Located just north of downtown Tampa, Rustic Steel Creations is a gallery/workshop that showcases the work of local artist, Dominique Martinez. Martinez is a welding artist who takes odd bits of junk metal and transforms them into unique and eye-catching sculptures. Examples of his work adorn the exterior of his location featuring a changing exhibition of fire-breathing dragons, hockey players, robots, giant dogs and more. In addition to his sculptures, Martinez and his staff of experienced welders also create one-of-a-kind custom wrought iron railings and decorative steel gates. Some of his work can be viewed while touring around Tampa such as at Ulele Restaurant.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations is one of Tampa's most creative artists transforming junk metal into amazing sculptures.
Skye's expert tip: Call ahead if you want to take a tour of the workshop.
The Blind Tiger Cafe is one of Tampa's most unique retail spaces. Combining a cafe, clothing store and co-work space, this trendy spot promises to quickly become one of Ybor City's favorite gathering spots. The cafe features Tampa's own Buddy Brew coffee, TeBella teas and light snacks while the clothing is provided by Black & Denim. Formed in 2006 by three talented and hard-working young locals, the philosophy behind Black & Denim apparel is quality craftsmanship that is American inspired, American owned and American made. The clothing itself is comfortable and contemporary, consisting of classic essentials such as graphic tees and jeans. If you're looking for souvenirs for the hard-to-please men in your life, make sure to stop by The Blind Tiger Cafe while you're visiting Ybor City.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The Blind Tiger Cafe in the heart of Ybor City is a unique combination of trendy cafe and locally designed clothing line.
Skye's expert tip: Black & Denim apparel is also available for sale online.
Tampa is a gateway for all kinds of exciting adventures and features many independent outfitters. One of them is Adventure Outfitters who specialize in water sports including scuba diving, free diving, snorkeling, kayaking and fishing. For travelers looking to gear up and take part, Adventure Outfitters is here to help. With their extensive supply of equipment, gear and accessories, everything you need is here. If you're not looking to buy, you can arrange for rentals as well. Have equipment that needs servicing? Adventure Outfitters can help with that too. Not only can Adventure Outfitters get you set with everything you need for your scuba adventures, they offer instruction for everyone from beginner to advanced.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Adventure Outfitters specializes in providing intrepid adventurers with all the equipment you need for your water sport adventure.
Skye's expert tip: If you're looking for somewhere to use all your new equipment, they offer a limited number of guided adventure tours.
It's hard to think of Tampa and not think of all the fresh fruits and veggies you can find here. Located just a 20-minute drive from downtown Tampa, family-owned Parkesdale Farms has been growing and gifting fresh citrus, strawberries and produce since 1956. Many varieties of citrus are in season during the winter months, however, there is always something in season in Florida. They also have a delicious selection of homemade preserves, pickled items, orange blossom honey, hot sauce and much more. Pick up a box of sweet, juicy navels, or have them shipped anywhere in the country. This business is closed during the first two weeks in August.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Parkesdale Market is the largest family-owned & operated citrus and strawberry stand in Florida.
Skye's expert tip: If you're visiting in February, make sure to stop by and sample their world-famous strawberry shortcake.
La France is a unique vintage store located in Tampa's historic Ybor City. A Tampa icon, the store has been a local's favorite since 1974. Specializing in clothing and accessories from the Victorian era through the 1970s, their jam-packed retail space features everything from Mary Janes to wedding dresses to pill box hats and everything in-between. In addition, they offer an extensive and dazzling array of vintage and estate jewelry. Both men and women can find everything they are looking for in this established spot. If you're looking for a unique outfit, a Halloween costume, or perhaps a pirate outfit for Gasparilla, this is spot to come.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: La France, located in historic Ybor City, has served Tampa-area vintage clothing and accessory enthusiasts for over 20 years.
Skye's expert tip: You can get a heads-up on their special items by visiting their Etsy page.
Located next door to the famous Tampa dining institution, the Columbia Restaurant is the Columbia Restaurant Shop. This well-appointed store allows visitors to take home gifts and souvenirs of Tampa and their one-of-a-kind dining experience at Florida's oldest restaurant. Here you can pick up Columbia cookbooks and signature food items, including their famous Cuban roast coffee, created in-house. Also available for purchase is a selection of beautiful hand-made and hand-painted Spanish ceramics. The shop even features a small cigar factory and selection of hand-rolled cigars. From 11 am - 3 pm, Monday through Friday, cigar aficionados can watch professional cigar-rollers demonstrating their skills.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The Columbia Restaurant Gift Shop is fully stocked with the restaurant's famous food items and other unique local souvenirs.
Skye's expert tip: Stock up on your Columbia favorites including 1905 Salad dressing, sangria mix, and Cuban roast coffee.
Cleanse Apothecary is located in Tampa's trendy, up-and-coming Seminole Heights neighborhood, just north of downtown. A beautifully curated bath and body boutique featuring quality products from around the world, this shop makes you feel luxurious just by walking in the door. Winner of several "Best of Bay" awards by a local publication, this shop is a local favorite with many loyal customers. The hands-on owners live in the neighborhood as well and are always available to make customers feel comfortable and to provide advice on the best products.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: Cleanse Apothecary offers shoppers a carefully curated selection of the top bath and beauty products from Florida and around the world.
Scott's expert tip: The convenient location next to ultra-hip Urban Bungalow and Bungalow Coffee makes this a day trip!
If you haven't been to Tampa before, you may not understand why a store that sells pirate fashions has made it to the top 10 shops in Tampa list. However, if you have been here before, you have run into the city's obsession with dressing up like pirates and pirate wenches. Tampa's annual pirate celebration, the Gasparilla festival, is the nexus of this community drive to dress in period costume. But over the years, the pirate spirit has spilled over into other events, including Halloween, and even into everyday life. So, if you are a pirate wanna-be, Tampa is your perfect vacation spot, and in keeping, there is nothing more culturally appropriate, than a visit to the world's biggest dress-me-up-like-a-pirate store.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: For the perfect Tampa souvenir, visit Pirate Fashions, the world's largest store catering to wanna-be pirates, should be on your list.
Skye's expert tip: Although costs for a complete outfit start at $100, the clothing is high-quality and will last for many, many Gasparillas, Halloweens, and costume balls to come.
You can't visit Tampa, the cigar capital of the US, without taking home a souvenir of the area's tobacco-rich heritage. King Corona has been in business for six generations and has the most extensive collection of cigars and cigar-related products, both locally produced and imported from around the world. The retail business shares space with a bar and cafe where you can order from their light menu that includes authentic Cuban fare and some of Tampa's best Cuban coffee. It's like a piece of Havana was picked up and dropped in the middle of Ybor City.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: King Corona Cafe offers a wide selection of cigars, cigar-related products and is also one of Ybor City's favorite locals' hangouts.
Scott's expert tip: One of the best places to meet multiple generations of neighborhood locals.
The Oxford Exchange is 25,000 square feet of mixed-use space that combines an eclectic bookstore and upscale retail with specialty coffee and tea vendors and a full-service restaurant to create a unique shopping experience. Originally built in 1891 as stables for the nearby Plant Hotel (now the University of Tampa), the building has been painstakingly restored and new contemporary elements added to create a classic, but welcoming space. The gift store merchandise is carefully curated to provide high-quality unique items culled from New York, London and Paris. The bookstore features a hand-selected collection of books organized by eclectic themes such as "mind over matter" or "complicated women." After shopping, you can relax on an overstuffed leather sofa in one of the many seating areas and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee.
Recommended for Best Shopping because: The Oxford Exchange offers a unique yet classic shopping experience featuring a variety of retail and dining experiences in one elegant space.
Skye's expert tip: Special events and programs are a big part of the Oxford Exchange experience. Check their website to see what's coming up.