07.03.2025

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84º | 80% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 6:37 a.m. | Sunset 8:29 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | High: 9:54 a.m. + 11:12 p.m. | Low: 5:05 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 6:09 a.m. | Low: 1:22 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

🏋️ Workin’ on our fitness

The interior of BODYROK. There are pilates machines and blueish purple lighting inside, with a mirror lining the wall.

Ready, set, sweat at BODYROK. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Exercising doesn’t look the same for everyone — what’s fun and muscle-building for one person may be a slog for someone else.

Fortunately, the Tampa Bay area is home to many opportunities for exercise, whether you enjoy lifting weights, a little cardio action, boxing, a full-body workout, or getting a sweat on alongside animal friends. Use this guide as a resource for all-things fitness in TBAY.

For those who want one-on-one training

Made Possible Personal Training, St. Petersburg

This North Kenwood spot offers a range of individual training options. From one-on-one sessions and couples classes to rehab options and senior-focused coaching, it’s tailored for your needs.

A class at Sweat St. Pete. There is a black mat with people training, sitting facing an instructor who is demonstrating a workout with kettlebells. — It’s called “Sweat St. Pete” for a reason.

For those looking to try something new

Vertical Ventures, St. Petersburg

Unleash your inner Spider-Man as you scale walls inside the 20,000-sqft facility.

A stripey cat sits on the lower back of someone in a yoga pose. There are several people in the same pose on mats behind in a pink-colored room. — Downward... ~~dog~~ cat.

For those who revel in creature comforts

Cats and Caffeine, Tampa

South Tampa’s purr-fect pink cat palace offers 45-minute kitten yoga classes (with 15 minutes for playtime at the end).

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa.

Pump that iron at these spots

Events

Thursday, July 3

Backtrack Blues Band | 7:30 p.m. | Palladium Theater | $20+ | Get ready to jam to tunes from this five-piece unit with an upbeat, electric blues sound reminiscent of the early Chicago blues scene.

Friday, July 4

Party At The USA | 12-4 p.m. | United Skates of America, Tampa | $10+ | Pull on some red, white, or blue threads for $2 off admission to the rink’s Fourth of July skating party.

Independence Day Celebration | 5-9 p.m. | Waterfront Park, Safety Harbor | Free | Tow the whole fam along for hot dogs to Mediterranean eats, a rock wall, inflatable activities, crafts, and carnival games, capped off by fireworks starting at 9 p.m.

Saigon Night Market | Friday, July 4-Sunday, July 6 | Times vary | Yuengling Draft Haus & Kitchen | Free entry | Enjoy the Fourth of July Summer Fest market with 50+ vendors, a live tuna cutting, and a Chief Laiuni Fire Dance.

July 4th Freedom Fest | 6-9:15 p.m. | American Victory Ship and Museum | $13+ | Name something more fitting than celebrating the Fourth of July and watching the fireworks from a perch on a WWII-era steamship.

Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift show | 7:30 p.m. | Jannus Live | Free | Catch the downtown St. Pete fireworks, then walk over to the outdoor venue for a tribute to Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift and some dancing.

Saturday, July 5

Get Fit: Yoga in the Park | 9-10 a.m. | Crescent Lake Park | Free | Stretch and down dog it out with a lakefront view at this free monthly class at the popular park.

Sunday, July 6

“Top Gun” | Times vary | Tampa Theatre | $10 | Great balls of fire, it’s gonna be a great summer night watching Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer in the 1986 flick — the first 50 guests get free popcorn.

Even more options

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Forecasters are predicting a rainy holiday weekend — with 80% chance of showers + thunderstorms for TBAY later this week. Keep your plans, but “when thunder roars, go indoors,” one meteorologist warns. The National Hurricane Center says there’s a 40% chance of a tropical or subtropical storm next week. (WUSF News)

Eat

There’s a new deal closer in town. The Blu Halo is now slinging steaks in North St. Pete. Located in the bottom floor of a Carillon Office Park tower, the eatery offers ribeyes, filets, seafood, and a range of martinis + cocktails. (St. Pete Rising)

Open

TBAY’s the proud new home of a Peterbrooke Chocolatier. The Florida-based candy shop just opened its doors in Carrollwood. Stop by for milk chocolate-coated graham crackers, pretzels, and scoops of gelato. Editor Bailey’s favorite is the milk chocolate-coated popcorn. (That’s So Tampa)

Try This

Two Silver Sirens — i.e. retired Weeki Wachee mermaids — will don their tails this weekend for six reunion shows. The dancers will gear up for vintage underwater ballet-style performances at Mertailor’s Mermaid Aquarium Experience in Lecanto. Tickets to see the show start at $12.50 for kids. (Tampa Bay Times)

Announced

Forget Hillsborough Community College, it’s now Hillsborough College. The local institution just unveiled its new name as part of a rebrand. The change could mean that more bachelor’s programs are on the way. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Ranked

No. 10. That’s where Dunedin ranked on Travel + Leisure’s “10 Best Small Towns to Live in the US” list. Real estate experts lauded the waterfront city for its walkable downtown, parks, and cost of living. In fact it’s so stinkin’ cute, it’s the backdrop of Hallmark’s “Taste of Love.” (I Love the Burg)

Art

If we do indeed have a rainy holiday weekend, cozy into one of our plethora of museums for the afternoon. Yes, there’s quite a few. Right now, the James is offering a free ice cream cone with the purchase of a regular admission ticket. (I Love the Burg)

Sports

What’s the latest with the Rays? Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews, and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Rays with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Even “1883" couldn’t script a gold run like this: An ounce of gold is expected to cost $4,000 in 2026. Diversify your portfolio with a gold IRA — no pickaxe required.†*

Older Adults

Your fifties + beyond is a great time to build wealth. Beyond basics like bulk shopping and retirement accounts, here are 14 financial benefits seniors are entitled to (but often forget to claim).*

Shop

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Jobs of the Week

Pre-Litigation Legal Assistant at Steinger, Greene & Feiner
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The Buy

Whether you’ve got an upcoming road trip, beach vacation, or lake house getaway, these are our top five travel accessories to have on hand.

✈️ A travel organizer for cords, electronics, and chargers.
🧳 These compression packing cubes to maximize space in your suitcase.
🥤 A luggage cup holder attachment for those busy airport layovers.
🔋 A MagSafe power bank so you can recharge on the go.
💧 These tasty wellness travel drops for immune support.

More worth The Buy

Games

The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.

Let the games begin

Answered

Yesterday, we asked, “How many hotels/places to stay are there in St. Pete?”

The Vinoy is one of TBAY’s most iconic hotels.

You know your tourism stats.

42% of readers correctly guessed 395
21% way overshot, saying 670
20% guessed 189
17% were close-ish with 253

The Wrap

My recommendation for this swampy weekend: Go all out with the on-theme snacks.

I’d go for a pint of Rocket Pop Sorbetto or Bonfire S’mores from Chill Bros. and host a movie night to watch a flick filmed right here in TBAY.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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