Vacation Planning to Tampa Bay - 3

Tampa Bay’s Child-Friendly Shopping

Tampa’s shopping centers rate right up there with the country’s best and surprised me with their above-and-beyond child-friendly amenities. There’s a double-decker carousel, a family lounge and two soft play areas at Westfield Citrus Park, as well as more than 160 shops. Westshore Plaza also welcomes kids with a fun play area, alongside Saks Fifth Avenue and more than 100 specialty stores.

Ultra upscale is the mood at the International Plaza and Bay Street Mall, which combines a two-level, enclosed shopping center with outdoor restaurants and bars. Spend your time at such high-end stores as Cole Haan, Gucci, Janie and Jack, Kate Spade, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co. and Z-Gallerie. The extravagant surroundings continue into the children’s play area, a newly constructed baseball diamond featuring Looney Tunes soft-sculpture characters.

Hyde Park Village is a hip, boutique shopping quarter in a historic area. It’s close to downtown, and a great place to eat, stroll with the family or catch a free concert.

 

• The play area at the International Plaza is a sure hit with the kids.

Courtesy of the International Plaza and Bay Street

BayWalk is a shopping, dining and entertainment complex in downtown St. Pete. After shopping in the boutique stores and choosing from a variety of casual restaurants for dinner, a movie is a fun way to cap off an evening here.

Tampa Bay’s Nightlife

A night of dining and dancing can be found in SoHo, Ybor City, Channelside or downtown St. Petersburg. Taking in a concert or show is another option if you purchase tickets before your trip. Big name acts usually include the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center and the St. Pete Times Forum in their national touring schedules. The Tampa Theatre, a 1926 movie palace, sports a restored marquee lighting up the night and an original Wurlitzer organ. The atmosphere within this 1,446-seat gem makes it my favorite place to see a play.

 

• The Hard Rock Cafe in Tampa.

Courtesy of Seminole Hard Rock Cafe

There are legal gaming options, too, such as the Tampa Bay Downs horse race track. My husband enjoys the rock n’ roll persona of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, open 24/7. Fun memorabilia is everywhere, including the drum set used in Elvis’ Hawaii concerts. The gaming machines begin with 5-cent slots. There’s a non-smoking room for live action poker, but no other table games. Upscale accommodations are available, as well as a fitness center spa and outdoor pool with a sand-bottom beach entry.

Nighttime sporting events lure thousands of fans. Major professional sports teams include the (football), Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Lightning (hockey), and the Tampa Bay Rays (baseball), who play in St. Pete’s Tropicana Field.