Ahoy, Deacs! Welcome to the Tampa Bay Area and the Gasparilla Bowl!
Tampa Bay comprises Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the surrounding areas. We hope you have the best time while you are here, and cheer the Deacs on to a big win!
Thank you to our WAKETampa/St.Petersburg Community for putting together this list of recommendations!
Tampa
Areas:
Historic neighborhood known for Cuban cigar rolling – Home – Ybor City Chamber of Commerce or Home – Ybor City (yborcityonline.com)
Beautiful area with fun shopping & dining – Hyde Park Village | Local Shops, Restaurants, Fitness, Fashion
Dining and entertainment – Sparkman Wharf | Water Street Tampa
Tampa Attractions:
Rated among the best aquariums in the US, The Florida Aquarium welcomes visitors to experience a wide variety of aquatic and terrestrial animals – including sea turtles, sharks, lemurs, otters – with the goal of building awareness and inspiring conservation action.
Play with purpose at the Glazer Children’s Museum, Tampa’s interactive, learning laboratory where children play, discover, and connect to the world around them to develop as lifelong learners and leaders. Ideal for ages 0-10.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is a 335-acre African-centered animal theme park. Visit attractions like rides, safaris, animal encounters, live music, and more.
Tampa Restaurants/Bars:
- Columbia-Florida’s oldest Spanish-Cuban restaurant
- Splitsville – Wake alumni owned bowling alley/bar
- Jotoro – Fine Mexican, also at Sparkman Wharf by Splitsville and Wake alum owned –nice indoor/outdoor seating and great food!
- Ulele – native inspired food and spirits on the river
- Armature Works – food hall with outdoor lounge space and rooftop bar
- Buddy Brew Coffee – favorite location is at Oxford Exchange
- The Gin Joint – upscale lounge
- Jackson’s – bistro & sushi bar
- Oyster Catchers – brunch spot on Tampa Bay
- Rox Rooftop – cocktails and sunset on Tampa Bay
- Bern’s – premium steaks and wine selection
- Brick House Tavern
- International Mall area – lots of selections across the street from the mall as well
- Midtown
St. Petersburg
St. Pete Attractions
Visit an unparalleled collection of works by renowned artist Salvador Dali, from iconic melting clocks to imaginative visual illusions and avant-garde symbols.
The Chihuly Collection is a stunning, permanent collection of world-renowned artist Dale Chihuly’s unique artwork.
The James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art provides experiences that inspire human connection and transformation through art depicting the peoples, landscapes, and history of the American West, and wildlife of the world.
Paradise at the southernmost end of St. Pete Beach! Located in the historic district of sunny St. Pete, Pass-a-Grille is a quaint, laid back, old Florida beach town.
Many times, visitors to North Straub Park will ask about the curious pair of trees found next to the St. Pete Museum of Fine Arts…the trees are a type of ficus called Banyan.
Fairgrounds St. Pete is an art and technology museum.
More info about trolley service here.
St. Pete Restaurants/Bars:
Casual food on the Pier – Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
LALA St. Pete offers a new way to spend the day or evening. Featuring ready-to-rent private karaoke rooms, world-class public dining areas, a rooftop bar and an elevated approach of American, Mediterranean cuisine.
Combining traditional European style with the relaxed flair of American eateries, Cassis offers American classics with subtle French influences for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Ideal for quick bites and leisurely meals.
Kitchen & Wine Bar
Lively bar with pinball, pool, arcade, and outdoor games.
Check out Three Daughters Brewery, Green Bench Brewery, and many more!
Great lunch spot, as seen on Diner’s Drive-In’s and Dives!
Especially great for brunch – The Mill
Fabulous views from a rooftop bar on St. Pete Beach
*Given the season, most places will require a reservation for dinner, so we recommend planning ahead!
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, check out VisitTampaBay.com or VisitStPeteClearwater.com.