Tampa is having a moment, a Renaissance of sorts. This coastal Florida city is booming with new real estate, new residents, and new businesses, like our latest Saatva Viewing Room in the—you guessed it—new Water Street Complex in the downtown area.
Although there are plenty of fresh and flashy things to see and experience in Tampa, it has a fascinating history of immigration and industry dating back to the 1850s.
Today, it’s ranked one of America’s “most fun” cities and one of its best. Residents will tell you there’s no shortage of fun or sun in the Cigar City. Here are some of our favorite things to do in and around downtown Tampa, Fla.
Where to shop
Saatva Viewing Room
Stop into our new Saatva Viewing Room inside the Water Street Complex for a shopping experience as relaxed and comfortable as our mattresses. Our stress-free space combines state-of-the-art technology and a calming aesthetic to help you select the perfect mattress for your perfect night’s sleep. Sleep smarter with one of our handcrafted luxury mattresses manufactured in the US and delivered right to your door.
Saatva Tampa: 908 East Cumberland Ave
Joyful Notion
Founded by a young Tampa local, this fun and flirty boutique sells everything from cute swimwear to creative jewelry to cheeky candles. There’s also a fresh flower bar, where shoppers can pick a blooming bouquet and even book a private flower-making workshop.
Joyful Notion: 615 Channelside Dr, Suite 119
Tidewater Home & Gift
Southern hospitality shines in this magazine-ready home goods store. Inspired by the coastal South, shoppers can buy seagrass-woven baskets, antique brass boxes, rattan picture frames, and anything else under the Florida sun to create the home of their dreams.
Tidewater Home & Gift: 1040 Water St
Museum Store
Located on the first floor of the Tampa Museum of Art, this store is a treasure trove of local artisan products. Come in for handmade jewelry, top-notch coffee table books, and quirky souvenirs to stuff in your suitcase. There’s also plenty of artist-inspired home decor that pairs perfectly with a new mattress.
Museum Store: 120 W Gasparilla Plaza
Hampton Chocolate Factory
Born and baked in Tampa, the goodies from this chocolate factory are obsession-worthy. Anyone with a sweet tooth will love the homemade marshmallows, handcrafted toffee, and chocolate-covered nuts. If you’re really hungry, try their “Giant Cone,” made of five pounds of chocolate and vanilla soft serve.
Hampton Chocolate Factory: 615 Channelside Dr, Suite 118
Where to eat and drink
Boulon Brasserie
Is there anything better than the smell of freshly baked pastries? This all-day French American bistro starts the day with warm croissants and finishes it with a Champagne cocktail. Come for classic French fare like coq au vin or a classic American burger. Be sure to save room for the bread pudding.
Boulon Brasserie: 1001 Water St
Jotoro
Mexican food made by a Michelin-star chef. Joe Isidori wanted to bring the party vibes of Miami to Tampa with his “neighborhood taco joint.” Buffalo fried chicken tacos, Korean BBQ beef burritos, and blackened shrimp enchiladas are on offer. Don’t miss out on the drinks menu stacked with tequila and colorful margaritas.
Jotoro: 615 Channelside Dr, Suite 114
Battery
You don’t have to love bourbon to book a table at this bourbon bar and restaurant. Upscale and stylish, its outdoor seating makes for the perfect night out in downtown Tampa. Delicious charcuterie boards, raw bar seafood, steaks, and pasta are on the menu. And, of course, there’s a lot of bourbon to wet your whistle.
Battery: 615 Channelside Dr, Suite 116
The Pearl
Included in the Michelin guide, The Pearl is a go-to for fresh oysters and seafood. They specialize in seasonal oysters on the half shell, but menu favorites are much more varied. Start with the jalapeño cornbread and the Thai curry mussels before digging into steaming shrimp and grits. Leave room for their freshly baked pies, made daily.
The Pearl: 823 Water St, Suite C100
DeVito’s Italian Specialties
Comfort food at its finest, this family-owned restaurant delivers classic Italian dishes in a glamorous dining room. Its massive menu has a variety of pizzas and sandwiches, but we recommend the pasta. The bucatini with truffle, pancetta, and pecorino is a winner as is the linguine and clams.
DeVito’s Italian Specialties: 200 N Tampa St
Where else to spend time
Tampa Museum of Art
Operating for over 100 years, this beloved art museum just unveiled a major renovation and expansion. Peruse the extensive Greek and Roman antiquities section as well as contemporary art, photography, and sculptures. Catch an art lecture or an art class available year-round.
Tampa Museum of Art: 120 W Gasparilla Plaza
The Florida Aquarium
This Tampa aquarium is dedicated to conservation and caring for endangered animals while also educating the public on how to protect them. Bring the whole family to see sharks, stingrays, turtles, and other marine life. Don’t miss the anemone touch tank!
The Florida Aquarium: 701 Channelside Dr
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Saatva Classic Innerspring Mattress
Our flagship luxury mattress is expertly engineered with coil-on-coil construction for durability, a layer of memory foam for enhanced back support, and a cushiony Euro pillow top for extra comfort.
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Contour5 Mattress
Luxurious body-hugging feel and pressure relief with 3” of ultra-premium, high-density 5-lb memory foam.
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Zenhaven Latex Mattress
Natural latex responds to every curve for pressure-free support and responsive comfort. Natural latex is supple, resilient, and durable, for the ultimate in elevated sleep. (It’s naturally hypoallergenic too.)
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Latex Hybrid Mattress
This hybrid mattress combines the pressure-free support of natural latex with the classic innerspring feel. Handcrafted with pure materials for the ultimate in cool and healthy sleep.
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress
This memory foam hybrid mattress features the perfect balance of body-contouring and responsive feel. Enjoy the innovative cooling system, which prevents overheating.
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Solaire Adjustable Firmness Mattress
Featuring precise 50 firmness settings on each side of the bed for personal customization. Natural latex and gel-infused memory foam layers provide luxurious comfort and support.
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Saatva HD Mattress
This luxury hybrid innerspring mattress is specifically engineered to support people weighing between 300 and 500 pounds. Plush upper layers made of foam and latex deliver comfort, while a high-durability coil base offers support.
Shop luxury mattresses at our Tampa Viewing Room
Saatva Rx Mattress
Specially designed to give maximum support and pressure relief that can help alleviate discomfort associated with serious and chronic back and joint conditions like sciatica, arthritis, herniated disc, and scoliosis.
FAQs
Is Water Street, Tampa, nice?
We’d argue it’s the nicest part of Tampa! Trendy, modern, and buzzing with things to do, Water Street is the place to be.
Is Tampa Riverwalk worth visiting?
The Tampa Riverwalk is one of the city’s main attractions. Walk, jog, or bike along this 2.5-mile waterside path on one of Tampa’s many sunny days.
Check out our additional travel guides for advice on how to spend the day near our other Viewing Rooms:
- Washington, DC’s Logan Circle
- San Francisco’s Union Square
- West Hollywood, Los Angeles
- New York City’s Upper East Side
- New York City’s Flatiron
- Boston’s Back Bay
- Chicago’s Lincoln Park
- Dallas’s Uptown
- Charlotte’s South Park
- Portland’s Pearl District
- Philadelphia’s Rittenhouse Square
- Seattle’s University Village
- San Diego’s La Jolla
- Florida’s Winter Park
- Baltimore’s Harbor East
- Houston’s Uptown
- Connecticut’s Westport
- New Jersey’s Paramus
