Tampa Bay Blog

Ever wonder how the field stays so green at Bucs games? With the hard work, dedication, and expertise of Wayne Ward and his crew, they've accommodated events from Super Bowls and Monster Truck Rallies to world-class concerts. Originally wanting to

MEMORY MAKER JULIE CURRY This month’s Memory Maker is Julie Curry, creator of larger-than-life sweet treats and owner of the beloved Bake’n Babes. Newly located inside GenX Tavern, Julie shares her passion for making epic desserts and even more epic memories. Established in 2013, Bake’n Babes is a local Tampa bakery that offers cookies, brownies, and our over the top Freak Shakes! We are proud to have been voted "Best Local Cookie" and we love coming up with fun...

DEEP DIVE ART IN TAMPA BAY In Tampa Bay, arts and culture run deep. Along the 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk, and throughout the downtown and Channel districts, a trove of rich culture and history awaits for you to uncover. From the Latin and Cuban influence of Ybor City to the pirate culture influenced by the legendary José Gaspar, visitors can find inspiration and adventure around every corner. TIME "Time" documents the journey of Artist and founder Tony Krol of Tampa Walls and...

Nobody knows how to zip into the weekend like Calvin Joustra, Operations Manager at Empower Adventures Tampa Bay. Located in Oldsmar, FL Empower Adventures is the Bay Area’s only guided zip line tour. Take on 3,000 feet of zip lines, conquer the

Outdoor adventures are all the rage these days with paddle boarding being among the fastest-growing water sports in the world. Mike Conlee is Tampa Bay’s expert paddler at Urban Kai and this month’s Memory Maker. Urban Kai began as a small

Curator of Collections, Tampa Bay History Center The Tampa Bay History Center brings 12,000 years of human achievement together under one roof. Along with artifacts like a centuries-old dugout canoe and a replica pirate ship, the collection

BAKING AT HOME Baking is the latest and greatest activity while practicing social distancing in the safety of your home. Voted by our Instagram followers, we bring to you the recipe for The Dessert Spot’s Gooey Toffee Bars, one of the many local recipes featured in Tampa’s Table: A Culinary Journey Through Tampa Bay. For a limited time, Visit Tampa Bay is selling a #TourismStrong culinary bundle, which includes Tampa’s Table plus its cocktail book, Tampa With A Twist, for...

Eric Hovland Associate curator, resident shark guy The Florida Aquarium It's always Shark Week in Eric Hovland's world. The native of Wisconsin and marine biologist helped develop the unique sea life collection when The Florida Aquarium opened in

As sea dogs go, Captain Chris "Castaway" Pawlak, is a little less salty than most. This former land-lubber grew up in the Rocky Mountains before moving to Tampa Bay. He earned his sea legs on the crew of the Yacht Starship dining cruise, eventually

Since 1905, Florida's oldest restaurant, the Columbia, has been a pillar of historic Ybor City, Tampa Bay's Latin Quarter. Now in its fifth-generation under the Gonzmart family, the Columbia embodies Tampa Bay's Cuban and Spanish heritage from the menu to the decor. Six nights a weeks, visitors experience an authentic piece of Spain when the restaurant's Flamenco dancers take the stage to perform. Maria Esparza, whose mother was born in Seville, Spain, has led the troupe for...