TEMPLE TERRACE, FLORIDA

Temple Terrace, Florida is a city of 25,000 people snugged up to the northeast corner of Tampa in Hillsborough County.

It was once a distinct and separate little village that has been engulfed over the years by Tampa and the residential and commercial development surrounding the University of South Florida to its immediate west.

Temple Terrace Promotional Rendering

Like many Florida places, however, when you get off the main roads you will find it is still one of the most charming towns in Florida.

The town was incorporated in 1925 and still has some of the greatest live oak trees of any place in the state.

Home in Temple Terrace, Florida

The City of Temple Terrace was planned and developed in the 1920s as a Mediterranean Revival golf course community. Many of the original homes and buildings from that era are still prominent in the scenery as you drive around town.

The city gets its name from the Temple Orange, named after William Chase Temple, who at one time owned the Pittsburgh Pirates and was the first president of the Florida Citrus Exchange.

The terrace part of the name comes from the way the land along the Hillsborough River was prepared for the original citrus plantings.

The largest orange grove in the world, 5,000 acres, surrounded the original development.

Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club

The town was developed around the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club.

The layout of the golf course has changed very little since it was first built in the mid 1920s. It is a 6,414 yard par 72 course and the town is designed so that many of the homes have golf course views.

The design is different than most modern golf course communities in that the front of the houses face the golf course fairways and greens because of the boulevard layout of the streets.

Modern developments usually have the rear of the house facing the golf course because you can get more lots that way.

Temple Terrace Community Church

The Temple Terrace Community Church is the oldest church in the city. 

It was founded as the Sunday Church School back in 1941 and originally met in the old domed structure that was once the Temple Terrace Estates administration building.

The old building at the corner of Inverness Avenue and Belle Terre Avenue was in bad condition and sat empty and boarded up throughout the Great Depression.

The City finally offered it to the church who fixed it up and began using it as their place of worship.

Many of the homes in Temple Terrace were designed by architects who were famous back in the 1920s.

One of these architects was New York City's Dwight James Baum who had designed John Ringling's mansion - Ca' d' Zan - in Sarasota along with several notable New York buildings.

The plan originally was that wealthy northerners would have their winter homes in Temple Terrace and the rest of the year the place would be occupied by caretakers.

Florida College

During the Great Depression, Florida Bible Institute bought the old original Temple Terrace Country Club clubhouse for back taxes.

Over the years the institute evolved into Florida College, a small private Christian liberal arts college.

The college has some of the city's oldest buildings, including the old clubhouse that is now known as Sutton Hall.

Billy Graham

The late Billy Graham attended Florida Bible Institute.

In his autobiography he says that he received his calling from God on the 18th green of the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club.

Today there is a Billy Graham Memorial Park on the east side of the 18th green along the Hillsborough River.

Many of the Temple Terrace area residents work in some capacity for local colleges.

In addition to Florida College, the University of Tampa, a mid-sized private college, and larger University of South Florida (USF), whose main campus is in Tampa, are all nearby.

Nearby attractions include Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and the Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI).

Downtown Tampa,  about 10 miles away by car, is an urban area, with art, music, theater, countless restaurants and shops, and a waterfront park that runs adjacent to the Tampa Riverwalk, a 2.6 mile multi-use path along the Hillsborough River.

It's not only used for walking and biking along the river, but serves as a community hub, connecting museums, restaurants and parks as well as holding outdoor music festivals and family-friendly events.

Naturally, downtown Temple Terrace is quieter but the city has been developing a revitalization plan for the last several years, and is working to bring in local businesses, add luxury apartments and amenities, and create a more vibrant downtown area.

RECOMMENDED TEMPLE TERRACE RESTAURANT

CAZADOR GRILL

10918 N. 56th Street
Temple Terrace, Florida 33617
Tel: 813-898-8878

Cazador Grill

This small restaurant is on 56th Street, the busy corridor that forms the western boundary of Temple Terrace. It is in a busy little strip shopping center on the west side of the street.

The entrance is not fancy, but neither is the great little restaurant inside. It is clean and friendly and the home of some great Peruvian food. It has only been in business since 2014 but has already developed a large base of fans who love to eat here.

Cazador is a "Parrilla Peruana", or Peruvian Grill or Peruvian Steakhouse. A parilla is a grill used for cooking asado (barbecue) typical of South America.

The menu here features a lot of grilled meats, including skirt steak, short ribs, chicken breast, pork tenderloin, chorizo, barbecue ribs and Italian sausage.

Peruvian food features a lot of meat, but they also love their seafood dishes. Here you will find ceviche, sauteed fish, deep fried seafood including shrimp, octopus, fish and calamari.

Cazador Grill

I had lunch recently at Cazador and enjoyed a rice based entree called Arroz con Mariscos. It was delicious and included shrimp, mussels, calamari, scallops, green beans, peas, carrots, red peppers.

All of this was served with delicious rice and mildly spiced. I am a big eater and this was a big meal. Many of you will be taking some leftovers home with you.

Service was great.

Cazador has wine and beer, and a tasty dessert menu including flan. It is a family owned and operated business

THINGS TO DO IN TEMPLE TERRACE, FLORIDA

Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club
200 Inverness Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33617 | (813) 988-1791

The Temple Terrace Golf & Country Club offers a historic course designed in the 1920s. Golfers enjoy playing on this beautifully maintained, 18-hole championship course that challenges golfers of all skill levels.

The club also offers dining facilities and hosts various social events throughout the year, making it a community hub. Visitors appreciate the friendly atmosphere and the club’s rich history, evident in its architecture and design.

Riverhills Park
329 S Riverhills Dr, Temple Terrace, FL 33617 | (813) 506-6600

Riverhills Park is a favorite for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Located along the Hillsborough River, this park offers excellent facilities for picnicking, canoeing, and playing on the well-equipped playground.

We love the scenic river views and the shaded walking paths. The park also has a boat ramp, making it popular among boaters and fishermen. It’s a peaceful place to spend a day in nature. Dogs allowed.

Woodmont Park
407 Woodmont Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33617 | (813) 506-6600

Woodmont Park’s 1.86 acres is situated opposite the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club. The Temple Terrace Garden Club actively contributes to the beautification of the park.

This scenic park boasts majestic old oak trees that provide shade to a charming gazebo, complemented by a flowing fountain and a variety of plants native to Florida.

Additionally, a butterfly garden has been established in the park's southwest corner, while a memorial garden can be found in the southeast corner. The park also features a network of walkways for visitors to enjoy.

USF Botanical Gardens
12210 USF Pine Dr, Tampa, FL 33612

Just a short drive from Temple Terrace, the USF Botanical Gardens is a living museum that offers a glimpse into the botanical diversity of the region. We enjoy exploring the tropical and subtropical plants displayed across the 16-acre site.

The gardens host plant sales, workshops, and educational tours that visitors find enlightening and enjoyable. Located on the USF campus. Enjoy the Summer Plant Festival held in June.

Lettuce Lake Park
6920 E Fletcher Ave, Tampa, FL 33637 | (813) 987-6204

Near Temple Terrace, Lettuce Lake Park offers shaded picnic spots, a 1.25-mile paved fitness trail, and a 3,500-foot boardwalk that culminates in an observation tower with picturesque views of the Hillsborough River.

It has two playgrounds equipped with swings, adaptive and sensory devices, and a scavenger hunt that encourages children to find medallions and learn about local flora and fauna.

On weekends, park rangers and volunteers lead educational tours focused on nature. Kayaking and canoeing are popular activities here.

Morris Bridge Park
13630 Morris Bridge Rd, Thonotosassa, FL 33592 | (813) 987-6209

Morris Bridge Park, in Thonotosassa about 7 miles away, is an excellent starting point for exploring the extensive trails of the Lower Hillsborough Wilderness Preserve. Visitors enjoy hiking and mountain biking on the trails, which offer varying levels of difficulty and scenic views.

The park’s facilities make it a convenient spot for a day trip with family or friends looking for adventure. Picnic tables are available. Dogs are allowed.

Temple Terrace Arts and Crafts Festival
415 Woodmont Ave, Temple Terrace, FL 33617

The annual Temple Terrace Arts Festival is a highlight for the community, showcasing local artists and craftsmen. We enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, live music, and the array of art on display.

It’s a great opportunity to support local artists and find unique gifts. The festival also features activities for kids, making it a fun event for the whole family. It is held in November.

Babe Zaharias Golf Course
11412 N Forest Hills Dr, Tampa, FL 33612 | (813) 631-4375

Just outside Temple Terrace, the Babe Zaharias Golf Course is named after the famous athlete and offers a historic golfing experience. This municipal 18-hole golf course has been open since 1974.

It has a casual clubhouse restaurant & pro shop. Visitors enjoy the challenging course layout and the clubhouse filled with memorabilia related to Babe Zaharias. The course is well-maintained, providing an enjoyable round for golfers of all abilities.

Museum of Science & Industry
4801 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33617 | (813) 987-6000

Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) features over 100 hands-on activities. Visitors have the opportunity to experience lying on a bed of nails, delve into optical illusions, and tackle engaging brain teasers.

Highlights include the NASA-funded Mission: Moonbase lunar colony, a butterfly observatory, and the SciLink miniature golf course. Further attractions include stargazing in the Saunders Planetarium, thrilling adventures on the VR Simulator, and navigating the heights of the Sky Trail® ropes course.

At MOSI, both children and adults can explore various scientific concepts, from human anatomy to dinosaur discoveries in our Dinovations lab.