Related Guides

Popular Cities in Florida

Online Favorites

Travel Resources

ShoulderSeason

Special Issues

Photo Galleries

Screensavers
share this article del.icio.us DIGG Facebook StumbleUpon

From Primedia Publications

The Cigar Capital of the World
Trip Planner
Getting There
Ybor City is in Tampa. From I-75, take either the Crosstown Expressway or I-4 West. Watch for the Ybor City signs. From I-275, take I-4 East, then take Exit 1. Ybor City is one hour from Disney World and 15 minutes from Busch Gardens.

What to See and Do
Free escorted walking tours of historic Ybor City, sponsored by the Ybor City State Museum, the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce and Ybor Entertainment and Arts Association, are offered year-round; days and hours vary. They take about 1 1/2 hours. If you take the tour in the summer, bring along bottled water—the weather can be hot and humid.



The Ybor City State Museum, 1818 9th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605, (813) 247-6323, is open daily except major holidays. For more information, contact the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, 1800 E. 9th Ave., Tampa, FL 33605, (813) 248-3712. Ybor City Vistior INformation is at 1600 E. 8th Ave., Suite B104, Tampa, FL 33605, (813) 248-3712.

Lodgind and Dining
While there are no hotels or accommodations within Ybor City, there are several hotels within three or four miles: Milner Hotel, 2708 N. 50th St., Tampa, FL 33619, (800) 237-1510; La Quinta Inn-Tampa East, 2904 Melbourne Blvd., Tampa, FL 33605, (800) 531-5900; and AmeriSuites, 10007 Princess Palm Ave., Tampa, FL 33619, (800) 833-1516 or (813) 622-8557.

There are plenty of dining opportunities in Ybor City, with choices ranging from Creole to Italian and everything in between. The famous Columbia Restaurant, 2117 E. 7th Ave., (813) 248-4961, opened in 1905 and is considered one of the oldest Spanish restaurants in the U.S. It features fine cuisine, ornate ambiance and Spanish flamenco dancers. Other choices are the Cafe Creole and Oyster Bar, 1330 E. 9th Ave., (813) 247-6283, and The Spaghetti Warehouse, 1911 N. 13th St., (813) 248-1720. For coffee, try El Molino, 2012 E. 7th Ave., (813) 248-2521, and Joffrey's, 1616 E. 7th Ave., (813) 248-JAVA.

The Cigars
You can find cigars at El Sol Cigars, 1728 E. 7th Ave., (813) 248-5905.

Festivals
Ybor City loves a parade. In February they have Fiesta Day and Illuminated Night Parade. Kicking off this celebration of ethnic roots is a free street festival with food, music, and entertainment representing the neighborhood's cultural diversity, plus exhibits of arts, crafts and ethnic heritage. In the evening, marching bands and more than 100 colorful floats parade through the streets of Ybor City in a whirl of lights, cannon fire and music. The parade follows on the heels of Tampa's Gasparilla Pirate Fest (see "Travelers' Advisory," page 10.)

In March , "Jose O'Reilly's St. Patricks Day Parade" takes to the streets for a Latin twist on the wearing of the green. Then in October, Ybor City applies its Latin heritage to Halloween, only they call it "Guavaween" in honor of Tampa's nickname, "The Big Guava." This huge street party of costumed revelers kicks off with family activities and entertainment beginning about 11:00 a.m., then tops off the day with the "Mama Guava Stumble," an evening parade with a history of such entries as a Cuban sandwich drill team. Next comes live musical entertainment into the night.

There are spring, summer and fall arts and crafts festivals and one-day "Ybor Rockin' Blues" events in Ybor Centennial Park in August, September, October and November.

Information Please
Contact the Ybor City Chamber of Commerce, (813) 248-3712, for additional events, dates, and details.


Sponsored Results