Tampa is a huge city with much to offer. There are many well known museums and attractions such as Busch Gardens, Yankees spring training, a zoo and aquarium – but what about the hidden gems of the city! Here are some of my favorite spots, what are yours?
Where to take a hike?
+Lettuce Lake Park has all of the wildlife offerings you could wish for when visiting Florida, plus you can rent kayaks and explore the lake through the water
+Ballast Point Park [5300 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611] is great little place to watch the back end reflection of the setting set
+Manatee Viewing Center is just outside of Tampa and is a perfect spot to look for aquatic life in the warm waters by the power plant
Arts and History
+Tampa Museum of Art located on a waterfront park with classic and modern art, it is free for college students
+Ybor City is a historic neighborhood in Tampa which had flourishing immigrant population who played a major part in the cigar industry
Where to eat dessert?
+Mini Doughnut Factory makes their morsels on the spot, they have some real funky flavors
+Chocolate Pi has one KILLER lemon meringue
Where to drink and play pinball?
+Lowry Parade has a great selection of brews and an amazing arcade
+Cigar City Brewing is a good place to enjoy an oatmeal raisin cookie stout
+New World Brewery is no longer a brewery, but still a great place to grab a beer, play some foosball, pinball, and listen to live music
Extra Pinball!
+Tampa Lanes [8105 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614] is a great place to bowl, and also play some different pinball machines