THE TAMPA ROUND - STOP BY STOP
Tampa Bay History Center
You might expect another art gallery in this area, but this is the Tampa Bay History Center. This museum opened on January 17, 2009, and occupies a building that is 60,000 square feet. You can spend time exploring the 25,000 square feet of exhibit space, which includes a reproduction of a 1920s cigar store. It is a Smithsonian Affiliate and has been accredited by the American Alliance of Museums since 2015. I've noticed the building is a great landmark for keeping your bearings while you're wandering the district.
Florida Aquarium
You can find the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa. This public aquarium and zoo first opened its doors in March 1995 as a nonprofit organization. It is a massive facility covering 250,000 square feet, providing a home to more than 7,000 aquatic plants and animals. Because of its design, the AIA's Florida Chapter placed the aquarium on its list of Florida Architecture: 100 Years. 100 Places in 2012. I've noticed the crowds here always seem to move with a certain fluid energy, much like the fish inside.
District Cooling
Tampa Fire Fighters Museum
Tampa Museum of Art
Let me show you the Tampa Museum of Art. This art museum in downtown Tampa, Florida, began in 1979. You can pick out modern and contemporary art here, along with Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. The museum opened its first exhibit on November 22, 1920, when it was known as the Tampa Museum of Fine Arts. In 2010, it debuted a new building for its permanent location along the banks of Hillsborough River on Tampa's Riverwalk. I find the river breeze quite refreshing when I'm flying by.
Henry B. Plant Museum
Henry B. Plant envisioned a grand destination when he built the Tampa Bay Hotel. Now known as Plant Hall, the building is located at 401 West Kennedy Boulevard in Tampa, Florida. J. A. Wood served as the architect for this Moorish Revival structure. Today, the Henry B. Plant Museum is located in the south wing of the hall on the University of Tampa's campus. I've noticed the architecture here really stands out compared to the rest of the neighborhood, making it a great spot for a bit of people-watching from the air.
Straz Center for The Performing Arts
Tampa Theatre
You can find the Tampa Theatre in Downtown Tampa, Florida. This movie theater was designed by architect John Eberson in the Mediterranean Revival architecture style and opened on October 15, 1926. Because of its historical value, it is a National Register of Historic Places listed place. It is a great spot to visit if you enjoy cinema history, and I think you will like the atmosphere inside. I've seen plenty of people flocking here for the various screenings, and the building itself is a real beauty to look at from the street.
Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
Saint Peter Claver Catholic Church
St. James Church
First United Methodist Church
WQYK-FM (Saint Petersburg)
David Falk Theater
Kiley Gardens Amphitheatre
Sacred Heart Catholic Church
Located at 509 N. Florida Avenue in downtown Tampa, Sacred Heart Catholic Church is a Catholic church building. Started in 1905, the structure was designed by architect Nicholas J. Clayton in the Romanesque Revival architecture style. The building is home to Sacred Heart Parish, which is part of the West Hillsborough Deanery of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saint Petersburg. Visitors can see the specific architectural details of the Romanesque Revival style used in this downtown location.
Benchmark International Arena
Let me show you the Benchmark International Arena. This multipurpose arena in Tampa was designed by the architect Ellerbe Becket and construction started in 1996. While it is mainly used as the home for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League, it is built for a variety of crowds. You can pick out its versatility through the many different events held here, including basketball, arena football, and concerts. I've seen a lot of excited fans flocking to this spot from the air.
AIDS Memorial Park
This is not a place for loud games or sports. It is the AIDS Memorial Park, a quiet park that preserves LGBTQ history. I find it is a meaningful spot to pause and think while you are exploring the city. It provides a dedicated space for visitors to acknowledge the past and the people who shaped the local community's journey. While other areas of the city are bustling with noise, this site offers a different pace and a chance to recognize a vital part of the city's shared human experience.
