If you’re after luxury living backed by rich history and culture, look no further than the Bayshore Beautiful neighborhood.
Bayshore Beautiful is a renowned South Tampa neighborhood that offers amazing waterfront views and shady tree-lined streets. The Bayshore sidewalk that runs along the waterfront is reportedly the longest in the world, and offers the perfect background for sunset walks, morning jogs, or weekend skating.
Bayshore Beautiful is bordered to the east by expansive Bayshore Boulevard with sweeping views of some of the most gorgeous homes in Florida, Himes Avenue to the west, Gandy Boulevard to the south, and El Prado Boulevard to the north.
Regarded as one of the most prestigious communities in the Tampa Bay area, Bayshore Beautiful offers something for everyone.
Bayshore Beautiful Neighborhood History
Like many Tampa neighborhoods, Bayshore Boulevard has its roots in the Henry B. Plant Tampa Bay Hotel. When Plant announced plans to build his luxurious resort, he insisted that Lafayette Street (now Kennedy Boulevard) was extended by half a mile to the river, and that a bridge was built at that point.
This bridge was opened in 1888 and made access to what is now South Tampa much easier for residents and tourists alike, prompting the development of the area. Even with the bridge and the development, many people considered the area to be too wild for inhabitation, and it took quite some time for Bayshore to become one of the most desired neighborhoods in Tampa. In fact, Bayshore Boulevard was a mudflat that was called home by Fiddler crabs, not people.
Architecture
An elegant mixture of historic homes and contemporary living, Bayshore is one of the best South Tampa neighborhoods for classic home building. The area includes examples of traditional bungalows, Tudor style homes, and large lots of sometimes a quarter acre or more.
Neighborhood Character/Lifestyle
Families and professionals alike call Bayshore Beautiful home, and although the neighborhood is historically rich, it also boasts a contemporary and luxurious feel. People make good use of the distinctive Bayshore sidewalk, and many people can be found enjoying the scenic views and cool breeze as they walk, jog, or cycle down the ample paved area. There is also a festive vibe during the annual Gasparilla parade in late January, which is a rich part of Tampa’s history and a very important part of the Bayshore culture.
Schools
Some of Tampa’s best schools can be found around the Bayshore Beautiful neighborhood. From pre-school to high school, your children will receive a solid education. Roosevelt Elementary School will get things off to the right start, and then it’s on to Madison Middle School and Plant Senior High School.
You can find out more by visiting the Hillsborough County Schools Locator.
Dining and Shopping
South Tampa offers some of the finest shopping and dining in Tampa Bay. If you’re looking for a contemporary experience, Bayshore Town Center offers premier retailers and upscale dining. For a more unique outing, a small district of bars, cafes, and smaller shops can be found between Bayview and Wallcraft Avenues.
Things to Do
The Bayshore area boasts something for everyone to enjoy with a central location to some of Tampa Bay’s most sought after entertainment.
Ballast Point Park in South Tampa offers outdoor fun for the whole family, including fishing off of their pier, a splash park for the kids, and impressive views of the downtown skyline and Davis Island.
The historic Tampa Theater is in the heart of downtown Tampa provides a wide variety of cultural and contemporary events to enjoy, including movie screenings and wine festivals.
For concerts and athletic events, Amalie Arena offers a premium viewing experience and a wide variety of events for the whole family.