Oldsmar, Florida, sits on a 300-acre wilderness preserve with over 11 miles of trails that connect 10 parks. It’s a quiet, small town with a rich history located between metropolitan Tampa and the award-winning, white sand beaches of the Gulf Coast. Oldsmar is a vibrant and unique community with landscaped boulevards, unique restaurants, shopping, and special events. The center of Oldsmar is anchored by five major hotels, local attractions, and events.
Are you looking for things to do and places to visit while you’re in town? We’re here to talk about our must-see’s and do’s and some local favorites.
Dining & Drinks
-Salt Rock Tavern
If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants in town for an elevated bar and tavern food experience, you have to check out Salt Rock Tavern. They have everything from small plates like jumbo shrimp cocktails, oysters, bacon-wrapped scallops, tuna poke, coconut shrimp bites, and twin filet bites. There’s a little something for everyone from salads to burgers to flatbreads. Happy hour is all day on Sunday and Monday, and Tuesday through Saturday from open to 7pm.
Visit Salt Rock Tavern
-Tampa Bay Brewing Company
Tampa Bay Brewing Company has been a staple in the community since 1995. They are a brewery dedicated to crafting beers for the Florida lifestyle while supporting organizations that spearhead efforts to preserve and protect Florida’s natural habitats, wildlife, and marine environment. They also support grassroots organizations that provide community and family assistance throughout the Tampa Bay area. Tampa Bay Brewing Company is known for its flavorful and hop-centric IPAs, APAs, expressive sours, and juicy, fruit-forward Florida-Weisse. This brewery has amazing food and drinks and a great atmosphere to sit back and relax with friends and family, which is why it’s a local favorite.
Visit Tampa Bay Brewing Company
-Infinity Pizza
Infinity Pizza is a parlor of delights for arcade enthusiasts and comic book lovers alike. As you walk in, you are greeted by a towering Deadpool statue and a pint-sized Groot figure with walls filled with art from both Marvel and DC Comics. Infinity Pizza offers free console games for kids and adults, new and classic arcade games, several pinball machines, and of course, a variety of pizzas to enjoy. Plus, all of the pizzas are named after your favorite comic book heroes! It’s no wonder how this pizzeria made our list of must-eats while visiting our wonderful city.
Visit Infinity Pizza
Must Do/See’s
-Manatee Viewing Center
Manatees are one of the iconic staples of Florida and are extremely protected as they have become an endangered species. People always have their eyes peeled for a manatee sighting if they are anywhere near or on the water. But did you know that manatees love warm water? Tampa Electric in Apollo Beach circulates water from Tampa Bay for cooling, then sends the water flowing clean and warm back into the bay. In the winter, the manatees will leave the cooler waters and return to this warm and welcoming refuge. The Manatee Viewing Center was built to give everyone a chance to see manatees gather. The discharge canal is a state and federally-designated manatee sanctuary that provides critical protection from the cold for these unique and gentle animals.
Visit Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center
-Tampa Bay Downs
Tampa Bay Downs is the only American Thoroughbred horse racing facility on the West Coast of Florida and is one of America’s oldest and most well-maintained racetracks. This must-see destination features the main track, a one-mile dirt oval, and a turf course that includes a quarter-mile inner chute, live racing, simulcasting, poker, and golf at The Downs Golf Practice Facility. If you go to a horse race, be ready for a day full of activities and thrill.
Visit Tampa Bay Downs
-Oldsmar Flea Market
Venture off the beaten path and spend the day at the Oldsmar Flea Market. This market sprawls over 28 acres, making it the largest flea marketing in the south, with 800 different booths and vendors. The Oldsmar Flea Market is a sprawling oasis of history and nostalgia that houses an eclectic mix of curated antique collections, second-hand vendors, Old Florida kitsch, local produce, furniture sellers, modern and contemporary shops, and stores for fishing and golf enthusiasts. Rummage for hidden treasures among the booths, enjoy a bite to eat at one of the many gourmet food stalls or check out the live music at the Main Stage. Be ready to shop till you drop!
Visit Oldsmar Flea Market
Our Favorite Picks
-Dark Door Spirits
Dark Door Spirits is a local distillery that crafts unique spirits unlike anything you’ve tried before. Go behind the door and experience Dark Door Spirits’ handcrafted, small-batch process. Enjoy all the Dark Door Spirits has to offer with their Premium Tour and Tasting events that will have you crafting your very own cocktail in no time and will take you on a tour of the distillery. It’s no wonder why this distillery made our favorites list with its spectacular spirits, amazing customer service, and how much fun you will have while crafting cocktails with friends or family.
Visit Dark Door Spirits
-Oldsmar Trail
Oldsmar is known for its preservation of nature, with over 11 miles of trails that connect 10 different parks. The Oldsmar Trail extends over 10 miles, with R.E. Olds Park at the center of the system. One branch extends to Cypress Forest Park, and another branch extends from the Oldsmar Sports Complex to Mobbly Bayou Beach Park. The trail is mostly concrete, with a few unpaved sections, particularly going through the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve. The different parks and trails all offer unique features to trail users, some for fitness and sports, others for nature exploration and wildlife watching. Whichever trail you travel, there’s something on the Oldsmar Trail for everyone.
See the map of the Oldsmar Trail here.
-Empower Adventures Tampa Bay
Of course, we had to save the best for last. Our obvious number-one favorite thing to do in Oldsmar/Tampa Bay is zip line at Empower Adventures! Empower Adventures is a zip line course that will take you across 5 zip lines totaling over 3,000ft, 4 aerial obstacles, and a 200ft suspension bridge while exploring the Mobbly Bayou Wilderness Preserve. Catch a beautiful, iconic Florida sunset with the Sunset Zip Line Adventure, or conquer your fear of the dark on the Moonlight Zip Line Adventure! They even offer a Private Paddle Board Adventure for 2-4 people. This is an adventure you can’t miss that will leave everyone talking about it for years to come.