Your guide to all things Water Street Tampa
The TAMPA sign at Sparkman Wharf near Water Street Tampa. It has a Lightning bolt on it for the local hockey team, and a partially cloudy sky is in the background next to a high rise.
Sparkman Wharf’s iconic Tampa sign shows radiates Bolts pride. | Photo by Water Street Tampa
Explore, live, stay––all in one place. Water Street Tampa makes weekend plans into a pleasant adventure. From artistic murals to delicious scoops of Frosé sorbet from Jeni’s Ice Cream, you’ve stepped into a one-stop shop local experience that showcases the best parts of the city.

Let’s walk through a few things to try in Water Street Tampa:

Arts + entertainment 🎤

Grab hockey tickets to cheer on 3x Stanley Cup champs, our very own Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena. Or see artists like Lizzo or Panic! At the Disco perform live at Amalie.

Next, test your knowledge of our Cigar City by touring the Tampa Bay History Center. The center offers visitors an inside look at our city’s rich history, with an astounding array of 80,000 significant artifacts.

Take a splash + explore our wild marine life, such as sea turtles, otters, and baby sharks, at The Florida Aquarium, which now has a Rooftop Terrace overlooking the Bay area.

If you’re looking for the perfect Instagram photo opp, there’s a handful of art installations, including Bruce’s Juices Mural and the Equality Diversity Mural.

Dining + shopping 🍽️

When you’re ready for a bite to eat, make your way to Sparkman Wharf, featuring mouth-watering food vendors + 8 shops to browse. We recommend trying the queso birria tacos from Gallito Taqueria, an Island Life smoothie bowl from Fit Bowl Co., or Charcoal Roasted Chicken Wings from Murph’s Barbecue.

That’s not all. Explore their list of 30+ additional dining options.

Parking 🏎️

Traffic doesn’t have to be a hassle. Find the right parking space for your visit with their variety of options: Channelside Garage, E. Cumberland Garage, Garrison Parking Lot, or Pam Iorio Garage.
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Today
  • Inclusivity: Hispanic Heritage Exhibit | Wed., Sept. 21 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | Creative Clay, 1846 First Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month as you step into this artisanal exhibit by local Latinos in our community. 🎉
  • Astros vs. Rays | Wed., Sept. 21 | 6:40 p.m. | Tropicana Field | $11+ | Cheer on your Rays, as they take on the Houston Astros. ⚾
  • Trivia Night | Wed., Sept. 21 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | BarrieHaus Beer Co., 1403 E 5th Ave. | Free | Put on your thinking cap + enjoy a few pints while you test your trivia knowledge. 📚
Thursday
  • Transitioning Military & Veterans Networking Event | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 4-6 p.m. | Dwell Home Market, 4912 S. Lois Ave. | Free | Join the South Tampa Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Council as they host this opportunity to engage with local businesses + community members. 🇺🇸
  • TBFW Fashion & Fitness Day | Thurs., Sept. 22 | 5-7 p.m. | Clean Juice, 1634 W. Snow Ave. | $20+ | Meet other style gurus in the community + celebrate your passion for fashion with an energizing walk along Bayshore Boulevard.
Friday
  • TBFW Designer Runway Shows | Fri., Sept. 23 | 6-9 p.m. | Vu Studio at University Mall, 2127 University Square Mall | $10 | Get inspired by exclusive collections released by local artists/designers featuring fall fashion looks and spring/summer styles. 👠
Saturday
  • Sunshine Market | Sat., Sept. 24 | 6-10 a.m. | Midtown Tampa | From fresh produce to handcrafted goods, start your morning with a shopping spree, featuring 40+ local vendors. ☀️
  • Pride on the River: Riverside Festival | Sat., Sept. 24 | 4-8 p.m. | Armature Works | Free | Come out to this second annual event by the pier to celebrate our city’s diversity with live music, performances, a boat parade, and more. 🏳️‍🌈
  • Lizzo: The Special Tour | Sat., Sept. 24 | 8 p.m. | Amalie Arena | $39.50+ | Sing your heart out to some TikTok famous R&B hits by Grammy award winning artist, Lizzo, as she performs live. 🎶
We have a monthly 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.*
100+ MORE EVENTS
Weather
  • 89º | Scattered thunderstorms | 50% chance of rain
Sunrise + sunset
  • Rise: 7:18 a.m.
  • Set: 7:27 a.m.
Tide
Old Tampa Bay
  • High: 2:57 a.m. + 12:24 p.m.
  • Low: 6:19 a.m. + 8:01 p.m.
Clearwater Beach
  • High: 9:11 a.m. + 11:08 p.m.
  • Low: 3:10 a.m. + 4:29 p.m.
Opening
  • Ology Brewing in Seminole Heights is celebrating its grand opening weekend with liquor and beer to-go, cocktails, food trucks, and of course — craft brews on tap. Drop by from noon to midnight on Fri. + Sat. and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. on Sun.
Development
  • College students, your university may be getting a facelift. The Florida House’s Legislative budget commission recently approved over $170M to fix aging college + university buildings in the Tampa Bay area, such as USF + St. Petersburg College. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Civic
  • The Pasco Supervisor of Elections Office has seen an increase in voter registration this midterm election season. County officials surmise the increase in turnout to an influx of people moving to Florida. (Bay News 9)
Number
  • 65 million. That’s how many gallons of water could be carried each day through Hillsborough County’s new 26-mile pipeline. The Tampa Bay Water board of directors have stated that the pipe is scheduled to be fully operational by 2028. 🚰 (Tampa Bay Times)
Cause
  • Somos Puerto Rico Tampa is mobilizing to bring support to Puerto Rico during the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona. The nonprofit is raising funds to meet the needs of the people in real time. Head to their Facebook page to learn more. 🇵🇷 (ABC News)
Feel Good
  • Let’s talk visuals. Carnival Cruise Lines has unveiled a new art installation in Port Tampa Bay. Fifteen-year-old Tampa artist and conservationist Ryan Moralevitz created five sculptures depicting sea animals using recycled metals, utensils, + bottle caps to promote environmental consciousness.
Sports
  • Let’s hear it for our Tampa Bay Bucs. This weekend is their first home game opener at Raymond James Stadium as they take on the Green Bay Packers. Since we last played each other in 2020, this game is crucial and will be very telling for their success this football season.
Talk
  • Chick Fil A, in partnership with ABC Action News, has made a substantial donation to their “Give A Child A Book” campaign. Both organizations have been long-term supporters of education and are motivated to encourage educational accessibility. (ABC News)
Eat
  • It’s that season, TBAY: football season. Planning a tailgate party fit for champs? Impress your guests with a tried-and-true Southern classic: this easy-to-make Crock Pot Spicy Boiled Peanuts recipe. 🥜 *

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Tampa Bay is leading the way
The first ever US mushroom dispensary has officially arrived — and it’s right here. The Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary, first reported by Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, located at 1714 E 7th St., is now offering an inventory of mushroom merchandise for Tampa natives to purchase.

Store owner, Carlos Hermida, has been a business owner in the Ybor City district since 2018, according to Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. He’s excited to sell wares like Magic mushrooms and fly agaric, after advocating for hemp products in the community.

Carlos and the team aims to help customers reach a happy, zen state + use responsibly. They’re also passionate about educating the community regarding usage.
THE WRAP
Victoria Bardega Headshot

Today’s issue was written by Victoria.

Editor’s pick: Tampa has the best drinks. Have you checked out our best seasonal fare round up to see where to find the perfect PSL?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? View it now, here.
Read More
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Editorial: Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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