Downtown Stories
Here are stories from those who have shared their downtown experiences. "Tell Us Your Story" after you see what others had to say.
New Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
| Visited the new Curtis Hixon Park on a somewhat rainy Sunday afternooon two weeks ago and was surprised to run into 3 people from out of area who came to see the park....Temple Terrace, Plant City and Pinellas Park. Note that it was an overcast day and these people drove into downtwon from more than 10 miles away! Realy surprised me. The main attraction seemed to be the dog park even though one of the visitors didn't have a dog but brought their toddler to see it. - Downtown property owner, submitted April 05, 2010 |
| My kids and I live in Seminole Heights and our new favorite park is Curtis Hixon Park! They love it! We have gone at least 3 times a week since it opened and I think my friends are tired of hearing me rave about it. We are taking our family pictures there this Sunday at 9AM! It is a beautiful park and we are so excited about all the renovations being done to downtown! Thank you! - Tampa, FL resident, submitted February 16, 2010 |
| I really like the new Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. I've taken my four-year old daughter there twice in the past two weeks, and she had a great time. One pleasant surprise, and my daughter's favorite element of the playground there, was the patch of artificial grass in the middle. She did a lot of somersaults and spun around until she got dizzy. The new art museum is excellent too, and I think the staff, volunteers, and donors/friends did a wonderful job of pulling off the opening. - Tampa, FL resident, submitted February 08, 2010 |
| My daughter and I and some other friends just visted Curtis Hixon Park on the river and went to the downtown market! We bought fresh vegetables, breads and salsas. Downtown was alive and busy and we feel so lucky to live so close! - Tampa, FL resident, submitted February 05, 2010 |
| Totally impressed! I didn't realize the old art museum blocked so much of the view of the historic UTampa minarets. The park is ideal for special events and the city/Partnership working with TBPAC should raise an endowment to fund more events there - outdoor theater, a concert series and MORE FIREWORKS! I think lighting and outdoor light sculptures could have a great impact, as well. - St. Petersburg, FL resident, submitted February 01, 2010 |
| What an awesome site to walk into the park and view the beautiful University of Tampa and look back on a City that has grown leaps and bounds over the last 20 years. At the Straz Performing Arts Center we are seeing many more people taking advantage of the extension of the Riverwalk with the new park open it is a clear access for walkers to continue on over Cass Street and follow the trail on to the Riverwalk in front of the Center. Just last week I was standing in front of the Grand Canopy waiting on a client to arrive and saw 4 separate groups of people walking across the walkway and over to the Straz Center. One of the Older couples stopped to ask me what was going on at the Center and ended up going to the Box Office to purchase tickets to the Florida Orchestra. They were tourist from Ohio and were staying at the Sheraton. It is a wonderful addition to the City. - Straz Performing Arts Center employee, submitted February 01, 2010 |
| I have worked downtown for over 15 years and have lived downtown at One Laurel Place for over 12 years and have seen a lot of changes. I have been watching the work in the park from near the top of the SunTrust building for a long time. Nothing prepared me for the emotional experience I had when I entered the park for the dedication. I know there is work to be done, but it's spectacular. Being able to walk over to the the Gasparilla Fest was a joy. Although the crowd was small, I felt such pride seeing people playing or just hanging out, even if the weather was a little off. I've already joined the Tampa Museum of Art and am looking forward to the Children's Museum later this year. - Downtown resident, submitted February 01, 2010 |
Living Downtown
| My husband and I were planning on selling our home in Pinellas County because we we tired of taking care of a large house. We looked for over 2 years only in Pinellas because that's where our friends and work was but every place that we had in our minds that would "be perfect" for us just wasn't. Last year we decided to take the day off from house hunting and go to Freedom Fest downtown Tampa. As we drove onto Ashley Drive the skies opened up and and quite a large storm began. Right in front of us was Skypoint with a sign hanging outside, A few condos remaining. We went inside and fell in love with the view of Tampa. My husband was never a city person so when he said sell the house I was shocked. We even found out it was a dog friendly building which was great because we have 2 dogs. We both love living downtown. We visit the museums, Straz and Tampa theater, restaurants, walk to the Post Office and Channelside. Curtis Hixon Park is the best!! We found the most wonderful location to call home and our friends in Pinellas love to visit... - SkyPoint resident, submitted August 11, 2010 |
| I live in Art Center Lofts for almost 6 years. I love living here and since the new Curtis Hixon park has opened---I love it more. In the evenings, my boyfriend and I walk our two dogs through the park, taking in the beautiful sights of University of Tampa, the calming River , the city life. It is the perfect combination of city and park. Sometimes we end up on Franklin Street where we will have dinner outside (very dog friendly). Sometimes, I don't want to tell people, because it is a hidden gem-no one knows about. But, in the end, tell people because of the joy it gives me. - Art Center Lofts resident, submitted May 31, 2010 |
| I am a fairly new resident in the Channel District. I sold the family home in Hyde Park and decided to make downtown my neighborhood. I have thoroughly enjoyed the parks and the Mayors effort to bring the people to the water’s edge! I encourage all to adventure to the river walk. I am a happy downtown resident. - Channel District resident, submitted April 05, 2010 |
| I live at Grand Central in Channelside. I have always wanted to live in a Downtown setting and it couldn't be better. I have a Gym and a pub in my building, we are soon to have a grocery store. You can walk or take an easy-to-find cab ride to Channelside, Ybor or Downtown. The views are spectacular and the amenities of the area are only going to improve. - Grand Central at Kennedy resident, submitted February 17, 2010 |
| My favorite part of living downtown is Friday and Saturday nights :) Of course downtown is bustling during the week, but I live on Harbour Island, and walking around the island, Channelside, and places like Taps and Raw Bar, are my favorite part of the week. I can walk my dog around the channel, grab dinner outside and homemade Sangria at the new Columbia cafe, then grab a coffee at the Jackson's outside coffee shop. I will never live anywhere else in Tampa!! Thanks for providing a site with great information on what to do in downtown!! - Harbour Island resident, submitted February 04, 2010 |
| Saturdays are my absolute favorite because every Saturday morning my fiancé and I walk to First Watch to fill our tummys with the most delicious breakfast. After eating (more than we should) we always take a nice stroll through downtown and just enjoy all the sights and sounds. Downtown is so different on the weekends; it's a little more laid back than the hustle and bustle you'll see throughout the work week. I truly enjoy the downtown Tampa culture and am so proud to be a downtown resident! - Seaport at Channelside resident, submitted January 25, 2010 |
| I love living downtown! We moved to downtown in 2006. The restaurants are great! We love to go to Thai Corner next to the Tampa Theater, that is our favorite place to eat. Anytime people want to get together everyone always suggests coming downtown and going to The Fly or Pizzaiola. I love that we can walk to the best places in Tampa. We can't wait for the Tampa Museum of Art to open. All around Tampa's downtown has so much to offer! -The Arlington resident, submitted December 18, 2009 |
Working Downtown
| I traveled with my husband from Chicago to Tampa when he was interviewing for a job in 2005. The morning of his interview, I walked around downtown to get a feel for the city. Much to my delight, people were quite friendly, and the TDP street ambassador stopped and asked me if I needed any help or directions. It really made me feel at home. I am happy to say that 4.5 years later, I still have that same delightful experience each time I come downtown! - Downtown worker, submitted February 08, 2010 |
Playing Downtown
| I have lived in Tampa all my life. With the kids out of school we were looking for something to do. I have to say that I was nervous when one of my kids told me that she wanted to go downtown. I have to say that we had the time of our lives! Ice skating in Tampa? Unbelievable!!! We also visited the Glazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art. It's nice to be able to stay home and go to a real city. I love the new downtown Tampa! - Tampa resident, submitted January 04, 2011 |
Dining Downtown
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Visiting Downtown
| We traveled to Tampa for the Outback Bowl. I had never been to Tampa and it really is a great city. We we came here to cheer on our Penn State Nitty Lions and we found ourselves loving downtown Tampa. Your new museums are excellent. We really enjoyed the Tampa Bay History Center and the HB Plant Museum. We look forward to returning to Tampa soon and finding out more about what this city has to offer. Thanks for the memories! - Downtown visitor, submitted January 05, 2011 |
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