Real places, real neighborhoods and current market numbers, verified by broker Ryan C. Winslow.
What Tampa is known for
Tampa is known for its cigar-making past in Ybor City, the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River, and the Gasparilla pirate festivals each winter. It is also home to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, The Florida Aquarium and ZooTampa at Lowry Park.
Don Vicente Martinez Ybor opened the first cigar factory in Ybor City in 1886, and the area grew into the Cigar Capital of the World until the 1930s. Henry B. Plant's Tampa Bay Hotel operated as a winter resort from 1891 to 1932 and is now Plant Hall at the University of Tampa. The Columbia Restaurant opened in Ybor City in 1905 and La Segunda Bakery began baking Cuban bread there in 1915. Tampa mixes historic bungalow neighborhoods like Seminole Heights and Tampa Heights with high-rise living in downtown and the Channel District. Daily life centers on the waterfront, from walks on the Riverwalk to food halls, breweries and Cuban bakeries.
Where to live
South Tampa neighborhood that was once home to citrus groves. It is a City of Tampa historic district, and Hyde Park Village at its center has shops, restaurants and a hotel on walkable streets. (source)
Older neighborhood north of downtown with its own City of Tampa historic district. Its Florida Avenue corridor is a dining destination, home to Rooster & the Till. (source)
Tampa's historic cigar district, founded in the 1880s and now a National Historic Landmark District. Rows of restored worker casitas still stand, and exterior changes are reviewed by the Barrio Latino Commission. (source)
Founded in the 1880s as Tampa's first suburb, just north of downtown between I-275, the Hillsborough River and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Bungalow-lined streets, parks, coffee shops and breweries, with its own historic district. (source)
Walkable waterfront district next to downtown with constantly evolving high-rise residential towers. Sparkman Wharf, The Florida Aquarium and the $3 billion Water Street Tampa development shape the area. (source)
Island neighborhood in the bay just south of downtown Tampa. Davis Islands Beach on Martinique Avenue is a small sandy spot for sunning where boats often anchor offshore. (source)
Local favorites
Aged prime steaks since 1956, one of the largest wine collections in the world, and the separate Harry Waugh Dessert Room. (source)
Florida's oldest restaurant, open since 1905, known for its 1905 Salad and flamenco shows at the Ybor City flagship. (source)
Baking authentic Cuban bread since 1915 in Ybor City, the loaf behind many Tampa Cuban sandwiches. (source)
Began in the 1970s as a grocery and sandwich shop. Locals go for generous plates of ropa vieja and arroz con pollo at fair prices. (source)
Dishes cooked on a 10-foot barbacoa grill, right on the Tampa Riverwalk. (source)
Four-time Michelin Bib Gourmand recipient co-owned by Chef Ferrell Alvarez, a 2017 James Beard semifinalist. (source)
A Tampa landmark since 1912 for Italian pastries, Cuban bread, deli sandwiches and Scachatta pizza. (source)
Serving sandwiches, salads and baked goods for over 60 years. Come early to beat the lunch crowd. (source)
After hours
A 2.6-mile path along the Hillsborough River through downtown that links parks, museums and restaurants. (source)
Food hall, shops, rooftop and event space at 1910 N Ola Ave in Tampa Heights, on the Riverwalk. (source)
Outdoor dining and drinking spot in the Channel District with shipping container restaurants. (source)
Tampa brewery since 2009. The original Spruce Street Brewery and Taproom pours exclusive drafts and sells beer to go. (source)
Movie palace built in 1926 at 711 N Franklin St, showing classic and new films plus live music and comedy. (source)
Shopping
Open-air shopping district at 1602 W Snow Ave with fashion, beauty, fitness and food, including Ralph Lauren and Veronica Beard. (source)
Mall at 250 WestShore Plaza with retail, dining and events. (source)
Operating since 2000, the largest continually operating outdoor market in the Tampa Bay Area, with local art and gourmet foods. (source)
Gathering place with a restaurant, coffee and tea bars, a shop and a bookstore under one roof. (source)
Downtown district with The Market shops, Night Market events and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings. (source)
Outdoors
Downtown riverfront park with two splash pads, a playground, a dog run and space for events that draw over one million people a year. (source)
25-acre riverfront park with a boathouse, splash pad, sports courts, boat ramps and a dog park. (source)
Popular county park at 6920 E Fletcher Ave with a paved trail and boardwalk. Sections of the boardwalk, the observation tower and the kayak launch are closed for repair. (source)
596-acre peninsula park with mangroves, salt marsh, nature trails, boardwalks and a canoe and kayak launch. (source)
Nearest state park, known for rare Class II rapids, seven miles of trails, paddling, camping and the Fort Foster Historic Site. Some trails and amenities remain closed. (source)
Remote 250-acre island at the mouth of Tampa Bay, established in 1974, with nesting sea turtles, gopher tortoises and more than 30,000 nesting pairs of birds. Reached by boat. (source)
Things to do
Theme park and zoo with coasters like Iron Gwazi and Cheetah Hunt and more than 200 animal species. (source)
Aquarium at 701 Channelside Drive with penguin and stingray encounters and a wild dolphin cruise. (source)
Zoo at 1101 W Sligh Ave with a Manatee Critical Care Center, the Florida Waters exhibit and African safari areas. (source)
Housed in the former Tampa Bay Hotel, a winter resort from 1891 to 1932 and now a National Historic Landmark at the University of Tampa. (source)
Museum in the historic Ferlita Bakery at 1818 E Ninth Ave that tells the story of Ybor City and the cigar industry, with restored casitas. (source)
On the calendar
Ye Mystic Krewe of Gasparilla captures the key to the city and parades down Bayshore Boulevard. Children's Gasparilla runs the week before. (source)
Annual state fair at the Florida State Fairgrounds in Tampa, with agriculture shows and Cracker Country. (source)
Free outdoor art festival with more than 250 artists at Julian B. Lane Riverfront Park. (source)
Riverwalk festival presented by Publix, including a lantern parade. (source)
Schools
Gorrie Elementary School, Mitchell Elementary School, Roosevelt Elementary School
Coleman Middle School, Madison Middle School
H.B. Plant High School, Hillsborough High School, Howard W. Blake High School
Jesuit High School, Tampa Preparatory School, Berkeley Preparatory School, Academy of the Holy Names, Tampa Catholic High School
Listed for reference, not ranked. Confirm school zoning for any address with the district. (source)
Broker notes
I-275, I-4, the Selmon Expressway (SR 618), the Veterans Expressway (SR 589), US 41 and Dale Mabry Highway (US 92)
Tampa International Airport (TPA), about 15 min from downtown; St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), about 30 min
Ryan C. Winslow, broker/owner of Winslow Homes. REALTOR® since 2009, 3,000+ homes sold, broker in FL, MA, CT and RI, U.S. Army Retired.
Researched and verified 2026-09-28. Businesses change; call ahead.