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Ybor City Review

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Ybor City

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Category: Neighborhoods/Streets
Location: Tampa

Write a review | Avg. member rating: 4.8/5

Fodor's Review:

Lively Ybor City, Tampa's Latin quarter, is one of only four National Historic Landmark districts in Florida. It has antique-brick streets and wrought-iron balconies. Cubans brought their cigar-making industry to Ybor (pronounced ee-bore) City in 1886, and the smell of cigars—hand-rolled by Cuban immigrants—still wafts through the heart of this east Tampa area, along with the strong aroma of roasting coffee. These days the neighborhood is one of Tampa's hot spots, if at times a rowdy one, as empty cigar factories and historic social clubs have been transformed into trendy boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs.

Step back into the past at Centennial Park (8th Ave. and 18th St., 33605), which re-creates a period streetscape and hosts the Fresh Market every Saturday. The Ybor City Museum State Park provides a look at the history of the cigar industry. Admission includes a tour of La Casita, one of the shotgun houses occupied by cigar workers and their families in the late 1890s. 1818 E. 9th Ave., between Nuccio Pkwy. and 22nd St., from 7th to 9th Ave., Tampa, 33605. 813/247-6323. www.ybormuseum.org. $3. Daily 9-5; walking tours Sat. 10:30, $6.

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Member Reviews and Ratings

Reviewed by bachslunch from US on 11/12/08
Pleasing historic area. Interesting architecture reminiscent of New Orleans. Good little history museum with adjoining historic house well worth a look. Plenty of shops, bars, and restaurants, most notably the Columbia Restaurant. Take the trolley or drive to get here, and avoid straying off the main drag area -- especially at night -- as the area surrounding it is unsafe.