Matt's Guidebook for Tampa
Parks & Nature
It has a great run/walk/bike path along the Hillsborough River. Dog friendly with water stations and waste stations.
Great playground for the kids with swings and jungle gym and slides.
24 locals recommend
Rivercrest Park
4802 N BlvdIt has a great run/walk/bike path along the Hillsborough River. Dog friendly with water stations and waste stations.
Great playground for the kids with swings and jungle gym and slides.
Fort De Soto is one of our favorite Beaches! Located at the southern tip of Tampa Bay it has an amazing beach, historic fort, nature / bike trails, kayak rentals and plenty of parking. Just be sure to bring some cash, there is a $5 entry fee.
577 locals recommend
Fort De Soto Park
Fort De Soto ParkFort De Soto is one of our favorite Beaches! Located at the southern tip of Tampa Bay it has an amazing beach, historic fort, nature / bike trails, kayak rentals and plenty of parking. Just be sure to bring some cash, there is a $5 entry fee.
Honeymoon Island
Honeymoon IslandAnother great low key beach option and great for sunsets.
Great Bay side area Beach only 15-20 minutes from the house and it also features a great bike / run trail that has a pedestrian bridge over the bay for a great view and photos!
132 locals recommend
Ben T Davis Beach
3025 N Rocky Point DrGreat Bay side area Beach only 15-20 minutes from the house and it also features a great bike / run trail that has a pedestrian bridge over the bay for a great view and photos!
Sunset Beach
Essentials
Publix Super Market at Hillsboro Plaza
2724 W Hillsborough AveGreat liquor store on the way to our place from the airport. It's also next to a super target and whole foods as well.
Total Wine & More
1720 N Dale Mabry HwyGreat liquor store on the way to our place from the airport. It's also next to a super target and whole foods as well.
Whole Foods Market
3740 Midtown DrTarget
1544 N Dale Mabry HwySprouts Farmers Market
101 West 7th AvenueHeights Meat Market
4001 N Florida AveSpecialty meat market
Jug & Bottle Dept.
6203 N Florida AveFood Scene
Cappys Pizzeria
4910 N Florida AveOur favorite neighborhood pizza place. No delivery and cash only.
Great food, full bar, craft cocktails and a nice outdoor bar with TV's to watch a game.
102 locals recommend
The C House
6005 N Florida AveGreat food, full bar, craft cocktails and a nice outdoor bar with TV's to watch a game.
Re-purposed historical warehouse at the north end of the River Walk. There are multiple local eateries inside this open air concept venue with a little something for everyone! One of our favorite places!
845 locals recommend
Armature Works
1910 N Ola AveRe-purposed historical warehouse at the north end of the River Walk. There are multiple local eateries inside this open air concept venue with a little something for everyone! One of our favorite places!
Trip's Diner
6416 N Florida AveOur go-to neighborhood diner!
Funky fun place for dinner that also hosts a Sunday brunch menu known as "Soul Food Sunday"!
201 locals recommend
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
5119 N Nebraska AveFunky fun place for dinner that also hosts a Sunday brunch menu known as "Soul Food Sunday"!
La Segunda Ybor
2512 N 15th StGreat bakery, cuban sandwich, breakfast sandwiches and pastries!
Hands down our favorite steak place and an iconic Tampa experience! Be sure to make a reservation well in advance of your trip and also be sure to make a reservation for the dessert room after dinner.
384 locals recommend
Bern's Steak House
1208 S Howard AveHands down our favorite steak place and an iconic Tampa experience! Be sure to make a reservation well in advance of your trip and also be sure to make a reservation for the dessert room after dinner.
Billys is a cool local spot on the way to or back from Fort De Soto. Great seafood and a crows nest style bar up top with great views!
23 locals recommend
Billy’s Stone Crab
1 Collany RdBillys is a cool local spot on the way to or back from Fort De Soto. Great seafood and a crows nest style bar up top with great views!
Great beach bar & grill if you're heading over to Clearwater Beach for the day.
262 locals recommend
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
7 Rockaway StGreat beach bar & grill if you're heading over to Clearwater Beach for the day.
Another Great Spot on the way to or back from Fort Desoto Beach and they also have a nice brunch buffet on the weekends.
31 locals recommend
The Island Grille & Raw Bar
210 Madonna BlvdAnother Great Spot on the way to or back from Fort Desoto Beach and they also have a nice brunch buffet on the weekends.
The Getaway is a waterfront tiki bar and another favorite spot to have lunch or dinner along the water when heading to or from St. Pete.
79 locals recommend
The Getaway
13090 Gandy Blvd NThe Getaway is a waterfront tiki bar and another favorite spot to have lunch or dinner along the water when heading to or from St. Pete.
The Blind Tiger Cafe - Seminole Heights - Coffee Shop
4304 N Florida AveGreat local coffee shop
This is our go-to local Burger place for take-out. Not much seating inside and they don't take call ahead orders, but the burgers are fantastic! Be aware they close at 6 pm and closed on Sunday.
19 locals recommend
Thee Burger Spot
3917 N Tampa StThis is our go-to local Burger place for take-out. Not much seating inside and they don't take call ahead orders, but the burgers are fantastic! Be aware they close at 6 pm and closed on Sunday.
One of our favorite spots with great seafood and water views when visiting Honeymoon Island.
93 locals recommend
Ozona Blue Grilling Company
125 Orange StOne of our favorite spots with great seafood and water views when visiting Honeymoon Island.
Located inside the Mobil gas station, they make a great Cuban sandwich and an easy stop if your on the way to the beach at Honeymoon Island.
Bayshore Breeze Deli
2600 Bayshore BlvdLocated inside the Mobil gas station, they make a great Cuban sandwich and an easy stop if your on the way to the beach at Honeymoon Island.
The Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant and a staple of YBOR city. A Traditional Spanish restaurant dating back to 1905.
365 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th AveThe Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant and a staple of YBOR city. A Traditional Spanish restaurant dating back to 1905.
Lee's Grocery
2210 N Central AveGreat pizza & wings, but no delivery.
Great on the beach place to get a bite to eat or grab a drink and watch the sunset.
45 locals recommend
Paradise Grille
900 Gulf WayGreat on the beach place to get a bite to eat or grab a drink and watch the sunset.
Brass Monkey
709 Gulf WayHurricane Seafood Restaurant
809 Gulf WayThe Wharf Restaurant
2001 Pass a Grille WayCaddy's Treasure Island
9000 West Gulf BoulevardNorth Beach At Fort DeSoto Park
hours are limited
Ferg's Sports Bar & Grill
1320 Central AveGreat pre-game spot for a Rays game
Sea Maid's Creamery
4230 N Florida AveEasy walk from the house and a great place for ice cream
Great place to grab a cup near the house.
42 locals recommend
The Blind Tiger Cafe - Seminole Heights - Coffee Shop
4304 N Florida AveGreat place to grab a cup near the house.
Ebisu Sushi Shack
5116 N Nebraska AveGulf Coast Sourdough Sandwich House
6703 North Florida AvenueNebraska Mini Mart
4815 N Nebraska AveSeminole Heights General Store
5420 N Florida AveWhatever Pops and Bowls
5127 N Florida AveGreat place to grab a cup and relax or enjoy the walk back home along the river.
63 locals recommend
Spaddy's Coffee Co. - Seminole Heights
5206 N Florida AveGreat place to grab a cup and relax or enjoy the walk back home along the river.
Food is awesome and authentic!! Great take out taco trailer within a quick walk from the house. Always a smart idea to call your order in. They do occasionally close early when they run out of food as it's a food truck and very popular in the neighborhood.
6 locals recommend
Ranchero Tacos
4901 North Florida AvenueFood is awesome and authentic!! Great take out taco trailer within a quick walk from the house. Always a smart idea to call your order in. They do occasionally close early when they run out of food as it's a food truck and very popular in the neighborhood.
Harvest bowl eatery and market
6109 N Florida AveMetro Diner
4011 W Kennedy BlvdOne of our favorite diner spots.
Mr Pepito Tampa Bay
4105 North Florida AvenueLimited hour food truck
Wicked Oak BarbeQue
6607 N Florida AveSolid barbeque place!
Wright's Gourmet House
1200 S Dale Mabry HwyGreat place for lunch, dinner or a walk-up cocktail at the outside bar while catching sunset over the river.
384 locals recommend
Ulele
1810 N Highland AveGreat place for lunch, dinner or a walk-up cocktail at the outside bar while catching sunset over the river.
Miguel's Mexican Seafood & Grill
3035 W Kennedy BlvdOne of our favorite go to Mexican Restaurants.
Zydeco Brew Werks
1902 E 7th AveGreat brewery / Cajun cuisine.
Chop Chop Shop
4603 N Florida AveAngry Chair Brewing
4101 N Florida AveDrinks & Nightlife
Good selection of beers (wine & beer only). They always have something new on tap. Great outdoor patio area with live music, and a good food menu.
153 locals recommend
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveGood selection of beers (wine & beer only). They always have something new on tap. Great outdoor patio area with live music, and a good food menu.
Rick's is a fun little spot tucked away on the river with full bar, with live music on the weekends. Food is not the best but the people watching is...;)
79 locals recommend
Rick's on the River
2305 North Willow AvenueRick's is a fun little spot tucked away on the river with full bar, with live music on the weekends. Food is not the best but the people watching is...;)
Fun place to grab a drink on our walk home from dinner at the C house.
57 locals recommend
Mandarin Heights
5901 N Florida AveFun place to grab a drink on our walk home from dinner at the C house.
82° West Distilling
6430 N Florida AveWoven Water Brewing Company
456 W Columbus DrGreat Brewery!
Four Green Fields
Great Irish Pub on the River Walk!
Coppertail Brewing Co.
2601 E 2nd AveBrewery of my favorite IPA, Free Dive!
Great place to grab a drink overlooking the bay on the River Walk.
67 locals recommend
The Sail Pavilion on the Riverwalk
141 S Franklin StGreat place to grab a drink overlooking the bay on the River Walk.
Great place to grab food & drinks overlooking the Bay & Downtown.
145 locals recommend
Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi
601 S Harbour Island BlvdGreat place to grab food & drinks overlooking the Bay & Downtown.
Wxyz Lounge
100 W Kennedy BlvdFun Place to grab a drink overlooking the River Walk.
M. Bird
1903 Market StRoof Top bar at Armature Works overlooking downtown & the River.
Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
Entertainment & Activities
If you have children, don't forget to pack their swim suits because the Florida Aquarium has a great outdoor splash pad for the kids and bar for parents while watching the kids have a blast! We spend a good amount of time here in the summer!
848 locals recommend
The Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside DrIf you have children, don't forget to pack their swim suits because the Florida Aquarium has a great outdoor splash pad for the kids and bar for parents while watching the kids have a blast! We spend a good amount of time here in the summer!
The Lowry Park Zoo is world class and one of our favorite places to visit! The zoo also features a splash pad for the kids so be sure to pack a swim suit.
903 locals recommend
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
1101 W Sligh AveThe Lowry Park Zoo is world class and one of our favorite places to visit! The zoo also features a splash pad for the kids so be sure to pack a swim suit.
Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley DrBusch Gardens is always a blast for the whole family!
Home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and host to multiple live concerts and special events.
555 locals recommend
Raymond James Stadium
4201 N Dale Mabry HwyHome of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and host to multiple live concerts and special events.
Home of the Tampa Bay Lightning "Go Bolts!" and multiple live concerts and events.
442 locals recommend
Amalie Arena
401 Channelside DrHome of the Tampa Bay Lightning "Go Bolts!" and multiple live concerts and events.
Tropicana Field
1 Tropicana Dr.Fun way to travel from Downtown Tampa to Downtown St. Pete for the day or to go have dinner.
37 locals recommend
Cross Bay Ferry - St. Pete - Tampa
333 South Franklin StreetFun way to travel from Downtown Tampa to Downtown St. Pete for the day or to go have dinner.
New York Yankees Training Camp
1 Steinbrenner DrGlazer Children's Museum
110 W Gasparilla PlazaArts & Culture
Tampa's performing arts center located on the River Walk.
198 locals recommend
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N Macinnes PlTampa's performing arts center located on the River Walk.
Sightseeing
Clearwater Beach is consistently rated as on of the top beaches in North America year after year!
1870 locals recommend
Clearwater Beach
Gulf of Mexico DriveClearwater Beach is consistently rated as on of the top beaches in North America year after year!