“Viva Ybor; Have a Tampa.” was the large colorful sign on the red brick building.
The sign was our first clue to Tampa’s cigar heritage and to the charm of Ybor City. The weather was mild, and a soft breeze was blowing as we pulled to a stop on the outskirts of town. It was a perfect day for strolling through the neighborhood of red brick warehouses, streets, and storefronts. Venturing down a side street, we saw laundry hanging on a line extending from a second-story window. Then we heard a rooster crowing and found the Ybor City Museum State Park.
Looking out through a large storefront window along famous 7th Avenue, we saw a woman seated at a small wooden desk. The vintage desk, designed for rolling cigars, adds to the scene’s charm. She expertly and swiftly rolls a flawless cigar with precise movements, creating a remarkably beautiful moment of motion. Several completed cigars are in a grooved cigar tray, and tobacco leaves are piled high, indicating that she’ll roll many more. The rich heritage of Cuban cigar-making is the industry that once made Ybor City the “Cigar Capitol of the World”.
The Charm of Ybor City is 7th Avenue. The American Planning Association named this historic street as “one of the 10 Great Streets in America.”
Visitors to Ybor City can easily step into its history. A well-dressed man walking by sports a white Cuban-collar shirt, black trousers, and shiny black shoes. As we pass, the aroma of his cigar wafts over, bringing back memories of childhood visits to my Aunt Aileen’s home, where a hint of her husband’s sweet cigar aroma lingered. As kids, we loved to collect the vibrant, ornate cigar boxes. They were the perfect hiding place for all sorts of stuff such as seashells, bubble gum machine jewelry, and Cracker Jack prizes. Later, we replaced these treasures with notes, cards, and letters.
Tabanero Cigars beckons visitors with a unique in-house tour. The atmosphere is an intentional revival of Ybor’s cigar heritage.
In 1885, a group of cigar manufacturers led by Vicente Martinez-Ybor established Ybor City, which later became part of Tampa. Initially, the workforce mainly consisted of Cubans and Spaniards, but over time, Italians, Germans, and other groups also joined.
Arturo Fuente cigars are world-famous and have been handmade by the Fuente family since 1912.
The architecture is a quaint combination of styles: brick warehouses and storefronts, streets, and wood-framed casitas or cottages. Several of the buildings are on the National Historic Register. The city reflects the determination of people whose goal was to surpass Havana in the production of quality cigars, and in its heyday, it produced hundreds of millions of cigars each year.
Travel Notes
There are numerous ways to experience the charm of Ybor City on a Self-guided Tour.
See all of the charm of Ybor City using the Teco Line Streetcar, hop on/hop off.
We parked our car at Tampa’s Channel District and boarded the Teco Line Streetcar. See the Teco Streetcar map.
Find parking and other information at Ybor Streetcar.
Self-Guided Tour
One way to enjoy the food and learn about the city at your own leisurely pace is to take a self-guided tour with a map, headphones, and a wristband for tasting ethnic food at 7 to 11 places, all for $69.00. Find information about the self-guided tour.
Segway Tour
Tour with Park Rangers – The Ybor City Museum State Park
Columbia Restaurant – Our Favorite!
The oldest restaurant in Florida is in the heart of Ybor City, celebrating more than a century of history, culture, and cuisine. We loved the Original “1905” salad and authentic Cuban Sandwitches.
José Martí Park
A tour through Ybor is not complete without visiting José Martí Park, dedicated to Cuba’s beloved leader. Cuba has owned the park since 1956 and is the only place in America where you can stand on Cuban soil.
Some visitors say that the charm of Ybor City lies in its nightlife. There are plenty of bars that are sure to quench your thirst in Ybor City. Or take a tour of the Copperfield Brewing Company
For more information about Tampa, Florida, visit the Tampa Bay Official Site.
Ybor City Cigar Festival – largest in the world
For another story about Tampa, Florida and charming Ybor City, click the link below.
Five Simple Ways to Enjoy Tampa, Florida Like a Local
Photography Note: The cover photo for this story is AI-generated; other photos by Marie Goff.
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