treat in the late 19th century. In Tampa, you will discover several unexpectedly fascinating historical facts, including the origin of the Cuban sandwich. Despite St. Augustine receiving most of the attention for historical sites in Florida, Tampa also has many historic structures and fascinating stories to tell. Because of this, a visit here can be considered a legitimate history lesson.
In 1822, the city was established nearly 75 years before Miami, and its legacy as a center of Cuban culture continues to this day. Beyond that, the city has experienced significant growth in recent decades. With its growing restaurant scene, craft brew tour and variety of outdoor activities, it now offers several opportunities for tourists and residents to enjoy.
A strong history infused with Cuban culture
During the late 1800s, Cuban immigrants came to Tampa to work in cigar factories. In Ybor City, you can still stroll among the masonry buildings that once housed these factories. Since the 1950s, Ybor has gained a reputation for its nightlife. And the most enjoyable way to experience the city's history is to take a walking tour during the day. J.C. Newman, one of the earliest family-owned cigar factories in the United States, was founded in 1895 and offers factory tours, cigar-rolling demonstrations and classes.
In the years preceding the opening of the Cuban embassy in 2015, the only Cuban territory in the U.S. was Parque Amigos de Jose Marti in Tampa. In the late 1800s, Marti visited Tampa. By making speeches in cigar factories, he enlisted the support of the immigrant community. It was here in 1892 that he recovered from an attempted assassination. His memory is honored through a statue in the park and the replanting of native vegetation on land removed from the island.
During the early 20th century, the Cuban Club was also a meeting place for Cuban immigrants. Cuban-Americans in Tampa gather regularly to discuss Cuba's current events and reminisce about the old country. The club's daily excursions will provide a detailed history of the building's haunted history.
While it is still unknown where the first Cuban sandwich was made, many historians claim Tampa as its origin.
A classic Cuban sandwich in Tampa
Tampa's finest restaurants, from food centers to Michelin-starred restaurants
Three Tampa restaurants were awarded Michelin stars in 2023, despite the city's exclusion from the initial distribution of Michelin stars in Florida in 2022. Koya is a Japanese omakase restaurant that offers contemporary Japanese cuisine. Rocca, Bryce Bonsack's modern Italian restaurant in Tampa Heights, has received widespread acclaim. Inside the recently completed Edition Hotel, you will find Lilac. In this prix-fixe restaurant, Florida ingredients are incorporated into French-inspired dishes. The restaurant is set within walls adorned with tropical vegetation.
Tampa's casual restaurants also provide a unique dining experience. Among the most prominent is Sparkman Wharf, a shipping container park near the downtown waterfront filled with bars, food vendors and a younger crowd. Inside, Murph's BBQ offers excellent brisket to enjoy in the LightHaus Beer Garden. Guests can also enjoy tamales, BurgerFi, bowling and an F45 gym on the premises.
Among the other notable culinary establishments in the city is Armature Works. This establishment has a slightly more affluent clientele and is located on a stunning riverfront site. In recognition of its quality New American cuisine, Oak & Ola, its signature sit-down restaurant, received a Michelin recommendation in 2023. At Muchachas, guests can enjoy birria tacos; Empamamas offers street food; and Bento offers fiery noodle dishes. M. Bird, a pleasant bar on the rooftop patio, is renowned for its handcrafted cocktails.
Other noteworthy restaurants in Tampa include The Battery, a whiskey and bourbon-focused restaurant serving prime steaks and Italian-inspired pasta, and Wagamama, an Asian import serving fresh, delectable dishes. A large raw bar, subway tiles and an extensive seafood menu are all part of Pearl's oyster room. Finally, a visit to Tampa would only be complete with a meal at Bern's, Florida's most renowned steakhouse. Here, chops are still served with a side salad, and the dessert parlor is delicious.
A view of Sparkman’s Wharf
Take your party to the next level with Red Stripe's new canned rum beverages. Featuring Caribbean rum and 5.9% alcohol by volume, the Red Stripe Rum Punch and Mojito are both available at Red Stripe. With its beer, Red Stripe brings island sentiments to your vacation.
Discover the best distilleries in Tampa this fall
Tampa and South Florida have an amicable (or unfriendly, depending on whom you ask) rivalry. The best option depends on one's personal preference, and the city offers a wide variety of options for you to choose from. The Tampa Bay area also offers a Bay Crafted Pass, which allows you to win rewards by checking in at local breweries.
Cigar City made Florida craft beer famous with its Jai-Alai IPA and Florida Cracker wheat beer. The brewery is remarkably tiny, and its tasting room makes it simple to sample its exclusive creations. Coppertail Brewing Company is another institution of statewide significance. Featuring a nautical theme and vibrant murals, the venue offers beers such as Free Dive IPA and Night Swim Porter. If you enjoy playing giant Jenga and cornhole while drinking, Seventh Sun's Tampa tavern is in an old roller rink. Numerous games can be found in the arcade.
In recent years, Seminole Heights has become the brewery district's de facto headquarters. Southern Brewing, Angry Chair, Hidden Springs Ale Works and Common Dialect are nearby.
The best outdoor activities in Tampa this fall
St. Pete and Clearwater are the cities in the Tampa Bay region with the top-rated beaches. However, you can still enjoy waterfront activities in Tampa if you want to avoid crossing the Howard Frankland Bridge. Tampa's Riverwalk, a 2.6-mile promenade along the Hillsborough River, is the quickest route. It also passes by some of the city's best museums and science centers, like the Tampa Museum of Art. Along the Riverwalk, you'll find bars like Sparkman Wharf and Armature Works where you can relax with a drink.
The Tampa Riverwalk
For those seeking leisurely strolls, Cypress Point Park is accessible via a walk through a residential neighborhood near the airport. This modest beach offers an expansive view of Tampa’s harbor, bridges and causeways. Although there is likely to be aircraft engine noise, you will usually have the site to yourself.
Lastly, a natural hidden jewel in Tampa is Hillsborough River State Park, which offers the closest thing to whitewater rafting in Florida. If you have been considering whitewater kayaking, the park's class II rapids are an excellent place to start. Timberline's glamping resort offers one of Florida's most sought-after amenities for outdoor exploration: air-conditioned tents.