The 20 best summer bucket list things to do in Tampa Bay

From scalloping, to late night old-school ice cream shops, Tampa Bay is full of unique adventures to keep ya cool this summer.…

By Gracey Davis

Get a scenic workout kayaking through a mangrove tunnel at Shell Key
1 Collany Rd., Tierra Verde, 727-265-2268
    Located near St. Pete, Get Up and Go’s clear kayak tours offer views of local wildlife and while floating around in a crystal-clear boat. In the summer, kayakers can look out for manatees, pink Roseate spoonbills and dolphins. Shell Key Preserve also offers a glow tour, a nighttime kayak tour featuring color-changing LED’s lighting up the water beneath your clear kayak. 
    Photo via Get Up And Go/website
20 slides

Review: Tampa Fringe kicks off with an exciting night of live theater in Ybor City

The historic Ybor City Kress Building looks different every time I see it. On Fringe Preview night, May 10, the 2nd-floor common…

By Jennifer Ring

Review: Tampa Fringe kicks off with an exciting night of live theater in Ybor City
36 slides

The Tampa Bay tours every new resident should do to truly call themselves a local

It may sound lame, but arguably the best way to learn the ins and outs a new town is to just bite…

By Sofía García Vargas, Tyana Rodgers

Pirate Water Taxi
    813-223-7999
     Reach countless attractions in downtown Tampa by riding the Pirate Water Taxi. With daily tours and 14 stops, you’ll be able to get to museums, restaurants, parks and more. Your ticket and wristband will allow you to hop on and off the taxi at any stop for unlimited rides, as well as give you discounts at a number of venues located along the route.
    
    Photo via Pirate Water Taxi/Facebook
37 slides

Photos: A look at progress on Tampa’s Elev8 Fun indoor amusement park opening in Citrus Park this summer

Tampa is about to get an indoor amusement park when Elev8 Fun opens in May. The entertainment center concept is currently under…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Elev8 Fun has 18 holes of glow-in-the-dark mini-golf with a Caribbean pirate theme in a clear nod to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
34 slides

Photos: Everyone we saw at the 2023 Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City

So far, there've been reports of ye olde bare ass and dong popping up at the 2023 Bay Area Renaissance Festival, but…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Everyone we saw at the Bay Area Renaissance Festival in Dade City
117 slides

Photos: Tampa City Ballet brings Ybor City into its new home at Kress Collective

Tampa City Ballet has moved into Ybor City's new Kress Collective, and to mark the occasion last weekend, the company took to…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Tampa City Ballet brings Ybor City into its new home at Kress Collective
39 slides

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Filmmakers behind new ‘Path of the Panther’ documentary host two Q&As at Tampa Theatre this weekend

A new film from National Geographic opens with the death of a Florida panther on one stretch of the state's thousands of…

By Ray Roa

A Path of the Panther camera trap captured this photo at Babcock Ranch State Preserve, showing "Babs," a female panther, now a mother, standing next to one of her kittens. For photographer Carlton Ward Jr., this moment represents the last best hope for a new generation of panthers to be born north of the Caloosahatchee River and to one day reclaim their historic range.
27 slides

Photos: Friends, family remember arts advocate Art Keeble at Tampa Theatre

Art Keeble had very specific instructions for the days and weeks after his death. One of them was to tell anyone wanting…

By Ray Roa

A crowded reception during the Art Keeble celebration of life at Tampa Theatre in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 18, 2023.
61 slides

20 quintessential Tampa Bay 'tourist traps' every new resident should visit at least once

So you made the move to Tampa Bay? Well, now it's time to get stuck in traffic and knock off a few…

By Tyana Rodgers

 John’s Pass Village & Boardwalk 
 John’s Pass Village, and its expansive boardwalk, is one of the top tourist attractions in Pinellas County, and a great spot to wander around searching for sea-themed knick knacks and cuisine. You can also do a deep sea fish charter at Hubbards, or head out for a dolphin watch tour, or rent a pair of jet skis for the afternoon. 
Photo via  John's Pass Village & Boardwalk
20 slides

12 things I loved and 12 things I hated about Tom Brady’s time in a Bucs uniform

It’s Valentine’s Day. You’re lounging around, wondering how it all went wrong, wondering how you got here. One moment, you were watching…

By Carter Brantley

12 things I loved and 12 things I hated about Tom Brady’s time in a Bucs uniform
26 slides

Photos: Tampa’s ‘Big John’ triceratops skeleton is unveiled at Glazer Children’s Museum

Nine years after it set a Guinness world record for largest triceratops skeleton—and 66 million years since it actually roamed the earth—Big…

By Ray Roa

On Feb. 1, downtown Tampa's Glazer Children’s Museum unboxed the fossil’s 700-pound skull, complete with the trademark triceratops horns.
76 slides

Photos: Everyone we saw when Tempus Projects re-opened in Ybor City

After stints in separate corners of Seminole Heights, long-running Tampa art gallery Tempus Projects has a new home as one of the…

By Ray Roa

Photos: Everyone we saw when Tempus Projects re-opened in Ybor City
72 slides

Review: First-rate acting, set design and lighting shine in American Stage's sterling 'Crimes Of the Heart'

In a year where many of our politicians feel it’s their patriarchal duty to abridge women’s rights, it’s encouraging to see plays…

By Jon Palmer Claridge

Shelby Ronea, AJ Baldwin and RIta Coleman in American Stage's 2023 production of "Crimes of the Heart".
16 slides

Step inside Screen Door Microcinema, a new hidden gem of Ybor City

Off 7th avenue in the heart of Ybor, three friends have formed Tampa’s first official microcinema with a simple yet potent vision:…

By Jessi Sherbet

Ybor City's Screen Door Microcinema is a 800-square-foot theater that holds 38 seats, has theater quality sound and screen, Super 8-mm, 35-mm, and 16-mm projectors, and a vast collection of films.
23 slides

All the little elves, and Tampa Bay Lightning players, we saw at the 2022 onBikes Winter Wonder Ride

For more than a decade now, Winter Wonder Ride has been the vessel for nonprofit onBikes to raise money so it can…

By Ray Roa

All the little elves, and Tampa Bay Lightning players, we saw at the 2022 onBikes Winter Wonder Ride
61 slides

20 bucket list holiday activities in Tampa Bay everyone should do this season

It may not snow in Tampa Bay, but that doesn't mean we don't have plenty of yuletide cheer. Here are a few…

By CL Staff

North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum

12210 83rd St. E, Parrish
Dec. 1-4, 7-11, 14-21
 What is Christmas without trains? Hop aboard the North Pole Express to enjoy a ride from Parrish to the North Pole. Once you get there, you’ll be greeted by Santa, and have the opportunity to enjoy campfires, activities and entertainment, as well as hot chocolate and cookies which are included with your train ticket. Ticket prices vary depending on date and departure time, but you can get them from $32 and up.
Photo via North Pole Express at Florida Railroad Museum/Facebook
19 slides

27 of the best Florida books to cozy up with this winter

“Cozy” is a complicated concept in central Florida, especially when it comes to the winter. We just don’t have the same touchstones…

By Caroline DeBruhl, Ray Roa

The Dec. 1, 2022 cover of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.
29 slides

The best Tampa Bay spots for Christmas trees, sledding, skating, meeting Santa and other holiday experiences

The holiday season is upon us, and its the perfect opportunity to get together with family and enjoy some (fake) snow, holiday…

By Min Craig

Enchant Christmas

Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
Nov. 25-Jan. 1
Featuring a 100-foot-tall lighted Christmas tree, Enchant Christms presents a holiday event you can get lost in. Tropicana Field is transformed into a decorated story-themed maze where you can enjoy the lights while embarking on a mission to help Santa save Christmas by keeping an eye out for pieces of his broken Magic Timepiece along the way. Find all of the pieces for a chance to win a prize at the end of your visit. The event will also feature ice skating, snacks, activities for kids and cocktails for adults. Tickets range from $20-$30.
Photo via Enchant Christmas/Facebook
27 slides

Photos: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay celebrates 10 years of Christmas Town

A decade ago, Busch Gardens launched Christmas Town, covering the Tampa theme park with millions of lights, holiday themed shows and displays,…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Photos: Busch Gardens celebrates 10 years of Christmas Town
29 slides

Photos: Enchant Christmas kicks off at St. Pete's Tropicana Field

With a proclamation from the City of St. Petersburg and the flip of a switch to light up a towering tree inside…

By Chelsea Zukowski

Enchant covers St. Pete's infamous indoor baseball stadium during the offseason with millions of Christmas lights.
27 slides

Everything up for bid during Creative Loafing Tampa Bay's annual Holiday Auction (11/21-11/28)

For more than a decade, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay has raised more than $250,000 for local Tampa Bay area charities through our…

By CL Staff

Ultimate Wedding Package (Venue, Planner, Caterer, Cake, Makeup, Photo, & more)
BID NOW

Nova 535 Venue Rental $3,000 Gift Certificate • Can be redeemed for a Sunday event in 2023 (subject to current availability) • Event must be at least 4 hours • Invoice total must meet or exceed the value of the gift certificate to redeem
nova535.com
Value: $3,000

Red Rose Events Full Wedding Planning Package • Personalized wedding day timeline • Contract review & negotiations • Confirmation & assistance finalizing vendor services • Décor guidance & set up assistance • Wedding rehearsal coordination • Day of coordination • Budget direction
lakelandeventplanner.com
Value: $3,500

Elite Events Catering Cheese & Charcuterie Station • For up to 100 guests (to add to your wedding catering package)
eliteeventscatering.com
Value: $1,000

Sea Rose Creative Engagement / Couple Session • Planning the session (location, wardrobe recommendations, creative direction) • 1 hour session time • 50+ edited, digital, high-res photos delivered via an online gallery with unlimited downloads and a full print release 2-3 week turnaround time (location must be within 20 miles of Tampa; typically week day availability due to weddings on weekends)
searosecreative.com
Value: $650

The Hollis Room Event Space Rental • 3-hour event space rental in South Tampa perfect for a bridal shower, wedding shower, or any pre-wedding celebration (includes 6 tables & 24 chairs)
instagram.com/thehollisroom
Value: $600

Renee DiNella Artistry Makeup Application • One makeup application to be used for a photoshoot or special event
reneedinella.com
Value: $150

Allie Cakes Custom 6-inch Cake • Complementary custom 6 inch round cake with your choice of cake design and flavor (feeds about 10 people)
instagram.com/_alliecakes
Value:  $40

Total Package Value: $8,940
Subject to vendor availability.
10 slides

The best ways to see Christmas lights in Tampa Bay this holiday season

The holidays are upon us, which means it won't be cold, but there will be millions of twinkly lights, and Tampa Bay…

By Min Craig

 Christmas Town at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay  
    10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa
    Nov. 14-Jan. 9
    Busch Gardens’ annual Christmas Town celebration features holiday light shows, fireworks, a train, up-close animal encounters, food options and a chance to meet Santa in his workshop, as well as a photo-op with Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer. Entry is included with park admission.
  Photo via Busch Gardens/Website
24 slides

Photos of the Orlando Magic routing the Phoenix Suns at Amway Center

The score was a lot closer than the game actually was when the Orlando Magic beat the Phoenix Suns 114-97 at Amway…

By Ray Roa

Photos of the Orlando Magic routing the Phoenix Suns at Amway Center
114 slides

Tampa Museum of Art debuts expanded gallery spaces with new exhibition ‘Time for Change’

The Tampa Museum of Art will soon open the new exhibition “Time for Change: Art and Social Unrest in the Jorge M.…

By Chloe Greenberg

Barthélémy Toguo (Came
roonian, b. 1967)

Road to
Exile
, 2018

Wooden boat, cloth bundles, glass
bottles, and plastic containers

120 x 60 x 45 inches

Jorge M. Pérez Collection, Miami
12 slides

The 'Jurassic World' live tour is bringing dinosaurs back to Tampa this winter

You should probably stick together, for survival, at this one. Tampa Bay “Jurassic World” fans can now go prehistoric for a three-day…

By Chloe Greenberg

In the Jurassic World' live tour, audiences are brought to the jungles of Isla Nublar as scientists are tasked with saving dinosaurs from a corrupt fate.
13 slides

Everyone we saw in Ybor City on Halloween night

Across Tampa Bay, kids and their parents took to the streets in search of treats on Halloween night, but as usual all…

By Ray Roa

Everyone we saw in Ybor City on Halloween night
101 slides

Everyone we saw during the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2022-23 home opener at Amalie Arena

The Philadelphia Flyers came into Tuesday night's matchup against the Tampa Bay Lightning undefeated and left Amalie Arena, well, undefeated after topping…

By Ray Roa

Everyone we saw during the Tampa Bay Lightning's 2022-23 home opener at Amalie Arena
49 slides

Everyone we saw at Tampa Pride on the River 2022

It's not really the end of summer until Pride on the River takes over the Hillsborough for a Saturday afternoon. Last weekend's…

By CL Staff

Everyone we saw at Tampa Pride on the River 2022
110 slides

Photos from the 2022 Tampa Black Business Bus Tour

Candy Lowe's award-winning Tampa Black Business Bus Tour returned late last month to visit locally-loved Black-and-Brown-owned businesses. 

By Ray Roa

Photos from the 2022 Tampa Black Business Bus Tour
126 slides

Photos of the Tampa Bay Rowdies tying Birmingham in St. Pete last Friday

The Tampa Bay Rowdies host Loudoun United this Saturday, Oct. 8 at Al Lang Stadium, but here are some photos of the…

By Ray Roa

Photos of the Tampa Bay Rowdies tying Birmingham in St. Pete last Friday
68 slides