15 Things Tampa is Known For (Written by a Local)
Tampa is known for its pirates, Cuban culture, scenic Riverwalk, and more pirate things (like a massive pirate festival). Tampa is also famous for its sports teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers & Tampa Bay Lightning.
One thing I love about Tampa is that it isn’t your typical, boring American city. Instead, it’s a vibrant place that is filled with culture, great food, sports, and plenty of things to do.
So, if you’re looking to find out what Tampa is famous for and why you should visit – check out the 15 reasons below.
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15 Things Tampa is Famous For
From Cuban sandwiches to Gasparilla Pirate Festival, Tampa is known for its unique culture, history, and attractions. Here are 15 reasons this Florida city stands out!
1. Pirates!
Tampa is the pirate city of Florida. This is because the Tampa Bay area was a haven for pirates during the 18th and 19th centuries.
One of the local legends is that the Tampa Bay area has even avoided catastrophic major hurricanes because pirates placed voodoo magic around the area to protect their buried treasure.
The most notable pirate figure in Tampa Bay history is pirate José Gaspar, who was also known as Gasparilla.
According to legends, Gaspar was a Spanish pirate who terrorized the Gulf Coast of Florida in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
The tales describe him as a charismatic pirate captain who operated out of Tampa Bay and the surrounding areas, often evading capture and leaving behind a trail of stolen treasure.
Today the legendary history of José Gaspar is celebrated during Tampa’s largest event: Gasparilla.
2. Gasparilla Festival
Of course America’s pirate city needs to have a pirate festival – and Gasparilla is just that. This is by far Tampa’s most famous festival and it attracts over 300,000 people each year.
Gasparilla takes place downtown Tampa and starts with a pirate boat invasion.
During this event, the legendary Jose Gasparilla & his pirate ship sail from the Tampa Bay into the downtown area, docking at the Tampa convention center. Once the main pirate ship docks, the pirates invade and take the keys to the city from the Mayor.
After the city has been invaded, there is a massive pirate parade to celebrate – and they REALLY celebrate.
This parade is like New Orleans’s Mardi Gras but with people dressed as pirates. So wear your best pirate costume, bring your Mardi Gras beads, and get ready to party like pirates. 🍻🏴☠️
Gaspy is fun, but definitely a crazy festival and its best for adults. Due to this, there is a Children’s Gasparilla Parade that is held the weekend before the main festival.
Children’s Gasparilla is family-friendly event that is the perfect way for kiddos to enjoy the pirate festivities!
3. Tampa Riverwalk
The Tampa Riverwalk is a 2.6 mile pathway that runs along the Hillsborough River. Its one of the highlights of downtown and is the perfect spot for a scenic walk, run, or bike ride.
The Tampa Riverwalk starts and ends at two of the best places for food & drinks in downtown: Sparkman Warf and Armature Works. Plus, there are several other restaurants, bars, museums, and activities along the way.
If you don’t want to walk the Riverwalk, you can also see it by taking the Hop On Hop Off Pirate Water Taxi. This water taxi makes several stops along the Riverwalk and is a cool way to explore downtown.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa is famous for being Super Bowl champs – thanks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (& Tom Brady).
If you are headed to Tampa during football season, its worth checking out a game at Raymond James Stadium which is just north of downtown Tampa.
Go Bucs! 🏈
5. Historic Ybor City & Cuban Cigars
In 1885, a Cuban cigar manufacturer named Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his cigar operations to Tampa. He established the Ybor neighborhood, which became a significant hub for cigar manufacturing and attracted many Cuban immigrants to the area that had specialized knowledge of Cuban Cigars.
By the early 1900s, the city had earned the nickname “Cigar City” because it was home to numerous large cigar factories and was a leading center for cigar production in the United States.
Today, Tampa is still known for its Cuban influence and cigar production, especially in the historic Ybor district.
Ybor, specifically 7th street, is a popular place to visit in Tampa and has an industrial vibe with cobblestone streets, cigar shops, restaurants, and breweries. Its also a popular spot for nightlife.
Ybor is an interesting place to say the least, and is definitely good for people watching. You’ll also see chickens roaming around the streets.
6. Cuban Sandwiches
Tampa is known for being the birthplace of Cuban Sandwiches. Well, at least the modern day Cuban Sandwiches – as early origins of this sandwich date back over 500 years to the Taino tribe in Cuba.
No matter the origins, a Cuban Sandwich is the most famous food in Tampa and is a must-try when visiting.
A Cuban Sandwich is made up of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban-style bread. You’ll find many places selling Cuban Sandwiches throughout Tampa, but one of the most famous is the Columbia Restaurant.
7. Florida’s Oldest Restaurant – Columbia Restaurant
For a unique place to try an authentic Cuban Sandwich, head to the famous Columbia Restaurant in Ybor (they also have a 2nd location downtown Tampa).
Not only does the Columbia Restaurant serve up some tasty Cuban food, but this is also Florida’s oldest continuously operating restaurant.
The Columbia first opened in 1905, which means it has been in business for the last 120 years! Not only is this restaurant a must-visit place in Tampa, but its one of the things Tampa is best known for.
8. Manatees
Tampa is known for its manatees, especially in the waters of Tampa Bay.
These gentle giants, also called sea cows, are commonly spotted in the warm, shallow waters of the Tampa bay and its surrounding rivers, particularly during the colder months when they seek out warmer water sources.
If you want to see Manatees, head over to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach. The viewing center is open from Nov. 1st – April 15th, when Manatees head to this area in search for warm water.
Other places to see Manatees include the Clearwater Aquarium, which is a non-profit center for animal rescue & rehabilitation. You can also head about an hour north to Crystal River to go Kayaking with Manatees during the winter & early spring.
9. Amalie Arena & Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Lightning is Tampa’s NHL team, and it may be surprising to some that Tampa is famous for its hockey league.
The Tampa Bay Lightning have won the Stanley Cup in recent years and you’ll find that a lot of locals are big time hockey fans.
If you are in town during hockey season, make sure to catch a Tampa Bay Lightning game at the Amalie Arena in downtown Tampa!
In addition to being home to the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Amalie Arena is known for having tons of concerts & events all year round! You can check the Amalie event calendar here.
10. Craft Beer & Breweries
Tampa is becoming well known for its craft beer and brewery scene. Within the Tampa Bay region there are over 100 craft breweries, with about 30 of those located in Hillsborough County.
The craft breweries in Tampa Bay range from small, locally owned microbrews like BarrieHaus Beer Co to larger breweries like Cigar City Brewing and Tampa Bay Brewing Company.
So, if you enjoy a cold brew and warm weather – Tampa is where it’s at.
11. Sunshine Skyway Bridge
While the Florida Keys take the title for the longest stretch of bridges, Tampa Bay is known for having the tallest bridge in Florida.
This bridge is called the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, and for good reason – it goes pretty high up, 430 ft to be exact.
12. Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is a 335-acre amusement park in Tampa.
What makes Busch Gardens different from your average amusement park is that in addition to rollercoasters, the park is also home to Lions, Tigers, and 200 other animal species. My personal favorite is the adorable Penguins!
So, when visiting Busch Gardens you can enjoy amusement park rides, animal exhibits, and even a safari. They also have lots of seasonal events for things like Halloween and Christmas.
13. Unique Museums
Tampa is known for having some interesting museums. Some of the most popular museums to visit include the Tampa Bay History Center, Glazer Children’s Museum, American Victory Ship & Museum, Henry B. Plant Museum, Tampa Museum of Art, and more.
14. Bayshore Boulevard
Bayshore Boulevard is a 4.3 mile sidewalk that runs along the Tampa Bay in South Tampa.
It’s a beautiful place to take a walk or bike around and enjoy the warm tropical weather.
This famous Tampa street is also known for being one of the longest continuous sidewalks in the United States.
15. Tampa is the Death Metal Capital of the World
This one surprised me a bit, but Tampa Bay is known for being the Death Metal Capital of the world. This is because in the mid-1980s through early-1990s the Tampa Bay region became the birthplace of the Death Metal music genre.
FAQ: What is Tampa Known For?
The city of Tampa, specifically the historic Ybor district, is known for being the cigar production capital of the world. This led to Tampa getting the nickname Cigar City. Tampa is also known for its Cuban sandwiches, sports teams, and its interesting history of pirates.
Tampa is popular for its sunny tropical weather, vibrant food and cultural scene, and its short distance to some of the most beautiful beaches in the United States. It’s no wonder Tampa has become such a popular vacation destination.
Tampa is most famous for being the birthplace of the Cuban Sandwich. Other famous Tampa foods include Deviled Crabs, Grouper Sandwiches, and Stone Claw Crabs.
The Wrap-Up: What is Tampa Known For?
Tampa is known for many things from its legendary pirates like Jose Gaspar to its historical Ybor district and Cuban Cigar production. The history, culture, and food scene that Tampa is famous for really makes this city such a vibrant and fun atmosphere.
