A Guide to Surviving Gasparilla

Planning on going to Gasparilla Pirate Fest on Saturday, Jan. 28?

Keep in mind these road closure times before venturing to the parade:

Friday at 10 p.m

• Closed Bayshore Boulevard from Gandy Boulevard to Platt Street/Channelside Drive.
• Closed Bay to Bay Boulevard from Bayshore Boulevard to Ysabella Street.
• Closed Davis Island Bridge off ramp onto northbound Bayshore Boulevard.

 Saturday at 3 a.m.

• Closed Brorein Street from Florida Avenue to Bayshore Boulevard (closes two south lanes only).
• Closed Bayshore Boulevard from Brorein Street to Platt Street.
• Closed Platt Street/Channelside Drive from Plant Avenue to Franklin Street.

Saturday at 5.30 a.m.

• Closed eastbound Crosstown-Willow Avenue off ramp (Exit 4).
• Closed Willow Avenue from Cleveland Street to Swann Avenue (southbound lanes closed only – one way northbound).

Saturday at 7 a.m.

• Closed Ashley Drive from Brorein Street to Jackson Street.
• Closed Brorein Street from Jefferson Avenue to Florida Avenue.
• Closed Brorein Street from Tampa Street to Parker Street.
• Closed Brorein Street at Franklin Street.
• Closed Franklin Street from Channelside Drive to Old Water Street.
• Closed sounthbound Franklin Street from Old Water Street to Harbour Island Bridge.
• Closed westbound Old Water Street from Florida Avenue to Franklin Street.
• Closed Washington Street from Ashley Drive to Tampa Street.
• Closed Whiting Street from Ashley Drive to Tampa Street.

Saturday at 9 a.m.

• Closed eastbound Kennedy Boulevard from Hyde Park Avenue to Ashley Drive.
• Closed Ashley Drive from Tampa Street split to Jackson Street.
• Closed Jackson Street from Ashley Drive to Tamps Street.
• Closed westbound Kennedy Boulevard from Florida Avenue to Plant Avenue. 
• Closed Madison Street from Ashley Drive to Tampa Street.
• Closed westbound Madison Street from Florida Avenue to Tampa Street.
• Closed Twiggs Street from Ashley Drive to Tampa Street.
• Closed westbound Twiggs Street from Florida Avenue to Tampa Street.
• Closed Zack Street from Ashley Drive to Tampa Street.
• Closed westbound Zack Street from Florida Avenue to Tampa Street.
• Closed Polk Street from Ashley Drive to Tampa Street.
• Closed westbound Polk Street from Florida Avenue to Tampa Street.

Saturday at 11 a.m.

• Closed Cass Street from Willow Avenue to Tampa Street.
• Closed Willow Avenue from Cass Street to North A Street.
• Closed Tyler Street from Florida Avenue to Gasparilla Plaza.

Saturday at 3 p.m.

• Closed eastbound Bay to Bay Boulevard from MacDill Avenue to Ysabella Avenue.
• Closed eastbound Swann Avenue at MacDill Avenue.
• Closed eastbound Swann Avenue from Armenia Avenue to Howard Avenue.
• Closed eastbound Kennedy Boulevard at Howard Avenue.
• Closed eastbound Platt Street at Willow Avenue.  
• Closed Willow Avenue between Kennedy Boulevard and Cleveland Street.
• Closed southbound Willow Avenue from Cleveland Street to Swann Avenue.
• Closed southbound South Boulevard from Kennedy Boulevard to Platt Street.
• Closed Whiting Street from Tampa Street to Franklin Street.
• Closed westbound Whiting Street from Florida Avenue to Franklin Street.

For more information, visit www.tampagov.net.

Parking in the neighborhoods bordering the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates route is not permitted and the city will ticket and tow cars parked in “No Parking” areas on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Here's a rundown of parking garages and lots in downtown.

• Tampa Convention Center Garage, 333 S. Franklin St., will open at 5 a.m. ($10).

• South Regional Garage, 301 Channelside Dr., will open at 6 a.m. ($10).

• Ft. Brooke Garage, 107 N. Franklin St., will open at 6 a.m. ($10). Monthly parkers must pay at this location all day Saturday.

• Whiting Street Garage, 400 E. Whiting St., will open at 9 a.m. ($10). Monthly parkers must pay at this location all day Saturday.

• Jackson Street Parking Lot, 420 E. Jackson St., will open at 7 a.m. ($10). Monthly parkers must pay at this location all day Saturday.

• Twiggs Street Garage, 901 E. Twiggs St., will open at 6 a.m. at normal hourly rates of $1.20/hr, with a $7 daily maximum. This will be an automated facility with a paystation collecting payment on the exit.

• Royal Regional Lot, 1200 N.Tampa St., will open at 7 a.m. ($10). 

• Meters south of Kennedy Boulevard and on Kennedy Boulevard will be enforced from 8 a.m. until midnight.

You finally managed to or Ybor City this Saturday. But how will you get to the parade and back?

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) will offer extra streetcar and bus services during Gasparilla Pirate Fest Saturday, Jan. 28.

TECO Line Streetcar

Folks parking in Ybor City may take the streetcar from Ybor City (Centennial Park Station) to downtown (Dick Greco Plaza). Transportation service runs from 9 a.m. Saturday to 1.30 a.m. Sunday. Cost is $5 for an all-day pass, which may be purchased with cash at ticket vending machines (change provided) located at each streetcar station.

View map for Gasparilla Streetcar and Bus service.

HART Bus Service

Those parking in Ybor City may also take HART Bus Route 8, which will operate continuous service during peak times in the morning and afternoon from Ybor City (Streetcar Society Station) to Downtown (Dick Greco Plaza). Buses will run from Port Authority and Cumberland Streetcar Stations to Dick Greco Plaza when streetcars are operating at capacity. Cost is $3.75 for an all-day pass, which may be purchased in advance at HART retail outlets or on board buses on Gasparilla Day with cash only, no change provided. Monthly bus passes may also be used. 

View map for Gasparilla Streetcar and Bus service.

In-Town Trolley

Provides a connection from the north end of Downtown Tampa (Marion Transit Center) to the south end of Downtown Tampa (Dick Greco Plaza). Transportation service runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Cost is $0.25 or streetcar/bus all-day passes accepted.

View map for Gasparilla public transportation service.

Getting to Downtown Tampa on HART

• From South Tampa: Route 19
• From West Tampa: Route 7
• From North Tampa: Routes 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, 12, 18
• From Temple Terrace: Route 6
• From Brandon: Route 8
• From Citrus Park: Route 7
• From Town 'N Country/Westchase: Route 30
• View entire bus system map
• View Saturday bus schedule

For more information, call 813-254-4278 or visit www.gohart.org.

Park and Float

Tampa Water Taxi will offer charter invasion rates on Gasparilla Day. Water taxi trips are also regularly available for residents and visitors at stops from the Straz Center for the Performing Arts to the Tampa Bay Times Forum and many stops in between. Cost is $5 per person. Call Captain Larry at (888) 665-8687.