The Return of The Ferry

Plans move forward to bring back ferry service between Tampa and St. Pete

Tampa Bay might be getting one of its most underrated transportation options back. The cross-bay ferry, which previously connected Tampa and St. Petersburg, is now one step closer to returning as officials move forward with plans to acquire new vessels and restart service.

The ferry had shut down after Hillsborough County ended its contract, but the idea never really went away. Now, with renewed momentum and funding discussions picking back up, bringing it back is starting to feel more real than it has in a while.

If it returns, it won’t just be a novelty. For commuters, it offers a real alternative to sitting in traffic on the bridges. For visitors, it creates another way to experience the bay. And for the region as a whole, it adds a layer of transportation flexibility that Tampa has been lacking.

Because as the area continues to grow, the same question keeps coming up. How do you move more people without adding more cars? This might be part of the answer.

And if you’ve ever been stuck on I-275 at the wrong time, you already know why that matters. Not to mention, gas has certainly entered the conversation. Stay tuned.

Padel courts and clubs begin popping up across the Tampa Bay area

There’s a new sport starting to show up around Tampa, and no, it’s not pickleball. It’s called padel, and it’s quickly gaining traction across Florida, including right here in the Tampa Bay area.

Think of it as a mix between tennis and squash, played on a smaller enclosed court with glass walls, quick reflexes, and fast-paced rallies. It’s easy to pick up, social by nature, and built for the kind of casual competition that people love. So yeah, basically pickleball. And that’s exactly why it’s growing.

New courts are being built, clubs are starting to pop up, and more people are getting introduced to it every week. While it’s still early and not as widely available as other sports, the momentum is clearly building.

Right now, it feels like one of those things you either know about or you don’t. But that window doesn’t stay open for long. Because if Florida continues on its current path, padel isn’t just a trend. It’s something that could be everywhere sooner than people expect.

Until next time,