With the bars that line 7th Avenue, Ybor City is a historic neighborhood within Tampa that has become known for its nightlife. However, it’s not the whole of Ybor City. I encourage you to spend a day exploring the National Historic Landmark District to learn about its history and Cuban-American culture.
Of the many things to do in Ybor City, are indulging in delicious Cuban food for breakfast, lunch and dinner, visiting a museum, touring a cigar factory, strolling down 7th Avenue and spending time in the parks. If you are visiting Tampa for a few days, you should definitely spend a day in Ybor City.
History of Ybor City
In the 1880s, Vicente Martinez Ybor moved his cigar manufacturing from Key West to Tampa where he oversaw the building of his three-story cigar plant, had affordable houses built, called casitas, that his workers could purchase, and even planned parts of the city infrastructure.
In Ybor City’s heyday, when it was known as the “Cigar Capital of the World,” the population was made up primarily of Cuban and Spanish immigrants, but there were also Italians who mostly worked in the cigar factories as well. When Romanian Jewish immigrants came to the city, they opened shops that served the community, and German immigrants brought their skills in lithography and printed cigar labels.
Cigar manufacturing in Ybor peaked in the 1920s, but the Great Depression took its toll on the industry. Along with advancements in manufacturing, demand for the pricey hand-rolled cigars decreased, and most of the big manufacturers left as the industry declined.
While cigars are no longer the big industry in Ybor City, their legacy can be seen today. Many of the original brick structures with their wrought-iron balconies still stand, and several business names allude to the area’s past. Also, historical sites are accompanied by green historic markers that explain their significance, and today, the area is nicknamed Cigar City.
Start Your Day in Ybor City with a Coffee
Start your day in Ybor City by grabbing a coffee and pastry at La Segunda Bakery (they make guava pastries, quesitos and more) on North 15th Street. The bakery opened in 1915 and has been owned and run by 4 generations of Cuban Americans. If the small parking lot is full, there is street parking available on nearby 15th Avenue and 15th Street.
Stop by José Martí Park and an Old Cigar Factory
With coffee and pastry in hand, head over to José Martí Park, one of the more unusual spots in Tampa, on the corner of East 8th Avenue and North 13th Street. This tiny, 0.14-acre park, owned by Cuba, honors Martí, who played a key role in Cuba’s fight for independence from Spain.
After reading the plaques and admiring the statue, take your attention across the street to Ybor Square, which was once Vicente Martinez Ybor’s cigar factory. This 3-story brick building is now owned by the Church of Scientology. You can’t see how the inside once was, but the size of the building gives an idea of how large his operation used to be.
Explore the Ybor City Museum
Next, head to the Ybor City Museum State Park, on East 9th Street. The museum is the best thing to do in Ybor City to learn more about Vicente Ybor, the history of the area, and the people who lived here and worked in the cigar factories. Don't leave without touring the reproduction casita. La Casita translates to small house, and they were provided to the employees of Vicente Ybor’s employees of his cigar factory.
Grab Lunch on 7th Avenue
Grab lunch on 7th Avenue. I recommend getting a Cuban sandwich, but there are tons of other delicious options as well, if you don't want the classic pressed sandwich with roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles. Carmine's is a popular choice, and so is the Flan Factory. After having your fill, meander down the avenue and through Centro Ybor. Admire the architecture and feel the vibe of the area.
Tour an Ybor City Cigar Factory
If you are interested in seeing how cigars are hand-rolled or learning even more about the cigar factories, reserve your spot on the El Reloj factory tour at J.C. Newman Cigar Co. The 75-minute guided tour will take you through all three floors of the 120-year-old factory where you will see machine-rolling and hand-rolling demonstrations. Or you can relax in the lounge of LongAsh Cigars with a Cuban coffee while an expert hand rolls cigars.
Visit Centennial Park
After the midday sun has passed, take a stroll through Centennial Park. There are statues and historic markers around the park, and if you haven’t already seen them roaming around the city, you’re likely to spot some chickens. The feral fowl are treasured by the long-time residents of Ybor City and are protected under a city ordinance. Many people believe the birds’ lineage traces back 100 years to the backyard chickens raised by Cuban immigrants.
If it’s Saturday, and you’d like to catch the Ybor City Saturday Market in Centennial Park to browse stands stocked with wares made by local artists and artisans, visit the park in the morning.
Dine at Columbia Restaurant
Stick around historic Ybor City for dinner but make a reservation at the Columbia Restaurant ahead of time. Not only is it one of the oldest restaurants in Tampa, but it's also one of the top restaurants in Tampa. The Columbia has been delighting patrons with an array of Spanish cuisine and elaborately decorated dining rooms since 1905. It is a fitting end to a day of exploring the Cuban-American history and culture of the area.
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