Get a glimpse of all the underwater life — and pristine water — Shell Key has to offer. | Photo by @getupandgotampabay
Kayaking, canoeing + paddleboarding are great ways to explore Tampa Bay. These water sports also offer both physical and mentalhealth benefitsthat extend far beyond a day on the water.
But before we dive in, let’s get a lay of the land (er, water). Check out these unique factsabout our region:
With 12,132.93 square miles of water, Florida ranks third in the US for water area.
The National Forests in Florida have over 600 lakes and rivers.
Florida has the second largest freshwater lake wholly contained within the United States
Urban Kai offers guided kayak + stand-up paddleboard tours of Downtown Tampa’s waterfront and adventure tours.
Photo via @urban_kai
Next, we should talk about paddling safety, so you don’t capsize:
Always wear a PFD or personal flotation device.
Start small. Water, especially flowing water, can be intimidating. First-timers should opt for a small lake, pond, or city canal. You don’t want to get in over your head.
And finally, here are a few local options for getting your feet wet:
Shell Key Preserve, 2187 Oceanview Dr., Tierra Verde | 15-minute drive from Downtown St. Pete | That’s right, you don’t have to leave Pinellas for this one. Get Up and Go Kayaking- Tampa Bay even offers clear kayak tours.
Clam Bayou Nature Preserve, 4099 34th Ave S., St. Petersburg | 15-minute drive from Downtown St. Pete | Head down to Clam Bayou to push off from this nature preserve’s kayak launch. Once you’ve explored the mangroves, scoped out crabs, birds, and maybe a dolphin or two, head over to Gulfport’slaid back O’ Maddy’s Bar & Grille or Neptune Grill for a quick bite and beer.
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park, 6131 Commercial Way, Spring Hill | 1-hour drive from Downtown Tampa | Paddle through 2.8 miles of fresh spring water mostly under the shade of oak and cypress trees + stop by to watch the park’s famous mermaids perform their underwater dance.
Hillsborough River, Urban Kai, Armature Works dock, 1910 N. Ola Ave. | Downtown Tampa | Paddle along the River on a guided tour from Urban Kai + stop at one of the fantastic rooftop bars along the Riverwalk for a post paddle sip.
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Hispanic Heritage Night at Tropicana Field | Fri., Sept. 16 | 7 p.m. | Tropicana Field| $25+ | As the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Texas Rangers, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay will honor and celebrate Hispanic Heritage in memory of baseball legend, Roberto Clemente. ⚾
Sunset Paddle Happy Hour | Fri., Sept. 16 | 6-7 p.m. | Armature Works | $25+ | Watch the sunset on the Tampa Riverwalk from the view of a paddle board. 🌇
Saturday
Bougie Brunch Crawl | Sat., Sept. 17 | 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Park & Rec DTSP, 100 4th St. S., St. Pete | $20+ | Look for brunch plans no further, and come enjoy fresh mimosas + brunch bites, and a live DJ performance. 🍹
Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 17 | 12 p.m. | St. Pete Brewing Co., 544 1st Ave N., St. Pete | Free admission | Cheers to the weekend with German food, a live band, and a new beer selection. 🍻
Museum Day | Sat., Sept. 17 | All day | Locations vary | Free | Now’s your chance to visit the Tampa Bay History Center, the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, and more for free — just book online and bring your ID. 🖼️
Pinellas Remembers Gala 1st Annual Gala | Sat., Sept. 17 | 5:30-8 p.m. | University of South Florida St. Petersburg, USC Ballroom 200 6th Ave. S., St. Petersburg | $10+ | NPR media critic Eric Deggans is the guest speaker for the event benefiting the Pinellas Remembers Community Remembrance Project Coalition, Inc.
Volunteer Workday at the Florida Learning Garden | Sat., Sept. 17 | 8-11 a.m. | 4800 U.S. 301 | Free | Give back to the community by spending the morning volunteering to care for the display garden. 🌱
Sunday
Rosh Hashanah at Great Explorations | Sun., Sept. 18 | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | Houghton-Wagman Children’s Museum, 1925 4th St. N., St. Pete | $5 per family | Hosted by PJ Library & The Jewish Federation of Florida’s Gulf, this family-centric event will feature crafts, story time, and a tour of the museum. 🎨
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
The new 988 mental health line is seeing major results. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay says it has received 3,152 calls since the July 16 launch. WUSF’s Stephanie Colombini spoke with president and CEO of the Crisis Center about this surge in calls + where it may be stemming from. ☎️ (WUSF News)
Development
A new, state-of-the-artwomen’s health center is coming to St. Petersburg in fall 2024. The 60,000 sqft facility (located at 700 6th St. South) will partner with Bayfront Health St. Petersburg to provide a urogynecology care pavilion + OB/GYN specialty services. 🩺 (St. PeteCatalyst)
Outdoors
The long-awaited dredging of the Weeki Wachee River‘s built up sand has been put on pause. Environmental regulators stopped the project after the dredging company failed to ensure water quality standards are maintained. (Tampa Bay Times)
Film
Hurting for your reality TV fix now that The Bachelor has wrapped up its season? “Meet My Abuela,” a new romantic reality show, was filmed right here in Tampa. The stakes are high, as young couples battle for the approval of the ultimate matriarch: the abuela. Watch the 15-minute episodes on Youtube. (That’s So Tampa)
Eat
Say ciao to all of the Italian dishes you’ll be having at the opening of Mandola’s Italian Kitchen. Located in Oldsmar, the new location opens later this week + is bringing an appetizing menu of pastas and handcrafted pizzas to Tampa Bay. (That’s So Tampa)
Award
St. Pete’s Cellar Masters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop has been recognized as one of the best bottle shops in the US by Wine Enthusiast Mag. Since its opening in 2020, the bar has offered a variety of natural wines + along with delicious charcuterie presentation. 🍷 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
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Culture
Culture
Celebrate Tampa Bay’s Hispanic heritage + future
The Columbia Restaurant’s Cuban sandwich is legendary, made with La Segunda bread, smoked ham, yellow mustard, and more. | Photo by @floridapress
Did you know TBAY has an incredibly vibrant Hispanic community? Back in the early 1900s, Hispanic Americans migrated to Tampa from all over to take some of the thousands of jobs in the city’s cigar factories (We are called Cigar City for a reason).
This influx in Hispanic residents inspired many of the architectural designs + cultural influences we admire today throughout Ybor City and Tampa, with Spanish casita bungalows + charming tile textures. Not to mention — we sure do have access to the best Cuban sandwiches, cafe con leché, guava pastries, and other delicious Hispanic cuisine.
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs until Oct. 15, here are a few ways for you to join the celebration in the Tampa Bay area.
Today’s edition was written by City Editor Bailey.
Editor’s pick: I’m itching to try the French fare at Left Bank Bistro in St. Pete (my last name is LeFever after all). Will report back on the onion tart.
Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We break down the best Halloween events, here.
Editorial: Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.
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