Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida
Overview:Florida's west coast provides an array of outdoor activities in a beautiful, natural setting. There are rolling, pine covered plains as well as white sand beaches and barrier islands. Camping, fishing, swimming, boating, and snorkeling are always available. The Gulf Coast has calm, warm waters and endless white sand beaches with memorable sunsets. The crystal clear springs further inland have drawn visitors for many years. The resort towns to the south, including Sarasota, are equally popular with seasonal visitors and permanent residents.
The city of Tampa is a well developed metropolis, with attractions for visitors of all ages. The area has recently seen the addition of a world-class art museum dedicated to the work of the surrealist painter Salvador Dali. The Tampa Museum of Art boasts its own collection from around the world. Nearly 7,000 objects of art are displayed in its many galleries. The $84 million Florida Aquarium is a dazzling landmark which is drawing an increasing number of visitors to Tampa. In addition to cultural and educational offerings, Tampa has a vibrsnt nightlife with many restaurants and clubs from which to choose.
The Ybor District is Tampa's own Little Havana. The wrought iron gates and cobblestone streets lend charm to the area. Of course, no visit to Tampa would be complete without a visit to Busch Gardens, the amusement park and zoo built by the famous brewery. It is a popular family attraction to which visitors return year after year.
Tampa has many more museums and attractions that await those who visit the Florida Gulf Coast. Here, a day's itinerary might include breakfast at a waterside cafe, time at Busch Gardens and the Florida Aquarium, a streetcar ride to Channelside for shopping, and a Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Devil Rays, or Lightning game. The Tampa Bay area is a vacation paradise where life is sunny and warm, with a distinct (though temperate) change of seasons and hours of enjoyment for the whole family! City Information:Population: 303,447
Elevation: 48 feet above sea level
Land Area: 112.1 square miles
Location: Located in the central western part of Florida, 60 miles southwest of Orlando, near I-4 from the east, and I-75 from the north and south
Time Zone: Eastern Time Zone (when it’s noon in Tampa, it’s 11:00am in Chicago and 9:00am in Los Angeles)
Local Seasons:
As a major business location, Tampa tends to busy year round. Considering its proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and numerous local attractions (as well as those in nearby Orlando), summers can be quite busy. With mild temperatures year round, this city is a paradise for anyone enjoying the out of doors. Winters are quite pleasant. With high temperatures rarely above 75 F and lows rarely under 60 F, it’s a perfect time for taking part in any of the many outdoor activities, whether it’s attending a professional sports game, fishing, visiting one of the many attractions, or just reading a book by the pool. Spring and fall afford great opportunities for sunshine with temperatures being quite comfortable for any activity. Summer can be hot and humid so be sure to drink plenty of water and dress accordingly.
Getting There:
By Air
Tampa International Airport
813-870-8770
Conveniently located only 5 miles northwest of downtown Tampa, the airport is served by most of the major airlines and many of the regional carriers as well.
Clearwater – St. Petersburg Airport
727-535-7600
Approximately 30 minutes west of Tampa, the airport is served by a limited number of airlines.
By Car
Major routes into Tampa are I-75 from the north (Atlanta) and south (Miami and Sarasota), and I-4 from the east (Orlando).
By Train
Amtrak 601 Nebraska Avenue North
Tampa, FL 33602813-221-7600 or 800-872-7245
Tampa’s Amtrak Station offers strong north-south connections as well as links to nationwide rail travel. Amtrak’s AutoTrain offers daily service to passengers and vehicles traveling between Washington, D.C. and Orlando and a major highway delivers drivers directly to Tampa in just over an hour’s time.
By Bus:
Greyhound Greyhound Lines, Inc. is located in Tampa at 610 Polk Street (near the corner of Pierce Street)610 Polk Street
Tampa, FL 33602813-229-2174 or 800-231-2222
Getting Around:
By far, the easiest way to get around the city is by car, either personal or rental. Most of the rental car companies have facilities both at the airport and throughout the city. Taxi cabs are another alternative.
National Holidays:
New Year’s Day, January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January
President’ Day, the third Monday in February
Memorial Day, the last Monday in May
Independence Day, July 4
Labor Day, the first Monday in September
Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25
New Year’s Eve, December 31Attractions/Things To Do:Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center 1010 N. MacInnes Place Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 222-1000 The largest performing arts complex in the southeast, the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center has four performing halls. The Center features everything from Broadway shows and symphonic concerts and select popular musicians.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay 3000 E. Busch Blvd.. (at McKinley Dr./N. 40thSt.). Phone: (813) 987-5283 Some 2,700 animals roam the habitats of Busch Gardens. Special exhibit areas feature a distinct venue of animals. So, come and enjoy exhibits such as the gorillas and Edge of Africa safari experience. For the adventurous spirit, Busch Gardens offers an array of fast-wheeling roller coasters twist, and turns.
Florida Aquarium 701 Channelside Dr. Phone: (813) 273-4000 The Florida Aquarium features 5,300 aquatic animals and plants. Visit a mangrove forest in the Bays and Beaches Gallery, and stand amazed at the Coral Reefs. The 43-foot-wide, 14-foot-tall panoramic window with schools of fish and lots of sharks and stingrays is quite impressive. Lowry Park Zoo 7530 North Blvd. Tampa, FL Phone: (813) 932-0245 Visitors can watch the 2,000-pound manatees, the komodo dragons, and the rare red Pandas. This 24-acre zoo displays animals in settings similar to their natural habitats, its greenery, bubbling brooks, and cascading waterfalls. Other major exhibits include a Florida wildlife display, an Asian Domain, a Primate World, an Aquatic Center, a free-flight aviary with a birds-of-prey show, a children's petting zoo and hands-on Discovery Center, and an endangered-species carrousel ride.
Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary 18328 Gulf Boulevard Indian Shores, FL 33701 Phone: 727-391-6211 This beachfront non-profit sanctuary rescues, repairs, and releases all sorts of avian wildlife. Visitors can encounter 600 birds of all descriptions at the Sanctuary. Here's an amazing fact: injured birds will often just show up at the Sanctuary, even when it means that they had to walk a long way down the beach to get there.
Tampa Museum of Art 600 North Ashley Drive Tampa, FL 33602 (813) 274-8130 It is a reflection of this culturally diverse city – full of priceless treasures. The museum features a 4,500 pieces ranging from Greek and Roman antiquities.
Ybor City 1800 East 9th Avenue Ybor City Chamber of Commerce Tampa, FL 33605 Phone: (813) 248-3712 Come and discover Cuban culture. Enjoy the ethnic food, boutique shopping, and Latin music in Tampa's Cuban district. This is a historic district that features old-world charm. Salvador Dali Museum 1000 Third Street South St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 823-3767 The world’s largest collection of Dali art. Follow the artist through his impressionist and surrealists phases to his maturity.
Auburndale Speedway 5640 State Road 542 West Auburndale, FL 33823 (941) 965-7223 This speedway offers visitors a racing good time. Featuring limited Late Model, Street Stoick, Modified Mini Stock, Pure Stock V-8 and Pure Stock 4-cylinder divisions all attract lively competition.
Florida Power Park 230 South 1st Street St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: (727) 894-7490 This is the location where the Tampa Bay Devil Rays prepare for the season. Florida Power Park is a renovated ballpark with a view of the bay itself.
The Museum of Fine Arts 255 Beach Drive The Museum of Fine Arts features a superlative collection ranging from pre-Columbian art through Asian and African to European Old Masters. It displays exhibitions from renowned museums all over the world.
Adventure Island 4545 Bougenvilla Ave Tampa, FL 33612 Phone: (813) 987-5660 Adventure Island is the place to visit if you want to feel the sand beneath your feet, and enjoy the tropical breezes of the bay. Although far from a natural beach, 25-acre Adventure Island, is a water theme park located close to Busch Gardens. Be prepared for some fun in the sun, because the parks towering slides, plummeting rafts, and tubes offer visitors an exhilarating water adventure. The Spike Zone, Adventure Island's 11-court outdoor volleyball venue, offers visitors a glimpse of profession volleyball matches.
Clearwater Marine Aquarium 249 Windward Passage Clearwater, FL 33767 Phone: (727) 441-1790 The Clear Water Marine Aquarium allows visitors to explore a tank of stingrays and starfish or dive in the water with scientists. The aquarium provides visitors with an in-depth look at loggerhead sea turtles, sharks, and river otters.
Canoe Escape 9335 E Fowler Avenue Thonotosassa, FL 33592 Phone: (813) 986-2067 Grab hold of a paddle and a canoe, and escape into one of Central Florida's wildest nature preserves. The water current is home to many gators, turtles, and great blue herons. Find peace and discover natural Florida in this 16,000-acre oasis.
Gasparilla Pirate Fest 400 N. Tampa Street Suite 1010 Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: (813) 223-1111 ext. 44 The Gasparilla Pirate Fest begins when Jose Gasparilla and his pirate crew dock in downtown Tampa. They are known for throwing a daylong party. The crewmen are in full costume; displaying scars, mock bullet wounds, and outlandish wigs.
Museum of Science & Industry 4801 Fowler Avenue 50th Street Tampa, FL 33617 Phone: (813) 987-6100 Fax: (813) 987-6310 This museum features numerous exhibits on natural phenomena. It also contains a one of a kind IMAX Dome Theatre. This theatre displays its images on a 82-foot high screen. With over 450 interactive exhibits, visitors should be prepared to experience the unexpected, even hurricane winds at the Museum of Science & Industry.
Tarpon Springs Aquarium 850 Dodecanese Boulevard Tarpon Springs, FL 34689 Phone: (727) 938-5378 Fax: (727) 942-5708 Tarpon Springs Aquarium features the colorful creatures and tropical plants. Come and experience the local marine life. Visitors can touch the animals in the tidal touch-pool
The Pier 800 Second Avenue NE St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone: (727) 821-6164 Visit downtown St. Petersburg and view the unique upside-down, five-story-high pyramid. The boardwalk is full with bikers, bladders, and families. Observe the clear blue waters from the observation deck.Welcome to go to our site to search much travel deals for tampa/St. Peterburg.
