Terrace Park - Tampa, FL

The area was inhabited as early as 1521 with an Indian fishing village called “Tanpa.” Acres of woodlands surrounded the small village. In the spring of 1539 Hernando de Soto sailed into the Tampa Bay in an unsuccessful search for gold. Afterwards, the area remained largely untouched for nearly 300 years. The United States purchased Florida from Spain in 1821. Three years later, Fort Brooke attracted traders to the area known as Tampa. Eventually Terrace Park developed as a residential area for the city of Tampa.

Residents and visitors enjoy the Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), the nation's largest children's science center. It encompasses an IMAX and planetarium as well as a butterfly garden. Kids love the interactive displays.

The annual Bay Area Renaissance Festival takes place seven consecutive weekends in February and March, with armored jousting and other entertainment, The Civic Association sponsors an annual community picnic.

More than 150 food and beverage shops serve Terrace Park. Residents enjoy all types of food, with an emphasis on international cuisine and old-Florida style diners. Many line E. Busch Boulevard near Busch Gardens. Another dining hotspot sits at the intersection of Fowler and 56th Streets. More than two dozen chain and locally owned restaurants surround University Mall.

Sports bars and hookah lounges provide nightlife in the neighborhood. The Pegasus Lounge provides a place to chill with friends and to listen to live music five nights a week. Music from local bands includes alternative and folk rock; Monday nights offer karaoke and on Tuesday patrons come for open mic comedy night. Residents looking for other entertainment can attend athletic events and concerts on the nearby USF campus.

Locals come to Mel’s Hot Dogs for the hot dogs served on steamed poppy seed buns as well as the fun atmosphere. The Chicago style hot dog served with lots of toppings like pickles and celery salt should be accompanied by an order of onion rings.

Kreyol Delight serves Haitian meals. Regulars ask for the legim (vegetable medley served with beef) or the tasso kabrit (fried goat served with spicy sauce.) Enjoy a refreshing glass of fresh papaya juice to accompany your meal.

At Sawatdee Thai Cuisine patrons come for the characteristic noodle dishes and curries served in a charming café. Steamed pork dumplings make a great starter. Favorite entrées include drunken noodles and the massaman curry. The kitchen will gladly adjust spice levels for personal preference from mild to Thai hot. After a spicy meal, cool your mouth with a refreshing dish of coconut ice cream.

Most locals rely on cars to get around. Routes 580 and 582 run east-west within the neighborhood. Interstates 275 and 475 and State Route 41 pass nearby with convenient access.. The drive downtown takes about 12 minutes via Interstate 275. Free on-street parking helps make driving convenient.

Residents complete some errands on foot. Most find at least one restaurant within a 5 minute walk of home.

The neighborhood ranks as fairly bicycle friendly with some bike infrastructure in place. Dedicated bike lanes run along 40th and 56th Streets. Bicyclists consider six streets bicycle friendly in the neighborhood, including Bougainvillea Boulevard running east-west and 46th Street running north-south.

For residents favoring public transportation, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) services the area directly by routes 5 and 39, which connect to all parts of Tampa. On weekdays, the buses run about every 20 minutes. MetroRapid, an express bus to downtown, stops in the neighborhood. The USF Bull-Runner also serves the neighborhood via Route F. This bus loops through the neighborhood and the University of South Florida about every half hour.

Locals send for a taxi by phone or online. More than 30 taxi companies plus Uber serve Terrace Park.

The city of Tampa operates several free parks in the neighborhood. Temple Crest Park includes a playground and tennis courts. Takomah Trail Park features trails for observing wildlife. There’s a nice picnic spot there by a small lake. Seniors and youth as well as adults participate in games on the ball fields of the Dick Greco Softball complex.

To the south, Rowlett Park provides something for all ages including street hockey and tennis courts. Residents work out on the two miles of trails and at the fitness stations. Rowlett Park supports the first adult wheelchair softball field in the state of Florida. A fenced dog park creates a space for off-leash dog play.

The University of South Florida Botanical Gardens showcases orchids and other tropical plants on 10 acres of landscape displays and collections. Visitors enjoy the carnivorous plants as well as the birds and butterflies.

Visitors and locals enjoy the amusement park at Busch Gardens. This African-themed park presents animal displays and live entertainment. Residents say the most popular features include the attractions for kids and the roller coasters. Patrons must pay an admission fee.

Chill out on a hot day at Adventure Island. This 30-acre outdoor water park has slides as well as a wave pool. Locals who just want to relax enjoy floating in the lazy river. Admission fee charged.

The cost of living in Terrace Park roughly equals the average cost of living in Tampa, with the average apartment rental rate fairly stable at about $766 per month.

Locals find the cost of transportation kind to their budgets. It costs $2 for a one-way ticket to downtown, and the price of gas sits near 98 percent of the national average. Residents shell out about $3.50 for a domestic beer in a local bar and about $5 for a hot dog to go with it.

In the neighborhood, many residents shop near the intersection of Route 583 and E. Busch Boulevard. Residents also shop at University Mall and a large outlying shopping district just to the northwest across Route 582. Four anchor stores, more than 30 clothing stores, and many specialty shops serve the community’s shopping needs.

Ann's Favorite Boutique features unique high-end fashion for women. Ann’s carries a varied assortment of hats and a complete line of elegant suits. Regulars rave about the statement jewelry.

Parents and Grandparents love the bargains at Comfy Kids Consignment. The shop specializes in select new and used Items for infants through teens. The gently used items display high-end clothing labels. Comfy Kids carries current styles of baby equipment and toys in excellent condition. It also carries used high-end label maternity clothes.

Five large supermarkets and many convenience stores serve the neighborhood. Chuck's Natural Food Marketplace provides quality organic foods, nutritional supplements and natural products. Several international markets also serve the community, including Mexican, Indian, and Asian.

Hillsborough Ave Farmers Market provides a place for amazing local produce at great prices. Residents shop here year round Monday through Saturday. Another option for local produce stands next-door at the Sanwa Farmer’s Market. Sanwa’s sells fresh herbs and seasonal produce featuring unique ethnic foods.