Channelside - Tampa, FL Area Guide

The Channel District in Tampa, Florida was first developed over 75 years ago as an industrial area that served the shipping industry. The area was referred to as the District and consisted mainly of warehouses, loading docks and shipping businesses.

When industry changes took place in the 1970s and 1980s, the overall area was affected by a lack of tenants and declining property values. Fortunately, a group of property owners who formed the Ybor Channel Redevelopment Association began plans for a complete overhaul of the area. By the 1990s, the area was redeveloped and continues to thrive.

The American Victory Ship museum on Channelside Drive hosts multiple exhibits featuring WWII and Vietnam war artifacts and allows visitors to take self-guided tours throughout the ship. The Channel District holds a variety of annual events, with a favorite being Picnic in the Park, a community picnic with games, music and river cruises.

Residents of the Channel District community are within walking or streetcar distance to multiple restaurants, bars and clubs, ensuring a wide variety of dining options and exciting nightlife every night of the week. When locals want breakfast by the water, they hop on the trolley or walk over to the Waterside Grill at the Marriott Hotel on Florida Avenue. With tasty breakfast options, such as crunchy French toast topped with corn flakes and strawberries or the broken yolk sandwich with eggs, bacon, eggs and cheddar cheese, this restaurant, with its waterfront view, doesn't get any better.

If you've got tapas on your mind, Columbia on East Seventh Street is the perfect place to enjoy a long afternoon lunch or have dinner with a group of friends. This restaurant serves a never-ending menu of tapas, Cuban sandwiches, sopas, seafood and steak. When it comes to tapas, locals recommend the stuffed piquillo peppers plate, a delectable concoction of sweet Spanish piquillo peppers filled with chorizo, mushrooms and ham. Save some space for dessert, as the flan remains top-notch.

For a fun night of drinks, socializing and outdoor Tampa fun, locals head over to the Sail Pavilion on Franklin Street. This outdoor sports bar and restaurant on the waterfront features live bands, a full bar, and a menu of sandwiches, salads and snacks, such as buffalo sliders, fries and more. Aside from the exciting atmosphere and tasty food and drink, one of the best aspects of the Sail Pavilion revolves around the dog-friendly service, complete with drinking fountains and menu items that include Frosty Paws for local canines.

Fabrica Woodfired Pizza features the best custom-made pies on the waterfront. Fresh dough and house-made sauce combine to form the base of a build-your-own, 12-inch Neapolitan pizza. Add on several meats, including meatballs, pepperoni, sliced prosciutto di Parma and pancetta. For vegetables, pile your pizza high with broccolini, oven-roasted eggplants, artichoke hearts and fig marmalade. These luxury pizzas may have you returning again and again.

Many Channel District residents utilize bicycles and walk throughout the neighborhood, as the area is completely safe for pedestrians and bikers, and its close proximity to shopping and restaurants allows for less driving overall.

Residents and visitors to the Channel District also utilize the TECO line streetcar that travels 2.7 miles and makes 11 stops throughout the neighborhood. Apartment buildings and condominiums in the area provide parking spaces to residents, who can also access the multiple parking meters throughout the city. Visitors of the Florida Aquarium can also park in the establishment's lot for a $6 flat rate.

When traveling into downtown or other areas of Tampa, residents and visitors can hop the local HART buses that pick up at Marion Street, Nebraska Avenue and several other stops in the area. Ride services such as Uber and Lyft are an option in Tampa, and locals generally have to call ahead for a taxi.

The City of Tampa also provides cyclists with over 40 miles of biking lanes throughout the entire city. The community is located in close proximity to the Selmon Expressway and I-4, allowing for convenient freeway access.

Local residents of the Channel District enjoy the benefits of living in close proximity to several parks with a wide variety of amenities. Popular among fitness enthusiasts, Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park on Old Water street provides jogging paths and walking trails, as well as a picnic area and canoe launch.

Right outside of the neighborhood, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park on North Ashley Drive features a dog park, picnic area, walking trails and a large playground, making it the perfect location for families with children and pets. Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park also hosts multiple annual events, one of the most beloved being the Santa Fest, a yearly parade and festival with arts and crafts, photos with Santa and live entertainment. Ongoing events in this park include free monthly concerts and free weekly yoga classes.

The cost of living in the Channel District is approximately 17 percent higher than the cost of living in Tampa, Florida, with an average monthly rental rate of $1,515 for a one-bedroom apartment. A bus ride into the city can range between $1 and $2, with discounted rates for those who qualify. Streetcar fares range between $1.25 and $2.50. The cost of a beer in a local bar or restaurant ranges between $3 and $6. Channel District gas prices almost mirror the national average.

Channel District residents enjoy the benefits of living within a short distance to Downtown Tampa, a major shopping area with retailers, entertainment and restaurants. High-end retailers include Greiner's Fine Men's Clothing on East Whiting Street and Hayman Jewelry Company on East Madison Street. If you're looking for the perfect present, check out Serendipity Accents and Gifts, a specialty gift store on East Davis Boulevard. With everything from inspirational art and accessories to whimsical home decorations, you're sure to find something unique and original. Local pet owners also recommend Wag Natural Pet Market, a unique pet supply shop specializing in healthy, holistic pet care. For groceries and household items, local residents shop at Publix Super Market located on Bayshore Boulevard. The Ybor City Saturday Market is the closest farmers market in the area, located on North 19th Street. Open every Saturday of the year, the Ybor City Saturday Market features multiple vendors selling fresh produce, baked items, handmade crafts and fine cigars.