Living Near Tampa, Florida

I grew up just outside of Tampa, Florida, in a town called Town N’ Country, but locally, we always called it TnC. Growing up there was nice because it was usually pretty quiet and safe. When I was a child, the population of Town N’ Country was approximately 55,000-60,000 and now, as of 2025, the population is over 90,000. It has nearly doubled since I was a child.

Nowadays, I live just northeast of Tampa, Florida, in another developing town. My new town still has a very small population and, since it’s rural, there are lots of farms near us with cows, horses, and other animals. I like how quiet it is here, as opposed to the city, but sometimes I cannot find enough activities to entertain myself. That is usually when I head into Tampa.

Tampa is full of amazing activities you can do ranging from quiet parks to loud concerts and everything in between. My favorite thing about Tampa is the Riverwalk. The Riverwalk is a long trail that runs alongside the Hillsborough River and connects you to all of the most exciting parts of Tampa. Along the Riverwalk are places like Curtis Hixon Park, a park that hosts free activities like concerts, yoga, and—in the winter—ice skating. Surrounding the park are museums, restaurants, and concert venues so there is always something you can do.

If you walk down the Riverwalk, you’ll find yourself at Amalie Arena. Ice hockey isn’t very popular in the United States, but Tampa is home to a team called The Lightning and they have won many championships in their time. Amalie Arena is where The Lightning typically play, but when they aren’t playing, Amalie Arena hosts concerts for some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Finally, if you keep walking down the Riverwalk you’ll arrive at one of my favorite places in Tampa, Sparkman Wharf. It is a waterside collection of restaurants, a bowling alley, and a stage for even more live music. At night, Sparkman Wharf lights up with a cozy atmosphere—perfect for a first date.

There is so much more to explore in Tampa—like theme parks, nightlife, and holiday events—but I can’t fit it all in one reading lesson. All I can say is, I hope every one of my students gets the opportunity to visit Tampa one day. It’s beautiful, lively, and loaded with activities.