When most people think of Tampa, images of sun-sparkled beaches and thrill-seeking amusement rides immediately come to mind. But there are many other features that make this Gulf Coast city truly unique. Here are some of them.

Tampa Has the Largest Port in Florida

The port of Tampa Florida

Few people may realize that Port Tampa Bay is the largest in the state. It is the closest full-service port to the Panama Canal and is also a leading US cruise port. Four cruise lines operate ships from it, including Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America, Royal Caribbean International, and Norwegian Cruise Line. In addition to the port serving as an important economic engine for the city, it also provides residents with a great way to vacation without the hassle of boarding an airplane.

Beware of Lightning

Lighting over Tampa Bay

If you’ve ever wondered how Tampa Bay’s professional hockey team got the name “Lightning,” the city’s notorious storm conditions will give you a hint. In fact, Tampa is known as the Lightning Capital of the World and the region between Tampa and Orlando is known as “Lightning Alley.” Lightning can strike quickly and with great fury here, especially during the summer months, so you should always be prepared to quickly take cover during a storm.

Watch Out for Movie Crews

Channing Tatum photo bu Shutterstock

When tourists visit the Empire State Building in New York, it might evoke memories of the movie Sleepless in Seattle, and the scene where Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan meet at the iconic building by chance. But few people know that Tampa has its share of movie highlights. For example, Magic Mike was loosely based on actor Channing Tatum’s real-life experiences as a stripper in the Tampa area. Among locations featured in the film are The Bricks of Ybor, Fred Howard Park, and Caddy’s on the Beach in Treasure Island. Also, Edward Scissorhands was shot in a subdivision of Land O’Lakes called Carpenters Run.

The State’s Oldest Restaurant Is Here

Photo courtesy of Columbia Restaurant

Founded in 1905 by Cuban immigrant Casimiro Hernandez, the Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest restaurant and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. Located in Ybor City and operated by five generations of the same family, the restaurant serves a variety of tapas, pescados, pollo, paella, and more. Over the years, the restaurant has opened up other locations in Sarasota, St. Augustine, Clearwater Beach, and Orlando.

Festivals Are Commonplace

Photo courtesy of Gasparilla

Not only does Tampa host a large pirate-themed festival every year called the Gasparilla Pirate Festival, it is also home to the Tampa Bay Margarita Festival, Sunset Music Festival, Tampapalooza, and Springfest. Festivals are held in various locations throughout the city, all of which feature great food, drink, entertainment, and of course, sunshine. So investing in a comfortable lawn chair and stocking up on sunscreen are a must for residents who like to enjoy these outdoor attractions.

A Museum Dedicated to Salvador Dali Is in St. Petersburg

Dali Museum photo by Shutterstock

Some people may not realize that the area is home to a museum dedicated to the Spanish surrealist artist Salvador Dali. Located on the waterfront in St. Petersburg, the museum was founded with works collected by Reynolds and Eleanor Morse. It celebrates the life and work of Salvador Dali (1904-1989) and features works from the artist’s entire career. The collection includes over 2,000 works from every moment and in every medium of his artistic activity including 96 oil paintings, many original drawings, book illustrations, prints, sculpture, photos, manuscripts, and an extensive archive of documents.

The Cuban Sandwich? Not entirely Cuban...

Traditional Cuban Sandwich with Ham, Pork and Cheese

It was actually invented in Tampa. A local chef used ingredients at hand in immigrant-rich Ybor City to feed Cuban cigar workers in the 1890s. The Tampa Bay version of the world-famous sandwich combines mojo pork, ham, salami, pickles, Swiss cheese, and mustard between two slices of Cuban bread. You can order these sandwiches all over Tampa Bay, but to get closest to the original, head to the Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center.

Manatees Love Tampa Bay

Florida manatees

Humans aren’t the only ones you’ll find swimming in the waters here. Florida’s official marine mammal, the manatee, can be spotted in large numbers particularly during the winter and spring. They can be found in the Hillsborough River in the middle of Downtown and also come to the TECO Manatee Viewing Center at the Big Bend power plant south of town.