The only office building located directly along Tampa’s Riverwalk. | Photo by TBAYtoday
We’ve all been there: Someone’s trying to give you directions by describing 10 lefts, 20 rights, and a jumble of cardinal directions. Isn’t it easier to just point out a landmark?
That’s exactly what we’re doing. We have 10 of the most recognizable TBAY landmarks — from St. Pete Beach to Downtown Tampa. Not only are these local icons easy to remember, but they’ll also get you where you need to go in a jiffy.
Henry B. Plant Museum
Address: 401 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Nearby: University of Tampa, Tampa Riverwalk, Oxford Exchange
Once you see the minarets, domes, moons, and “Arabian Nights” style roofing that adorns the historic museum, you know you’re in Tampa. Fun Fact: President Theodore Roosevelt stayed at the hotel before departing for the Spanish-American War in Cuba.
Nearby: Ybor City Wine Bar, The Ritz Ybor, SpookEasy Lounge, La France, Hotel Haya
It’s hard to miss this giant marquee-style sign, especially when it’s lit up at night. Fun fact: The mall area has over a dozen restaurants/bars, from fine dining to brew pubs overlooking the historic row.
Nearby: Maximo Park, Skyway Fishing Pier State Park, Pinellas National Wildlife Refuge, Manatee County Rest Area
This hard-to-miss cable-stayed bridge connects St. Pete and Bradenton. Did you know: In 1980, a storm-blinded ship crashed into the bridge, causing it to fall into the Bay.
The Don CeSar
Address: 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
Nearby: The Hotel Zamora, Pinellas Bayway, Pass-a-Grille Beach, Undertow Beach Bar
Lost on St. Pete Beach? Just look for the towering pink hotel. Fun fact: The beachfront hotel served as a sub-base hospital during WWII. Plus, the legendary author F. Scott Fitzgerald once stayed there.
Try to guess where the background image is on this mural.
Tampa Postcard Mural
Address: 1102 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
Nearby: Floridan Palace, Melting Pot Social, Tampa Firefighters Museum
Each letter has a snippet of TBAY painted inside: The “T” has the Water Tower in Sulphur Springs; “A” has the Gasparilla ship and flotilla; “M” has the University of Tampa’s minarets; “P” has an image of the Streetcar in Ybor City; the “A” has children casting their fishing rods in our waters.
Friday Ultimate Frisbee | Friday, July 7 | 6-8 p.m. | Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes Ave., Tampa | Free | This weekly coed, non-contact game aims to get everyone on the field at all skill levels to play some ultimate.
Saturday, July 8
Glassy & Glossy Summer Show | Saturday, July 8 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Syd Entel Galleries and Susan Benjamin Glass Etc., 247 Main St., Safety Harbor | Free | Stop by the opening reception for the glass sculpture show.
“Black Beauty” (2020) | Saturday, July 8 | 2-4 p.m. | The James Museum, 150 Central Ave., St. Petersburg | $0-$23 | Written and directed by St. Petersburg native Ashley Avis, this story follows a wild horse through a lifetime of adventures and challenges.
Sunday, July 9
Tombolo’s Sunday Shorts Book Club | Sunday, July 9 | 9-10 a.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Lydia Conklin’s first novel “Rainbow Rainbow” explores the journeys of people in the LGBTQ+ community through humor and darkness.
Tampa Bay Reptile Expo Show Me Reptile Show | Sunday, July 9 | 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. | Largo Event Center, 6340 126th Ave. N., Largo | $5-$8 | Experience a thrilling showcase of creatures from snakes to lemurs — kids and seniors get 10 percent off.
Monday, July 10
Beginning Woodwork | Monday, July 10 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Florida School of Woodwork, 1609 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $895 | This week-long class will teach you everything you need to know about furniture building, milling lumber, and applying finishes.
The Exchange Hotel (234 3rd Ave. N., St. Pete) + Fit 2 Run (right next door) will potentially be replaced with a, 327-unit apartment tower. Officials will review the $120 million, 28-story project on Wednesday, July 12. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Announced
Meet Vela. The minds behind Cru Cellars in the Westshore Marina District are evolving the concept into a new restaurant. The new foodie paradise will serve pizza, fresh pasta, and small plates. Cru Hospitality Group also plans to close its Armature Works location.
Opening
Rene’s Mexican Kitchen Food Truck will open a brick-and-mortar location in Ybor City (2802 N. 16th St.). The spot will serve up its typical tacos + tortas. Fun fact: Chef Rene founded Taco Bus too. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Closing
Forewell. The Claw at USF Golf Course golf course is closing for good on Tuesday, Sept. 5. The course was losing $200,000 annually, according to USF President Rhea Law. (WUSF News)
Number
10,191. That’s how many housing permits were issued in the Big Guava from January to May, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. That number puts Tampa in second place in the state, right after Orlando. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Drink
Science, meet beer. Zydeco Brew Werks is opening up shop in MOSI. Plus, voting is still open to push the New Orleans-inspired food + bev spot to the top of USA Today’s “Best Brew Pub in America” list. (That’s So Tampa)
Eat
Starting tomorrow, July 8th, The Chattaway, St. Pete’s English tea patio is introducing a new dining option — a full weekend breakfast buffet. The $16.95 brunch includes shrimp and grits, either pancakes, French toast, or waffles, plus muffins and scrambled eggs. (I Love the Burg)
Fun Fact
Indiana University is giving us a reason to smile. Why? They’re home to the invention of Crest toothpaste, the cure for testicular cancer, and the nation’s first school of informatics. Bonus: They also offer the most languages taught (80+) at any American university — from Arabic to Zulu. Discover your potential at IU.*
Wellness
Hear this: The world’s first hearing aids featuring dual processing — and backed by cutting-edge German technology — were just unveiled by Hear.com. Transform your hearing with a 45-day, no-risk trial and join the 385,000+ customers hearing with double the power and double the clarity.*
Finance
Refinance rates are skyrocketing. But home equity rates remain relatively low — which means that now is a great time to borrow against your home. Calculate your payment.*
Event
🎸 We’re rockin’ with these shows
Upcoming concerts happening in Tampa Bay
Blink-182 is back, it’s “All the Small Things” that count. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
We’ve got two words for you. Star power.
From smooth country crooners to nostolgic pop-punk, here are the major concerts coming straight to TBAY in the next week.
Venue: Raymond James Stadium
Date: Friday, July 7 + Saturday, July 8
Openers: Riley Green, Lainey Wilson, Flatland Cavalry, and Brent Cobb
Top Billboard hit: “Forever After All”
Venue: MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at The Florida State Fairgrounds
Date: Sunday, July 9
Opener: Loverboy
Top Billboard hit: “Waiting For A Girl Like You”
Venue: MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre at The Florida State Fairgrounds
Date: Friday, July 14
Opener: Jordan Davis
Top Billboard hit: “Feel That Fire”
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