11 Things To Do During Your First Month Living In Tampa

In a city as vibrant and diverse as Tampa, Florida, it’s impossible to do everything during your first few weeks as an official resident. That’s why we’ve researched Cigar City’s myriad attractions – from parks to restaurants to museums to shopping centers – to determine the absolute best of the best. The only thing you need to do? Make sure your phone is fully charged for all of the photos you’re bound to post on Instagram.

Whether you’ve signed a lease at 2 Bayshore, NoHo Flats or any other Greystar apartment community in the Tampa Bay area, be sure to check out these 11 hot spots during your first month as a Floridian:

1. Bayshore Boulevard: Reputed to be the longest continuous sidewalk in the world, this scenic pathway stretches 4.5 miles along Hillsborough Bay, from Downtown Tampa to Ballast Point in South Tampa. Given Florida’s mild year-round climate and famous sunshine, it’s the perfect place to bike, skate, go for a walk or simply claim a bench and marvel at the historic houses that line the boulevard.
2. The Tampa Riverwalk: This picturesque pedestrian trail winds through the Tampa Arts District, home to some of Florida’s most renowned galleries and museums. It’s the site of more than 300 public events throughout the year, including the annual Mayor’s Mac & Cheese Throwdown, which is basically the closest thing to heaven on earth.
3. Historic Hyde Park: Nicknamed “The Pearl of Tampa Bay,” this neighborhood is known for its beautiful bungalow-style homes and luxury shopping. In the spring, be sure to sign up for the Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Home Tour, one of the city’s most highly anticipated annual events.
4. Busch Gardens: If you’re looking for a thrilling theme park experience but don’t want to spend an hour and a half driving to Orlando, Busch Gardens is the place to go. The park features an array of rides, restaurants, live shows and shops, and it also hosts a food and wine festival each spring.
5. Curtis Hixon Park: Situated along the Tampa Riverwalk, this park boasts 8 acres of grassy space ideal for picnickers and people-watchers alike. Pets are more than welcome, and there’s a free concert every month.
6. Urban Kai: Tampa’s premier stand-up paddleboard shop not only boasts a range of top-of-the-line boards and accessories, it also offers classes and events all year long. Sign up for a Yoga on Water course if you want to strengthen your muscles without sacrificing serenity.
7. Henry B. Plant Museum: Located on the University of Tampa campus and formerly known as the Tampa Bay Hotel, this history museum showcases the Gilded Age period, in particular the Spanish-American War. The exhibits are truly fascinating, but just as captivating is the building’s gorgeously ornate architecture.
8. Museum of Science and Industry: Known for its domed IMAX theater and planetarium, this museum promises out-of-this-world fun for science geeks of all ages. MOSI features more than 450 interactive exhibits, and it’s open seven days a week.
9. Tampa Theatre: Built in 1926 and added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the Tampa Theatre is one of the city’s most beloved cultural jewels. Stop by for a live show, movie, musical performance and even wine and beer tastings!
10. Columbia Restaurant: Opened in 1905, this celebrated restaurant has been a Tampa landmark for well over a century. Savor flavorful Spanish tapas, the best paella this side of the Atlantic and – of course – sangria made tableside.
11. International Plaza and Bay Street: Regarded as Tampa Bay’s leading luxury shopping destination, this high-end mall is home to upscale fashion retailers, tech outfitters and lifestyle stores including Crate & Barrel and Z Gallerie. Feeling hungry? A number of restaurants, cafés and bars are here as well.

No matter your passions in life, it’s easy to get inspired in Tampa. Happy exploring!