Sight guide · Tampa · United States
Visiting J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)
The red-brick El Reloj factory, with its clock tower, has been rolling cigars since 1910 and is the last of Tampa's historic cigar factories still in production.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Tampa · Photo: Clément Bardot, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) is a historic site in Ybor City, Tampa. Allow 1.5 hours; it is low cost. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Historic site
- Area
- Ybor City
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- history, off the beaten path and rainy day
- Best months
- July–September
Plan a trip to Tampa
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
About J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)
The red-brick El Reloj factory, with its clock tower, has been rolling cigars since 1910 and is the last of Tampa's historic cigar factories still in production. Guided tours walk past century-old machines and hand-rollers, with a museum on the family-owned company's history.
Tip: Book a tour slot online; you can buy cigars rolled on site at the shop afterwards.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1.5 hours.
- Cost: Low cost.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Ybor City, brick cigar factories, wrought-iron balconies and the city's busiest bar street.
Best time to visit J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)
J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) is indoors, which makes it a good plan for the wettest months:
- August: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 17 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- July: 33°C (91°F) highs, about 17 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 32°C (90°F) highs, about 13 rainy days, quiet crowds.
When to visit Tampa has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) is not on our short itineraries, so plan it as an extra once you have seen Tampa Riverwalk and Ybor City Historic District.
- No. 10 of the 17 sights in our Tampa things-to-do list.
- Day 5 of the 5-day plan.
- One of the picks in tampa on a rainy day.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Tampa.
Near J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)
Also in Ybor City, so you can walk between them:
- Ybor City Museum State Park — 1 hour, low cost
- Columbia Restaurant — 1.5–2 hours, mid-priced
- Ybor City Historic District — half a day, free
If you like J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)
- Henry B. Plant Museum — University of Tampa, 1–1.5 hours
- Tampa Theatre — Downtown, 2 hours with a film
- Tampa Museum of Art — Downtown, 1.5 hours
- Tampa Bay History Center — Channel District, 1.5–2 hours
Staying near J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)
Stay in Ybor City ($$) to walk here: brick cigar factories, wrought-iron balconies and the city's busiest bar street. All areas to stay in Tampa.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)?
Plan 1.5 hours. With Ybor City Museum State Park nearby, it fits a half-day in Ybor City.
+Is J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) free?
No, it is low cost. Tickets are usually available on the day.
+When is the best time to visit J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj)?
July–September, the wettest months, when an indoor sight is most welcome. Book a tour slot online; you can buy cigars rolled on site at the shop afterwards.
+Do I need to book J.C. Newman Cigar Company (El Reloj) in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.