After a rigorous day of sightseeing in Tampa, you may feel the need to get away. You need a place to sink your toes in the sand, savor a water view and enjoy your favorite beverage. Luckily, there is a perfect spot nearby. Located just on the other side of the Gandy Bridge from Tampa is the most recent addition to the beach bar scene: The Getaway. See? Perfect! In fact, The Getaway’s slogan is “Drink in hand, toes in sand.”
The Getaway provides a picture-perfect, island-inspired escape — Photo courtesy of Rick Lopez / Spur Photography
Watch closely as you cross the Gandy Bridge from south Tampa, or you might miss it on your left. It’s not much to look at from the road, just a few shacks, a sign featuring a big blue swirl and a huge dirt and grass parking lot. But that’s okay. Come around back and you’ll see why you’re here.
Overlooking a beautiful bayou and the mangroves of the Weedon Island Preserve, The Getaway is a Florida Keys-inspired retreat, with tiki torches, palm trees and tropical landscaping. The space consists of two huge tiki bars with plenty of covered seating, and an extensive white sand seating area with tables, chairs and a few Adirondacks for lounging.
There's also a long boardwalk with plenty of parking for boat access. In an evening, you’ll see everything from kayaks to fishing boats to sailboats and even a few luxury cruisers. Grab yourself a seat by the dock, and prepare to let your worries float away.
Join your friends to unwind and watch the beautiful sunset — Photo courtesy of Rick Lopez / Spur Photography
To drink, there is a selection of tropical drinks featuring fresh-squeezed juices as well as a variety of draft, craft and bottled beers. To eat, The Getaway has combined the popularity of the food truck trend with the convenience of table ordering. Every day, one or two food trucks are on hand to provide a steadily changing menu of fantastic local dishes. Guests place an order with their waiter and dinner is served to the table. They call this ingenious idea the "Food Truck Carousel."
Tired of relaxing? There are plenty of activities to keep you happy at The Getaway. You can rent yourself a paddleboard and take a turn around the bayou. If that’s a little too much exertion, there is a bean bag toss, too. On weekends, you can get loose by dancing under the stars to a variety of live and local music acts.
Whether you want to relax on the sand or paddle around the bayou, The Getaway is the perfect island-inspired escape from the city.
