Arrive at Tampa International Airport: Welcome to Tampa Bay! Tampa International Airport handled 19,624,284 passengers in 2017, making it the 29th busiest airport by passenger movements in North America. It’s in the midst of a $1B expansion and update that will showcase local Tampa Bay eateries across each terminal (try Ducky’s in Airside A, Ulele in Airside C, Columbia Cafe in Airside E, or Cigar City Taproom in Airside F).
For transit, utilize Lyft, Uber, or a cab service.
Morning Coffee: Stop by Oxford Exchange (OE) for a coffee from Buddy Brew or tea from TeBella. OE is a Tampa staple and serves as a unique gathering place for brunch, shopping (featuring a bookstore, Warby Parker and Aesop pop-ups), and the Commerce Club co-working space. Every Friday morning, OE hosts “Cafe Con,” a community forum highlighting leaders in government affairs, education, and arts, among others.
For transit, utilize Lyft, Uber, the Downtowner — a free local ridesharing app.
Walking Tour of Downtown Tampa: Discover the diverse aspects of Downtown Tampa via a guided walking tour and gain a comprehensive understanding of Tampa’s startups, corporations, history, and culture. Downtown, you’ll spot 10+ cranes in the air at any given time, likely related to the $3B Water Street Tampa project, which is turning 50-acres of waterfront property into a WELL-certified neighborhood. You’ll kick off at Embarc Collective, the collaboration, community, and events space currently under construction, set to open in 2019. Take our walking tour here.
For transit, utilize Lyft, Uber, the Downtowner — a free local ridesharing app.
Lunch in Tampa Heights: Once known as the TECO streetcar warehouse, the Armature Works structure played a significant role for the City of Tampa as the repair and storage facility for the Tampa Electric Street and Railway Company dating back to 1910.
For transit, utilize the Cross Bay Ferry or Lyft or Uber to drive to St. Petersburg.
Tour of Stationhouse: Get a feel for the entrepreneurial community on the other side of the Bay by visiting Stationhouse St. Pete. The building, established in 1911, is an electric repurposed train station that serves as co-work space for over 150 small businesses in the community. Schedule your tour here.
For transit, walk to Beach Drive.
Dinner at Sunset: Dine on the sidewalk at Birch & Vine in downtown St. Peter just in time to watch the sun set. Directly across from Beach Drive, you’ll find St. Pete’s beautiful city parks and waterfront. And before you go, head up to the restaurant’s rooftop bar for a bird’s-eye view of downtown.
For transit, walk throughout Downtown St Petersburg.
Enjoy Local Live Music: St Pete is known for its multitude of live music venues. Stroll by the Ale & Witch, Ringside Cafe, The Hideaway, and Jannus Landing (known as the oldest concert venue in Florida) to see who’s playing, or check the schedule here.
