Tampa??

[leebee]

DH and I are traveling to the Orlando area once again, this time at Christmas, and have NO desire to do either WDW or Universal during Christmas week. We are looking for someplace to stay and things to do from 12/25, til 12/28, flying home from MCO on 12/29 (already have a car rented from MCO). We are thinking about Tampa. I looked at Hotwire and have NO CLUE as to what the different areas mean, where things are, etc. Have you been to Tampa? Where would you stay? We're thinking of maybe going to the art museum(s), science museum, Busch Gardens- no clear plan or really any clue. Mostly I guess I'm curious about the area in which to stay. If you have suggestions or ideas, I'd love to hear them!
Edited to add that we love good restaurant experiences, too. Doesn't have to be upscale, but we also enjoy a variety of ethnic cuisines, so restaurant suggestions would be appreciated, too!

 

[JimMIA]

Can't help with where to stay, but I can give you two dining suggestions. One is a little upscale; the other is WAY upscale. Both are Tampa icons.

• Columbia Restaurant: https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/The-Columbia-Experience/Groups-and-Catering/Ybor-City
• Bern's Steak House: https://bernssteakhouse.com/

Columbia is Spanish Cuban cuisine, as opposed to modern Miami Cuban cuisine (which we also like). Same family ownership since 1905.

We love Columbia and always go to there whenever we are in a Florida city where they have a restaurant -- including Celebration near WDW.

 

[leebee]

Can't help with where to stay, but I can give you two dining suggestions. One is a little upscale; the other is WAY upscale. Both are Tampa icons.

• Columbia Restaurant: https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/The-Columbia-Experience/Groups-and-Catering/Ybor-City
• Bern's Steak House: https://bernssteakhouse.com/

Columbia is Spanish Cuban cuisine, as opposed to modern Miami Cuban cuisine (which we also like). Same family ownership since 1905.

We love Columbia and always go to there whenever we are in a Florida city where they have a restaurant -- including Celebration near WDW.

We've been to Columbia in Celebration several times and loved it. Didn't know they had a location in Tampa, so thanks!

 

[princesscinderella]

Can't help with where to stay, but I can give you two dining suggestions. One is a little upscale; the other is WAY upscale. Both are Tampa icons.

• Columbia Restaurant: https://www.columbiarestaurant.com/The-Columbia-Experience/Groups-and-Catering/Ybor-City
• Bern's Steak House: https://bernssteakhouse.com/

Columbia is Spanish Cuban cuisine, as opposed to modern Miami Cuban cuisine (which we also like). Same family ownership since 1905.

We love Columbia and always go to there whenever we are in a Florida city where they have a restaurant -- including Celebration near WDW.

I second these suggestions! They are our two must dine at restaurants whenever we are in Tampa, if you had to choose one Berns is amazing. You need reservations so book now. The epicurean hotel is right across the street from berns and is a great place to stay. The Hyde park area has really undergone a great transformation in the last ten years and has become a foodie paradise. If you like art the Dali museum there is very nice.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Based on your list of things you're interested in doing, Busch Boulevard would be the most convenient location to stay. Be very choosy in where you stay there. Downtown would be another good option. If you don't mind driving a bit of a distance & enjoy an ocean view, consider Clearwater Beach.

You should add Ybor City to your list of things to do. While you're there, I agree that you should eat at the original Columbia Restaurant. I also agree that you should try Bern's, if it's in your price range.

 

[NotUrsula]

Columbia in Ybor City is the original; the one in Celebration doesn't match it for style.

If you want to eat, make sure to make time for downtown St. Pete. There is also quite a lot of art there to take in, both in galleries and museums. The Cross-Bay Ferry runs in the winter, so you if prefer to take a boat ride across the Bay to visit the side where you are not staying, you can do that, too. The new St. Pete Pier is also a lot of fun; lovely dining and music by the water. (And it will have an ice rink this Xmas season!)

If you prefer an apt over a hotel, there are a huge number of really nice short-term rentals in the downtown and near-downtown St. Pete area; especially in Old Northeast; very walkable area.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

Tampa has a nice Aquarium and a river walk. There is a free trolley from Ybor City to Downtown Tampa. We stayed at the Springhill Suites in Tampa Brandon and were happy with it Drove into Ybor City, parked, ate at Columbia and took the trolley downtown.

 

[Anchored]

I love living in the Tampa Bay area! I live in St Pete and highly recommend it!
Things I love to do: The Pier(upscale dining, rooftop bar, superior green space, fishing) Ft Desoto Beach, Lettuce Lake Park, Armature Works, Ybor City (great comedy club), Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Tampa Theater, Busch Gardens Christmas Town, all of the beaches, The Saint Speakeasy, Brunch at Oxford Exchange, Dinner at Urban Stillhouse, Dinner at Ocean Prime, catch a Lightning Hockey game, International Mall, Hyde Park (eat at Meat Market or BarTaco), The Dali Museum!, the James Museum is a western museum and has a Warhol exhibit going through January. MOSI, the Aquarium, perfect time of year to see the manatees at Apollo Beach.
I'm a lifetime local, feel free to message me for help!

 

[1GoldenSun]

I'd suggest you stay either in downtown Tampa or in downtown St Pete. I wouldn't suggest you stay anywhere near Busch Gardens. A lot of that area is kind of sketchy. I teach at the local university and it's so close to Busch Gardens that I can see the tops of the rollercoasters from the parking lot, so it's not exactly an unsafe area, but it's not "nice" and there's nothing appealing about it.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Appreciating this thread. Need to be at the Tampa convention and know nothing about the area, booked hotel across the bridge ( they said walkable) and assuming safe?? ( name escapes me). Hotel at convention site was sold out. Will have some down time for a few hours and was thinking the aquarium? Is it worth it for 2-3 hours? Thx for any guidance.

 

[kymom99]

We stayed at Hampton inn ybor city for a night precruise. We really enjoyed the area.

you might also consider going the opposite direction and staying in St. Augustine.

 

[NotUrsula]

Appreciating this thread. Need to be at the Tampa convention and know nothing about the area, booked hotel across the bridge ( they said walkable) and assuming safe?? ( name escapes me). Hotel at convention site was sold out. Will have some down time for a few hours and was thinking the aquarium? Is it worth it for 2-3 hours? Thx for any guidance.

Which bridge? There are a LOT of bridges in the Tampa Bay area, including 4 near the Convention Center, and not all of them are what I'd call walkable. (If it's the South Franklin St. bridge you should be fine, though.)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is the best aquarium in the area, IMO. No big schools of tropical fish, though; it's a rescue facility for marine mammals and turtles, plus some otters.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I've been to the bay area twice, and the only restaurant I can remember was Salt Rock Grill, which technically is in Indian Shores.

 

[SteveH]

Several years we've been to the Sheraton Sand Key Resort on Clearwater Beach, enjoyed our stay and the massive beach. The Salt Rock Grill is amazing, been twice and look forward to another visit. The Columbia Restaurant Sand Key is within walking distance from the Sheraton.

 

[a1tinkfans]

Which bridge? There are a LOT of bridges in the Tampa Bay area, including 4 near the Convention Center, and not all of them are what I'd call walkable. (If it's the South Franklin St. bridge you should be fine, though.)

Clearwater Marine Aquarium is the best aquarium in the area, IMO. No big schools of tropical fish, though; it's a rescue facility for marine mammals and turtles, plus some otters.

Uh oh… I had no idea.. the Westin on South Harbour Blvd.
When I called the hotel front desk to ask how close… she just threw out that it’s “ right across the bridge, 5 minute walk”
Never even thought to ask What bridge lol
Hoping it’s safe and nice hotel.. was in a rush when I booked. Any other input appreciated.

And thx for the ClearwaterMarine Aquarium info!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I'd suggest you stay either in downtown Tampa or in downtown St Pete. I wouldn't suggest you stay anywhere near Busch Gardens. A lot of that area is kind of sketchy. I teach at the local university and it's so close to Busch Gardens that I can see the tops of the rollercoasters from the parking lot, so it's not exactly an unsafe area, but it's not "nice" and there's nothing appealing about it.

Thx!

 

[NotUrsula]

Uh oh… I had no idea.. the Westin on South Harbour Blvd.
When I called the hotel front desk to ask how close… she just threw out that it’s “ right across the bridge, 5 minute walk”
Never even thought to ask What bridge lol
Hoping it’s safe and nice hotel.. was in a rush when I booked. Any other input appreciated.

And thx for the ClearwaterMarine Aquarium info!

That's the South Franklin St. Bridge (Franklin St. and South Harbour are the same street, there is a name change right at the bridge); it crosses a small river directly south of the Convention Center. That one is fine for walking.

 

[SwanVT2]

We stayed at Hampton inn ybor city for a night precruise. We really enjoyed the area.

you might also consider going the opposite direction and staying in St. Augustine.

We are looking to do a non-Disney trip next February. Is there any place in stay in St. Augustine that you would recommend? TY!

 

[SwanVT2]

I love living in the Tampa Bay area! I live in St Pete and highly recommend it!
Things I love to do: The Pier(upscale dining, rooftop bar, superior green space, fishing) Ft Desoto Beach, Lettuce Lake Park, Armature Works, Ybor City (great comedy club), Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, Tampa Theater, Busch Gardens Christmas Town, all of the beaches, The Saint Speakeasy, Brunch at Oxford Exchange, Dinner at Urban Stillhouse, Dinner at Ocean Prime, catch a Lightning Hockey game, International Mall, Hyde Park (eat at Meat Market or BarTaco), The Dali Museum!, the James Museum is a western museum and has a Warhol exhibit going through January. MOSI, the Aquarium, perfect time of year to see the manatees at Apollo Beach.
I'm a lifetime local, feel free to message me for help!

We are looking to do a non-Disney trip in Feb. 2023. Any recommendations on where to stay in St. Pete?

 

[kymom99]

We are looking to do a non-Disney trip next February. Is there any place in stay in St. Augustine that you would recommend? TY!

We stayed at a Hampton inn on the beach. It was ok. I’m not a fan of regular hotels on the beach, tracking in all the sand and being stuck in a small hotel room. But the weather wasn’t beach weather anyway. Very rainy and cool. I would either look at vrbo if you want to stay on the beach or stay in the city close to the attractions. There are hotels in walking distance of restaurants and shopping.