If you are planning to visit Tampa, Florida and want to experience the most vibrant and historic neighborhoods, then you must try Historic Ybor City. It is Florida’s lovely destination which offers its rich cobblestone streets, cultural heritage and vibrant nightlife. It was founded in 1886 by Vicente Martinez Ybor, who, after some time, became “the cigar capital of the world” in 1900. You can make your tour more memorable by taking a limousine tour through Ybor City, which maybe becomes the best part of your tour. Ybor City has so many things to explore, such as top attractions, shops, restaurants, nightlife, historic landmarks, modern entertainment and many other things to explore. Whether you are a local or a tourist visitor, this city will never spoil your mood and always gives you a new experience.
With so much to explore, first-time visitors can easily feel overwhelmed by everything Ybor City has to offer, which is exactly why we put together this complete guide. So, let’s discuss, step-by-step, Historic Ybor City. Visiting Ybor City with a group? BUSXOXO offers charter bus rentals in Florida, perfect for school trips, corporate outings, and group tours through Tampa.
What is Historic Ybor City, Tampa?
Historic Ybor City in Tampa is a vibrant and lovely nationally recognized historic district which is also known as the Cigar Capital of the World. It is well-known for its various things like historic cigar factories, Italian immigrant heritage, rich, unique culture and many more. This place also allows you to explore 7th Avenue’s diverse restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment that all connected by free trolleys from downtown. At its peak in the early 20th century, Ybor City produced over 500 million hand-rolled cigars per year. Today, a small number of historic shops still practice the craft, keeping the tradition alive for visitors.
Top Things To Do In History Ybor City
As we explained above, there are various exciting things to do that can save you from your daily boring life. Some of the major things like exploring Ybor City Museum State Park, 7th Avenue, cigar shops, etc, but we discuss only the best things, so let’s discuss them.
Explore the Ybor City Museum State Park
If you are a person who is always looking to learn new things about our culture and history. Then, Ybor City Museum State Park is excellent for you which offers a deep dive into Tampa’s unique cigar industry history. Here you’ll see a collection of photographs, artifacts and Ybor City’s early cigar industry. This museum will definitely take you to old Ybor City’s glory days in the late 1800s and offer the neighborhood’s multiethnic origins.
Walking on 7th Avenue
It is another great thing to do in Historic Ybor City, which offers a vibrant experience through its historic walkable district. This is a complete package with unique restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural landmarks that always give you new experiences. It is the gem of Tampa which is the best place to walk, and is also known as La Septima. While walking around this street, you may enjoy different restaurants and antique shops.
Visit iconic Cigar Shops
During your trip, you’ll explore its iconic cigar shops which make Historic Ybor City the Cigar Capital of the World. It is a stunning experience to explore some historic cigar factories like Sanchez y Haya, Perfecto Garcia Brothers and Corral, Wodiska & Co. We suggest you never miss this opportunity to watch cigars being rolled and relax in lounges while directly connecting with the craft.
Nearby Attraction of Historic Ybor City
After Ybor City’s exploration, you can try its various Nearby attractions which are also memorable spots for visitors. Here, you have various nearby attractions available which give you a spicy flavor to your trip. Then, let’s look at these attractions.
Tampa Riverwalk
It is our first and best nearby attraction which is a 2.6-mile waterfront pedestrian path, located in downtown Tampa, Florida. Tampa Riverwalk is the easiest way to reach its connecting parks, museums, restaurants, and attractions like Armature Works and Sparkman Wharf. It also hosts different types of events such as large festivals like Riverfest, cultural celebrations (Gasparilla), holiday events and many more.
Tampa Bay History Center
It is Historic Ybor City’s next famous nearby attraction which is a history museum in Tampa, Florida. It allows you to see their different exhibit like Touchton Map Library, Cuban Pathways, Treasure Seekers and Chinsegut Hill Historic Site. The museum opened in 1989 and became a significant part of the Tampa Riverwalk, where visitors can explore a map library, art galleries, and more.
Tampa Theatre
It is another top nearby attraction in Historic Ybor City that was opened in 1926 in Tampa, Florida. This theatre is a historic theatre of the U.S that was designed by renowned architect John Eberson. The Tampa Theatre is famous for its ornate atmospheric design and diverse programming, including classic films, concerts, special events, and educational tours. Some people don’t know that it is Tampa’s only non-profit movie palace, which annually hosts over 700 events. Including theatre tours, concerts, educational programs, special events, and classic & first-run films.
Where to Stay in Historic Ybor City?
Historic Ybor City is a lovely place where you have various staying options. If you visit this city, it means you must be looking for a perfect stay option. So, considering your problem, we want to give you the top two staying hotels in Historic Ybor City.
Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Ybor Historic District
It is your first well-known hotel which is always the 1st choice of visitors who want comfortable, convenient, and easy access to dining. It is located in the heart of historic Ybor City. This hotel offers its various amenities like modern gym, free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool, proximity to downtown Tampa, entertainment venues, an on-site restaurant and many more.
Tampa Marriott Water Street
For visitors who want to stay close to both Ybor City, the Tampa Marriott Water Street on the Riverwalk (about 1.5 miles from Ybor) offers a premium alternative. This hotel offers you multiple facilities like stylish rooms, multiple dining options like Anchor & Brine and Lona, a rooftop pool, and many more. It is situated on the Tampa Riverwalk and it is your perfect stay option for relaxing or recharging.
Travel Tips for Historic Ybor City Visitors
If you are a first time visitor to this city, then you definitely need to follow our safety tips. It will make your trip much more comfortable and joyful. Our tips are helpful, whether you visit for history, food, nightlife, or culture.
- Best time to go: The cool, dry season (Oct-April) is one of the best seasons for starting your Historic Ybor City tour. This time, you’ll enjoy its ideal and cooler temperature with a lot of festivals and events.
- Safe Parking: Whenever you arrive in this city, remember to park your vehicle in public garages like Centro Ybor Garage because street parking remains limited.
- Try the Local Food: If you avoid Ybor City’s local foods, it means you miss out on something important on this trip. Some of the famous local foods like deviled crab, Tampa-style Cuban sandwich, Spanish Bean Soup and many more.
- Visit a Cigar Shop: Historic cigar shops are the gem of Ybor City that you can’t avoid during your trip. It is a great experience to watch a cigar being hand-rolled.
- Check the Event Calendar: Remember to check the event calendar before visiting this city. It helps you to attend every event, whether it is a music event, concerts, educational programs, and other things.
Conclusion
In the end, we just want to tell you that Historic Ybor City is your complete package of exciting things. It is open for everyone, where you’ll enjoy its nearby attractions, Ybor City Museum, 7th Avenue and many more. So, whether you are a solo or a group traveller, Ybor City is your finest choice in Tampa, Florida. Also, remember that if you are visiting Ybor City with your whole family or in a group. Then make sure you prefer the best charter bus rental, which offers safe & reliable travelling experience.