Nicest hotel close to busch gardens?

[kmc]

I have been going to Disney and Universal for years but never Busch Gardens-in fact I have never been to tampa. We also stay onsite at both of these-does anyone have a good recommendation for a nice hotel next to BG?

 

[bucsfan1029]

If you want to stay right next to Busch Gardens, there is a decent Embassy Suites within a mile. If you don't mind driving, there are much nicer hotels in Tampa within 10 minutes or so (Tampa Marriot Waterside, just to name one). To me it would just depend on what your plans are in Tampa. There's not a whole lot to do in the Busch Gardens area, other than the park itself. However if you stay closer to the downtown / channelside area you will have many more options.

 

[kmc]

thanks

 

[mickey'sbud]

We stayed at the Embassy Suites. Of course don't forget breakfast is included w/ your stay. Hotel sits behind BG. It is very close.

For other activites in the area....I wanted to mention the aquarium. I wasn't thrilled with it, but we went on the dolphin sight-seeing boat trip and really enjoyed it. However I see you are from Ft Lauderdale and you probably have seen alot of dolphins over the years.

Also ride over the Big Bridge from St. Petersburg to... somewhere...LOL I don't know the name of it and I don't know where it goes LOL!!! But it is suppose to be the largest in the ....in the... well at least in the state of Florida. LOL It is a suppension bridge and I don't know how to spell that either and I don't know if I spelled it right! I guess I'm not much help.
But have fun on your trip!!!

 

[bucsfan1029]

Also ride over the Big Bridge from St. Petersburg to... somewhere:

That's the Skyway Bridge...It is a beautiful bridge that spans from St. Pete to Bradenton at the mouth of Tampa Bay. If you take the interstate, it is part of I-275.

 

[mickey'sbud]

That's the Skyway Bridge...It is a beautiful bridge that spans from St. Pete to Bradenton at the mouth of Tampa Bay. If you take the interstate, it is part of I-275.

I knew that Big Bridge had a name Really it is beautiful!!! and worth the drive just to go over it and see it....it is an attraction in itself....it is spectacular!!!!!!

 

[bucsfan1029]

Just don't go in it if you are afraid of heights! My wife has to close her eyes every time!!

 

[mickey'sbud]

Yes...it's very high.
a little story I have to tell...When we left on our excursion boat to see the dolphins there was a cruise ship at the dock. As we were heading back in toward the dock in our boat, the cruise ship had set sail and we passed it. Since our little boat trip was over we decided to then go ride over the Skyway Bridge. It took about 30mins I guess for us to get to the Skyway Bridge. As we saw the bridge we also saw that same cruise ship approaching the bridge. As we topped the bridge the cruise ship was going under the bridge....now how cool was that? We went down the other side of the bridge and turned around and then as we went back across we could see the cruise ship on the other side heading out to the Gulf. We did stop just a few minutes on the far side of the bridge. There was an area to park and you could see the bridge and the bay. This is one big bridge since it was built to allow ships to go under it!!!

 

[kmc]

thanks for the info- I never heard of the Skyway Bridge but it sounds like something cool to drive over

 

[mickey'sbud]

Just don't go in it if you are afraid of heights! My wife has to close her eyes every time!!

Is there a toll? I can't remember. Thanks.

 

[bucsfan1029]

There is a toll...I think it's around $2 or so.

The bridge is very tall, but unfortunately not tall enough! The Port of Tampa is limited on the size of cruise ships that can dock in port because of the bridge. While there are some very nice ships departing from Tampa, you'll never see the Freedom of the Seas or any of the mega ships leave from Tampa.

 

[Gulfdiver]

There's a Best Western just around the corner from the main gate.. if I remeber correctly.. the wife and I ran there from Disney one week and spent a night.. It was like a Main Gate Disney Best Western.. and real affordable.. like $45.00 a night.. The rollercoasters at Busch Gardens are insane! Have fun!

do a google search on the following text:

Best Western All Suites Hotel Near USF Behind Busch Gardens

 

[kellymonaghan]

by a woman who appears in mid span. When motorists stop to help her, she gets in and by the time they get to the end of the bridge she's disappeared.

So they say.