48 Hours in Tampa

9AM EL MOLINO

Skip the dishwater coffee at breakfast and visit this one-of-a-kind coffee shop in Ybor City. While ordering your coffee, get a first-hand glimpse (and whiff) at how the coffee is roasted, ground, and packaged. If you’re a coffee addict, don’t forget to grab a bag of beans to take home. Take your cup of Joe to go and stroll the historic streets of Ybor, the Cigar Capitol of the World until the 1930s.

10AM YBOR CITY TOUR

TAMPA, FL 33605

Explore this unique area of Tampa by signing up for a guided tour. Whether on foot, by bus, or Segway you’ll learn about murder, mystery, and maybe even encounter a ghost.

12PM LA TERRAZZA

Many would suggest taking a bite out of a giant Cuban sandwich for lunch, but Ybor offers other unique flavors. How about a true taste of Italy during your stay in Tampa? Don’t leave Ybor without tasting the delicious minestrone soup from La Terrazza. Run by an Italian family, you will be welcomed with open arms and the smell of Northern Italian classics.

2PM FLORIDA AQUARIUM

701 CHANNELSIDE DR. TAMPA, FL 33602

Tampa is home to the Florida Aquarium, a world-class tourist destination that offers everything from diving with sharks to admiring cuddly penguins. If you want to learn more about the unique ecosystem in Florida, be sure to stop by the Bays and Beaches exhibit. Say hi to the Goliath grouper, a 300-pound fish. Traveling with tots? Bring bathing suits and allow them time to channel their inner pirate while cooling down at Explore A Shore, a 2-acre water park.

5PM TAPS RESTAURANT BAR & LOUNGE

It’s happy hour! Head back to downtown Tampa for a drink at TAPS Restaurant Bar & Lounge. Whether you’re a wine lover or beer buff, this place is sure to have something to please the palate. If it’s a Friday or Saturday evening, you might luck out and catch a local band playing. Looking for a bite to hold you over until dinner? Order the Scottish Oak Smoked Salmon Platter for the table.

7PM JACKSON’S BISTRO

Have dinner with a view at Jackson’s Bistro, located on beautiful Tampa Bay. Be sure to make reservations because this popular dinner spot fills up fast with locals and tourists alike. Ask for outside seating, and gorge yourself on seafood.

9AM DON PAN

Grab a café con leche and a cheese arepa at Don Pan, a Venezuelan bakery on Dale Mabry. Not into over-the-top sweet coffee? Don’t forget to order it sin azúcar (no sugar)! Enjoy the arepa in-house while it’s steaming fresh, but grab your coffee and get a running start for the day.

10AM BAYSHORE BOULEVARD

Finish that coffee as you stroll along Bayshore Boulevard, a 4.5 mile sidewalk hugging the Hillsborough Bay. Keep your eyes peeled for manatees on one side and classy mansions on the other. This is a great spot for people watching and to burn calories before tonight’s dinner!

12PM TAMPA THEATER

711 N. FRANKLIN ST. TAMPA, FL 33602

Tour time! It’s time to visit the theater. No, you’re not going to see a play or movie. You’re going to experience an architectural delight. Built in 1926, the Tampa Theater is still a centerpiece of the local culture. Outside, the theater appears unimposing, but walk inside and you are transported to a romantic Mediterranean courtyard with statues, flowers, and gargoyles. For $5, this tour is a bargain.

1PM THAI THANI

When you’re ready for a history break, head to Channelside for lunch and shopping. Tampa offers a number of scrumptious Thai restaurants and Thai Thani definitely tops the list. The décor makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a room of the Royal Palace in Thailand. The yellow curry is fit for a king.

3PM TAMPA BAY HISTORY CENTER

801 OLD WATER ST. TAMPA, FL 33602

Love history? Didn’t get enough in Ybor City or the theater? The Tampa Bay History Center brings it all together in interactive, high tech exhibits. Besides a deeper understanding of cigar making, you’ll also explore how both the European and Native American cultures impacted the Tampa Bay area. Before you go, check their website for special exhibits or tours.

5PM INTERNATIONAL PLAZA

You have dinner reservations in a few hours, so it’s time to pick out that cocktail dress or sport coat. International Plaza offers very chic shopping. Whether you’re looking for elegance at Louis Vuitton or a department store bargain, this is one of Tampa’s best shopping destinations. Besides, you’ll appreciate the air conditioning.

7PM SIDEBERN’S

2208 W. MORRISON AVE. TAMPA, FL 33606

The perfect end to dynamic trip; dress to impress, take your time (allow for a minimum of 3 hours), and enjoy the flavors of the night. Skip the regular menu in favor of the six course Tasting Menu with a wine flight. Each bite deserves to be savored and imprinted in your memory forever. It’s a truly unique experience for foodies. Don’t leave Tampa without eating here.

WHERE TO STAY: THE WESTIN TAMPA HARBOUR ISLAND

725 S. HARBOUR ISLAND BLVD. TAMPA, FL 33602

The Westin Tampa Harbour Island is located on an island on the harbor in downtown Tampa and is close to all downtown activities. This hotel has all the amenities you need including an outdoor pool, fitness center, two restaurants and a bar.