In 1866, the Hyde Park neighborhood was established in Tampa, Fl. According to the Hyde Park Village website, the neighborhood was originally a housing community for the growing city, yet it the 1980s it was named a historic district due to its impressive architecture.  

In 1985, Hyde Park Village, an outdoor shopping center located in the center of the neighborhood, opened, attracting both locals and tourists to one of Tampa’s oldest neighborhoods. 

Now, the social scene in the village has skyrocketed, transforming it into a tourist destination. Since it is privately owned, the income generated by Hyde Park Village is unknown; however, the crowds drawn by its high-end shopping and restaurants, along with the monthly Sunday market, suggest that it benefits the city.  

In addition, the Hyde Park neighborhood offers daily amenities. On a summer morning, tourists and locals will often go for walks on Bayshore Blvd, followed by a breakfast at Sesame Bagels or coffee at The Salty.  

For lunch, On Swann and Forbici offer a unique, non-chain experience, which can be followed by shopping in the village at stores like Blue Mercury, Madewell and West Elm. On a hot afternoon, many will visit Oddfellows Ice Cream or The Hyppo for popsicles after a visit to Kate Jackson Park.  

In the evening, the village offers dining and entertainment options, with restaurants like Ro and Meat Market drawing attention due to their upscale meals. And of course, with Florida rainy days constantly occurring, time spent at CinéBistro for food and a movie is one of the ways locals and tourists can pass the time during a classic afternoon or evening shower.  

Plant High School Senior Fiyori Russom moved to Tampa before sixth grade at Wilson Middle School in Hyde Park. “What drew me when moving to Hyde Park was the easy accessibility to the village,” said Russom. “It is walking distance and there is so much to do in the center. I moved from San Diego, Ca., where I lived in a similar setting to Hyde Park, in that both locations were close to popular centers.”  

For Russom, convenience is key. Whether she has hours or minutes to grab a bite, Hyde Park is easy to reach, making it a place she visits often. “My favorite part about living in Hyde Park is the ease of walking over at any time and grabbing a bite to eat at Forbici or having some ice cream at Odd Fellows.”  

 In addition to Russom, Plant senior Zoe Meister, a Chicago native, moved to Tampa as she was heading into fourth grade. “My favorite parts about living in Hyde Park are being so close to my friends, school, and dance studio and being in close proximity to shopping and other activities and events in the city.”  

 Both Russom and Meister use all that Hyde Park has to offer on a daily basis. 

 Since its creation 159 years ago, Hyde Park has showcased Tampa’s history, attracting tourists to glimpse the city’s evolution from the 1800s to the present and will continue to do so in the future.