Beat the crowds: why you should visit this American city before everyone else

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Miami? Been there. New York? Done that. Don’t stick to all the typical tourist hotspots everyone else is going to. This is the year to break out of your travel bubble, try someplace you’ve never thought to visit before and say ‘hey’ to Tampa Bay.

Why Go?

With a growing reputation for knock-out dining, unparalleled attractions, and an abundance of craft breweries to rival East London, Tampa Bay has everything you could possibly want and need for a sunshine break. Add to that the amazing beaches just along the coast, direct flights from the UK, and the lack of touristy crowds, and it’s easy to see why Tampa Bay is topping our 2019 vacay bucket list.

Don’t Miss

From sundowners to unique experiences, your perfect city escape awaits in Tampa Bay. These are just a handful of the highlights:

Galleries: It’s a well-known fact that every city break must include a two-to-one art-to-cocktail ratio, so make sure to swing by the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts. There’s also the Tampa Museum of Art, located on the 2.4-mile Tampa Riverwalk, and the Graphic Studio on the campus of the University of South Florida, both showcasing the best in modern and contemporary art. Plus, don’t miss the growing collection of murals and public art found across Tampa Bay.

Shopping: You’re in America, which means it’s your right of passage to embrace your inner Cher Horowitz by heading to one of Tampa Bay’s malls. Make sure to leave extra room in your luggage for the locally made, artisan treats you’ll find at the many boutiques and enjoy a ladies that lunch experience at beautiful Hyde Park Village.

Food & Drink: From brunching in style at Oxford Exchange to sampling the famous Cuban sandwich at Florida’s oldest Spanish restaurant The Columbia, the food scene is thriving in Tampa Bay. Absolutely no visit would be complete without sampling the local breweries as well as some of the city’s finest cocktails at the picture-perfect, waterfront Armature Works.

Anything else?

The Sunshine State’s name says it all. In the heart of Vitamin D-enriched Florida, Tampa Bay has all the warm weather and blue skies you could possibly crave.