Spring Training is in full swing across the Bay area

Five major league teams make their Grapefruit League home in Tampa Bay.

By Ray Roa on Wed, Mar 13, 2024 at 2:27 pm

Photo via Tigers/Facebook

The Detroit Tigers play their Spring Training in Lakeland, Florida.

There are a select few year-round experiences that are quintessential for any self-respecting resident or visitor in Tampa Bay. Just a few are reserved for springtime only, and one of those is baseball.

Half of major league teams play their spring ball in Florida, and five—Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees—do it right here in Tampa Bay. Each ballpark is special, and local matchups run through Monday, March 25 when the Rays take on the Phillies in Clearwater.

Highlights on this week’s agenda include the Red Sox at Blue Jays in Dunedin (March 22), Mets at Tigers in Lakeland (March 21) and Pirates at Yankees in Tampa (March 15).

More information is at floridagrapefruitleague.com.

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The 20 quintessential greatest things to do in Tampa Bay

Visit a truly beachside restaurant or bar Where else than Tampa Bay can you enjoy a cold beer and cheeseburger while sticking your toes in the sand? Not every restaurant can combine good eats and beachside views. So, hit the link above for a comprehensive list of local restaurants and bars that are truly on the sand. Photo via Caddy’s/Instagram

Get a scenic workout kayaking through a mangrove tunnel at Shell Key1 Collany Rd., Tierra Verde, 727-265-2268 Located near St. Pete, Get Up and Go’s clear kayak tours offer views of local wildlife and while floating around in a crystal-clear boat. Kayakers should be on the lookout for manatees, pink Roseate spoonbills and dolphins. The company also offers a glow tour, a nighttime kayak tour featuring color-changing LED’s lighting up the water beneath your clear kayak. If you have your own 'yak, you can also just drop in for free along Pinellas Bayway S. Photo via Get Up And Go/website

Hold a gator at Croc Encounters 8703 Bowles Rd., Tampa, 813-217-4400 Alligators are a major part of living in Florida, and one local spot gives you up and close and personal with our reptilian overlords.Croc Encounters allows guests to get some serious face time with alligators, crocodiles, alligator snappers, and more. The 15-acre facility offers guided tours and plenty of opportunities to hold reptiles and maybe even feed a few gators. Photo via Colin Wolf

Tampa Bay Fun Boat Departs from Tampa Convention Center Boat Docks. 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. 727-204-9787 Whether you're just visiting, a life-long resident, or just want to learn about local history and all the cool houses on Davis Islands, Tampa Bay Fun Boat’s sightseeing and sunset one-hour tours are arguably one of the best boating options in downtown Tampa. Bottled water is provided, but you are allowed to bring your own cooler with drinks and alcohol if you’re over 21. Photo via Tampa Bay Fun Boat/Facebook

Busch Gardens Tampa 10165 McKinley Dr, Tampa, 813-884-4386 Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is basically a giant zoo with roller coasters. Founded as a literal garden to drink beer, the park has since blossomed into the mega theme park it is today. Recently, the park added the hybrid coaster Iron Gwazi, and Serengeti Flyer, which is billed as the "world's largest swing ride." Photo via Visit Tampa Bay

Head to one of Tampa Bay’s nearby fresh water springsMultiple locations The Florida is pretty much always hot, so it makes it a little more enjoyable by taking a dip in one of Tampa Bay’s many natural springs. From Weeki Wachee to Lithia, there are plenty of swimming holes within a short driving distance. Click the link above to see a full list of nearby springs. Photo via Florida State Parks/website

Head to the Sunday market at Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple5306 Palm River Rd., Tampa, 813-621-1669 This Sunday experience is a weekly ritual for quite a few Tampenos. For over 30 years Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple has been offering this service, with menu items like various soup options, pad thai, empanadas and crab rangoon, all while grabbing some views of the Tampa Bypass Channel.Photo via Wat Mongkolratanaram/Facebook

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About The Author

Ray Roa

Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief in August 2019. Past work can be seen at Suburban Apologist, Tampa Bay Times, Consequence of Sound and The...

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