What's to do in Tampa?

[WaltD4Me]

A friend of mine is going to visit her dad in Tampa next week. She's never been to Florida...or on a plane for that matter. She's 27 and asked me if I knew anything cool/fun to do in Tampa. I thought I'd check with you guys here...I think Josh lives near Tampa? She'd like to know a nice beach to go to and was wondering about Bush Gardens? Any tips would be great, she is super excited to be going.

 

[catycatcat4]

There is a lot to do in tampa

I suggest bush gardens pretty awesome unless you hate coasters.

A lot malls there too one has the new disney story. Also they have the hard rock casino.
She could see if any shows are going on at the 1-800 ask Gary ampa theater. (Worst name ever).
I know the ybor area has a lot.
If she likes theater there is one not sure what shows are going on right now and i forget the name but i know what it looks like.

For a beach i suggest fort desoto.
Walk around the fort and hang out at the beach the best one is the very last one if you keep driving though.r

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

 

[catycatcat4]

I think this is the theater.
http://www.strazcenter.org/

 

[WaltD4Me]

There is a lot to do in tampa

I suggest bush gardens pretty awesome unless you hate coasters.

A lot malls there too one has the new disney story. Also they have the hard rock casino.
She could see if any shows are going on at the 1-800 ask Gary ampa theater. (Worst name ever).
I know the ybor area has a lot.
If she likes theater there is one not sure what shows are going on right now and i forget the name but i know what it looks like.

For a beach i suggest fort desoto.
Walk around the fort and hang out at the beach the best one is the very last one if you keep driving though.r

http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

Cool! Thanks so much! I did mention the Hard Rock to her. Going to check out the site you posted. Thanks again.

 

[schimj]

Ybor City is also a cool place to go for dinner/drinks. Lots of little shops, and it is a Cuban neighborhood. There's also Channelside, another shopping/eating/drinking area, and it's right by the Port of Tampa. Sometimes you can even see cruise ships pushing off. We have a great zoo, too (bit pricey though), and an aquarium (same area as the cruise terminal). We've been down here about 3 years now and love all the little things to do & explore. Tampa is also very close to Clearwater and St. Pete, so if they have a car/access to one, there are plenty of things to do in those areas, as well.

 

[TifffanyD]

I love Tampa!

In Channelside there is a Howl at the Moon - good times there

Also there is a great beach in Clearwater - the sand is AMAZING! It is a very active beach and lots of cute little shops and stuff. We did a segway tour here and it was very fun. They have a sundown festival nightly - you can look online for their website.

There is an art museum but it is small. And pricey. The straz center is great for plays... we have season tickets here and love it.

A bit south in Apollo Beach there is a Tampa Electric power plant with manatee observation area. This is free and open seasonally... until like May. It is a nice thing to do.

 

[HollyMac71]

The Disney Store is in International Mall (near the airport)

Lowry Park is a great zoo.

The Aquarium is located at channelside and is VERY nice.

 

[Golf4food]

Definitely the aquarium.

Across the bay in St. Pete is the Salvador Dali Museum which is a must if you are at all an art fan.

 

[rotlex]

I love the Tampa area. Lived near there for maybe a year, in Dunedin, back in the early 90's for a job I had.

There are a lot of things to do, including just taking in some of the beautiful scenery in the area. Busch Gardens of course is right there, and a great park to visit. The city itself offers the same types of things any big city does, with the added benefit of the beauty of the area.

One of my favorite things to do used to be to drive across the causeway from Tampa to Clearwater, drive down toward Clearwater or St. Pete beach and just "hang out". The beach and water in the area are gorgeous, and well, don't even cost you anything. 8)

I hope to one year, probably closer to retirement, return to the area to live. I like it more than even the Orlando area, other than Disney of course, and plan on driving to it for a visit on an upcoming trip.

 

[WaltD4Me]

Thanks for all the info! I've been passing it along.

She asked me yesterday about going to Disney. When I told her how much it cost to get in for a day, after the intial shock , she said they probably wouldn't do that, so I recommended just going to Downtown Disney. I told her she could take a bus over to the Poly or GF and ride around on the monorail... and she asked me what a monorail was.

 

[catycatcat4]

Thanks for all the info! I've been passing it along.

She asked me yesterday about going to Disney. When I told her how much it cost to get in for a day, after the intial shock , she said they probably wouldn't do that, so I recommended just going to Downtown Disney. I told her she could take a bus over to the Poly or GF and ride around on the monorail... and she asked me what a monorail was.

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

If you want real excitement and don't mind a bit of danger there is always illegal Gecko Racing.

It's not for the faint-hearted however, just ask John and Kevin.

 

[Joshua_me]

.

Across the bay in St. Pete is the Salvador Dali Museum which is a must if you are at all an art fan.

^ This is a MUST !



http://thedali.org/

An entirely new building has just opened and it is *astonishing*. Think Dali meets Epcot.

It's not a "stuffy" place in anyway. Just the opposite. It's whimsical and mind-blowing and jaw-dropping all at once.

A 'must do' if she can get to Saint Pete. !!!

Google some images... you'll see what I mean !

 

[Cap.Steamboat Willie]

^ This is a MUST !



http://thedali.org/

An entirely new building has just opened and it is *astonishing*. Think Dali meets Epcot.

It's not a "stuffy" place in anyway. Just the opposite. It's whimsical and mind-blowing and jaw-dropping all at once.

A 'must do' if she can get to Saint Pete. !!!

Google some images... you'll see what I mean !

Wholeheartly agree. I loved the museum. Spent the better part of three hours there and would go back in a minute.

If you are interested in Spanish food may I humbly suggest the Columbia. Awesome dining experience. Truly top notch.

Check out their web site: http://www.columbiarestaurant.com/

 

[dpy1000]

Honeymoon Island is rated as one of the best beaches in the US. It's just up the coast from Clearwater.

 

[HoopyMan]

A new modern glass artist museum opened last year in St Petersburg...

He's a big deal in the art glass scene, I suppose.

Love Tampa, just wish there was a bullet train to Disney. :-(

http://www.chihulycollectionstpete.com/page.php?cat_id=10

 

[TifffanyD]

A new modern glass artist museum opened last year in St Petersburg...

He's a big deal in the art glass scene, I suppose.

Love Tampa, just wish there was a bullet train to Disney. :-(

http://www.chihulycollectionstpete.com/page.php?cat_id=10

Yes - he is a big deal. He did the chandeliers for the Disney ships and also has art at Atlantis. I love his work!

 

[Joshua_me]

Yes - he is a big deal. He did the chandeliers for the Disney ships and also has art at Atlantis. I love his work!

Yes. His collection is stunning.

A nightmare to dust, but stunning.

 

[TifffanyD]

Yes. His collection is stunning.

A nightmare to dust, but stunning.

Lol... Sadly, when we were on the magic we saw pounds of dust atop the chandelier