Tampa, Florida

Tampa, Florida’s third largest city – after Miami and Jacksonville – is located in the bay of the same name. According to topschoolsoflaw, Tampa is one of the fastest growing cities in the entire country. The Spaniards, who valued the bay as a natural harbour, settled here at the mouth of the Hillsborough River as early as 1539.

The city experienced its first heyday in the 19th century. Two events shaped the fortunes of the small town at the time. On the one hand, phosphates were discovered, which were used as fertilizers in the landscape, on the other hand, pioneer Henry Plant ensured that the South Florida Railroad was brought here. The railway was opened in 1884, and six years later the Florida Railroad came to Tampa. The railway not only boosted trade, but also brought the first tourists.

Henry Plant not only brought the railroad here, but also built the spacious Tampa Bay Hotel in 1891, which still exists today and is a listed national landmark. In the meantime, however, the building functions as a Henry B. Plant Museum.

In 1885 the cigar manufacturer Vicente Martinez Ybor relocated his production from Key West to Tampa, hoping for even more profit due to the better transport connections. Five kilometers east of downtown, the entrepreneur founded the workers’ town of Ybor City, which was home to around 20,000 workers who worked in his factory. Tampa was thus not only named one of the largest cities, but also the Cigar Capital of the World. Today, the Latino quarter of Ybor City is not only a giant in the past, but also a tourist hotspot with lively shops, clubs and restaurants.

Strolling through the cobbled streets early in the morning, the scent of roasted Cuban coffee surrounds you. And the rhythm of Latin American music accompanies you late into the night.

Tampa now also offers first-class shopping – for example in the Westshore District. If you feel like moving, stroll or bike along Bayshore Boulevard along history-steeped Hyde Park – one of the city’s poshest neighborhoods.

Tampa information

Location and Size
Tampa is located at the mouth of the Hillsborough River west of Tampa Bay on Florida’s west coast. Together with St. Petersburg and Clearwater, the city forms the Tampa Bay Area.

Population
Around 350,000 people live in the city, also known as “The Big Guava” (due to the large number of Guava trees), in the Tampa Bay Area around 2.4 million people.

Local
time The time zone is EST (Eastern Standard Time), i.e. CET minus 6 hours

Arriving by plane
Tampa International Airport – located about 10 km west of the city – off I-275 – is the city’s largest airport.

Climate
Summers are hot with temperatures up to 32°C. Winters are mild with temperatures around 20°C. There is little temperature variation between day and night throughout the year. The summer months are usually rainier than the winter months, the rainiest month of the year is August with an average rainfall of 200mm.

VUSA Tips: Highlights in Tampa

Ybor City – Once known as the cigar capital of the world, this historic district produced more than 700 million hand-rolled cigars annually in its heyday. You can still see hand-rolled cigars being made along Seventh Avenue. Here, discover the flavors of the “Original Cuban Sandwich” at The Columbia Restaurant , which opened in 1905, while watching a flamenco show.

The Tampa Museum of Art is located on North Ashley Drive in Downtown Tampa. The museum is known far beyond the city limits for its extensive collection. Also downtown – right on Franklin Street – has been the historic Tampa Theater since 1926 , where numerous events are still held.

The former Tampa Bay Hotel, commissioned by Henry B. Plant in 1891, cost a whopping three million dollars at the time. Its Moorish minarets can be seen from all over Tampa. Today the building belongs to the University of Tampa. The south wing has been preserved as the Henry B Plant Museum . The showpieces of the collection include valuable porcelain, Venetian mirrors and French furniture from the 18th century.

Right on the harbor is The Florida Aquarium . With more than 20,000 marine life, it is among one of the best aquariums in the country. You can even dive with sharks here. Lemurs, Madagascar hissing cockroaches and colorful chameleons await visitors on the “Journey to Madagascar”.

Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo was named the best zoo in the United States by Parents and Child magazine. Covering an area of ​​24 hectares, the zoo is home to more than 1,000 different animals such as koalas, elephants, tigers, penguins, giraffes, orangutans. The Manatee Hospital with the outdoor pools is particularly worth seeing. Injured manatees are cared for here until they are released again after veterinary treatment.

In the Museum of Science & Industry , children and adults alike can expect more than 450 interactive exhibits from science, technology, mechanical engineering, art and mathematics. With the daily activity program, the “MOSI” offers a journey from the virtual world to reality. In addition to the IMAX cinema, numerous trips into space and similar sensations await you here.

Busch Gardens theme park is also nearby . There are various roller coasters, animals and lots of attractions, fun and thrills for the whole family.

Shopping
High-end fashion, luxury items and great bargains await shoppers in Tampa Bay’s quaint boutiques. With more than 350 stores in the luxurious International Plaza and Westshore Plaza , you’re sure to find what you’re looking for. The brand new Tampa Premium Outlets offers great bargains.

Cruise Port – Major cruise lines such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, and Norwegian Cruise Lines have fixed docks here, with many cruises departing from here. Lined with warehouses and docks, the City of Tampa’s waterfront is a vibrant neighborhood with museums, restaurants, parks and the Tampa Riverwalk.