Tampa
Although Miami and
Orlando are more well known and draw the lion's share of Florida
tourism, Tampa and the surrounding area has begun to garner its
fair share of tourists. Over the past few decades, the region has
grown and developed into a wonderful destination with excellent
beaches and world-class hotels.
Today the region offers a wonderful array of outdoor activities, thanks to its beautiful natural setting. The area has rolling, pine covered northern plains as well as white sand beaches and barrier islands. Camping, fishing, swimming, boating, sunning, and snorkeling are always available in this sunny and well-kept area of Florida. The Gulf Coast offers just as many white sand beaches and beautiful sunsets as the Atlantic side of Florida, if not more so. The crystal clear springs further inland have drawn visitors for a long time. Finally, the resort towns to the south, including Sarasota, are always full of visitors during the winter as everyone tries to escape the cold.
The city of Tampa has developed into a full metropolis, with everything to offer visitors of all ages. The area has seen the addition of a world-class art museum dedicated to the work of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The Tampa Museum of Art boasts its own collection of art from around the world-nearly 7,000 objects fill the many galleries. The $84 million Florida Aquarium is a dazzling landmark in Tampa, and it has begun to draw large crowds of visitors to Tampa. In addition to cultural and educational offerings, Tampa boasts quite a nightlife with many restaurants and clubs to choose from. The Ybor District is Tampa's own Little Havana, and the wrought iron gates and cobblestone streets lend a certain charm to the area. Of course, no visit to Tampa would be complete without a visit to Busch Gardens, the amusement park and zoo built by the famous beer brewery. Kids and adults will have lots of fun there.
Tampa has even more museums and attractions that await those who want to sample the Florida Gulf Coast. Life there is just as sunny and warm as it is on the Atlantic side of the peninsula, and maybe even a little more so. Towns like Sarasota, just a bit south of Tampa, have been attracting visitors for years, and now Tampa too has lots to bring even more guests to the area. The museums, aquariums, culture, clubs, and beaches are drawing more and more visitors to Tampa every year.
Places To Visit
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center
1010 N. MacInnes Place
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 222-1000
The largest performing arts complex in the southeast, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center has four performing halls. The Center features everything from Broadway shows
and symphonic concerts and select popular musicians.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
3000 E. Busch Blvd.. (at McKinley Dr./N. 40thSt.).
Phone: (813) 987-5283
Some 2,700 animals roam the habitats of Busch Gardens. Special exhibit areas feature a distinct venue of animals. So, come and enjoy exhibits such as the gorillas and Edge of Africa safari experience. For the adventurous spirit, Busch Gardens offers an array of fast-wheeling roller coasters twist, and turns.
Florida Aquarium
701 Channelside Dr.
Phone: (813) 273-4000
The Florida Aquarium features 5,300 aquatic animals and plants. Visit a mangrove forest in the Bays and Beaches Gallery, and stand amazed at the Coral Reefs. The 43-foot-wide, 14-foot-tall panoramic window with schools of fish and lots of sharks and stingrays is quite impressive.
Lowry Park Zoo
7530 North Blvd.
Tampa, FL
Phone: (813) 932-0245
Visitors can watch the 2,000-pound manatees, the komodo dragons, and the rare red
Pandas. This 24-acre zoo displays animals in settings similar to their natural
habitats, its greenery, bubbling brooks, and cascading waterfalls. Other major exhibits include a Florida wildlife display, an Asian Domain, a Primate World, an Aquatic Center, a free-flight aviary with a birds-of-prey show, a children's petting zoo and hands-on Discovery Center, and an endangered-species carrousel ride.
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary
18328 Gulf Boulevard
Indian Shores, FL 33701
Phone: 727-391-6211
This beachfront non-profit sanctuary rescues, repairs, and releases all sorts of avian wildlife. Visitors can encounter 600 birds of all descriptions at the Sanctuary. Here's an
amazing fact: injured birds will often just show up at the Sanctuary, even when it means that they had to walk a long way down the beach to get there.
Tampa Museum of Art
600 North Ashley Drive
Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 274-8130
It is a reflection of this culturally diverse city - full of priceless treasures. The museum features a 4,500 pieces ranging from Greek and Roman antiquities.
Ybor City
1800 East 9th Avenue
Ybor City Chamber of Commerce
Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: (813) 248-3712
Come and discover Cuban culture. Enjoy the ethnic food, boutique shopping, and Latin music in Tampa's Cuban district. This is a historic district that features old-world charm.
Salvador Dali Museum
1000 Third Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 823-3767
The world's largest collection of Dali art. Follow the artist through his impressionist and
surrealists phases to his maturity.
Auburndale Speedway
5640 State Road 542 West
Auburndale, FL 33823
(941) 965-7223
This speedway offers visitors a racing good time. Featuring limited Late Model, Street Stoick, Modified Mini Stock, Pure Stock V-8 and Pure Stock 4-cylinder divisions all attract lively competition.
Florida Power Park
230 South 1st Street
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 894-7490
This is the location where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays prepare for the season. Florida Power Park is a renovated ballpark with a view of the bay itself.
The Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Drive
The Museum of Fine Arts features a superlative collection ranging from pre-Columbian art through Asian and African to European Old Masters. It displays exhibitions from renowned museums all over the world.
Adventure Island
4545 Bougenvilla Ave
Tampa, FL 33612
Phone: (813) 987-5660
Adventure Island is the place to visit if you want to feel the sand beneath your feet, and enjoy the tropical breezes of the bay. Although far from a natural beach, 25-acre Adventure Island, is a water theme park located close to Busch Gardens. Be prepared for some fun in the sun, because the parks towering slides, plummeting rafts, and tubes offer visitors an exhilarating water adventure. The Spike Zone, Adventure Island's 11-court outdoor volleyball venue, offers visitors a glimpse of profession volleyball matches.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward Passage
Clearwater, FL 33767
Phone: (727) 441-1790
The Clear Water Marine Aquarium allows visitors to explore a tank of stingrays and starfish or dive in the water with scientists. The aquarium provides visitors with an in-depth look at loggerhead sea turtles, sharks, and river otters.
Canoe Escape
9335 E Fowler Avenue
Thonotosassa, FL 33592
Phone: (813) 986-2067
Grab hold of a paddle and a canoe, and escape into one of Central Florida's wildest nature preserves. The water current is home to many gators, turtles, and great blue herons. Find peace and discover natural Florida in this 16,000-acre oasis.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest
400 N. Tampa Street
Suite 1010
Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: (813) 223-1111 ext. 44
The Gasparilla Pirate Fest begins when Jose Gasparilla and his pirate crew dock in downtown Tampa. They are known for throwing a daylong party. The crewmen are in full costume; displaying scars, mock bullet wounds, and outlandish wigs.
Museum of Science & Industry
4801 Fowler Avenue
50th Street
Tampa, FL 33617
Phone: (813) 987-6100
Fax: (813) 987-6310
This museum features numerous exhibits on natural phenomena. It also contains a one of a kind IMAX Dome Theatre. This theatre displays its images on a 82-foot high screen. With over 450 interactive exhibits, visitors should be prepared to experience the unexpected, even hurricane winds at the Museum of Science & Industry. More info
Tarpon Springs Aquarium
850 Dodecanese Boulevard
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Phone: (727) 938-5378
Fax: (727) 942-5708
Tarpon Springs Aquarium features the colorful creatures and tropical plants. Come and experience the local marine life. Visitors can touch the animals in the tidal touch-pool
The Pier
800 Second Avenue NE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 821-6164
Visit downtown St. Petersburg and view the unique upside-down, five-story-high pyramid. The boardwalk is full with bikers, bladders, and families. Observe the clear blue waters from the observation deck. More info
