Located in south Tampa, just south of Northdale and Lutz, Carrollwood has grown into one of the most recognized neighborhoods in Tampa. Known for its emphasis on education, the schools in Carrollwood consistently receive excellent ratings from the county and the state. The family-friendly atmosphere means that life in Carrollwood often focuses on church, school, and sports. Shopping is convenient and diverse, including locally owned stores and big box retail outlets.
THINGS TO DO IN CARROLLWOOD
This fully developed suburb is one of the top locations to live in Tampa, offering a little more space, privacy, and charm than apartments in other parts of town. Due to its growth and popularity, Carrollwood has attracted tasty restaurants and local entertainment that will give you plenty to do for fun during the week and into the weekend.
(Clockwise from top left) Carrollwood Players Theater, Al Lopez Park, Carrollwood Country Club, Yummy House, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Vizcaya Restaurante & Tapas Bar
THEATER CENTRAL
Theater lovers are in for a treat in the Carrollwood area, which has a few long-standing facilities for amazing stage performances. The Tampa Pitcher Show & Take 2 Lounge, located on North Dale Mabry Highway, is a full service venue with film, stage, music, and comedy shows on a regular basis. Open since 1981, the Carrollwood Players Theater is Tampa's longest operating community theatre company with productions and variety acts for all ages and interests.
FITNESS FOR EVERYONE
Another great perk to living in Carrollwood is convenient access to fitness facilities and other exercise opportunities. Some of your favorite well-known gyms, like Crunch, Orangetheory, and Planet Fitness are located in shopping plazas around town. For relaxation and flexibility, visit Chi Yoga Studio for classes like basic flow and gentle yoga.
PARKS FOR YOU AND YOUR FURRY FRIENDS
Al Lopez Park is an excellent spot for trail walking, picnicking, grilling, and even fishing! The facilities are dog-friendly with two fenced areas for pets to enjoy off-leash, or you can walk them throughout the entire park on-leash. Lake Park and Lake Rogers Park are two other options for outdoor fun.
COUNTRY CLUB LIFESTYLES
In the center of Carrollwood, the country club is home to a golf course, tennis courts, and other recreational options. It features 27 holes of Champion Ultradwarf greens for avid golf players to enjoy. This facility also offers luxurious banquet facilities for weddings or other celebrations. Check their website for membership costs and updated event schedules.
COMMUNITY CULTURE ENVIRONMENT
The magic of the Carrollwood Cultural Center is a wonderful example of the Carrollwood community environment. The facility aims to educate, enrich lives, and connect communities with a stage, dance floor, art studios, computer lab, and conference rooms available for booking. This hub of creativity can help you enhance your quality of life through arts and education – it is the perfect place to learn a new language or pop in during special workshops announced regularly on their website.
DINING AND NIGHTLIFE AROUND CARROLLWOOD
Carrollwood is the ultimate hotspot for dining out! Almost every resident will jump at the chance to tell you about their favorite restaurant in town. Whether you prefer ethnic foods or crave a juicy burger and fries, Carrollwood will have a tasty meal option for almost everyone.
ETHNIC OFFERINGS
Yummy House on West Waters Ave is one of the most talked about dining destinations in Carrollwood, featuring authentic Cantonese cooking for afternoon lunch and expanded menus in the evening. For Japanese cuisine, check out Shogun Sushi, which compares making sushi to "creating a piece of art!"
FINE DINING
A fantastic fine dining option in the area is Vizcaya Restaurante & Tapas Bar, a beautifully decorated venue with exquisite Spanish cuisine and a tapas bar. Iavarone's Steak House & Grill is a longtime, swanky steakhouse that will easily satisfy your craving for high quality steak and mouth watering sides.
CASUAL DINING OPTIONS
After a long day at work, sometimes you just want a satisfying meal without the hassle of cooking something up or breaking the bank. Head over to BurgerMonger for 100% Akaushi beef burgers and crispy fries that are cut in store. For live music while you dine, visit Jazzy's BBQ, an upbeat institution with huge plates of barbeque and familiar sides, like mac ‘n' cheese.
SCHOOLS SERVING THE CARROLLWOOD AREA
Below are a few schools serving apartments near Carrollwood.
ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Children in grades K-5 are zoned for Carrollwood Elementary School.
MIDDLE SCHOOLS
Middle school students are zoned for Adams Middle School.
HIGH SCHOOLS
High school students are zoned for Chamberlain High School.
PRIVATE SCHOOLS
Some of the main private schools include Hebrew Academy of Tampa Bay, Montessori House Day School, La Petite Academy, and Northdale Lutheran Church and School.
Please note that public school zoning is subject to change from time to time. Please visit the Hillsborough County School District Website to confirm school zones before making a housing decision.
SHOPPING IN CARROLLWOOD
Carrollwood is home to multiple shopping plazas that make it easy to shop for everything in one spot. In the same area near Bearss Avenue, you can find three large plazas with favorites like Target, Walmart, and Michaels, alongside specialized shops like Abby's Health and Nutrition, which offers special wines, gluten free and raw foods, health & beauty supplies, and sports nutrition items. Fresh Market is also just a few moments away.
Carrollwood is home to a spacious Barnes & Noble, a convenient place to have nearby for holiday gifts and book-related needs. Other notable stores include Marshalls, Ross, Pet Supermarket, a wide-range of florists, including the popular Edible Arrangements!
BUSINESS COMMUNITY IN CARROLLWOOD
With a large resident community that has a variety of needs and wants, several businesses have set up successfully in Carrollwood throughout the years. Some of the most prominent employers include the Newsom Eye and Laser Center, which employs secretarial staff as well as health technicians and Information Technology roles.
The town's strong focus on education raises the importance of staffing and sustaining Carrollwood's schools. This opens up many career opportunities for residents, as well as volunteering options for families and those passionate about supporting local education.
TRAFFIC AND DRIVING NEAR CARROLLWOOD
The best way to get around Carrollwood is by car. Although the city bus does stop in Carrollwood, it doesn't penetrate the neighborhood very far. It is possible, although not easy, to travel to other parts of the city via public transit. Driving is much faster, and Carrollwood's main thoroughfares lead out to Dale Mabry and the Veteran's Expressway on the east and west. Fletcher and Gunn border the neighborhood on to the north and south. Both of these run to I-275, for Carrollwood residents who may want to commute downtown or head to the USF area.
Parents appreciate that Carrollwood was planned for simple transportation among areas of the neighborhood. They might be able to go from home to school, to soccer practice or the grocery store, without ever leaving the confines of Carrollwood. That insulated feeling means that many residents settle in Carrollwood for a long time, and continue to stay even after their children have left home.
(Photo credits, clockwise from top left) Carrollwood Players Theater, Al Lopez Park, Carrollwood Country Club, Yummy House, Carrollwood Cultural Center, Vizcaya Restaurante & Tapas Bar
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