Table of Contents:
DOWNTOWN TAMPA
YBOR CITY
OTHER TAMPA SIGHTS
Many people think Tampa is a place to go get a suntan and drink a rum punch. It has both of those things, but it has so much more.
Did you know it is the Cigar Capital of the World? You can still find hand-rolled cigars in Tampa.
You will see Tampa has more to offer than just cigars.
There are more than 150 historical sites appearing on the National Register of Historic Places (N.R.O.H.P) but Tampa has a new side as well.
Come to the Tampa area for its sun and fun, but leave time to see Tampa, the city as well.
See Tampa Downtown.
Tampa Riverwalk.
This 2.6-mile pedestrian walkway along the Hillsborough River has open spaces and parks.
Tampa Bay History Center.
The History Center is a museum for kids of all ages. It covers over 12,000 years of local history, from the Tocobaga Indians, conquistadors, pirates, and more. It is on the River Walk.
Sparkman Wharf.
East of the History Center, on Channelside Drive, is this two-story retail space with many dining options.
Port Tampa Bay Cruise Terminal – 2.
Next to Sparkman Wharf is the main cruise pier for Tampa. Cruise ships from various cruise lines sail from here weekly.
The Florida Aquarium.
This non-profit organization teaches conservation and educates through exhibits and experiences. There are more than 20,000 sea creatures to see and touch tanks to get up close with some.
TECO Line Streetcar System.
Streetcars were an important part of Tampa from 1892 to 1946, when people began buying automobiles. The streetcars in Tampa began service again in 2003 with replicas of the original cars. Car #163, The Birney is the only original car on the system.
The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
A 15-minute walk along the riverwalk brings you to this interesting museum. Everything about photography, from workshops to galleries and exhibits: also, take a look at the interior space.
Tampa Museum of Art.
Also, in the Waterfront Arts District, it is across a green area from the photographic museum. Their collection ranges from Greek, Roman, and Etruscan but focuses on contemporary and modern art.
Glazer Children’s Museum.
Adjacent to the art museum is this hands-on museum. Children can try a variety of identities (what do you want to be when…)
Old Steel Railroad Bridge.
Just west of the museums is this historic steel bridge. Dating from 1913, it replaces Henry Plant’s first bridge from 1885. It is still in use today, linking the original port area at Port Tampa City.
Florida Avenue.
Tampa City Hall.
At the corner of N. Florida Avenue and East Kennedy Blvd. is this classical “layer cake” building on the National Register of Historic Places. Dating from 1915, it still has many original components intact.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
Two blocks north of city hall is this Jesuit church dating from 1898. It sits on an earlier Catholic chapel from 1859. It became a Franciscan church in 2005. The 75 stained glass windows are original and from Germany.
Tampa U.S. Courthouse.
Dating from 1905, the Old Federal Courthouse is a Beaux Arts-style building across from the church. It will also serve as a United States Post Office, courthouse, and custom house. Today, this building on the National Register of Historic Places is a Le Meridien Hotel.
Floridan Hotel.
Three blocks further north is this N.R.O.H.P. property dating from 1927. In its heyday, it was the place to stay downtown. After a major renovation, the hotel opens again circa 2012.
Tampa Theatre and Office Building.
A block west of the Le Meridien on Franklin St is this movie palace from 1926. This N.R.O.H.P is now a non-profit organization, hosting first-run and classic films, special events, concerts, and more. They also offer tours.
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
Dating from 1904, this Mediterranean Revival-style building is also on the N.R.O.H.P.
Masonic Temple No. 25.
A block south and east of the Episcopal church is this 1929 brick structure on E. Kennedy. A better view of the building is around the corner on Morgan. Still active, it is the oldest Freemason’s Lodge in Florida.
Tampa Firefighters Museum.
Dating from 1911, the historic structure is the original main headquarters for the Tampa Fire Department. This is when horses are pulling the equipment. The museum covers the Tampa fire department’s history from those early days.
Jackson Rooming House.
Three blocks east of the museum on Zack St is this N.R.O.H.P. dating from 1901. It is one of the only places in Tampa where black travelers could find lodging. Its guest list includes Cab Calloway, Count Basie, James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ray Charles. 
The Jackson Rooming House circa 2021.
Tampa Union Station.
Across the street from the rooming house is the 1912 train station. The idea was a single station for the three different railroads servicing Tampa. It would have 8 platforms. After an extensive restoration, the station reopens in 1998 for Amtrak service.
North Franklin Street Historic District.
North of E. Harrison Street is another historic district. Although some consider all of Franklin Street north of Whiting St as part of the neighborhood. Unfortunately, it is a victim of Urban renewal, although a few historical sites remain.
Tampa Postcard Mural.
One of many instagrammable murals throughout the city, this one looks like an old-time postcard from Tampa. Two blocks north of the Floridan Hotel on N Florida Avenue.
Oaklawn and St. Louis Cemeteries Historic District.
Two blocks east of the postcard mural is this historic district. Beginning in 1850, the Oaklawn Cemetary is for rich and poor, whites and slaves alike. For historians, you may find the markers for many of Tampa’s founding fathers and other officers.
See Ybor City.
In its heyday, Tampa would have more than 150 cigar factories turning out close to 500 million cigars. The center of this industry was Ybor City. But eventually, it runs out of space.
El Pasaje, Cherokee Club.
One block east on Ninth Avenue is this red brick structure from 1886. It serves as the offices for Vicente Martinez Ybor’s companies. He will plan Ybor City here and later use it as the offices for his cigar factory and other businesses.
The Ybor Factory Building.
At the same time, Ybor builds his factory across the street. It is the first brick cigar factory in Tampa and, at the time, the largest cigar factory in the world.
El Circulo Cubano de Tampa.
Behind the Cherokee Club, The Cuban Club dates from 1917 as a gathering place for Cuban immigrants. At some point, the club will include a theater, bowling alley, pharmacy, ballroom, library, and more.
Centro Ybor Museum.
The museum resides in the former 1923 Ferlita Bakery, the Mediterranean-style garden, and the “casita,” a recreated cigar worker’s house. It is not open daily, so click the link to check their website.
Ybor City’s 7th Avenue.
El Liceo Cubano.
Dating from 1886, this red brick building at 13th St. begins as a tobacco stripping house. It becomes a Cuban social center and the meeting place for the secret order of the Cabelleros de la Luzban. Jose Marti delivers his two 1891 speeches here that become the platform for the United Cuban Revolutionary Party.
Columbia Restaurant and Museum.
Dating from 1905, this family-owned restaurant is now on the fifth generation of family members. It is Florida’s oldest restaurant. The original small cafe could hold no more than 60 guests.
L’Unione Italiana (Italian Club.)
Just west of the Columbia is this 1918 Italian Community Center building. From its opening, it acts as a mutual aid society (think H.M.O.) and center of social, cultural, and educational functions.
Just Outside Ybor City.
J.C. Newman Cigar Company.
Four blocks north of Ybor is the oldest family-owned premium cigar maker in America, dating from 1895. Inside the building, which is only a few years younger, they still hand-roll cigars.
Vicente Guerra Cigar Company.
Two blocks north, Newman Cigar Company is the remains of this1899 factory.
Ferlita Macaroni Company Building.
Circa 1925, Sicilian Giuseppe Rosario Ferlita opens the Ferlita Macaroni Co. on N. 22nd Street. At first, it is the home and factory of this immigrant from Santo Stefano Quisquina, Sicily. Then, in 1936, they move the factory to a larger location on Union St. Today, it is home to a Sicilian restaurant.
Corina Cigar Factory.
On S. 22nd street, In the Palmetto Beach Historic District, south of Ybor, is this wonderful three-story structure. Dating from 1893 as the Vicente Guerra Cigar company, by 1910, the Jose Escalante and Company were making Corina cigars. Currently, it is a private office space.
Centro Asturiano de Tampa.
This Beaux-Arts Classicism treat is three blocks west of the Ybor parking garage, at Nebraska Ave. and E. Palm Ave.. Dating from1902, it was first a clubhouse for the Asturian Spaniards when they split from the Centro Espanol.
As you can see, Tampa has so much to see. Downtown can easily take a day, and Ybor City another. And we are still not done.
See Tampa’s Other Sites.
Cigar Factories are easy to spot. There are only two of the original wooden buildings left. The remaining 22 still standing are of brick. All cigar factories face east to west, and have larger windows on the north side. This would create natural ventilation in a building full of people, in Florida, before air-conditioning.
In addition to cigar factories, Tampa has numerous historical districts.
Davis Islands.
Southwest of downtown, this island neighborhood is a wishbook for home lovers.
Villa de Leon Apartments (Spanish)
Dating from 1925, this iconic apartment building was part of D.P. Davis’s vision. Consisting of 22 units, the building was recently a boutique hotel.
Palace of Florence Apartments.
Dating from 1925. this Mediterranean Revival architecture gives this apartment building the air of an Italian palazzo. The four-story battlement tower is loosely based on Florence, Italy’s Palazzo Vecchio.
Palmerin Hotel.
Dating from 1926, this Moorish-themed hotel is one of the first on the island. Today, it acts as an assisted living facility.
All of these buildings are on the N.R.O.H.P., and you can find them on E. Davis Blvd.
North of Tampa.
Seminole Heights Residential District.
This area is predominantly private homes, many in Gothic Revival and American Craftsman bungalows.
Seminole Heights United Methodist Church.
This Gothic Revival church dates from 1924.
William E Curtis House.
Dating from 1906, this Dutch Colonial Revival is one of the first residential structures in Seminole Heights. Curtis, a nurseryman, will be responsible for developing much of Seminole Heights.
Captain William Parker Jackson House.
This farmhouse from 1870 is on the N.R.O.H.P. Many believe it is one of the first homes in the Tampa “wilderness” to have an Anglo-American family.
Further North.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay.
Dating from 1959, the area began as a park with an aviary and birdhouse. It was something to do while drinking beer from the new brewery next door. Over the years, they would add exotic animals keeping the park free until 1970. Then, to finance amusement rides, they began charging admission. Today Sea World owns the park. There is no longer free beer tasting, but there are more rides.
USF Contemporary Art Museum.
Next to the USF College of the Arts is this contemporary art museum dating from 1989. The collection totals more than 5,000 pieces of art.
Museum of Science & Industry.
Across the streets from USF is this not-for-profit science museum. Besides exhibits, the museum offers teaching through classes, workshops, and experiences.
Sulphur Springs Water Tower.
Dating from 1927, the tower, over an artesian spring, was for a hotel and housing complex. However, the development is a victim of the 1933 flood and never recovers. Until 1971 it operates as a local water source.
West Tampa.
West Tampa Historic District.
With many structures dating from 1895-1925, West Tampa has a large historic district.
El Centro Español of West Tampa.
Dating from 1912, this red brick building was the satellite location of the main club in Ybor. Like many social clubs of its time, it would have services and entertainment for its members.
Hyde Park Historic District.
Across the river and to the south is this district with structures dating from 1886-1933. Here you can see Queen Anne, Frame and Masonry Vernacular, English Romantic Revival, Classical Revival, Bungalow, and more.
T.C. Taliaferro House.
Dating from 1890, this historic home on S Hyde Park is in the Classical Revival style. Once the home of a prominent banker, today, it is a center for women.
Anderson–Frank House.
Dating from 1901, this N.R.O.H.P. house is Colonial Revival with a little Queen Ann-style architecture. Originally the home of a banker, today, it is an event space.
Hutchinson House.
Two blocks from the Anderson-Frank house, also on S Plant Avenue, is this Second Empire masterpiece dating from 1908. Currently, it houses a law office.
Le Claire Apartments.
These mirror-image apartment buildings date from 1926 and are in a Masonry Vernacular style. A passage on the second floor connects the two wings, making this a very fashionable apartment complex for its time. Today, it is a private residence.
Other West Tampa Sites.
Tampa Bay Hotel – Henry B. Plant Museum.
The jewel of the Henry Plant train, steamship, hotel empire is the Tampa Bay Hotel. Just across the river from downtown, it was the winter address for many northerners. At the cost of $2,500,000 from his own pocket (a lot of money in the 1880s), he builds this palace. With more than 500 rooms, it has the latest amenities, including electricity and telephones, in every guest room.
The grounds would cover 150 acres with golf, tennis courts, boathouse, stables, hunting and fishing grounds, and more. During the Spanish-American War, Plant convinces the United States military to use the hotel as a base of operations. The soldiers would camp on the grounds. High-ranking officers would have a hotel room. As a colonel, Teddy Roosevelt rates a room.
The Flagler Museum takes up the southeast wing of the building. It remains as it was in 1930. You can arrange a private tour or just explore the museum.
South of Downtown Tampa.
MacDill Air Force Base.
As this is a working air force base, visiting is restricted. Tours take place once a month and only with prior reservations. In March, the base hosts the Tampa Bay Airfest with flying demonstrations, ground displays, and more.
See Tampa Summary.
As you can see, Tampa is more than sunshine and sand.
You could spend a day just exploring cigar factories before seeing Ybor.
Downtown has numerous award-winning museums and architecture.
Tampa has an abundance of historical districts, each one worth your time.
Come, it’s time to see Tampa. It’s a great city.