Exploring Tampa

If you are anything like me, your primary knowledge of Florida probably involves a certain cartoon mouse, neon-clad detectives from the eighties, and news headlines featuring "Florida Man" doing something remarkably ill-advised with a lawnmower. However, after spending some time in Tampa, I have come to realize that this city is far more than just a pit stop on the way to the theme parks of Orlando. It is a place where history, humidity, and high-speed roller coasters collide in a surprisingly charming way.

The Cigar Capital and its Roaming Residents
My first stop was Ybor City, which is essentially the soul of Tampa. Back in the day, this was the cigar capital of the world, and you can still smell the rich, earthy scent of tobacco wafting from the shops on 7th Avenue. Walking along the brick-paved streets, I felt like I had stepped back into a different century, right up until a wild chicken crossed my path.

Yes, Ybor is famous for its feral poultry. These chickens are protected by law, and they clearly know it. They strut about with the confidence of someone who has never had to worry about being turned into a Sunday roast. I spent a good twenty minutes watching a rooster engage in a very one-sided argument with a parked Vespa. It was arguably the most entertaining thing I saw all week. For a proper taste of the area, you must visit the Columbia Restaurant. It is the oldest in Florida and serves a "1905 Salad" that is genuinely life-changing, though I suspect the secret ingredient is just an aggressive amount of garlic.

Thrills, Spills, and Large Reptiles
You cannot go to Tampa and ignore Busch Gardens. It is a bit of a surreal experience, really. One minute you are looking at a serene giraffe on the Serengeti Plain, and the next you are being hurled upside down on Iron Gwazi, wondering if that third churro was a tactical error.

If your stomach is not quite up to being tossed around like a salad, the Florida Aquarium is a much calmer alternative. It is located right on the Riverwalk, which is a lovely five-mile stretch of pavement where people pretend to jog while actually just looking for a nice place to have a cocktail. The aquarium is fantastic, particularly the wetlands exhibit where you can stare at alligators from the safety of thick glass. I found myself having a very reflective moment with a sea turtle, though I think he was just wondering if I had any lettuce.

A Bit of R&R at the "Pink Palace"
Now, if you want to feel like a member of the Gilded Age elite, you have to head slightly out of the city centre to the resorts. I spent a glorious afternoon near St. Pete Beach, home to The Don CeSar. Known as the "Pink Palace," this hotel is so relentlessly pink that it makes a flamingo look dull. It is a stunning bit of Mediterranean architecture that has hosted everyone from F. Scott Fitzgerald to Al Capone.

I sat on the beach with a drink in hand, watching the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. The sand here is so white and fine it feels like walking on icing sugar, which is lovely until you realize you will be finding it in your shoes for the next three years.

Final Thoughts
Tampa is a city that does not try too hard to impress you, and that is why it works. It is authentic, slightly eccentric, and incredibly warm (and I don’t just mean the thermometer). Whether you are dodging chickens in Ybor or screaming for your life on a coaster, it is hard not to fall in love with the place. Just remember to pack an umbrella for the daily three o'clock rainstorm, and maybe keep your distance from the roosters.