All the cool kids head to downtown Tampa on the final Thursday of each month for the Franklin Block Party, featuring beer, music, bands, and games. Now in its second month, the event includes a wet zone on Franklin Street between Twiggs and Madison. Free, but you have to buy your own beer and food. 5-10 p.m., between Twiggs and Madison on Franklin, Tampa. 813-375-9995, franklin1895.com/#!block-parties/c6j3. 

This article appears in Feb 25 – Mar 2, 2016.

Cathy's portfolio includes pieces for Visit Florida, USA Today and regional and local press. In 2016, UPF published Backroads of Paradise, her travel narrative about retracing the WPA-era Florida driving...