Anything touristy in Tampa

[luvmyfam444]

Gonna be there for the bowl game for several days. What's the must see/do things?

 

[Dan Murphy]

Gonna be there for the bowl game for several days. What's the must see/do things?

One of the best aquariums in the country.

https://www.flaquarium.org/

 

[sam_gordon]

Clearwater Beach.
St Pete Beach
Bush Gardens
Ybor City

Its been a while, but I was there for the bowl game in 99 and they had various team events (including a parade in Ybor City on NYE).

 

[MillauFr]

Bern's steakhouse.

 

[CAPSLOCK]

Busch Gardens if you like roller coasters!

 

[robinb]

We like things a little north of Tampa.

Honeymoon Island north of Tampa is lovely. Weeki Wachee Springs is OG Florida fun with real mermaids. You can swim with manatees in Crystal River.

Closer to Tampa, you can see manatees in the cooler months at Tampa Electric south of the city.

 

[ford family]

We had a vacation home in Bradenton for many years so often had friends and family to keep amused.

We enjoyed Big Cat Rescue in Tampa and in St Pete's we went regularly to the Dali museum and to the Chihuly Collection.

In Ybor City a great place to eat is the original Columbia restaurant with excellent Cuban/Spanish food. I think it dates back to 1905.

ford family

 

[C&Jx2]

Tampa Zoo and the aquarium would be my picks!

 

[Buzz Rules]

Gonna be there for the bowl game for several days. What's the must see/do things?

https://www.visittampabay.com/things-to-do/all/

 

[hertamaniac]

If you have a vehicle, I suggest driving to St. Pete and walk along Bayshore Drive and visit the pier and Vinoy Resort.

If staying in downtown, then the Florida Aquarium is nice. There is also the river walk and a few places to eat near the convention center. Ybor is nice to visit during the daytime for a small bit, but the Columbia restaurant is a must try (the salad is excellent). There is also a trolley station there (next to the parking garage) that can take you to downtown Tampa and back.

There are some really nice gems of eateries scattered around the area; I only found them since my friends live in the area for a long time and shared them with me. They are no frills, but authentic Cuban style food.

 

[pens4821]

Closer to Tampa, you can see manatees in the cooler months at Tampa Electric south of the city.

Im not the OP, but thanks for this suggestion. We will be in the area for a little beach trip to Madeira followed by some spring training games. I think we would love to do this as we’ve never seen them before.

 

[robinb]

Im not the OP, but thanks for this suggestion. We will be in the area for a little beach trip to Madeira followed by some spring training games. I think we would love to do this as we’ve never seen them before.

Here's a link to it:
https://www.tampaelectric.com/manatee

 

[TinkTock]

Have the beaches in the Tampa and Siesta Key areas recovered from the hurricanes?

 

[irlandaise]

I haven't been there myself, but some friends visited the Dogs, Inc. campus to see how guide dogs and service dogs are trained and were very impressed.

https://dogsinc.org/

 

[TiggerTrigger]

My parents lived in the St. Pete Beach area for several years. If you're into art, The Dali Museum is phenomenal.

 

[jujubiee4]

I haven't been there myself, but some friends visited the Dogs, Inc. campus to see how guide dogs and service dogs are trained and were very impressed.

https://dogsinc.org/

What a great idea! My kids are huge dog lovers,

 

[elgerber]

Im not the OP, but thanks for this suggestion. We will be in the area for a little beach trip to Madeira followed by some spring training games. I think we would love to do this as we’ve never seen them before.

we did this the last two Januarys, it's wonderful.

 

[cayennews]

I am here now. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

We enjoyed Big Cat Rescue in Tampa

I just looked this up and it looks like it closed in 2023.

Big Cat Rescue operated in Tampa for 31 years, starting 11/4/1992 and closing permanently 11/4/2023. The cats have been moved to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs and Big Cat Rescue continues to fund conservation projects in the wild to save exotic cat species.

 

[princesscinderella]

Bern's steakhouse.

The best restaurant ever we will be there next weekend for dinner!! We try to go to Tampa once a year to eat there.

My parents lived in the St. Pete Beach area for several years. If you're into art, The Dali Museum is phenomenal.

We love this museum too it’s so well laid out and love the audio tour. Their collection of his works is truly impressive.