Travel and Outdoors

Crowds of people check out tents with vendors and walk underneath a tree canopy.
Travel and Outdoors
Earth Day events across the Tampa Bay area
Whether you want to pick up new plants for your garden or enjoy nature’s beauty, we’ve got you covered.
April 19, 2024 09:28 AM
 · 
Bailey Lefever
The sun is shining over the dunes at sunset beach. There is grass littered on the dunes and the ocean is over to the left.
Travel and Outdoors
Checking in on Tampa Bay area beach renourishment efforts
Pinellas County has finished restoration efforts in Belleair Beach, Sunset Beach, Upham Beach, Pass-a-Grille, Madeira Beach, Indian Shores, and Indian Rocks Beach.
April 18, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Workers at Buc-ee's prepare sandwiches. They are wrapped in shiny foil with yellow labels on a heating tray, and workers behind are in uniforms comprised of cowboy hats, red shirts, and blue overalls.
City
Will a Buc-ee’s ever open in the Tampa Bay area?
We’re dreaming of those Beaver Nuggets.
April 17, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A shot of buildings in downtown Tampa. The sun shines just above a high rise, and City Hall is just in front. The foreground has some greenery, with the buildings sat beneath clear blue skies.
Culture
Tampa Bay Design Week is underway
The event is a chance to celebrate and learn about architectural feats + design victories in the Tampa Bay area.
April 15, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A baby orangutan is being fed from a bottle. A blue-gloved, white-coated doctor is holding the animal in a blanket, and feeding it. Its dark eyes sit around orange-colored dark short hair.
Culture
Meet the Tampa Bay area’s new animal friends
Zoo Tampa and Busch Gardens have both got some new (and cute) faces.
April 15, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A woman wearing a sun hat and athletic clothes is crouched down tending to ferns in a garden, surrounded by grass and trees.
Travel and Outdoors
Get your hands dirty: Your guide to gardening in the Tampa Bay area
No green thumb necessary, we’ve got you covered for success with plant ideas, classes, and garden clubs aplenty.
April 12, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A black and white photo of Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa taken around 1930. The Tampa Theater is visible in the background, while people walk about in fashion of the time, palm trees are visible, and streetcars make their way through streets. There are some cars around too, and shadows imply it is sunny.
History
Tampa Bay in the 1930s
Following the roaring progress of the 1920s, life in TBAY was not as rosy in the succeeding decade. We did some research.
April 11, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Green bar stools, bartenders, and patrons sit around a bar in an industrial setting.
Tourism and Hospitality
Take a peek at Ten Rooms Ybor
The new retail + foodie hub is opening soon in the historic Ybor neighborhood with a restaurant, cafe, boutique, and more.
April 10, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Kids wearing white helmets line up smiling for a photo. They appear to be wearing harnesses too as they prepare for an activity. Adults are around and there is a white tend fiving shade, with cloudy blue skies above. Everyone is smiling.
Culture
Get ready for Hillsborough County’s traditional summer camps
The county is here to help you fill in that summer calendar.
April 5, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A couple watching a baseball game with a view of downtown Charlotte.
Sponsored
5 reasons to visit Charlotte this spring
From a stacked music festival and exhilarating NASCAR races to rooftop dining and waterfront hiking, Charlotte, NC (aka the Queen City) is the place to be this season.
Sponsored by
People hold lit lanterns along the river.
Travel and Outdoors
Make the most of the Tampa Riverfest
This year’s event includes a paddle invasion, tacofest, lantern parade, and lots of good eats.
April 4, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A dark blue sky with the moon mostly covering the sun behind, which is shining beyond the moon in a small crescent shape. There are some stars visible in the sky.
Culture
How to experience the solar eclipse in Tampa Bay
There won’t be another total eclipse in North America until 2033.
April 3, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Exterior shots of hotels in Water Street Tampa.
Sponsored
Where to live the suite life in Tampa
From Michelin-star restaurants to sky-high rooftop bars, you’ll find some of Tampa’s hottest hotels in the oh-so-walkable Water Street Tampa.
Sponsored by
A tank of coral at the Florida Aquarium's Coral Conservation and Research Center. There is blue fluorescent lighting above the tank and the coral sits in water.
Culture
Check out The Florida Aquarium’s latest conservation-minded expansion
The state-of-the-art facilities are set to help the aquarium’s conservation efforts.
March 28, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Lake Maggiore
Travel and Outdoors
Breaking down St. Pete’s $28+ million in stormwater funding
The projects will help fortify the city for climate change and future storms.
March 27, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
Tampa's skyline from a distance. The Hillsborough River is in the foreground and the photo has been taken from high up. The sky is blue and a warm haze covers the city.
Culture
Suggestions for spending the Mega Millions jackpot in the Tampa Bay area
How would you spend $875 million?
March 18, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
BL00C5VO3004355-R1-026.jpg
Play
Parks in Tampa Bay
We’re highlighting the 30 best parks that Tampa Bay has to offer — complete with dog beaches, pickleball courts, and scenic views.
March 13, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A panoramic photo of the City of Takamatsu, Japan. The city juts out from the left of the image, with ocean on the right, where islands stick out from the blue water. Moutnains are in the background, covered by a patch of grey cloud, but most of the sky is blue.
Culture
St. Pete’s sister city: Takamatsu, Japan
Learn more about the Japanese port city on the island of Shikoku, and some reasons to visit.
March 8, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
The sun sets over Snell Isle. There is water in the foreground and land on either side, with dark trees, boats, and houses sitting in the shade. The sun is reflecting off the blueish water, and there are orange and yellow streaks in a partially cloudy sky as the sun gets lower.
Culture
Get ready for an extra hour of sunlight
Daylight saving time is on its way, meaning later sunsets, and more time for evening activities.
March 6, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
A close-up of a water bottle on the beach. Someone is picking it up and putting it in a trash bag.
Travel and Outdoors
Lend a hand with a different kind of spring cleaning in Tampa Bay
We’re talking pinking up trash out of our waterways and streets + other ways to beautify our area.
March 5, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
A fishing boat is pictured cruising under the Mount Pleasant Pier.
Sponsored
☀️ Sun’s out, fun’s out: Spend a weekend at a Mount Pleasant festival
Sponsored by
A Sunset on St. Pete Beach. The sky is orange and yellow, with a dark beach before it in the shadows.
Live
Spring 2024 weather forecast for the Tampa Bay area
Prepare for spring weather in Tampa + the Burg with these seasonal temperature and precipitation outlooks.
February 27, 2024
 · 
Sarah Leonhardt
A pink flamingo looks out into the water
Travel and Outdoors
Get your flock on at the Flamingo Festival
Pay a visit to Sunken Garden’s famous flamingos and sip on a “flamosa.”
February 22, 2024
 · 
Bailey Lefever
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.
Travel and Outdoors
Catch a direct domestic flight from Tampa International Airport
If you just can’t stand the thought of another layover, you’re in the right place.
February 21, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Crystal River shines blue. It is surrounded by trees.
Culture
Choose a day trip for us
We’ve got wanderlust — where do you want to see us go?
February 13, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
The end of Bayshore Boulevard in downtown Tampa. High rises are visible behind the walkway.
Culture
Guinness World Records set in Tampa Bay
We rounded up some world records set in the Tampa Bay area.
February 7, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Sneakers are being laced in an up-close shot. The shoe is resting against a bench with hands tying the laces.
Culture
Lace up those sneakers for 3 upcoming Tampa Bay area running events
It’s running season, TBAY. Let’s get moving.
February 5, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Two people kayaking on the water while vacationing in Mount Pleasant, SC.
Sponsored
Here’s your invite to a slice of paradise
Sponsored by
Colorful beads sit in a truck bed of all different colors, ready to be thrown out into Gasparilla crowds. The small circular objects are piled high.
City
Help clean up after Gasparilla
There are a few different ways to keep our area clean after the Gasparilla festivities.
January 26, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Someone throws beads from a flat at Gasparilla. The beads are in mid-air and the sky is clear.
City
Keep Gasparilla beads out of Tampa Bay with the Florida Aquarium
Check out how to put those Gasparilla beads to good use.
January 24, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Crystal River shines blue. It is surrounded by trees.
Culture
10 day trips from the Tampa Bay area
If you want to hit the road, but not go too far, you’re in the right place.
January 18, 2024
 · 
Patrick Sidwell
Load More
Good news for Tampa Bay.
Get the best local news & events sent to your inbox each morning, for free.