Tampa Family Friendly Armature Works
Florida is synonymous with a great family vacation filled with sunshine, palm trees and beautiful beached with optimal water temperatures for swimming and splashing even for small children.
Tampa Bay is probably the most favorite family friendly destination in Florida. First of all, it is located on the Gulf Coast so the ocean is much calmer here than on the Atlantic Coast, which is great for young children.
Second of all, there are tons of things to do in Tampa with children and the neighboring Tampa Bay area. Finally, Tampa is very budget friendly. Some destinations in Florida may have lots of attractions for children but you will spend a fortune (think about astronomical prices of Miami’s beach front hotels or Disney World admission tickets).
Family vacations are all about adventure, and what’s more fun than a bicycle adventure? Let’s get the wheels spinning in your families life. The Riverwalk is the perfect scenic place to bike downtown especially if you want to stop every once in a while for a break or to grab a drink. At 2.6 miles, it’s not the longest route, but it makes for a fun afternoon or great evening.
Need to rent wheels for the day? Pick up bike rentals (daily/hourly) options from at City Bike Tampa. We truly enjoyed the ease of the rental process and the amazing customer service we received. We loved the fact that we could select our bikes. I selected the Small Cruiser which is for anyone (up to 5’7”). While hubby selected the Larger Cruiser which is for anyone (5’4” to 6’). The rental also includes a helmet, bike lock and flat repair kit. Please make sure to bring your ID and arrive 15 minutes early to fill out the necessary paperwork.
Are you looking for an over the top milkshake or creative dessert? Kourtney grabbed a Sleazy Brownie Milkshake at Bake’n Babes, located at Armature Works. Bake'n Babes was established in 2013, with their first location being inside Gen-X Tavern. They became widely known due to their first-place win at the Ybor Saturday Market's Cupcake Contest with their now-famous French Toast Maple Bacon Cupcake.
Bake'n Babes pride themselves on using locally sourced, preservative-free ingredients. Now they're bringing those ingredients to Armature Works and making exclusive sweets! Their classic over-the-top Freak Shake will have a new name at the new location and it's called The Works. You can enjoy The Works and many other delicious sweets NOW!
There is a monthly “The Works” available in a variety of limited flavors. They are topped with things like giant slices of cake, waffles, sparkers and anything else your heart could imagine. Bake’n Babes recently went viral with the launch of its Lizzo inspired shake back in September of last year. To the owners surprise Lizzo actually showed up to indulge in the shake. Bake’n Babes was originally in the Hall of Franklin, however as a result of the pandemic they left and are now located in Gen-X Tavern, Davis Island and Armature Works.
Dixie Dharma is an Orlando-based vegan spot which now serves its vegan takes on Southern classics inside Armature Works, a beautifully renovated streetcar barn that houses a public food market. My favorite part is that Dharma is a scratch kitchen. Meaning everything is made onsite. My hubby ordered the Brew Burger, which is a blackened burger smothered in beer cheese, purple cabbage, crispy fried onions, a garlic pickle with a cajun remoulade.
Per the workers their most popular items are their orange bird – a sloppy joe with orange barbecue sauce and house slaw served on a toasted potato bun. Which is known worldwide. Next, their chili dogs are one of the up and coming very popular items. And then their Carolina jackfruit is totally a top contender as well.
Dharma is beloved for its vegan BBQ options, sandwiches and hearty Southern-inspired comfort food dishes. Get your fill with indulgent combo dishes that come with one comfort side (think tater salad, mac n’ cheese and grits). Trust this is a must to visit when in Tampa.
Armature Works is a mixed-use commercial building consisting of Heights Public Market, multiple event spaces, co-shared workspace as well as multiple waterfront restaurants and bars. Once known as Tampa Electric’s streetcar warehouse, Armature Works dates back to 1910 and has since gone through a complete modern restoration. To keep the historical feel of this downtown Tampa landmark, many of the original materials have been recycled. Today, you will see original features such as exposed brick walls, skylights, original windows and doors and even the wood planks taken from the ceilings have been repurposed and used to form wood floors. The Heights development plans bring life, excitement and community to Tampa’s Downtown Riverfront. You can reach this unique destination by boat, bike, car or via the extended Tampa Riverwalk! Armature Works is located at 1910 N. Ola Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33602.
Stay up to date with me and all things Tampa family friendly food and fun by subscribing to my blog and following me on all of my social sites.
XO, Kangelia.
Photos by Christina Jones Photography
