● First, visit Ybor City, Tampa’s historic and cultural center. Here you can roll cigars by hand and learn how Tampa became the cigar capital of the world, then discover the birthplace of the Cuban sandwich and visit Florida’s oldest restaurant, Columbia, which has been serving customers since 1905.
● Then take a scenic walk. Tampa Riverwalk and discover many delicious restaurants, many museums, and our outdoor venues like Curtis Hixon Park. Whether you’re walking, biking or boating, the views are stunning.
● Finally, combine the pleasure of nature and speed with Busch Gardens® Tampa Baywhere you can go on an African safari and then test your courage on a roller coaster.
Did you know?
Visitors to Tampa Bay can travel to Cuba without a passport. In Tampa Bay’s historic Latin Quarter, Ybor City, lies a true slice of Cuban territory: José Martí Park, dedicated to the memory of the poet, journalist and activist who led the island’s revolution against Spanish rule in the 1880s and 1890s.
The park at the corner of 8th Avenue and 13th Street belongs to the Cuban people. For nearly six decades, it was the only Cuban territory in the United States until the opening of the Cuban embassy in Washington in 2015. The park is fenced and closed at night. Throughout the day, visitors will see a statue of Marty, as well as marked plots of land from different parts of the island.
