Anyone who has visited Tampa likely remembers it for two things: the mix of Cuban, Spanish and Italian influences found among the century-old brick walls of Ybor City, and the annual celebration of the Gasparilla Pirate Festival.
While these Tampa staples continue to be an important part the area’s lively and diverse culture, there’s a lot more to the area than pressed Cuban sandwiches and a pirate festival.
Tampa Bay has become a hub for art, music, food and film
From world class art museums like The Dali and the Tampa Museum of Art, to nationally recognized multi-day events like the Gasparilla International Film Festival and the Big Guava Music Festival, there’s no shortage of things to do and see in Tampa Bay.
While many of Tampa Bay’s attractions have deep historic roots, new cultural traditions are always forming. In the last few years, the Tampa Bay area has become known as an artistic and creative region, with dozens of museums and galleries. The area is even home to an increasing number of larger than life sized murals on the walls of office buildings and warehouses, especially across the bay in St. Petersburg.
When it comes to dining, Tampa offers an array of top-rated restaurants, capable of satisfying even the most particular of “foodie” cravings. Local residents can enjoy cuisine with inspiration from all over the world, like classic Cuban at the historic Columbia Restaurant or Peruvian fusion at the new Chakana SoHo.
Culture and diversity can be found in the suburbs, too
While Tampa’s urban core has become a hub for arts, entertainment and dining, the area’s rich culture extends far beyond the city center.
For example, Wesley Chapel, which is about 20 miles north of Tampa, is one of the fastest growing submarkets in Tampa Bay and is seeing exciting retail, dining and entertainment options open up regularly. The blossoming area has also begun to develop its own cultural traditions, with events like The Festival of Flight, a hot air balloon festival that attracts people from all over the world, and the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, which invites families to celebrate autumn.
When it comes to dining, menus found in Tampa Bay submarkets can be just as enticing as those in downtown. In South Hillsborough County, for example, diners can find everything from Chicago-style Italian cuisine at Portillo’s to Creole heat at Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen.
Lennar has been the Tampa Bay area’s largest homebuilder for more than 40 years and has move-in ready homes available in 55 residential communities throughout the area. To learn more about Lennar’s communities in Tampa Bay and its flourishing submarkets, visit Lennar Tampa or call 877-205-1328.
