10. Get some history
If you're not sure why Ybor has so much cigar ephemera or whether its original residents were Italian or Cuban, pop by the Ybor City Museum State Park. Don't worry; there won't be a test. But they have a kick-ass self-guided walking tour of the town, so start there, get the tour and wander. Wed.-Sun.: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
9. Smoke 'em if ya got 'em
Saturday's the Founders Day Craft Beer and Cigar Festival at Centro Ybor. It's a celebration of Ybor's founding fathers (and there are a lot of them) and its cigar heritage. And craft beers, because apparently everyone loves craft beer. Proceeds benefit Tampa PD's Homeless Initiative, intended to help Ybor's homeless. May 13: 2-6 p.m.
8. Stay on the Fringe
The first-ever Tampa International Fringe Fest chose Ybor as the place to be, and with good reason: Eclectic, tiny spaces like The Silver Meteor seem designed for fringe theater like The Actual Dance and The Flashlight Play. Learn more — and find links to different shows — here. All weekend; times and venues vary.
7. To market, to market
Head to the Ybor Saturday Market to check out fresh produce, local art, handmade jewelry, Ybor cigars and all sorts of marketstuffs. This Saturday only: Spend $25 and get an Ybor market bag, perfect for toting home baked goods and fresh veggies. May 13: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
6. Learn about alt fashion
At the Italian Club, take in Cakes & Couture: Enchanted Dreams, an alternative fashion conference. This year's conference will highlight Japanese Lolita street fashion. May 14: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; 11 p.m. after-party at The Castle.
5. Take a photo field trip!
Photographer David Beebe will lead a photo field trip, taking curious photographers through the Ybor market in Centennial Park and along 7th Ave. Ybor's architecture, infrastructure and burgeoning chicken population all make it a smörgåsbord for photographers. May 13: 9-11 a.m.
4. Mom yoga
Mother's Day is this weekend, and the Yoga Loft has The Mother of All yoga workshop. Bring your mom if you'd like, or come alone. It's an all-level class, so no worries about having to hold the crow for 20 minutes or anything like that.
3. A streetcar not named Desire
Unlike New Orleans' streetcars, these aren't cramped with locals — consider them a funky, artsy extravagance that takes you from Ybor to Channelside, where parking's the literal worst. Once there, there's the Florida Aquarium, Stageworks' Avenue Q and one hell of a burger at the District Tavern.
2. Feed your mum
Mom eats free at Centro Ybor's GameTime Sunday, 'cause it's Mother's Day and all. Also, they have almost every televised sporting event known to man. May 14: 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
1. Visit Cuba
No, we're not speaking metaphorically. Cuba owns property in Ybor — right by the CL offices, actually. Three years before the Revolution (in Ybor, there's only one we mean when we speak of the revolution), Paulina Pedroso, who was a revolutionary alongside Jose Marti, donated the land to the Republic of Cuba. Today it's known as Jose Marti Park and it has soil from every Cuban province. Most likely the gate will be shut on the weekend, but it's small enough you can still see it — and stick your foot between the rails and brag that you've been to Cuba. And who was Jose Marti? Well, that brings you back to #1, doesn't it? Mon.-Fri.: 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.; entire park always visible.
Cathy Salustri is the arts & entertainment editor for Creative Loafing Tampa. Her book about a month-long road trip across Florida's backroads, Backroads of Paradise, is available at big box stores and online, but she'd prefer you buy it from a local bookseller. Follow her adventures at greatfloridaroadtrip.com, on Twitter, or on Facebook. She also has a personal website and an Instagram, which has mostly pictures of her dogs. Email her here.
This article appears in May 11-18, 2017.