BG is not a resort area that is for sure. It is near USF, hospitals, and businesses, and lower-income residences/college housing in Tampa. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is the largest hotel near BG. I am not sure how that is with kids. It is near the fairgrounds. There is also a hotel right across from fairground entrance that is decent, but I forget the name. If you go in February you want to avoid the stuck in State Fair traffic for hours anyways.
If you want to stay near BG are not going to the beaches, look around these landmarks so you will have food options:
-Brandon Town Center (Brandon Mall)
-Wiregrass Ranch Mall (Wesley Chapel, FL) Outdoor mall
-International Plaza / Mall (better part of Tampa, FL) also closer to beaches, close to airport.
- Westshore Plaza (upscale mall not to far from International Plaza)
-Do not stay near University Mall (closest mall to BG but bad part of town)
-Plant City (famous for the strawberry festival)
- Channelside (near the port where the cruises leave from. This is the only real tourist area of Tampa). Ybor is a historical area but a bar district and questionable crowd at night.
- Carrollwood Mall (Carrollwood, FL)
- If you haven't noticed the trend, it's stay at least 15 minute drive from BG. There are some decent places to stay near BG but you would have to be careful when choosing and since you are not familiar with the area, just best to stay near a mall or better area.
OTHER THINGS TO DO
-Also near BG is MOSI (Science Museum) which kids love!
-The Florida Aquarium (Port of Tampa)
-Glazer Children's Museum
-Dali Museum
- Holocaust Museum
-Tampa Performing Arts Center
-Cracker County / State Fair / Festivals depending on time of year
-If you are spending time at the beach, check out the pirate boat tours. We went on one for a private party, young kids love it!
-Visit Winter the Dolphin (from the movie) seewinter.com
Beaches:
If you are going to visit St. Pete beach or Clearwater, just stay at the beach. We like to go to John's Pass Boardwalk area which is Madeira beach. When we camp we stay at Fort DeSoto State Park.
Tradewinds Resort is popular but on the pricey side. Great choice for kids. They do movies in the pool, have giant inflatable slides, a water island play area in shallow area of the beach. They have hair braiding stands, face painting, and every other tourist thing you can think of.
Siesta Keys is popular and has a playground on the beach. I have never been inside.
There are tons of resorts to choose from.
Don Cesar is really upscale and featured on the Travel Channel (The "Pink Palace") but I wouldn't personally stay there. I worked here for a conference. It is beautiful.
My personal favorite place to stay in St. Pete is Postcard Inn. It's a older hotel, lower price than the resorts. It brings in a college crowd. But you have to be prepared for a travel lodge with a fresh coat of paint (which is what it is). It is two properties over from Tradewinds. Get a second floor or else you will hear everything going on above you. Hey, the price is good and the staff are nice, and it's on the beach! Then we walk down to Tradewinds to rent jet ski's. You can also pay to use the slides and water island as a non-resort guest.
Have fun!