When you live in our apartments in Clearwater, FL, you’ll be delighted to find that there’s plenty to do, right outside your door. Whether you love grabbing happy hour drinks with friends after work, enjoying some local art, or simply taking a stroll outside, we’re excited to share with you everything our community has to offer.
One of the highlights of living at Anchor Riverwalk is our proximity to the famed Tampa Riverwalk. Just a quick 30-minute drive from our Bayside Arbors apartments, the Tampa Riverwalk offers everything from high-end dining, to live music and street art, to unique shopping experiences, to stunning waterfront views that will keep you coming back for more.
Shopping on the Riverwalk: Something for everyone
If you have a wedding, birthday, or holiday coming up that requires gift-giving, where are you going to go? The Tampa Riverwalk, of course! Whether you’re looking to splurge on yourself or find that perfect gift for your hard-to-shop-for mother-in-law, you’re sure to find something special as you stroll along the beautiful Tampa Riverwalk.
You’ll find unique and eclectic shopping opportunities all along the 2.6-mile Riverwalk. Hyde Park Village is one of them. Located right on the Riverwalk, Hyde Park Village has been a local shopping favorite since 1905 and offers everything you can think of. From fine home goods to unique clothing to electronics and office staples, you won’t be disappointed by the wealth of options here. Buy some breezy summer dresses at Francesca’s or Anthropologie, or grab some much-needed clothes for the kiddo’s school year at Color Me Mine or Vineyard Vines. You’ll find beautiful home décor and housewares for your Downtown Tampa apartment at Pottery Barn or West Elm, and be sure to hit up Salt Pines to explore their unique coastal décor to give your apartment a true Floridian vibe.
For more unique gifts and shopping finds, check out the many gift shops on the Riverwalk. The Tampa Bay History Center has books and apparel for the history buff in your life, and the Florida Aquarium’s gift shop has books, educational DVDs, apparel, and more for the ocean lover in your life. If you’re looking for a perfect gift for that special kiddo in your life, look no further than the Glazer Children’s Museum shop, which offers educational toys and more for kids of all ages.
Dining on Tampa’s Riverwalk: Delicious options from casual to upscale
It’s nice that the Riverwalk is so close to our Clearwater, FL apartments because no matter what you’re craving for dinner, you’ll find it here. From unique, to casual, to upscale, the Riverwalk has the perfect dining experience for everyone.
For a more casual atmosphere head over to Sparkman Wharf, where local restaurants are serving up delicious dishes and cocktails al fresco style on the beautiful waterfront lawn, providing one of the best places in Tampa to have a picnic. The Corners on Sparkman Wharf is a resident favorite serving up fresh, authentic Detroit style pizza, calzones, and more. Pair it up with a local brew from the Fermented Reality Biergarten and sit back to enjoy the beautiful waterfront views. Or, if you’re in the mood for something new, check out BT in a Box, serving up French-Vietnamese fusion only using ingredients from local farms.
For festive dinner vibes, be sure to head to Splitsville. This carefully-curated menu by two-time James Beard Award-Winning Chef Art Smith features down-home southern fare, so be sure to try a little bit of everything. But the most fun part of Splitsville? The bowling alley, ping pong table, billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, and darts! Seriously, you won’t get board (pun intended!). Eat delicious food and get competitive while you’re at it. While their food is world-class, their environment is fun and laid back. Perfect for a Friday night!
On the north end of the Riverwalk is Armature Works, a converted streetcar warehouse that offers a dining experience unlike any other. Originally built in 1910, Armature Works began as a maintenance and storage facility for Tampa Electric’s streetcars. Today it has been restored and is now a premier destination for foodies in the Tampa area. The Heights Public Market at Armature Works has quickly become a Tampa favorite, showcasing local chefs and restaurants in a 22,000 sq-ft industrial warehouse with communal seating and unbeatable views of the Hillsborough River. For a truly unique dining experience and a true taste of Tampa, Armature Works is an absolute must.
Looking for a classy sit-down dining experience with the whole family? Look no further than Ulele, situated right on Tampa’s Riverwalk, serving up fresh lunch and dinner daily. Here you can enjoy indoor or outdoor seating, and choose from a wealth of mouth-watering menu options, including oysters from the gulf coast, stuffed shrimp, filet mignon, Ahi Yellowfin Tuna, and much more. Don’t overstuff yourself though! With their extensive dessert menu, you’ll want to be sure to leave some room!
The Columbia Café has been a Tampa tradition since 1905, so if you have out-of-town guests staying with you, you’ll want to take them to this local favorite. Serving lunch and dinner every day, you can enjoy anything from a round of waterfront drinks to a full dinner of Spanish/Cuban cuisine, with live music completing the atmosphere on the patio every Friday and Saturday night.
To satisfy that sweet tooth, you absolutely need to check out the mouth-watering treats at Sorrento Sweets, serving up authentic Italian desserts. If a good cup of joe is more what you’re craving, Buddy Brew Coffee will set you up with specialty craft coffee that’s always freshly roasted.
Local art of Tampa: Experience the Public Art Walking Tour
Tampa is proud of its arts and culture and nowhere is that more evident than along the Tampa Riverwalk. All along the 2.6-mile Riverwalk, you’ll see colorful installments, thought-provoking sculptures, and incredible architecture, from national and local artists that showcase the true colors and spirit of Tampa. From the Ceremonial Space at Cotanchobee Park that symbolizes the importance of the Seminole Indians in Tampa history, to the Murals at Poe Garage that celebrate the creative culture of the city, you’ll get a true sense of Tampanian culture and history along the vibrant Riverwalk.
Gasparilla Day: Tampa’s Annual Pirate Festival (Yes, Really!)
Grab your peg legs and eye patches, because every January, Tampa hosts its annual Gasparilla Day, which is a large parade and an array of community events that have celebrated Tampa’s pirate history since 1904. And we’re talking about real, genuine pirates! Based on the legend of Jose Gaspar (also known as Gasparilla), a Spanish pirate who supposedly operated in Southwest Florida from the late 1700s until the early 1800s, this day stands out as a way to celebrate Florida’s offbeat, unique history.
In true pirate style, each year the festivities begin with an actual pirate invasion. Early in the morning on the day of the parade, the Jose Gasparilla, the world’s only fully-rigged pirate ship, sails into the harbor blazing its cannons, signaling the invasion has begun. The reenactment continues with the Gasparilla’s crew successfully capturing the key to the city, and then celebrating their conquest with the Parade of Pirates through the city, kicking off a day full of pirate celebrations.
Gasparilla Day features the third-largest parade in the United States and has caused a series of local spin-offs, including the Gasparilla Film Festival, the Gasparilla Festival of the Arts, and the Gasparilla Music Festival.
Colorful Living in our Downtown Tampa Apartments
Reflective of the vibrant and lively Tampa Riverwalk, Bayside Arbors provides residents with a true urban lifestyle but with that special Tampa flair. Schedule your tour by going to our website today. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff members can show you around our multiple floorplans, resort-style pool, and state-of-the-art fitness center. After all, here at Bayside Arbors, we set you up for the good life.