By Tyler Melito for PeterGreenberg.com
The Super Bowl. Historically, the most-watched sporting event in the United States and one of the most popular worldwide. On Sunday, February 7, the 55th game will be played at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay, Florida, and will feature some history. First, thanks to COVID-19, it will be the smallest crowd ever to attend a Super Bowl. And then, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers –– who have Tom Brady at quarterback playing in his tenth Super Bowl –– is the first NFL team to play the Super Bowl at its home stadium –– doing so against the reigning champion Kansas City Chiefs.
Things will be different on Sunday when the opening kickoff takes place compared to Brady’s previous nine Super Bowl appearances. Fewer fans will be inside the stadium (25,000 instead of a stadium capacity of just under 70,000). In the days leading up to the game, the events the NFL typically hosts will be much more toned down.
Raymond James Stadium opened in 1998 and has hosted two Super Bowls prior to Super Bowl 55. Photo Credit: @rjstadium on Instagram.
The health and safety protocols go much further than simply having fewer fans in attendance. Mask wearing will be mandatory, there will be additional health screenings at the stadium, and social distancing will be enforced. Despite playing at its home stadium, the concept of home field advantage may not be relevant this year.
400,000 people call Tampa Bay, its downtown area and surrounding suburbs, home.
If you’re going to Tampa for the game –– and whether you watch it at the stadium or on the TV in your hotel room, this may be the one Super Bowl when the host city is not crowded. In other words: one of the best times to explore Tampa Bay.
Here are some suggestions for before, after, or even during the big game:
Ybor City Cuban District:
Latin culture can be felt throughout the state of Florida, and in Tampa Bay, Cuban culture can be seen, heard, and experienced throughout the entire city. Founded in 1885, Ybor City is one of the two National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. Located just to the east of downtown Tampa, it is a seven-minute drive from the Tampa Riverwalk. If you want Cuban food, Cuban culture, or Cuban history during your trip, Ybor City is the spot for you. There is also great cigar-making in Ybor.
2117 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605; (813) 248-4691
Known as Florida’s oldest and possibly the world’s largest restaurant. Founded in 1905, the Columbia Restaurant has been family-owned and operated for five generations. Although it has other locations, the original is in Ybor City. It got its start as a corner café serving local cigar workers. Today, guests can enjoy the family recipes that have made the Columbia Restaurant so popular and award-winning over its 115-year history. The ‘Paella a la Valenciana’ is the restaurant’s signature dish, with a wide variety of fish, meats, and other flavors creating an amazing feeling in your mouth with every bite.
6400 Eureka Springs Rd, Tampa, FL 33610; (813) 744-5536
This is a great getaway that will allow you to not only to maintain proper social distancing, but also get intimate with nature. With beautiful walking trails, where you can see the largest publicly-owned collection of ferns in Florida. Once a privately-owned botanical garden, it still has a large amount of illustrious tropical plants. This includes a greenhouse dedicated to orchids and a rose garden. Open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and 8 am to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $2 per vehicle with a maximum of eight people per vehicle.
1820 E. 7th Avenue Tampa, FL 33605; (813) 248-3834; Photo Credit: Carmine’s Ybor.
Carmine’s remains a favorite Ybor City choice. Its signature dishes include Deviled Crabs and the Cuban Sandwich. Deviled Crabs actually originated in Tampa Bay, and some say the dish was perfected in Ybor City. Carmine’s makes its version entirely in house with 100% blue crab meat. The Cuban sandwich also has its ties to Tampa Bay. It is said that the Cuban sandwich or “Cubano” was served to immigrant Cuban workers in the Ybor City cigar industry as early as the 1880s. What makes Carmine’s Cubano so different is a signature addition: it includes salami as well as the traditional ingredients of ham, pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard.
600 N. Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602; (813) 274-8615; Photo Credit: Thomas Balsley Associates
Right off the Tampa Riverwalk, for Super Bowl week, the NFL has built a “technology village” along the waterfront in the park as a part of the NFL’s “fan experience.” You do not need a ticket to enter the Curtis Hixon Park Technology Village, but access will be limited based on COVID-19 safety protocols. There are the typical water features to play in and around, and you can also get there by water taxi. Both the Tampa Museum of Art and the Glazer Children’s Museum are also steps away from the park. One note of caution is that this park attracts over one million people annually so plan your visit accordingly. (Going during the game is our less than subtle hint to avoid crowds.)
3924 W. Spruce St. Tampa, FL 33607; (813) 348-6363; Photo Credit: Cigar City Brewing on Instagram: @cigarcitybrewing
Located two miles from Raymond James Stadium, this is a place you can go before or after the game. It brews 24 different beers in house with no automation in the process. Some of its beers are in limited production and are not offered at any other location. The beers on draft change daily and it creatively pairs the beers with a wide-ranging food menu. Here’s an unusual choice but well worth it: Try the Pastrami Tower paired with its Jai Alai beer.
Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach:
6990 Dickman Rd, Apollo Beach, FL 33572; (813) 228-4289; Photo Credit: Tampa Electric
Planning a future trip to Tampa? Then this is a good choice, since the center is currently closed due to COVID-19 (but slated to reopen November 1st). The manatees are always the star of the show here, but don’t miss its award-winning butterfly garden. Then, get up close and personal at its ray touch tank operated in association with the Florida Aquarium. A 50-foot tall observation tower features stunning, photo-op views of Tampa. A boardwalk connects it all and is a great spot to bring a packed lunch and enjoy the day.
