02.22.2024

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Today’s Forecast

✈️ Put it in airplane mode

Catch a direct domestic flight from Tampa International Airport

A shot of Airside F at Tampa International Airport at night. There is a brooding sunset in the background, with deep red, purple, and orange tones. Floodlights light the airport and cars drive past the terminal.

TPA offers 90+ nonstop routes. | Photo by Andrew Heneen via Wikimedia Commons

If you feel like spreading your wings and hitting the open skies, we’ve got you covered. Our area’s biggest airport has no shortage of choice when it comes to getting away and seeing the country.

Here are some of the nonstop routes from TPA:

↗️ Northeastern spots

Atlantic City, NJ | Head to the resort city for its casinos, nightlife, and iconic boardwalk.

Boston, MA | Catch a Red Sox game at Fenway Park and soak in the history of this storied city.

New York City, NY | With flights to JFK and LaGuardia, as well as Islip on Long Island + Newark, NJ, the Big Apple is well within reach.

Portland, ME | Embrace true New England charm in this seaside city where a bowl of clam chowder or a lobster roll are featured on many menus.

🔄 Southern charm

Austin, TX | Live music and outdoor adventures fill this city, known for its bustling nightlife and arts scene.

Charleston, SC | Charm oozes out of Charleston’s cobblestone streets, from its shops and restaurants to its waterfront tranquility.

Nashville, TN | It’s called Music City for a reason — catch a show or head to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

New Orleans, LA | Dance through the French Quarter and embrace Cajun flavors at this truly unique city.

The Boston skyline, including the John Hancock Tower and the Prudential Center, in front of a green corner of Boston Common. — Boston’s iconic skyline.
|
Photo by @oschapov

⬅️ Go west

Las Vegas, NV | We take no responsibility for your actions in Sin City.

Los Angeles, CA | Head to the home of the stars, with theme parks, beaches, and of course, Hollywood.

Phoenix, AZ | This bustling city lies mere hours from several national parks, including the Grand Canyon and Zion.

Portland, OR | Soak in art, music, food, and beautiful nature in this hub of creativity.

↖️ The Midwest

Chicago, IL | The nation’s third largest city offers world-renowned food, museums, galleries, and architectural marvels.

St. Louis, MO | Head to the Gateway Arch — the smallest national park in the US — or check out another of the region’s acclaimed zoos.

We rounded up some info to make your experience at TPA as smooth as possible.

11 more destinations

Events

Thursday, Feb. 22

Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Washington Capitals | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 7 p.m. | Amalie Arena, 401 Channelside Dr., Tampa | $41+ | The Bolts try to get back to winning ways in downtown Tampa against the boys from the nation’s capital.
Troubadours Live: James Taylor & Carole King Tribute | Thursday, Feb. 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater, 253 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg | $39+ | Katie Pinder Brown and Greg Pitts reimagine decades of tunes from two legendary singer-songwriters.
“The Chinese Lady” | Thursday, Feb. 22-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Raymond James Theater, 163 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg | $0-$52 | There are only a few days left to watch this play that follows the journey of 14-year-old Afong Moy, potentially the first Chinese woman to step foot in America.

Friday, Feb. 23

Botanical Ballet: “The Art of June Bunch” | Friday, Feb. 23 | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Pinellas Ale Works, 1962 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg | Free | Check out the start of this artist’s exhibit, featuring works aimed at combining mother nature and womanhood.
Streetcar Live | Friday, Feb. 23 | 6-8 p.m. | Centro Ybor, 1600 E. 8th Ave., Tampa | Free | Boogie away to free tunes while riding the TECO Streetcar between Ybor City and downtown Tampa.

Saturday, Feb. 24

Bob Marley | Saturday, Feb. 24 | 7 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N. Franklin St., Tampa | $40+ | It’s a different man by the same name — this one’s a comedian from New England whose decades of relatable jokes have landed him among the country’s most loved.
ReptiCon | Saturday, Feb. 24-Sunday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | Florida State Fairgrounds, 4802 US 301 N., Tampa | $0-$15 | Meet reptilian experts, browse animals, and possibly bring one home.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Traffic

Some Cigar City roads will close for this weekend’s Gasparilla Distance Classic. There are 5K, 8K, and 15K races + a half marathon taking place on Saturday, Feb. 24 + Sunday, Feb. 25. Closures begin around the Bayshore and Davis Islands areas starting at 2 a.m. on Saturday morning. (Fox 13)

Eat

Doodle Noodle Bar is opening a second TBAY location. The new spot at 1202 E. Fowler Ave. will feature a drive-thru, as well as more 2D doodles, ramen, pho, alongside other tasty bites, and an inventive cocktail list. The eatery is slated to open this spring.

Sports

A major women’s golf tournament is heading to Pinellas County. The Aramco Team Series spans three continents, and its only US leg will take place at Feather Sound Country Club from Friday, March 8 to Sunday, March 10. Tickets are available. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Ranked

No. 12. That’s where Clearwater Beach ranked on Tripadvisor’s list of best beaches in the United States. The Pinellas County spot was lauded for being family-friendly “with powdery, white sand, blue waters, and spectacular sunsets.”

Number

500,000+. That’s how many people are estimated to have attended this year’s Florida State Fair. Hundreds of thousands of folks flocked to the fairgrounds — despite weather interruptions — to enjoy rides, games, shows, and typically inventive eats. (Fox 13)

Feel Good

A Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office K-9 named Taco is retiring after six years of service. Taco helped law enforcement find dozens of suspects during that time, and will spend his remaining years with his favorite human companion — the daughter of Corporal Matt Aitken. (WFLA)

Civic

You shall ~~not~~ pass. Pinellas County officials recently approved a measure to allow higher-density developments in John’s Pass Village. The popular tourist spot already attracts over a million visitors each year, with the new ordinance aimed at increasing that number. (St. Pete Catalyst)

Sports

Mike Evans might have played his last game for the Buccaneers. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Bucs with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Home

Getting organized? This 24-piece glass storage container set is perfect for meal prep or storing leftovers and is on sale through the weekend.*

Biz

🏆 Yet more records

Hillsborough County announces record-breaking tourism numbers

The downtown Tampa skyline from Hyde Park. The sky is blue and high rises are in the distance.

TBAY is not only a great place to live, but visitors love it too. | Photo by TBAYtoday

It’s no surprise to us, but the Tampa Bay area is a popular place to visit. Visit Tampa Bay just released tourism numbers for Hillsborough County in 2023 which highlight the area’s continued growth.

Here is the breakdown:

Taxable hotel revenue grew by ~4.8% — coming in just shy of $1.1 billion — with seven individually record-breaking months.
The resulting bed tax — fees collected by the county for rented accommodation stays like hotels, motels, and inns — generated ~$64.9 million. This figure also had seven months of new heights.

Santiago C. Corrada, CEO and president of Visit Tampa Bay, chalked the numbers up to “hard work that our incredible partners and community stakeholders put in,” in a release. Corrada also offered a vision for the organization’s future, saying they “will leave no stone unturned and ensure that every penny spent returns multiple times to our community.”

The Buy

The Buy 2.22.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Patrick

From the editor

In all the excitement of getting on a plane at Tampa International, it can be easy to forget those flying must-haves. Remember to bring noise-canceling headphones + a travel pillow.

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