While we were in Tampa we saw many cool public art/ landmarks. We drove by the Water Tower of West…read moreTampa and I thought it was colorful and neat. I added some pics and wanted to add it for others to see. I got on their website to read more about it. Here is some information from the website. The West Tampa water tank was built in 1954 and renovated by the City of Tampa in 2014. The City of Tampa Water Department decided to fund the repainting and repairs of the 126-foot tall water tower. They commissioned the Artistbrothers to paint the mural, which is a welcome sign into the West Tampa area. The mural resembles an oversized cigar wrapper, a way to give recognition to the area's cigar making history. In the center the words "Welcome to West Tampa" are displayed on one side and "Bienvenidos West Tampa" on the other. This project was put into effect to welcome residents and honor the history and culture of the West Tampa Community. The water tower is visible from I-275, downtown, and other areas west of the Hillsborough River." Cool place to check out

This is a gorgeous large historic cigsr fsctory in West Tampa. Part of the West Tampa Historic…read moreDistrict, it is hard to miss with its red brick and tower on N. Howard. It was built in 1905 and is currently unoccupied. Hopefully someone will move in to maintain and readapt this gorgeous structure.

The Tampa Theatre is hands down one of the best places to watch a movie. Forget the giant chain…read moretheaters. This place has something they just can't replicate. The building is absolutely beautiful and has almost 100 years of history. You can feel it the second you walk inside. Every room has a presence to it. The atmosphere is unlike anything else. It always feels full, even when it isn't. You're never really by yourself...;) The concessions are great, the staff is always friendly, and I love that they haven't tried to modernize away all the character. The little noises, the old floors, the way the building seems to settle around you during the movie just reminds you this place has seen generations of people come and go. I definitely will be back. I have a feeling something there is looking forward to seeing me again.

A Cinematic Masterpiece Before the Movie Even Begins…read more If you are looking for an unforgettable night out, the historic Tampa Theatre is an absolute must-visit. Calling it just a "movie theater" feels like a massive understatement - it is a breathtaking time capsule and a true architectural marvel that elevates the simple act of watching a film into a grand event. From the moment you step through the doors, you are transported into a spectacular, 1920s Mediterranean courtyard. The attention to detail inside the auditorium is stunning, offering an experience that modern multiplexes simply cannot replicate. Here is what makes it so incredibly special: * The Atmospheric Ceiling: You sit under a remarkably realistic night sky, complete with 99 twinkling stars and gently drifting clouds, making you feel like you are outdoors on a perfect evening. * The Architecture: The eclectic, opulent blend of Moorish, Spanish, and Byzantine details - surrounded by gargoyles, statues, and ornate balconies - gives the space a magical, almost surreal charm. * The Mighty Wurlitzer: Arriving early is a requirement! Hearing the historic theatre organ played live before the screenings perfectly captures the golden age of cinema. The programming is just as thoughtfully curated as the decor. Whether you are catching a brilliant independent film, a beloved cult classic, a documentary, or a live event, the venue makes every single screening feel momentous. Grab some popcorn, take in the gorgeous scenery, and enjoy the show. The Tampa Theatre is a meticulously preserved local treasure and truly one of the greatest places to spend an evening!

We purchased tickets online for the Victorian Christmas Stroll. Tickets were $20 per person. The…read morearchitecture of the building is stunning; looks like a castle! Upon entry the receptionist checks you in and encourages you to watch the 15 min video prior to exploring. They also have a scavenger hunt to keep you entertained throughout the stroll. The exhibit was very unique and filled with unique history. The museum is very tiny and leaves you wanting more. As large as it appears from the outside, you would think the museum would be congruent. It took us about 30-45 mins to stroll through it, and that included the 15 minute video. Overall it was a good experience.

This was a really great experience. It's on campus and it was a weekday so we were busy navigating…read morethat but it was very interesting to see so much history still persevered in the little wing of the original hotel. Definitely worth checking out if you love history and appreciate vintage furniture and architecture.

We attended the Candlelight concert ABBA vs Queen. I am reviewing the venue which was beautiful and…read morewell kept. The string quartet was magnificent, and I highly recommend them. I would give the ticketing and people in charge of seating 1 star. This has no bearing on the venue itself, but selling tickets to a performance by section, and first come first serve on seating was mass chaos. There was a lot of frustration between a lot of people who did not show up early to stand in line outside for 30 minutes as we had to, and we sat in our four seats on the third row and multiple older people would come in and ask us to move from our seats because they wanted to sit in them, or ask us if we would move to where they could get a better view when they showed up five minutes before the concert began. It was absolutely ridiculous and very frustrating as we had to go and funnel inside like cattle rushing to seats so we could sit together, and then try to save seats anytime our husbands went to the bar to grab a drink or go to the bathroom. People would come up and ask us if they could sit there. It just is not organized at all, and that would be my very main concern and frustration with this venue. I am not sure if it was the ticketing people or the venue itself, but we will probably not be doing another concert there unless they sell tickets to specific seats. Again, beautiful venue and wonderful talented musicians, but the seating was not organized and incredibly frustrating.

What a treat for Valentine's Day! The candlelight concert was centered around love songs. With over…read morelit 3500 candles, it felt like my own personal serenade. They sang classics like "I will always love you," can't help falling in love," 1000 years, and "shallows." Absolutely amazing! The talent, the atmosphere, the music, the connection, 10 out of 10. Can't wait to go back for the hip hop concert next time.

House built in 1877 by a ship captain. Boat parts were used un the home. Wood stoves for heating…read more Now next to 275 and in danger of being demolished for proposed TBX highway toll road expansion. Article on the house: http://www.tbo.com/central-tampa/historic-farmhouse-of-x2018capt-billx2019-jackson-for-sale-in-seminole-heights-20130822/

Wonderful house in a booming neighborhood. The location near the Interstate and the size of moving…read morethe house is a future concern for those who want to preserve Tampa's heritage.

Took the tour today with 3 other people. 1 had not ever been on a Segway before. Russell was very…read moregood at instructing on how to use the Segway. Never felt rushed and he was great at answering questions. We got to hear some very interesting history and it was very personal. I highly recommend taking a tour with this company. You can take the tour more than once because there are many stories to be heard about the history of this area. Thank you for a wonderful time! Kathy R.

Awesome experience. We went on Tuesday afternoon. Very informative local history. Russell was a…read moregreat guide. Safety is a priority and they make sure you feel comfortable on the Segway before heading out for the tour. Thanks EGT!!

Nothing going on in the park today - no festival or market or party. It's a weekday and that's okay…read morewith me as I was here to visit this massive structure that is visible for a couple of miles. The Sulphur Springs Water Tower is 214 feet (65 meters) tall with a foundation 45 feet deep and has a capacity of 200,000 gallons. It was built in 1927 over the opening to an artesian well. It's an impressive structure that, unless the park somehow is developed into a mixed use condo/retail, should be here for decades thanks to some very heavy duty construction. [Review 325 of 2025 - 1980 in Florida - 23887 overall]

This is a nice place to watch an outdoor concert, but I prefer Julian B Lane Park…read more This year, the Florida Orchestra's Pops in the Park was held at River Tower Park. We arrived early so the kids could enjoy the pre-concert fun, and also so we could get a good spot. There was a ton of (free) parking, which was nicer than the downtown park. However, I noticed a lot of broken glass on the ground, which is not an issue at Julian B Lane. There are not a lot of resources at this park as it's not really used outside of functions. The FLO brought in Port-a-Potties and food trucks. Once the sun set, the place was very dark -- no real built-in lighting, a bit of an issue with uneven ground and no paved walking paths. The setting was buggy, but no worse than anywhere in Tampa. The lit up river tower was very attractive at dusk and after dark. Think of this place as a blank slate, but one where you need to watch where you step.