Before the puck drops at Amalie Arena, hockey fans will discover ways to have a cool time away from the ice in Tampa Bay. Try these ideas on for size.
GRAB A BEER
While in Florida’s hub of craft brewing, you must explore the broad selection of beers flowing from taps all around Tampa Bay. Visit the cornerstone of craft brewing in Tampa, Cigar City Brewing, and enjoy Florida-inspired flavors at one of the three locations in the area. Steps away from Amalie Arena is their spacious taproom hosting their world-famous craft brews. Featuring amazing murals, Coppertail Brewing’s tasting room is the perfect spot for a nautical-themed brew and a bite from their kitchen. Experience 150-years of brewing history at Barriehaus, while you kick back, and relax in their warm, rustic atmosphere before heading to Amalie Arena.
HAVE A CIGAR
Up and down Seventh Avenue in historic Ybor City, you’ll find beautifully made hand-rolled cigars. Visit Tabanero Cigars and watch skilled rollers at work turning cured leaves into amazing cigars. Or step into Tampa Sweetheart Cigar Co. and you might meet legendary cigar maker Arturo Fuente Jr.! A few blocks off of Seventh Avenue you can discover America’s oldest family-owned cigar company and the last operating cigar factory in Cigar City, J.C. Newman Cigar Company. Take a tour while you’re there or stop by the gift shop for a fine selection of cigars.
EXPERIENCE THRILLS
Get your pulse pounding long before the first face-off when you strap into a thrill ride at Busch Gardens® Tampa Bay. Take thrills to new heights on Iron Gwazi, America’s tallest-fastest-steepest hybrid rollercoaster. Experience entertainment that rocks 24/7/365 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with table games, thousands of new slot machines, and live music. Unleash your adventurous spirit at Empower Adventures zipline course or make a splash on Roaring Springs at ZooTampa at Lowry Park. Adventure isn’t far from the arena at The Florida Aquarium, with 9 habitats featuring sharks, stingrays, giant Pacific octopus, and 8,000 more animals from Florida and beyond.
DIG INTO DINNER
Power up for the game at Tampa Bay’s best sports bars — all a short walk from the arena. You’ll find plenty of company at Hattrick’s Tavern (the name alone tells you this is a hockey place) along with great food. When you’re done, step across the street and take the free TECO Historic Streetcar to the stop in front of the arena. It’s a straight shot to Thunder Alley from British pub-inspired Yeoman’s Cask & Lion — visiting fans will find this outdoor spot packed with Lightning blue. On the horizon: A block east of Amalie Arena, Sparkman Wharf hosts 7 fantastic local restaurants and an amazing Biergarten, all with stunning waterfront views.
ENJOY THE VIEWS
See downtown from a new perspective on the Tampa Riverwalk. Walk or bike along the 2.6-mile path or find thrills on the water. Try your hand at cycling with Kraken Cycleboats, glide on the water with Uban Kai’s paddleboards, or be the captain for a day on your eBoats Tampa rental. Need a ride to the arena? Hop on the Pirate Water Taxi at one of its 12 stops and hop off at stop 3, just a short walk away from Amalie Arena.
WATCH ON THE WHARF
Can’t make it to the game? Lucky for you, Sparkman Wharf hosts playoff watch parties for the back-to-back Stanley Cup Champions. The electrifying atmosphere fills the outdoor space at the wharf, and you can watch our Tampa Bay Lightning compete for another championship title.
So, see all that Tampa Bay has to offer BEFORE the puck drops on your next trip to a Lightning game.