3 Best Sights in The Tampa Bay Area, Florida

This upscale stretch along Downtown's waterfront is the epicenter of St. Pete's cultural revival and serves as the city's restaurant row. Tons of pricey shops and alfresco eateries line the east side of this blocks-long promenade, giving it a European feel. Highlights include the Museum of Fine Arts, St. Petersburg and the restaurant Bella Brava. Dazzling waterfront parks, which are often packed during the area's many weekend festivals, flank the drive's west side.

Anna Maria Island's "Main Street" features numerous upscale mom-and-pop boutiques, including beach-appropriate clothiers, beach-inspired home decor stores, and antique furniture shops. You can also find shops offering items such as quality jewelry and infused olive oil. The Anna Maria City Pier, which overlooks the southern end of Tampa Bay, sits at the end of the street. If you're here in the morning, check out Anna Maria Donuts, which offers made-to-order custom doughnuts, some with interesting ingredients such as sriracha sauce.

Tampa's Latin quarter is one of only a few National Historic Landmark districts in Florida. Bordered by I–4 to the north, 22nd Street to the east, Adamo Drive to the south, and Nebraska Avenue to the west, it has brick-paved 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. Former cigar factories and social clubs have been transformed into boutiques, art galleries, restaurants, and nightclubs. Daytime walking tours are available.