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👋 Hey, Razorback fans! It's Ben Montgomery from Axios Tampa Bay.

You might remember me from when I played strong safety for the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys. 😉

We wanted to welcome y'all to the City of Champions for the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day. 

To roll out the red carpet, we asked our readers what folks should see and do while in Tampa.

Use this list as a launching point. Here's what we locals like about living in paradise:

Javier Lorenzo rolls cigars at the Tabanere Cigars shop in the Ybor City neighborhood on July 12, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. The neighborhood was founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers 

Javier Lorenzo rolls cigars at the Tabanere Cigars shop in Ybor City. Photo: Joe Raedle/Getty Images

🥘 Try the quail at Song Huong on Waters Avenue.

🇨🇺 Grab a Cuban sandwich at Alessi Bakery, West Tampa Sandwich Shop or La Segunda. 

🐓 Try the Nashville hot fried chicken at King of the Coop.

🥃 Beware of the strong pours at The Hub and the bewitching cocktails at Hotel Bar.

🦞 A real Old Florida offering: Donna the Buffalo is playing a New Year's Eve show at one of our favorite places, Skipper's Smokehouse.

Spanish fired meatballs from Oak and Ola.

Spanish meatballs from Oak and Ola, at Armature Works. Photo: Ben Montgomery/Axios

Here's an itinerary to take in Tampa's Riverwalk. 

Start with a bite at our fancy food hall, Armature Works, or have a drink at Stone's Throw, or try the amazing food at Ulele, a new venture from Tampa's oldest restaurant family.

Then walk, ride a scooter or take the Pirate Taxi to Sparkman Wharf for ice cream. Here's our handy guide to Sparkman Wharf and nearby Water Street.

From there, jump on the TECO trolley for free and ride to Ybor City, our vibrant historic district. Eat, drink, dance, get a tattoo and smoke hand-rolled cigars. 

Damn near strangled by my appetite/Ybor City on a Friday Night/Couldn't even stand upright

A Razorback fan holds an ice cream cone at Sparkman Wharf.

A Razorbacks fan holds an ice cream cone at Sparkman Wharf. Photo: Ben Montgomery/Axios

👀 If you have wheels, take a trip down to the manatee viewing center in Apollo Beach — there's nothing like it in Arkansas.

⛴ Hop on the Cross Bay Ferry for a lovely ride to downtown St. Petersburg, where you can:

Check out St. Pete Pier or look for Dolphins at Vinoy Park or shop along the colorful Central Avenue.

Don't miss two jewels: The Dali Museum and The Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement. 

🎧 We have some great local radio stations, but the most local feeling is 88.5 WMNF.

💉 And several readers asked: Please get vaccinated before you come.

🍔 Also: Could one of y'all bring me a Whatta-Burger from Feltner's? 

The Tampa Riverwalk at night. Photo: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

What Razorback fans can do in Tampa Bay for the Outback Bowl

Hey, Razorback fans! We wanted to welcome y'all to the City of Champions for the Outback Bowl on New Year's Day.

Ybor City street scene, crowded with people

Ybor City's 7th Ave at night. Photo: Octavio Jones/Getty Images

Food

👋 Hey, Razorback fans! It&#x27;s Ben Montgomery from Axios Tampa Bay.<ul><li>You might remember me from when I played strong safety for the Arkansas Tech Wonder Boys. 😉</li></ul>We wanted to welcome y&#x27;all to the City of Champions for the Outback Bowl on New Year&#x27;s Day. <ul><li>To roll out the red carpet, we asked our readers what folks should see and do while in Tampa.</li></ul>Use this list as a launching point. Here&#x27;s what we locals like about living in paradise:

Ben Montgomery

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What Razorback fans can do in Tampa Bay for the Outback Bowl