Find the Best Things to Do in Downtown
About Downtown
Ten years ago, downtown was a work-a-day place. Most of your eateries were built to serve the lunch crowd, there was very little in terms of nightlife, and no one lived there so amenities were few and far between. With the additions of the street car system, the River Walk museums and parks, and some residential investment, downtown Tampa is almost unrecognizable compared to its spotty past.
See & Do
When it comes to things to do, downtown Tampa has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. The Tampa Museum of Art, the Glazer Children's Museum, and the Tampa Bay History Center are all brand-new and anchor Tampa's new River Walk. On the other side of the Channelside area lies the Florida Aquarium, ranked one of the best aquariums in the country.
Eat
Not too long ago, the few restaurants that downtown provided only served lunch. With the arrival of new hotels and condominiums, downtown has truly turned into one of the best dining spots in town. Mise en Place is located just across the river from the museums and has been considered one of the finest restaurants in town for years. And the famous Columbia Restaurant has a cafe in the Tampa Bay History Center.
Party
With the revival of the residential scene in downtown came new places to hang out. Fly Bar is located in the middle of the museum district and sports a rooftop bar for great views of the skyline and river. Four Green Fields is located just south of downtown and may be the most authentic Irish pub outside of the Emerald Isle. Finally, Jackson's is the place for inventive drinks, great DJs, and a waterfront atmosphere.
Stay
Most of the finest hotels in Tampa are located downtown. The Marriott Waterside is the largest hotel in Tampa and has a great location between the Tampa Bay Times Forum and the convention center. The Sheraton Riverwalk is a favorite due to its wonderful restaurant and location, on the river in the middle of the major office buildings. The most centrally-located hotel in downtown is the Hyatt Regency, a short walk from almost anything worth visiting.