Tampa

ybor city

This historic multi-ethnic district located northeast of downtown & north of the Channelside district is best known to locals for its wide range of nightclubs, bars, and shops making it a popular evening and weekend hotspot. However, this historic district has much to offer the tourist by day. Originally home to thousands of Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants as well as smaller numbers of Romanian Jews and Germans, this neighborhood was famous for its many cigar factories and is where the 'Cuban sandwich' was first popularized in the United States. Ybor City is one of only two active National Historic Landmark Districts in the state of Florida and can be easily visited by catching one of its famous streetcars that connects downtown Tampa to Ybor City see "Get around" section.

Ybor City State Museum

(http://www.ybormuseum.org/museum/index.html, $3, 1818 9th Avenue) on 9th Avenue between 18th & 19th Streets, should be the first stop for any new visitor to the area. This small, but intriguing museum highlights the colorful history of this city-turned-Tampa-suburb and has a gift shop filled with small trinkets. The museum offers walking tours see "Do" section, below. Open daily 9AM-5PM, except major holidays. Visitors must park at metered spots on 9th/nearby streets.

Ybor City Cigar Museum

— 1600 8th Ave. Presents the history of cigar making in Ybor City. Nice gift shop. Open Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun Noon-6PM.

Centro Ybor

— (http://www.centroybor.com/) Centered by a 20-screen mega-cinema, plenty of shopping, bars, and nightclubs, this large entertainment complex/plaza at the heart of Ybor City, it is the mecca of Tampa's young-adult nightlife.

Saturday Market

— Every Saturday from 9AM-3PM in Centennial Park, the market features local-grown produce, arts, crafts, and local food.

Ybor City ArtWalk

— The first Saturday of every month, this event brings out the best area arts and crafts, from business owners to professionals to studio-dwelling amateurs showing off their goods. Also