Here Is A Look At Some Of The Most Unconventional Things To Do In Tampa Bay
Art, Architecture, and Oddities
Tampa's commitment to the strange and wonderful is evident in its unique public art and preserved historical structures.
- Phoebe the Flamingo: Officially titled "HOME," this larger-than-life art installation at Tampa International Airport serves as a vibrant, immediate welcome to travelers. This massive flamingo statue is a testament to the city’s playful side, greeting visitors with its arresting pink presence.
- Tampa Theatre: Step into a Floridian Greco-Spanish-Persian dreamscape at this landmark. It remains one of the last great 1920s movie palaces, featuring incredibly ornate architecture that transports visitors back to the golden age of cinema.
- Hindu Temple of Florida: In contrast to the city's low-slung suburban homes, a gleaming white tower in ornate Indian style soars above North Tampa, serving as a striking example of cultural architecture in an unexpected setting.
- Ulele Fairyland Figures: These charming, sometimes strange figures once populated a defunct local theme park. They have found a new lease on life displayed outside a water plant that has been transformed into a popular restaurant, serving up a dose of salvaged nostalgia.
History and Culture on the Fringe
Delve into Tampa's unique historical footnotes, from Cuban territory to pirate mayhem.
- Gasparilla Pirate Festival: Tampa's version of Mardi Gras, only everyone is a pirate. This massive annual event celebrates the legend of pirate José Gaspar and involves a mock invasion of the city, complete with krewes, parades, and elaborate pirate-themed revelry.
- Parque Amigos de Jose Marti: Discover a tiny, unassuming park in Tampa that holds a remarkable distinction: it belongs to the Republic of Cuba. This small piece of land highlights the deep historical and political ties between Tampa and Cuba, rooted in the city's past as a center for the cigar industry and Cuban independence movements.
- Princess Ulele Statues: Pay homage to Tampa's most famous native royal, Princess Ulele, whose story has been immortalized in a duo of arresting bronze statues. This public art project recognizes the area's original Indigenous history and lore.
- Goya Paintings at Hotel Haya: In a strange piece of art history, this hotel features rescued, hand-painted reproductions of iconic works by the Spanish master Francisco Goya.
For the explorer who prioritizes the cool, the hidden, and the truly unusual, Tampa Bay offers an array of attractions that define the city's bold and unconventional character.