Wesley Chapel, located in Pasco County, is a dynamic and rapidly expanding suburban hub within the greater Tampa Bay area. The community’s popularity as a family-friendly destination has led to rapid development. The area offers a compelling mix of modern commercial attractions and preserved natural spaces, providing visitors with diverse activities spanning retail, outdoor recreation, and a burgeoning dining scene.
Premier Shopping and Entertainment Centers
The shopping landscape in Wesley Chapel is defined by two major retail destinations that offer distinct experiences. The Shops at Wiregrass provides an open-air, “main street” style environment, functioning as a lifestyle center. This center features traditional department store anchors, specialty boutiques, and various dining options spread across palm-lined walkways and plazas.
A short distance away, the Tampa Premium Outlets caters to value-focused shoppers seeking discounted brand-name merchandise in a similar outdoor format. Beyond shopping, the area’s entertainment options are substantial and integrated into these commercial zones.
Main Event, situated near the outlets, offers expansive indoor amusement with activities like bowling, a large arcade, and an elevated gravity ropes course. The Grove at Wesley Chapel also hosts a B&B Theatres, which includes a CineBistro concept that delivers full-service meals to reserved, reclining seats during the movie.
Active Recreation and Green Spaces
Wesley Chapel provides several well-maintained public facilities and expansive preserves for physical activity and immersion in nature. Wesley Chapel District Park serves as a central location for organized sports, offering fields and courts for baseball, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and pickleball. The park also includes an inclusive playground.
Golf enthusiasts can find several challenging courses, including the 18-hole championship layout at Lexington Oaks Golf Club, which is open to the public. This course incorporates numerous lakes and wetlands that add both character and difficulty. The area also features the well-regarded courses at Saddlebrook Resort.
For hiking and nature exploration, the Cypress Creek Preserve protects a diverse ecosystem of cypress and hardwood forests. The preserve features miles of trails suitable for hiking, off-road bicycling, and horseback riding.
Distinctive Dining and Local Hotspots
The local dining scene offers a variety of concepts that move beyond typical chain fare, providing unique social and culinary experiences. Krate at The Grove stands out as the area’s most distinctive local hotspot, repurposing 94 shipping containers into a vibrant outdoor park featuring 46 independent vendors. Approximately 70% of these containers house small, entrepreneurial food concepts, offering a globally diverse range of cuisines from international street food to gourmet sweets.
This container park is designed as a community gathering space, featuring outdoor seating areas, a stage for live entertainment, and a colorful, urban industrial aesthetic. Beyond Krate, Wesley Chapel has cultivated a growing craft beverage and restaurant culture.
Florida Avenue Brewing Co. operates a large facility that functions as a full-service restaurant and taproom, offering brewery tours and a family-friendly atmosphere. Other unique, highly-rated establishments include Treble Makers, a local restaurant and dueling piano bar, and Noble Crust, which specializes in a fusion of Southern comfort food and Italian cuisine. These locally focused spots, alongside Double Branch Artisanal Ales, provide an intimate flavor that complements the expansive, large-scale dining options found near the major retail centers.