South Tampa Neighborhoods

Downtown Tampa

Overview 

Downtown Tampa has grown exponentially since the 1960’s and continues to expand. With its wondrous skyscrapers, luxurious office buildings, and magnificent parks, Downtown Tampa is on Tampa natives’ list of one of the most coveted places to live. Newly built apartments and condominiums look over the beautiful Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, the up and coming Tampa Riverwalk area, and the antique buildings of the University of Tampa’s campus. Downtown Tampa has revolutionized itself into an edgy, modern neighborhood that still has that classic Tampa feel. The new Tampa Riverwalk area offers news dining experiences like Ulele, an upscale, native Florida inspired restaurant. There is also the iconic, Taco Bus Located on the corner of Madison St. and Franklin St.

The downtown Tampa Skyline is a developing area with structures ranging from tall office buildings like the Sykes building to expensive condominiums like Skypoint. The exclusive restaurants, fun shops and bars of Tampa are situated in the street below the Skyline. The Downtown area is not really known for its nightlife. Most of Tampa nightlife and fun areas are in Hyde Park and Ybor City. The Tampa convention center and St Pete Times Forum located in downtown Tampa are places to go when in need of classy events and exciting games. Curtis Hixon Park hosts a lot of well-known annual events, and the University of Tampa is located just across its waters. Transportation to Channelside, Ybor City, and downtown is made available and affordable by the TECO Line Streetcar. Another well-known area is Channelside with admired clubs, exciting bars, restaurants, fun shops and theaters. Just south onto the bay waters the Harbor Island and Davis Island serve as borders for downtown Tampa and accommodate massive homes and elusive apartments. Habour Island and Davis Island are also bordered by their own small community with their businesses, restaurants and salons locally owned.

 
 

Shopping and Dining

Downtown Tampa offers a variety of shopping experience, whether you are the kind that dress to impress or you need clothing for strolling outside enjoying the sun. You have the privilege to choose the style of clothing of your choice and also the location in which you want to shop. Tampa offers exquisite shopping options and environments for make you look elegant all the time.

Schools, Health & Transportation

Downtown Tampa Education Taking a walk through the high-rises in downtown Tampa you will see a higher institution with a lot of scholastic opportunities available. For those that are prepared to go further in their careers, continuing professional education programs and other training have been made available to help them fulfill their career goals. Field trips for children in the different downtown Tampa academies are regular and easy to plan because the various venues for the trips either arts, education and cultural knowledge are close to the school environment. The college students are not left out from the benefits of being in the heart of downtown. The students in downtown Tampa universities have easy access to entertainment and amenities the city has to offer that are close to their hall of residence. These amenities are located around most of the stunning downtown Tampa education campuses.
Downtown Tampa public Transportation
There are no more worries about going around downtown Tampa as you have plenty of transportation options to choose from. You can choose ride in an eco-friendly, open-air, electric vehicle for door-to-door shuttle service. You also have the choice to either board the HART's In-town Trolley Line or take a cab. Water taxis have also been made available for easy and convenient transportation across the river. The use of the TECO Line streetcars as downtown Tampa public transport is increasing and they are of huge advantage during major events.
Bus routes
30 local and express HART routes use downtown as their transit hub. Most of the routes serve the Marion Transit Parkway, Google Transit, Route shout, One Bus away, Emergency ride home program, etc.
In-Town Trolley
The HART's In-town Trolley offers fast and convenient means of transportation from major public parking and downtown hotels to shops, restaurants, museums, galleries, theaters, nightlife and major points of interest. There is a connection between Trolley and the TECO Line Streetcar.
TECO Line Streetcar
The TECO line streetcar is a nostalgic air-conditioned means of transport. On its way from Ybor City to downtown it stops at Fort Brooke garage, Garrison Seaport, Florida Aquarium, Amalie Arena Tampa convention center, and the Channelside entertainment complex.
Water taxi service
The Pirate Water Taxi offers hop on and hop off services for passengers around Channel District, Riverwalk, Habour Island and Davis Island. Each of the vessels is capable of carrying about 40-50 passengers and works every day of the week stopping at over 14 different locations. When you board a water taxi, you will be opportune to have a gorgeous view of the downtown Skyline. The Tampa Water Taxi provides transportation for most hostels, performing arts center, Habour Island, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, Convention center, Tampa Heights with more destinations still to be established.