Tampa

[esprit]

As a working town, it might not seem an obvious tourist destination and most people will just pass through on their way to Busch Gardens or St Petes/Clearwater, but there is now quite a touristy area down by the Downtown Waterfront where the Carnival Cruise ships are docked. The centrepiece is the new modern aquarium. State of the art super modern building with interesting exhibits and well worth half a day. There is also a small area of specialiity shops and restaurants, an IMAX cinema and a US naval frigate docked near the waterfront side of the aquarium which can be visited. Add to this, a walk around the waterfront in the sun and there is enough there to fill a day trip out from Orlando.

Julie Carty

[orlandobabe]

Isn't there somewhere where you can see the dolphins in Tampa Bay.

Haven't 'done' Tampa apart from Busch-which doesn't count-so don't have a clue really!



Orlandobabe

[esprit]

Yes Orlandobabe. There is a Dolphin watch which you can book as a combi ticket with the Florida Aquarium. They take you out on a boat into the bay to an area where there is usually a pod. We did not do this as the trips fill up quite quickly and we arrived too late to book. They announce your departure over the tannoy in the Aquarium and we were really quite peeved when everyone went off.

Julie Carty

[tinkerbell]

I stayed in Tampa 2 nights when we were there last summer, and I was quite pleasantly surprised. We went to Busch Gardens, and the second day explored the big shopping centres outside of the city! Makes a nice change to get out of Orlando for a couple of days, then when you're heading back in it feels like you've just arrived all over again!

[steph_goodrum]

Thought I'd see if the Florida aquarium has a website, it does at www.floridaaquarium.com. This covers thw whole of the "Channelside area", which is the name given to the area.
It looks as if there is plenty to see and do, you can book the catamaran cruise online (it's free - presumably included in your entrance ticket)There is a $2 of coupon, you can print out.
There is another ship "The Starship Dining experience" that looks as though it is good value for money, a lunch/cruise is about $30, the cruise only is $20 and lasts a couple of hours.
On Wed /Sat there is also a lunch/cruise/aquarium ticket for $31.95 adults, so that looks like quite good value.
Site also tells you all about the entertainment sections and the Imax cinema.
Useful site to bookmark if you're thinking of visiting the area.

Babblin Boo

Edited by - steph_goodrum on 01/04/2002 09:34:58

[orlandobabe]

Now Vegas is off the menu-I wouldn't mind having a night or two in Tampa-without doing Busch.
The young ones can-but I want to do something different and the dolphin watch sounds great.
Thanks for all the info!

Orlandobabe

[blott]

Get away from it all with Canoe Escape! Just 15 mins from Tampa city centre and you can paddle all day long (with a guide for $40 or for around $25 without) on the Hillsborough River. http://www.canoeescape.com

Another watery experience is the Starship Dining Yacht (813 223 7999) for a three hour cruise with food, music and dancing.

Or pick up a powerboat trip from Hubbard's Marina for dolphin watch or fishing trips. They'll cook your catch at the Friendly Fisherman waterfront restaurant. Also has plenty of other restaurants and gift shops. http://hubbardsmarina.com

Or there again, catch a boat trip to Shell Island with its white sands, endangered birds and (you've guessed it!) shells!

Eating out? Try The Colombia (813 248 4961) which is Tampa's oldest restaurant. Cuban food with a nightly flamenco show. It has eleven dining rooms and can hold up to 2000!

Or Bern's steakhouse - 65 page desert menu, largest wine cellar in the world and steaks measured in inches (including a 72 ounce!).

Shopping? Try Old Hyde Park Village or West Shore Plaza (Sak's) or International Plaza with Tiffany, Vuitton, Armani and others.

Blott



Edited by - blott on 21/09/2002 13:53:46

[imported_n/a]

If you fly into Tampa, you can always check into a hotel do Busch or any of the great suggestions from the above that afternoon or the next day and then travel to your villa the following night.

If you book flights through ebookers.com, they will give you an extensive list of hotels but as always you can always get there and just book into any one. This is a good idea if maybe your villa isn't free until the next day.

[esprit]

If you decide to do this, please note that the Ramada at Tampa airport give disounted rates. This will avoid having to drive around Tampa late at night looking for hotels. Also, Tampa is a business city and hotels in downtown Tampa itself are expensive mid week when the business men are in town but not so bad at weekends. The other alternative is to drive over the causeway to St Petes and look for a hotel there.

Julie Carty