Explore The Varied Vibes Of Ybor City By Day And Night
Explore one of Florida's most dynamic Latin Quarters. Once the center of cigar manufacturing, Ybor City is now a thriving destination for fun, day and night. Indulge in the tastiest Cuban food at favorites like La Tropicana Café and Columbia Restaurant, where delicious Cuban-Spanish food has been served up for over a century. Shop eclectic boutiques and explore the city's rich cigar heritage at Tampa Sweethearts Cigars and La Casita, a museum that showcases a typical cigar worker's house from the 1800s. When night falls, get ready to party on 7th Avenue, home to vibrant nightclubs for every taste.
If you're in to Cuban food, cigars and culture, there are a few "must visit" destinations in Ybor City. Check out the Tampa Baseball Museum at the Al Lopez House, which showcases the city's role in baseball history. Then head over to the Ybor City Museum State Park where you can learn about the city's famed cigar making history and cultural heritage. Grab a traditional Cuban breakfast or sandwich at La Tropicana Café, then head to the Tampa Improv for a night of comedy entertainment.
What is the history behind Ybor City?
Ybor City's claim to fame is as home to two of the oldest cigar manufacturing families in the U.S. Arturo Fuente and J.C. Newman both emigrated to the United States from Cuba and started making and selling cigars in Ybor City. A strong Latin community sprung up around this new industry and helped Ybor City grow into the thriving Latin Quarter that it is today. You can still find their wares at Tampa Sweetheart Cigars and J.C. Newman Cigar Co., Ybor City landmarks.