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Beginning March 1, all photos posted ot social media tagged with #UrbaInsiderTPA will be collected and posted* to our online photo album. Click the photo to view the full album! #FindYourself
*Photos are posted at the discretion of Tampa Downtown Partnership. Tampa Downtown Partnership reserves the right to select which photos will be featured in the online photo album. Offensive or inappropriate photos will not be posted.
Downtown Tampa Urban Insiders are people who live, work, and play in our urban core. They are people who are in the know, who tell their story so you can learn the many experiences Downtown has to offer. Spanning generations, genders, cultures, and lifestyles, our Urban Insiders explore our diverse, lively, and multi-use Downtown Tampa.
Are you an Urban Insider? Share your story!
Clarence Eng, Senior Transit Project Manager at Kimley Horn’s Downtown Tampa office, was 2016’s Father’s Day Urban Insider feature! Here is an excerpt from his profile, featured in Tampa Bay Times.
When Clarence gets down time, he likes to cook, travel, and spend time with his wife, Cathreen, and their children, Dylan, Julia, and Miles. Clarence’s Downtown Father’s Day choices are pedaling downtown’s waterways on Tampa Bay Water Bikes and a fresh, hearty dinner at Bamboozle Café. Clarence recommends the Pho Short Ribs. The Eng’s downtown tip: Park once and take the Riverwalk between water activities and dinner! Gift giving tip for a business man like Clarence… a distinctive tie from Greiner’s Fine Men’s Clothing.
Calli Marie believes the best way to start the day is at L’Eden Cafe and Bar. She loves their shaded outdoor cafe and suggests ordering their crossaint et de pains frais with espresso.
Calli is a photographer and notes that Downtown Tampa is a perfect backdrop to photo shoots.
Hope owns the historic Rialto Tampa, embraces the arts, and likes to expose her daughter Cadence to as much arts and culture as possible. Her favorite spot is along the Tampa Riverwalk to see the Jaume Plensa Human Landscape exhibit at the Tampa Museum of Art.
Stephen is a young professional who works hard, gets involved in the community, and knows how to enjoy his time off in Downtown Tampa. He spends time at favorite restaurants and museums and enjoys watching the Tampa Bay Lightning play. Stephen can usually be seen riding a Coast Bike, his preferred way of getting around town because it has the smallest carbon footprint. In his free time, Stephen truly enjoys viewing all the portraits in the Florida Museum of Photographic Arts.
More often than not, Topher is entertaining guests at his home in downtown Tampa. To show off all that Tampa offers, Topher first takes his guests to the waterfront for a canoe ride or rents water bikes for a tour along the Hillsborough River. Back on land, business owners know Topher’s dog Macie well and bring her a water bowl whenever Topher is walking her around town. His most frequented spots include cafes that offer healthy options like Urban Juice, Nature’s Garden, and Falafel Inn. For his guests, Topher suggests coming to town during Gasparilla to enjoy all of the fantastic pirate-themed events.
A USF graduate, outdoor lover and art aficionado, Salwa takes advantage of any opportunity to enjoy the beauty of downtown Tampa. She never misses a Yoga in the Park on Sunday evenings, bikes to work when the weather permits, and can be found jogging along the Riverwalk. When she isn’t enjoying a movie or the outdoors, Salwa will treat herself to wood fired pizza and a glass of wine at Bavaro’s. On her way home from work, Salwa likes to stop by Duckweed Urban Grocery for fresh produce and last minute items. On the weekends Salwa suggests catching a movie at the Tampa Theatre, especially to enjoy the live organ show before the movie.
On first impression, you can tell Dianne and Mickey enjoy their life. They live in downtown Tampa and take advantage of all it has to offer, especially the cuisines and arts and culture. A typical weekend encompasses a walk down Riverwalk to one of their favorite museums (like the Tampa Museum of Art) or to catch a show at Stageworks Theatre. Afterwards, you can find them relishing in the tastes and smells at one of their top picks for restaurants in the area including Cena, Mise en Place, or the Sail Pavilion for the wonderful waterfront views.
University of Tampa student Samantha and her friends Meredith and Amanda enjoy taking a break from their studies at Eddie and Sam’s for New York style pizza and icy gelato. A popular spot for all college students, Eddie and Sam’s also serves the lunchtime crowd of Downtown’s business professionals.
Marcia has a fast-paced job as the Communications Director for Tampa Bay’s Congresswoman, Kathy Castor. A native of Tampa, Marcia knows she can count on Downtown to offer fun things for her to do with family and friends. When it comes to getting around Downtown, Marcia prefers taking to the water in the Pirate Water Taxi. Her favorite place for a quick bite is Fabrica Pizza with their freshly prepared dough and brick oven.
