Tampa?

[hollieplus2]

We are doing Tampa in a couple weeks for the first time. Hope to see the city and do Busch Gardens. I'm checking out Priceline and the area looks pretty big, what's a good area for a hotel? Not sure if there's good & bad areas. Also can anyone recommend anything fun to do or see? THANKS

 

[Mkebound]

The Tampa Science museum is very cool, be sure to check out the exhibits on hurricanes including the hurricane simulator you can sit in. If you have a membership to another museum they offer reciprocal benefits with many museums around the country. They also have an outdoor ropes course and zip line that are really cool. www.mosi.org/‎

The Lakeland Air museum is nearby if you are into that sort of thing. www.sun-n-fun.org/museum.aspx

The National Park Service has a historical site south of town that interprets the Spanish efforts to colonize the New World, their search for the Fountain of Youth and their eventual loss to the English. Check out NPS.gov

Some of the best beaches in the continental US are found around Tampa/Clearwater!

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

We've stayed in Tampa twice before going on a cruise from there. The area we've stayed in was the Rocky Point area. It's in the west side of Tampa near the bay. We stayed at the Holiday Inn and the Hampton Inn. Felt safe and left our car there while gone on the cruise. Nice to go down to the bay and watch the sunset or play in the water.

I've had friends that stayed in the Yarbor area of Tampa. Not sure how the area was but I believe it's closer to downtown. They enjoyed their stay.

Tampa has a nice aquarium with a kids water pad play area. They also have nice shops and restaurants there as well.

Have a great trip!

 

[twocat]

Areas for hotel stay: The Westshore area has plenty of hotels and restaurants. Clearwater Beach has some nice hotels if you want be based at the beach. Avoid any hotels near Busch Gardens. I don't think I'd want to stay in Ybor (not Yarbor) City. It's a nightclub district at night.

Things to do: All the things mentioned above. We have a pretty nice zoo, Lowry Park. Pier 60 at Clearwater beach is fun on weekend evenings. Ybor City, near downtown Tampa, is nice to visit during the day. It's a historic area. If you're in Ybor, you MUST have a meal at the original Columbia restaurant. If you're there for lunch, a 1905 salad (incredible) and a half Cuban sandwich makes a great meal.

 

[MAD4EEYORE]

Areas for hotel stay: The Westshore area has plenty of hotels and restaurants. Clearwater Beach has some nice hotels if you want be based at the beach. Avoid any hotels near Busch Gardens. I don't think I'd want to stay in Ybor (not Yarbor) City. It's a nightclub district at night.

Things to do: All the things mentioned above. We have a pretty nice zoo, Lowry Park. Pier 60 at Clearwater beach is fun on weekend evenings. Ybor City, near downtown Tampa, is nice to visit during the day. It's a historic area. If you're in Ybor, you MUST have a meal at the original Columbia restaurant. If you're there for lunch, a 1905 salad (incredible) and a half Cuban sandwich makes a great meal.

Lol my bad! Didn't realize that's a nightclub area at night good to know.

 

[DOOM1001]

I agree with the Westshore and Rocky Point area as you have to be more selective and careful in Tampa when booking hotels as there are areas that can be sketchy close to areas that are fine.For example I would not say to
avoid the areas around Busch Gardens entirely,for example I would avoid Busch Blvd but there's some good hotels (Embassy Suites,La Quinta suites) on Fowler ave and Mckinley just outside USF but also 2 minutes from Busch Gardens.Around Fletcher and I-75 there's also some decent hotels in a good area and not too far from Busch Gardens.

 

[kiki02]

I agree with the Westshore and Rocky Point area as you have to be more selective and careful in Tampa when booking hotels as there are areas that can be sketchy close to areas that are fine.For example I would not say to
avoid the areas around Busch Gardens entirely,for example I would avoid Busch Blvd but there's some good hotels (Embassy Suites,La Quinta suites) on Fowler ave and Mckinley just outside USF but also 2 minutes from Busch Gardens.Around Fletcher and I-75 there's also some decent hotels in a good area and not too far from Busch Gardens.

FWIW, I love love the Tampa aquarium

 

[iheartwalt]

I second The Columbia in Ybor, the house specialty salad and cuban sandwich are amazing! I also second not wanting to stay in Ybor, it is a little sketchy after dark.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

I would suggest Berns Steak House near downtown. It is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and they have an unbelievable wine list. I will go once or twice a year, and it is about an hour drive for me.

 

[WeLuvDiznee]

I also agree with staying AWAY from the Ybor City/Busch Gardens areas! They are real sketchy areas! I also second the Columbia House and Bern's Steak House Rest. I LOVE the Dessert Room at Bern's!

 

[reginaastralis]

I would suggest Berns Steak House near downtown. It is one of my favorite restaurants in the world, and they have an unbelievable wine list. I will go once or twice a year, and it is about an hour drive for me.

Bern's is simply amazing.

 

[hollieplus2]

Thanks for the suggestions. We are doing Busch gardens but planned on staying closer to the water so that sounds good. Will definite have to check out those two restaurants. We're only there for 3 days and doing the beach before we get there so the museum looks entertaining.

 

[bearloch]

Check out the Clearwater aquarium home of Winter the dolphin from Dolphin tale! its about 30 mins west of Busch Gardens and is a wonderfull aquarium. The Fl aquarium in DT Tampa is also nice but pricy Clearwater also works with other zoo memberships and gives AAA discounts! Just soyou know Busch gardens closes at 6!! so plan on being there right at opening!! also there meal deal is pretty good much better that WDW its pay a price and its all you can eat all day!!!!!!! its like 30.00 you get a wristband you get afull meal whenever you want!! its great cause you can eat a little or a lot we bring a small lunch box cooler to carry the extras in and take em home!!

Have fun

 

[Soupermom]

I second the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. A little expensive, but worth it! Lots of "touch tanks" for the kids (and adults)!

 

[Crazy Hakim]

If you are into beer..... there is a Yuengling Plant almost directly behind Busch Gardens.
There recently doubled the size of the brewery, and they offer two tours each day. A few free samples, and a visit to the Gift Shop.
Check the website for tour times, oh, it's free......
www.yuengling.com

 

[MissVeronica]

We live in Tampa. We love the Zoo and the Children's Museum. Definitely worth the money. The aquarium is also fun. I'm not too impressed by MOSI for younger kids, but older ones will like it.

Ybor is really fun to eat and shop in, but I would not stay there. It can get really sketchy at night.

Check out the trolley system to go from downtown to Ybor.

 

[reginaastralis]

Also, check out groupon and those sorts of sites for things to do around here.

Here's one for the sun n fun museum in Lakeland http://www.groupon.com/deals/florida-air-museum-1

And I swear there was one out for the Florida aquarium recently, but I might be wrong. I know my mom took my dd this summer using a groupon (or living social sort of deal.)

 

[MPLsDad]

I would suggest skipping staying in Tampa and head over to St. Pete Beach. It's heaven over there. Crossing the bridges to SPB is like crossing over to island time. You can still access Tampa within 30-40 minutes, but you'll have that gorgeous Gulf beach! While in Tampa, visit Busch Gardens, the Aquarium, and the Dali Museum. The Clearwater Aquarium is more of an animal hospital with exhibits - we went to see Winter the dolphin and we kind of put off since we expected an aquarium. Basically it's a facility that helps animals with special needs. Try to eat a Munch's between Tampa and SPB! Food is awesome!