We're so excited you're coming to celebrate with us. If you've got time to explore before or after the big day, here are some of our favorite spots around Tampa Bay — the places we'd send a friend. Mix and match based on your vibe.

BEST RUNNING ROUTES

Bayshore Boulevard — Run along the water with a real shot at spotting dolphins. The continuous sidewalk hugs the bay — sunrise here is hard to beat.

Davis Island — A scenic loop around an upscale neighborhood. Quiet streets, water views, and a manageable distance.

Tampa Riverwalk — Connects Davis Island and Bayshore through downtown — great for stitching together a longer route with a mix of city and waterfront views.

Flatwoods Park — Flat, shaded, and a true Tampa favorite. Great for longer runs on trails through the pine flatwoods. (Note: This is about 30 mins drive).

WORKOUT SPOTS

Bayshore Fitness — If you're into Hyrox-style training, this is the spot to check out.

CAMP — Yoga, pilates, and HIIT all in one place.

Manaoka Fitness / CrossFit — CrossFit box with a great community vibe.

Gold's Gym — Reliable standby if you just need a solid gym session.

SWET — Boutique studio for high-energy classes — a good option if you want something curated.

FOOD & DRINK

Hyde Park Village — Walkable district with great restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. Easy afternoon out.

Cook's — Tiny local spot beloved for its egg salad sandwich — a true Tampa hidden gem. Grab one for lunch.

Salt Shack — Waterfront, casual, fresh seafood. Order something with a view.

Armature Works — A buzzy food hall on the river — every kind of cuisine under one roof. Perfect for groups who can't agree.

Sparkman Wharf / Water Street — Outdoor food hall and waterfront district downtown. Modern, lively, and easy to spend an afternoon or evening.

Cappy's Pizza — A Tampa classic. Casual, no frills, just really good pizza.

Columbia Restaurant — Florida's oldest restaurant — original location in Ybor (also a second location right by the Tampa History Museum if you do downtown). Order the 1905 salad, tossed tableside. A real Tampa experience.

Downtown St. Pete — Cross the bridge for a foodie playground: independent restaurants, breweries, and a great walkable downtown.

Buddy Brew — Tampa's hometown roaster, with locations in Hyde Park Village and inside Armature Works. Reliably excellent — a great first-morning stop.

AROUND TAMPA BAY

Ybor City — Tampa's historic Cuban district — cobblestone streets, cigar shops, great bars, and yes, wild chickens roaming everywhere. Bonus: it'll be especially lively on Halloween weekend. PSA: This is recommended as a daytime activity only ***.

Tampa Bay History Center — Right downtown along the Riverwalk. A great way to dig into Tampa's cigar, Cuban, and pirate history — pairs well with lunch at Columbia.

Florida Aquarium — Downtown on the Riverwalk.

Busch Gardens — World-class roller coasters and a full theme park about 20 minutes from downtown.

St. Pete Pier — Open-air pier with restaurants, art installations, a playground, and gorgeous bay views.

St. Pete Beach — Sugar-white sand and warm Gulf water.

Clearwater Beach — Another top-tier Gulf beach about an hour north. Bigger, busier, more boardwalk energy.

WORTH THE DRIVE

Lido Key Beach — About 75–90 minutes south in Sarasota. This is where we got engaged — quieter than the other beaches and absolutely beautiful. A good day trip if you've got the time.

St. Armands Circle — Right next to Lido Key — a charming circle of shops, restaurants, and ice cream stops. Pair it with the beach for a perfect day trip.

A FEW QUICK TIPS

Late October in Tampa is honestly perfect — usually 70s–80s and sunny. Pack layers for evenings just in case.

Halloween weekend means costumes will be out, especially in Ybor City and Hyde Park.