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The Columbia is famous for its Spanish cuisine, dinner shows, and old-world architectural charm. This historic institution was established in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernández, Sr. Ybor City's Columbia Restaurant is the state's oldest and the nation's largest Spanish restaurant. Seventh Avenue in Ybor City, known in Spanish as "La Septima," features some of the district's most historical buildings, several of which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In more recent years, the area has experienced a revival and is home to many shops, galleries, restaurants, and cafes. However, the Great Depression and machine rollers brought an end to the boom, and most factories were closed and demolished. He came to the region in the mid 1880s, after workers at his Key West plant threatened to unionize.Īt one point, the Ybor cigar factory was the largest in the world with over 4,000 people hand-rolling more than 900,000 cigars a month. It is named for its founder, cigar baron Vicente Martinez Ybor. The center of Tampa's Latino community, Ybor City is a National Historic Landmark District. The zoo also hosts special programs and events throughout the year, and is as popular with locals as it is with tourists.Īddress: 1101 West Sligh Avenue, Tampa, Florida The park has some rides as well, including a safari ride through the African habitat, a mini-train ride, and a family-friendly roller coaster. Popular residents at the zoo include the African elephants, African penguins, Florida panthers, and the Bornean Orangutan. Get up close to some of the zoo's residents, including "backstage" opportunities with penguins and tortoises, as well as the chance to feed an Indian rhino. Here, you'll find more than 2,000 animals in natural habitats, including animals from Africa, Asia, and Australia, as well as native Florida habitats, a primate area, and an aviary.Īlso on-site is a large aquarium and three pools that are used to treat local manatees who are injured or ill. The facility formerly known as the Tampa Zoo at Lowry Park has been renamed, ever so slightly, to the ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Several ticketing options for Busch Gardens including multi-park passes and packages that include in-park dining.Īddress: 10165 North McKinley Drive, Tampa, Florida You'll find a wide variety of exciting things to do at the park, including kiddie rides and water rides, but Busch Gardens is best known for its roller coasters that are an extreme thrill experience. Several special animal encounters are available, including the opportunity to hand-feed kangaroos and giraffes watch as park staff members tend to their patients at the Animal Care Center and get up close to some of the favorite residents, including sloths and flamingos. You can take a safari to see animals grazing on the plains with reproductions of African villages and camps, and the Serengeti Night Safari is one of the most popular options. Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.īusch Gardens is a 335-acre, African-themed family entertainment and adventure park featuring thrill rides, live music, performances, and a multitude of exotic animals in natural habitat settings. Franklin Street is the pedestrian center of downtown Tampa where you will find plenty of shopping, restaurants, and things to do.
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#MAP OF GOLF COURSE LOCATIONS IN TAMPA FLORIDA AREA PLUS#
With all this, plus an excellent science museum and children's museum, Tampa is an ideal place for vacationing families.ĭowntown Tampa is an area of high-rise office blocks, but the city also has historic old quarters, such as Ybor City and Old Hyde Park. You'll also find several other popular places to visit in the area dedicated to animals and wildlife, including a zoo, aquarium, and a public manatee viewing area. Tampa has some top-notch tourist attractions, especially Busch Gardens, where families get the thrill of an amusement park and the fun of a zoo all in one place.
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With all this urban renewal, the innovators have followed, and the city has one of the best foodie scenes in Florida. Historical buildings have been brought back to life and now house trendy restaurants, shops, and retail stores. Tampa, once known for theme parks and zoos, is now evolving to a place where old is new. We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )
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