Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Tampa Bay History Center glows in the warmth of a Florida sunset

I featured the Tampa Bay History Center in a lengthy post on June 22nd. (Click HERE to revisit the museum's opening and for a bit of the history that is told inside.) The image from June was taken in the bright sunlight of a typical warm Tampa afternoon with a bright blue sky and a hint of clouds. This shot was just taken at sunset (after today's heavy downpour) as the interior of the museum came alive with color and a glow as bright as the sun. If this peek at the inside isn't enough in itself, just look at what's happened to the waterfront and the outdoor areas around the museum. Old Water Street has an all new look and vitality. The Cotanchobee Fort Brooke Park and Tampa Riverwalk wrap around the building and the walk is brightly lit in the photo's foreground. An outdoor dining terrace with tables and umbrellas is just a few steps up and is inviting you to enjoy Tampa's famous Columbia Café. The Café celebrates the 100-year history of the original Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City and is located inside the museum on the first level. They serve lunch and dinner daily from their menu of Spanish and Cuban recipes, long-time Tampa favorites, and a perfect compliment to the rich, colorful and yes, even delicious stories told inside the museum. The Café provides dining indoors or outside on the terrace where you can enjoy the view as the sun sets and the lights on the channel, downtown and Harbour Island come alive. It is a spectacular view of Tampa and you'll know why residents and visitors alike love this city.

5 comments:

  1. Great warm colours in this shot; you could set yourself up as 'promoter' for Tampa.

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  2. I love it when glass buildings turn on their lights at dusk so I think this is gorgeous!

    I would love to spend a whole day at the museum and have what sounds like a yummy dinner in the outdoor dining area!

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  3. You just keep getting better and better! And I don't think there's a nicer time to take photos than early evening after a good rain.

    Wonderful shot. And, again, we'll have to look this place up when we come down to Tampa.

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  4. Thanks for this great photo of our new building! Any chance we could get a copy?
    -

    Your friends at the Tampa Bay History Center

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