Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
With Henry Plant's grand hotel invigorating Tampa's late-19th-century economy, expan-
sion over the river was inevitable.
Old Hyde Park Village
, once given over to citrus
groves, provided the perfect spot for the city's first suburb. Streetcar services along Swann
St and Rome Ave existed as early as 1892. By 1909 the trolley trundled down the 5-mile
Bayshore Boulevard
, which is now lined with some of Tampa's fanciest homes and
provides the city's most scenic walking and jogging routes in the city.
The Neighborhood Association provides a useful map of the district online.
Ybor City Museum State Park
MUSEUM
813-247-6323;
www.ybormuseum.org
;
1818 E 9th Ave; adult/child $4/free;
9am-5pm)
This dusty, old-school history museum preserves a bygone era, with cigar-worker houses
and wonderful photos. Best is the museum store; get expert cigar advice and pick-up its
self-guided
walking tour
( 813-428-0854; online/audio tour $10/20)
. The tour is narrated
by 24 significant members of the community, including Rafael Martinez-Ybor, great-
grandson of Ybor City's founder, and Casey Gonzmart, a fourth-generation member of the
Columbia Restaurant clan.
Festivals & Events
Gasparilla Pirate Festival
CULTURAL
(
www.gasparillapiratefest.com
; Jan)
On the last Saturday in January, pirates invade and parade in Tampa's version of Mardi
Gras.
Florida State Fair
CULTURAL
(Florida State Expo;
www.floridastatefair.com
;
Feb)
Classic Americana for more than 100 years; enjoy rides, food and livestock for two weeks
in February.
Ybor City Heritage & Cigar Festival
CULTURAL
(
Nov)
