Fascinators & First Bets As a fashionista, I was thrilled to lean into the Kentucky Derby theme for a holiday party outing in December with my colleague; fascinator on, confidence questionable. I showed up knowing nothing about betting, but the team at Tampa Bay Downs made it effortless. The staff were incredibly patient and genuinely fun, walking me through everything without ever making it feel intimidating (even my "should I pick the fast looking one?" moment). By race three, I was casually talking "win, place, show" like a pro. The Garden Suite delivered on every level; elevated views, private wagering, an open bar flowing all afternoon, and a buffet that actually impressed. Fresh, well-done comfort food with plenty of options that kept everyone fueled between races. Most people kept it casual, but I never mind being the best-dressed in the room. Came for the holiday outing, stayed for the vibes, and left planning my next visit read more

I have not been to a race track in a very long time and I forgot how much fun they can be. The admission was only $3pp. Cash is required for all aspects. Everything is run well. The grandstand seating is decent and the reserved seating sections are priced reasonably as well. The cashiers are efficient and the minimums low. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I haven't been to a horse track in years but nothing has changed and it's all good. Easy to get here and there is plenty of parking. Numerous food choices, seat options, drink options and lots of races to bet. You can bet for small amounts or large and you will still have fun. Programs are inexpensive and informative. You can get up close to the horses or sit in the grandstands. All in all, a great way to spend an afternoon. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I have a soft spot for old horse racing tracks having spent alot of time at a now defunct one years ago. Tampa Bay Downs does not have the grandeur of Hialeah, which sadly I only got to see after it ceased to host racing, but I liked it. There has been racing at this site for 100 years as of 2026, I wish they had a broader selection of shirts and sizes to reflect this. The main building is from 1947, it has that sort of charm. Nice crowd, no sketchy folks, affordable food and drinks. Free admission to clubhouse on Wednesday. Clearly understandable announcer. Helpful handicapper woman on screen before each race. Free parking. I lost picking out horses with names like "Lady Dominance" but won on one I picked out just because the horse was a handsome beast, regardless of name or odds. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I'm not a horse track expert by any stretch of the imagination. However, if you are looking for an afternoon of entertainment, this place will help you be entertained. Parking is free and admission is $3. That's a pretty good start. We found staff to be courteous and helpful throughout our day at the park. While we sat at a table near the track ($15 per person for the day), we had a great view of all track activities. Thanks to Gio, our drink and food needs were taken care of. He even made sure to bring us water on what turned out to be a pretty warm day. With food and drink purchases throughout the afternoon, my partner and I only spent about $100. I also took a chance between races to walk around the facility. Overall, it seems very well kept and offered numerous types of viewing opportunities. I didn't get rich betting; but I had a good enough time to return in the future! read more

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This is such a fun day out for the family! Make sure to go when it's not too hot and sunny. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Race time! - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

It's a nice way to spend a little time outdoors, and kids like to watch the races (and the area where they start lining up) and are free to enter. The elderly like the plentiful benches. It's free parking and $3 for adults to watch, so not a bad way to spend a couple of hours. Compared to other racetracks, there wasn't much going on inside the building. There's a bar and a gift shop, but not anything else regarding food/shopping. There's also not good signage about races inside or outside. You really have to use the website to know which horses were up next, and you have to know the number of the horse. The person taking the bets does not know any of the horses names and can't look that up. So it's fine if you got a bunch of people going, you're outdoors, you can cheer periodically, the bets are super low minimums, but it's nothing fancy. Remember to bet responsibly and feel free to wear a fancy hat. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Was an okay experience. The track and building could use a makeover. Very simple layout of the grounds and indoor spaces for watching the race. They need more areas for picnics areas for large or small parties to have a private box or area Would be nice to have in field access. read more

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This place needs some updating and younger employees. Employees were slow grumpy and not helpful. Went on Saturday, first day of the season. They need better food options. Definitely not the place to eat. read more

My 7yo granddaughter won the first race, her very first race...A fun day with our cousins, and Wednesday's is free entry.

Nice old time race track, very clean, well-maintained and friendly staff. Great place to watch races and an entertainment bargain, $3 grandstand admission and free admission. Racing is exciting and great views from grandstands or rail. read more

Katy at the concession stand was amazing! Super nice and helpful, love great service and friendly people willing to help!

Great place to enjoy horse racing. We enjoy the Skye Terrace, the window views are great and the food and drinks are excellent. Business casual dress code, no shorts or skorts, men's shirts must have a collar; jeans are acceptable. Betting in room is available. There are also bar options for lower key dining and betting. Betting other tracks (such as Keeneland) is available. read more

We were traveling to the area to go to a spring training baseball game and decided to spend an afternoon at the racetrack. So glad we did. The weather was beautiful, and so was the track. We started with lunch on the third floor of the grandstand with great food and a great view. There were two cashiers taking bets, so we never had to wait too long. Every view of the track is good. Our table on the third floor had a great view, but we also went outside to take some pictures, and those views were also great along the way as well as outside. Great facility and great fun! read more

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Never been before, it was really exciting and fun. There's alot to learn about betting on horses. They have an abundance of televisions to watch The Tampa Bay Downs Race and also other worldwide races. The atmosphere is relaxing. They have snacks, sodas and adult beverages. The horses are beautiful. The food was moderately priced and the chicken finger basket was tasty. The staff was nice and patient with this newbie. Check out Groupon before going they usually have pretty good deals. read more

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Such a fun place to play/spend a day! You can hit the poker room, the sports book, watch the horses from so many different vantage points and just savor the fresh air and the flowers. It's the adrenaline of a race every 20 minutes... and also the peace of being outside. It's lovely... plus, snacks everywhere! So, first, some facts. The track is up in the northwest corner of Tampa, on the Pinellas county line. Take Hillsborough Ave way west and you'll get there. There's a driving range or golf course next door and it feels calm and leafy, even though you're right off the busy strip. Parking is ample and free, unless you want to pay $5 for valet. General admission is just $3.00 on Friday, Saturday or Sunday-and free the rest of the week. Kids 12 and under are free, with adults. You can watch the races outside from the grandstand, from the apron, the picnic area or at the rail. You can also watch inside on monitors from the Legends Bar, Riders Up Bar, or lots of other seating areas in both the Grandstand or the Clubhouse. There's food available at several concession stands as well as the aforementioned bars, the Silks Bar and Grille, the Sports Gallery and the Skye Terrace Dining Room. (I think the latter has a dress code) So, feeling lucky? You can bet as little as $2.00 on a race. I'm not an expert on wagering-but I go with people who are better at it and understand what a trifecta and an "exacta box" are. They also know how to use the computers for wagering. I just go see the nice people at the windows. (I'm better at ordering hot dogs and drinks than betting or technology) You can have fun no matter what level you're at. Or you can skip the betting altogether and just enjoy watching the horses up close in the barn and paddock areas... and watching them run. We rented a box outside this time, for $25. It seats six-comes with a table for programs and drinks/food and a closed-circuit tv. You also get a server for your box, so you can order from there and only need to get up for betting and bathrooms. Oh-and there's even a private party room. Oh yes, this is a fun spot! It's open all year but live racing only runs from December thru May. There are extra special high-stake race days and Kentucky Derby day is crowded and a blast-you'll see a few big hats that day. So giddy up, go have fun. Or, they say, live it up at the Downs. read more

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Every worker that serves food and drinks was very rude. Did not meet one nice worker there.

Horse racing has gone away where I live, so it's nice to get a horse race in while we're in FL. TBD is a nice location. The facility is clean and fairly modern. Window betting clerks are a cut above, very friendly folks. We sat general admission and enjoyed the view. About the only thing that might need a little consideration here are more vendors at the food stands. The lines get really long after the races start, so I'd highly recommend getting what you need prior to that. Enjoyed our day here and walked away a couple bucks richer. Cheers. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Fun fun fun. That is how I describe the day I had at TBD. It was a beautiful day for the track as it was not too hot or rainy. The horses are so beautiful and fun to watch. You can almost tell they want to win as much as the owners and the jockeys. Beautiful. The poker room is intense and very interesting. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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If you're looking for something to do in Tampa, this is a short 20 minute drive out of the city. The races normally start around 12 and could last until late afternoon. It's a great all day event to be outside and to have a couple drinks while watching some horse racing. They have pretty good bar food here too. The anchors are AMAZING! read more

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I travel to both Thoroughbred and harness tracks all across the country, and this one is quite special. It has racing and poker rooms, and unique experience areas for every type of fan. On our day, we chose the Skye Terrace restaurant, which is the higher end, sit down restaurant where we got a table for the day and a wonderful lunch all for under $50 per person. They have outdoor seating near the finish line, open access to the horse walking paddocks, and a large tented guest area. As you walk through out the grandstand, they have simulcasting areas, seated viewing areas, and an open air patio with wonderful views of the track. There are plenty of dining options from high-end, to sports bar/midrange, to standard track food/snacks. The track offers some of the finest racing in the winter months, so be sure to check your schedule to be sure the track is open on the desired day of your visit. Overall, they fit quite a bit of activity in a relatively smaller space and custom experiences for racing fans. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Beautiful turf course - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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If I were reviewing the poker room based on overall experience, it would be a 3. It's a nice room, but the rules are pretty lax and the staff seems to heavily favor the regs (regulars). I have played in 70+ poker rooms around the country (and Caribbean) and I see the staff favor the locals here more than anywhere I have seen. I'm not alone in this belief. Under the idea that I'm reviewing the bar restaurant, the food and staff are both excellent. My BLT was legit. Also, if you play here and have a player's card, when they give you the check, just show the bartender your card and shout, "PLAYA!" You might get a free sandwich. You might not. Worth a shot. read more

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If you like thorobred horse racing, this place offers live racing several days a week. However, if you're looking for top-notch horses this may not be your place. Odds were not good, and payoffs were on the favorites in most races - no longshots won or even came in the money. Now onto the food- My friends and I attended on a Friday, and I returned with my husband and friends on a Sunday in February. We were at the Skye Terrace area, and the first time ordered off a limited menu. My Sunday reservation was supposed to be the same on a brunch menu, but I was called the night before that a buffet at $28 per person was being started Sunday due to staffing issues. I have no issues with a staffing problem, but when there's not enough food on the buffet for a barely filled restaurant, I do have a problem with that. Most hot offerings were not presented at the same time - the baked macaroni and cheese as well as the chicken parmigiana came out well after all the patrons went through the line. I wanted some fruit for dessert, but the dish only had cut grapefruit wedges left in it (can't eat grapefruit) so a waiter offered to get some for me and disappeared. No fruit or explanation was offered. I've attended a Sunday brunch prior to Covid here, but this offering was a pale comparison to the past and honestly overpriced for the offerings. Since this was my birthday celebration with friends, we did have a great time watching the horses and trying to explain to our husbands how to bet (not sure they got it, lol!). We will return, but probably go to the grandstand for a beer and hot dog instead of the restaurant. read more

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We decided to find some else to do in Tampa and get away from Hard Rock. We searched Groupons and found a great deal at the racetrack. The $14.40 included entrance, a program (which I had no idea how to read), $10 voucher for food (Nathan hotdog $4, chips $2...so it doesn't go that far) and $4 voucher for bets....Not bad. Valet parking is available but it's extra. The day was nice so we sat outside for awhile and then went further inside...didn't realize how large the place was. Didn't know how to place a bet, the lines were long so after the crowd left, I decided to use the machines they have to place your bet or you can go to the counter. I eventually figured it out. There is no short supply of televisions to watch the races. It was a change in pace and a great afternoon. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Love the facility and track. This review is not about that, but rather the food... My wife and I were at the track for some Sunday Funday with friends and I got hungry. There was a pretty long line for the hot dogs - and who doesn't love a Nathan's dog ? Little did I know this was to be a lesson learned... I ordered a Tampa Dog, which was a Nathan's dog with some sort of cheese sauce and jalapeños. Sounded amazing after many beers and other libations. The shock and awe that the little hot dog unleashed on my system was unbelievable. It was violent and expeditious in its action. It rid my body of any remnants of nourishment - solid or fluid. Im so clean inside that I could go for a colonoscopy now. I can't speak to the other food at the track, but beware of the wiener with cheese and japs ! read more

What a fun day! You can bet on the horses and play cards cause who doesn't like to gamble a little?! They have valet and self parking. I found that the bar upstairs with the card room makes the stiffest drinks. I am glad when we went it wasn't too hot since the grandstand seating is covered but outdoors. This is a fun activity for groups and a great way to spend the day cheering on whatever horse you placed a wager on. read more

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Always a fun day except for one thing. The issue I have is some of the employees at the windows are very nasty. I have been there many times and it's always the same issue. It's obvious they are miserable and do not want to be there. Some are too old and should retire rather than taking their frustration out on customers. Others may just be unhappy with the career path they chose. Whatever the reason they should be fired. read more

what i've noticed on this track, false start is very common here, don't know if they rigging horse racing, just like right now on race 7, again that false start happened again, that's why the pool here is not improving, stricter rules must be implemented read more

This is a nice little track. I like the free parking the large viewing area, friendly staff and lots of windows to place your bets.

What a fun day! The place is not so huge that it takes forever to get around, but big enough to offer awesome amenities like many food options, lots of restrooms and easy access to the paddock and winner's circle areas. We reserved a private box, which was really a nice treat. Treat yourself to a day of fun ( and maybe some winnings)! read more

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I actually liked going to this place. I've gone two weekends in a row. The first of the two weekends I went to cash in 10 lotto tickets and the female working behind the window complained that she had to do so many. Not really sure why you have a lottery window if you're just going to complain to the people about doing your job. My boyfriend was behind me to get his lottery tickets taken care of, as well. She then rudely started asking the people behind me, boyfriend included, if they needed a program because that's more important, so she said. This is terrible service. My sister, who was not understanding of her bet (this past weekend) was berated and treated horribly in front of people by the "woman" "assisting" her. I would absolutely fire that woman for treating a person like that. Very bad business. She then stated she had "a whole line of people to get to" and shooed her off. My sister wasn't standing there more than 30 seconds. I took a picture of the rude woman and seriously debating if I should post it here on this review. I guess they're not really interested in treating people well at this track. Her giant line behind my sister? It consisted of two people. Spend your money someplace else, unless you want to be treated horribly. I worked in HR for over 10 years. My company would've never allowed our employees to treat any guest or customers this way. Hoping karma comes into play for those two hideous women. read more

I visited the facility Sunday January 05, 2025 and had two unprofessional interactions with your tote machine operators. First incident---I cashed a $17.60 win ticket at the tote machine that is located inside the Poker room. When I received the payout, I only received $17 and the operator automatically kept the .60 and said \"Thank You\". It is very unprofessional to automatically assume a player is going to leave a tip and keep some of the winnings. Second incident---As I cashed a $37.00 win ticket at the downstairs counter, the tote operator counted the money out and said \"Don\'t forget about me\" as she concluded the transaction. I feel she was openly soliciting a tip which I feel is unacceptable behavior. I have been to racing facilities all over the country and never have I encountered this type of behavior from facility Staff. I feel that I was taken advantage of and hustled by your tote operators. As a Sportsman and a horse player I am offended by this type of behavior. I certainly hope this is not commonplace and accepted behavior by your facility. read more

I only spend $20 when I go and it last me all day. Love this place. I love horses and new to horse racing but have taken a lot of family here to visit & enjoy. The crowd is excitable and fun not over baring. The booklet is a must to pick your winning pony! Best Wishes! read more

Silks Poker Room table games are a Ripoff! Playing Ultimate Texas Holdem, house does not pay "trips" bet separately as they should. I got a straight and tied the dealer and was not paid on the trips bet as I should have. For example, Derby Lane pays off that bet regardless of if you win or lose the bet. It's a separate bet. Total Ripoff! On a different note, lighting is bad for a poker room. They use florescent lighting which causes a glare on the cards making them hard to see from certain angles. read more

My friends and I go here at least once a season every year. We enjoy hanging out in the bar or sitting in the stands. We usually get the Groupon so it is a pretty affordable day out if you aren't big gamblers. Earlier in the season when it is not too hot it is really nice to sit outside. Later in the season, we tend to stay inside. Most of the staff are there every year and are friendly. Drinks are prices reasonably and there is a variety of food options. The bathrooms are always clean too. The only negative is that there is a line at the end of the day for valet. The guys really run their butts off though so cut them some slack! read more

Brought the hubby here with the family to celebrate this birthday. What a great idea this turned out to be. They were running a Groupon special with a Groupon discount on top of that for two admission tickets, parking, 2 food coupons, and 2 betting vouchers. It was a fantastic deal. Everyone was so friendly. We did not know they had done remodeling and it looks great. The kids had a blast watching the horses, talking with the staff that bad incredible knowledge, and going to the stables were you could get up close with the horses and jockeys. The kids loved the pizza located next to the deli on the first floor. Their favorite part was standing next to the track at the finish line when the horses ran by. My hubby had an outstanding time getting the adult recreational fun while his family was able to enjoy the athletes. We definitely recommend taking your family. Some weekend have kids events. We are looking into those now. read more

This is a review of the horse races. This is a no frills sort of place. It's $3 to get in and a couple more dollars to buy a program about the upcoming races. If you have to buy a pen that's $1 extra - again, no frills. There are a couple things you need to know about Tampa Bay Downs. 1. Drinks are cheap. $4.75 Shock Top, $3.75 Bud Light. Their specialty drink for the day was a Bahama Breeze ($5.25) and Mint Juleps were $6 and that included a souvenir cup (we were here for the Kentucky Derby) 2. Bring cash. The outside bars and the betting stations only take cash. 3. Betting is cheap. Minimum bet is $2. I kept betting $2 on one horse to win. On one race I won $1.60 and on another I won $2.20. You don't have to be a big spender to have fun here. 4. It's mainly outside. This may be a duh, but I didn't think about it. To watch horse races, you have to be outside. There is covered seating on the second level, but if you want to be up close and personal with the horses, you'll be in the sun. My husband now looks like a lobster. You can buy sunscreen packets in the gift shop for $1 (this place really does not nickel and dime you). 5. Food is cheap. It was $3.75 for an all beef hotdog. Supreme nachos are $5. Sure, these aren't dirt cheap prices, but these aren't movie theater prices either! We came on Kentucky Derby day and they were slammed. It took forever to get a drink because they only had two bartenders working the main bar. I heard on most days when it isn't this crowded, it isn't an issue getting a drink, but I literally had to convince myself to go to the bar when I wanted another drink because I had PTSD from getting the previous one! Overall, it is a fun time coming here and betting on horses. As long as you set your expectations at nothing extra, then you'll enjoy yourself. read more

Well, it s a horse track. Filled with some of the most unattractive people in the county gambling away their social security checks. It's rather a sad sight. That being said, the grounds are kept well and the workers are friendly. There's not much more to say about it. read more

Tampa Bay Downs - Casinos Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Great place to watch a horse race. They have plenty of parking, also valet available. Good food options, different locations to sit or stand and watch the horses race. Easy to wager, TVs everywhere to bet on other races, jai alai around the country. They race until early May. Fun environment, they have a family day once a month with bouncy hours, pony rides, games and special kids food. They also have poker open 10am to 4am 7 days a week. They offer Texas Hold'em, No-Limit Hold'em, Omaha and Stud Games, as well as multi-table tournaments. They also have the Downs Golf Practice on site. It can be a little pricey for admission, program, food and betting (especially if you lose) but look on Groupon they have a really good deal for the Downs. read more

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We were looking for something different to do instead of the beach, movie or going to a park. The racetrack was fun, relatively inexpensive, had a wide variety of snacks and food plus beverages. We had a great time (hint. Check groupon for discounted offers) read more