We’ll be sending you our newsletter for the next five days, but if you’re not feeling it after that, we’ll call it quits — no action required. If you like what you see, click any link in this email, and each morning, we’ll keep sending the most relevant news, events, and updates from around Tampa Bay. Our newsletters are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time.
A message from our team
🎳 There are some serious game aficionados among us. We hear you, and we’re delighted to let you know that our Games are back, starting today. We’re still playing around with this page, so please bear with us while we make a few changes to bring you an even better user experience.
City Guide
It’s a date
Take in the sunset and Tampa skyline on a Pirate Water Taxi cruise. | Photo via @piratewatertaxi
Kids, this is the story of how I met your mother, and it was all thanks to TBAYtoday.
Ok, so maybe that’s not exactly how the 2000s sitcom went, but if Ted Mosby had consulted us for date night ideas, we could’ve shaved the show down to two seasons (and saved his kids a lot of time).
Regardless of whether you’ve met “the one” or are hoping to impress someone new, we’ve got 50+ local date night ideas that are legen — wait for it — dary.
If the way to their heart is through their stomach
Tuck into pistachio crusted cutlets and chicken rigatoni at the ever-cozy Oggi Italian on Davis Islands.
Wow your date at one of our Michelin Star restaurants like Lilac at the Tampa EDITION or Rocca.
Sail down the Hillsborough River on a Pirate Water Taxi. Pro tip: The taxi drops you back off in downtown so you can grab dinner or drinks if everything is going smoothly.
FEMA just announced it will shell out $16.5 million for Tropicana Field repairs. That’ll go toward the stadium restoration’s $59.7 million pricetag. The city is also expecting $2.75 million from the state for the project. Take a look at the funding breakdown. (Tampa Bay Times)
Opening
All those folks moving here from Texas will soon feel right at home, because Whattaburger is opening soon. The beloved burger joint debuts on Thursday, Feb. 12, in Largo. Don’t worry, Tampa residents, two Hillsborough locations are coming this spring. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Show
Loved Bad Bunny’s halftime show? Do we have good news for you.Puerto Rican pop group Chuwi, who feature on the star’s “Weltita,” are playing in Ybor soon. Get tickets to their Wednesday, May 13, show. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Plan Ahead
The Premier League’s Mornings Live fan fest is taking over Armature Works this spring. Head down to the riverfront on Saturday, April 18 + Sunday, April 19 to watch broadcasters analyze the weekend’s games and roam the rest of the action. Make sure you preregister; slots will likely go fast. (That’s So Tampa)
Read
Residents checked out 9 million items from Hillsborough County Public Libraries in 2025. Four of the top five most-checked out physical books were part of the “Dog Man” series — (wonder who’s reading that saga?). But Kristin Hannah’s tale of a nurse during the Vietnam War, “The Women,” cracked the top five.
Outdoors
The palest of snowbirds recently descended upon Crescent Lake Park: a flock of white pelicans. Make a trip over to the Sunshine City park to spot them in action, or just take a look here.
Try This
If you’d rather celebrate Valentine’s before — or after — Saturday’s deluge of diners, Wagamama is offering a $35 Date Night Menu through Sunday, Feb. 15. Make a resy for a Water Street date night.
Shop
Meet the intimacy gummy: Camino Wild Cherry, the ultimate edible for date night. Heighten sensory experiences and ignite that special spark with a THC gummy that fits seamlessly into your Valentine’s Day plans — without the hangover or bloat of alcohol. Get 20% off a full-size tin with code 6AM20.†*
The Buy
Here’s to your teen’s next big step
Growing up comes with plenty of firsts. With a Cash App Card, teens have a safe way to practice saving, managing money, and spending — all with their own debit card, and you as their guide.‡
About 47% of readers correctly remembered the Trop originally cost a cool $138 million.
The Wrap
The Wrap
Today’s edition by: Bailey
An FWC employee leads a group in a mock manatee rescue.
Photo by TBAYtoday
I stopped by both Raptor Fest and Marine Quest last Saturday — talk about a creature-forward day. My favorite part: Watching kids raptly watch a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission mock manatee rescue exercise.
I left feeling inspired to volunteer for a local environmental org. Right now, I’m thinking Stewards of our Urban Lakes, which leads cleanups at Pinellas parks like Crescent Lake — so those white pelicans keep coming back.
{optout_confirm_url}
‡Cash App is a financial platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. See Terms & Conditions. To view the eligibility requirements for sponsoring a teen, please visit the Sponsored Accounts section of the Cash App Terms of Service.
}})
}})
