Staycation in Tampa

• High Tea at Oxford Exchange:
  You could (and honestly, should) spend an entire afternoon at the Oxford Exchange – a true Tampa institution modeled after the historic clubs of London, with a restaurant, coffee and tea shop, boutique store, candle pour station and bookshop, all under one roof. High Tea is an unforgettable experience here; under the bright atrium surrounded by greenery, enjoy traditional light bites and pastries with Teabella tea. Perfect for a mother-daughter date, bachelorette/bridal party, or babymoon looking for a quaint and delicious excuse to play dress up.

• Stroll through Hyde Park Village:
  The small village of premium shops and recommended restaurants that make Hyde Park in Tampa is ideal for retail therapy. The village also shuts down on the first Sunday of every month to usher in local merchants of produce, handmade goods and unique items. Water Street also has a monthly market that's worth a visit.

• Take a walk on Bayshore Boulevard:
  There are a few great spots to work up a sweat in Tampa, but it's hard to beat the beauty of Bayshore Boulevard. Walk next to the sparkling waters of the bay and take in the historic houses along the shoreline. This is also the street where, every January, pirates invade in the annual Gasparilla parade.

• Visit the Tampa Museum of Art:
  Along the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Museum of Art features contemporary collections by celebrated modern artists.

• Watch a show at The Tampa Theatre:
  The Tampa Theatre is an iconic historic setting to watch a live performance or movie.

• Enjoy a night out on Water Street:
  Water Street is downtown Tampa's newest neighborhood and has taken off in recent months with the addition of award-winning restaurants and bars. It's super walkable and full of high-quality mixologists, all of which make for a fun night out. Pro tip: stay at the Edition or JW Marriott for easy walking to Water Street – they both have great bars of their own, too.

• Cheer on the Lightning at Amalie Arena:
  Also in Water Street, Amalie Arena is home to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team. Watching a game here is a super fun experience – especially for families. There are also frequent concerts and local events happening here.

• Take a boat cruise along the Hillsborough River:
  The Hillsborough River runs through downtown Tampa and is ideal for cruising, whether self-guided in a rented boat, on a water taxi tour or on a peddle-while-you-drink ride.

Day Trips:

• St. Pete Downtown:
  Downtown St. Pete is a fun place to get a new perspective on Tampa Bay. With iconic art museums, fun dive bars and a new pier, there's plenty to do here that offers a very different experience than that of downtown Tampa. Visit the Grand Central District for a real local feel.

• Indian Rocks Beach:
  It's hard to imagine Florida without thinking of the beach. Indian Rocks is the beach that the locals go to – it's more quiet and clean than the more famous St. Pete or Clearwater beaches, and has a collection of local places to visit. I recommend getting a coffee at Grove Surf & Coffee shop before enjoying some time by the water.

• Oxford Exchange:
  The above-mentioned Oxford Exchange does much more than high tea. Their brunch and lunch offerings are top-notch, and they have an adorable champagne bar to get the celebration started.

• Predalina:
  Owned by the same company that opened Oxford Exchange, Predalina is a new Mediterranean concept in Water Street. They have a killer happy hour menu, too.

• Bern's:
  Bern's Steakhouse is a Tampa institution. Get reservations in advance (like, months in advance) to enjoy a traditional steakhouse experience. Be sure to book a tour of their wine cellar and a visit to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room for a sweet treat after your meal. Pro tip: stay at the Epicurean – owned by the same family as Bern's – for an artistic, gastronomic stay.

• Forbici:
  Located in Hyde Park, Forbici is a super fun place to get pizza and drinks with a group of friends. They always have something going on, whether it be happy hour or live music, and the food is amazing.

• Supernatural Food & Wine:
  Heralded by the likes of Alton Brown, they make the best basic breakfast sandwich in town. You can also pick up a dozen of their sourdough cinnamon sugar donuts to snack on throughout your stay - and grab a bottle of natural wine from their store while you're at it.

• Jekyll:
  This new concept in Hyde Park is an elevated speakeasy with rooms and cocktails modeled after famous literary figures. Perfect for a romantic rendezvous or a GNO.

• Tori Bar:
  Japanese tapas is the vibe of this cool Tampa restaurant near the Tampa Theatre. They have a great daily happy hour with hand rolls and cocktails.

• Fresh Kitchen:
  This is one of the best places in Tampa to go for a quick, casual and healthy meal. It's a build-your-own-bowl style place that has so many options. My go-to is the Four Bowl with sweet potato noodles, kale slaw, roasted broccoli and BBQ chicken.