Tampa

South Tampa has so many fun things to see and do!  If I was planning a trip I would do Riverwalk, Channelside, Downtown, Hyde Park and Ybor since they are all super fun and a very close distance to each other.  I listed each below but let's first discuss RIVERWALK, which should be top on your list if visiting Tampa!  I can't say enough to do it justice so just trust me!  There is SOOOO much to do during the day and night, not to mention the restaurants are beyond top notch!  There's always a festival or some event happening every day so check out this events page or this page. There's parks, museums, water taxis, parades, movies on the lawn, markets, and attractions including Armature Works which has a very modern industrial vibe w/shops, unique places to eat and live entertainment! Steelbach and Oak & Ola is in the center of Armature Works that has a cool industrial vibe and amazing food!  Mbird is a rooftop bar above Armature Works that has awesome cocktails, sharable small plates,  great music or live entertainment and the best sunset views!  See below for recommendations. Healthier pics with a*

Channelside has a number of waterfront eateries—many with handy public boat docks—to popular family attractions and recreation areas. A couple of the popular spots include Sparkman's wharf (which features waterfront views, craft beer, live music, lawn events, shopping, and exceptional dining) and Splitsville (which is a 27,000 square feet dining and social club with 12 full service bowling lanes, casual dining, and additional indoor gaming options such as ping pong, darts, skeeball, foosball, shuffleboard, billiards and Belgian feather bowling)in addition to the Florida Aquarium, Convention center, Amelie arena, and Tampa Bay History Center. 

Downtown Tampa offers cultural, sporting, and entertainment for all ages. It's a perfect spot for lunch in the park or strolling but also has a multitude of exciting activities, a vibrant nightlife, family-friendly entertainment, a beautiful waterfront and award-winning parks.  Below are some of my favorite spots including: Gen -X  which is full of nostalgia that will remind you of some of the best times in the 80's and 90's, all while you enjoy some classic treats and crafted unique cocktails! Dio is a modern Mediterranean restaurant with indoor/outdoor seating that has some of the most fun entertainment around! Specialty drinks and expertly prepared cuisine combines the freshest local ingredients and original recipes to produce a uniquely delicious Greek and Lebanese menu.

Ok I know it's not a restaurant but you have to stay somewhere when visiting Tampa and I will say the hotel bar is a favorite place to go! There are so many cool places to stay near downtown & Riverwalk but Hotel Flor is amazing so I thought I'd share.  Originally known as the Floridan Palace Hotel this recently renovated hotel kept all the original charm and craftmanship of this 1926 building but added a modern, art deco flair!  Everything about this place was cool but the hotel lobby and bar were show stopping!  The bar is called 'The Dan' which you can see in the pictures how awesome it is and every single drink we had was amazing! They also have a coffee bar called 'Cass St' which had the most tasty coffee beverages around -yes better than Starbucks!

 Hyde Park Village, a cornerstone of Tampa's historic district, offers a distinguished blend of retail and dining (my 3 favs listed below with the links to their website!)! Spanning over 6 city blocks with over 60 esteemed local retailers, including Alice & Olivia and Veronica Beard, Zimmermann, rag & bone, Barry’s, Anthropologie, Warby Parker, lululemon, Sephora, Nike, Madewell, Kendra Scott, etc. The dining scene is equally vibrant that features favorites like Bartaco, Timpano (#1 espresso martini & food is amazing!)and Meat Market (has my favorite drink -Fresco Pepino). Hyde Park Village has cute shops and fun things to do like making your own candles and chocolate bars!! It also host monthly Fresh Market and numerous events throughout the year!  *for the healthier picks

Near Hyde Park and Downtown is Oxford Exchange. This is such a special and unique place and a must if visiting Tampa! You can see and feel the charm & character from this fascinating place built in 1891! It's a restaurant, bookstore, gift store, working space, design studio and event venue! I recommend going during Brunch and making a reservation in advanced is key!

Head North about 25 minutes to Wiregrass, which is a fun, nice outdoor mall with retail, entertainment, and some of the best restaurants around!! Some of my favorites (links provided) that are right next to each other are: Living room, Brass Tap, Chuck Lager and Noble Crust.  Down the street is Cooper's Hawk and the Florida Avenue Brewing.  Healthier picks with an *.

Sacred Pepper, located in the Carrollwood area, is focused on providing inspiring flavors and delicious experiences.   It's contemporary American & Italian flair with local ingredients and sauces made from scratch!  And some of the best modern, traditional and pre-prohibition cocktails. Whiskey Cake, WOB and Seasons 52 are all within a few miles of each other.  Whiskey Cake in International Mall has a fun vibe and is your neighborhood joint for craft cocktails and farm-fresh comfort food!  Try their whiskey flights!!  2 places right down the road are #1 -WOB (World of Beers) with outstanding food and of course over 100 beers from around the world. They also have fun events including exclusive Tap Takeovers from Breweries, Themed Trivia like The Office, & Live Music. #2- Seasons 52 where the menu changes with the season to feature 100% fresh produce. They have an oak-fire grill and brick oven roast (without a fryer in sight) so everything we prepare is full of flavor and naturally lighter!