Tampa Family Beach Week

Tampa is situated on the north shore of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida. It was founded as a Native-American fishing village; the Spanish came during the mid-1500s looking for the fountain of youth and gold. Today Tampa is a thriving city, with one of the most diverse and integrated populations, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city also is a popular tourist destination, given its year-round good weather.

Home to Busch Gardens, the Florida Aquarium and Lowry Park Zoo, Tampa has long been a family-travel favorite. For history buffs, there’s Ybor City, Tampa’s Latin Quarter, which is a designated National Historic Landmark District. The area was once a center for cigar manufacturing prior to the embargo on Cuban tobacco. It now boasts art galleries, shops and restaurants, including Columbia Restaurant, the oldest in Florida and one of the world’s largest Spanish restaurants.

Ideally located in downtown Tampa, approximately six miles from Tampa International Airport. The hotel is located within minutes of the Channelside Waterfront Entertainment District, Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, University of Tampa, Tampa, Tampa Convention Center, the Florida Aquarium, Ybor City, St. Pete Times Forum, Cruise Terminal, International Plaza and Westshore Mall.Hotel amenities include rooftop pool, spa tub, and fitness center overlooking the pool. The hotel business center is open 24 hours a day and provides faxing, copying, and computers with high-speed Internet access (surcharge). Wireless Internet access (surcharge) is available in public areas and all guestrooms. Other amenities include room service, concierge service, gift shop, dry cleaning, PDA check in, 1-800 check in, a multilingual staff, and currency exchange. Avanzare restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.Each room comes with an i-Home stereo with iPod dock, coffee maker, electronic door locks, hairdryer, iron and board, 32-inch flat screen television with remote control, cable movie channels, in room pay movies, voice mail, telephone w/message light, computer hookup and dataports. The hotel recently completed a multi-million dollar guestroom renovation, featuring the Hyatt Grand Bed.

There's a popular fishing and boating area at St. Petersburg and a boardwalk over the tangled roots of mangroves. This nature lover's recluse is the Weedon Island Preserve. Here, from the top of an observation tower, there's a great view of Tampa Bay and St. Petersburg's pretty skyline. While you're looking, you're likely to spot a heron or egret, and glimpse black crabs darting along mangrove branches. There's a fishing pier, picnic tables with charcoal grills, a canoe/kayak trail and historical markers pointing out an Indian mound and an early airport ruin.

The natural beauty of Caladesi is breathtaking with its pristine water and sugar white sand providing the ideal spot for swimming, shell collecting and sunbathing. Numerous birds and wildlife call the island home and can be observed while hiking the three mile nature trail. Kayaks are available for rent for exploring the three mile waterway through the mangroves. There is a marina for boaters along with a snack bar, picnic tables, shelters and gift shop. The island is accessible only by private boat or by using the Caladesi Connection ferry service located at Honeymoon Island State Park. Visitors are allowed four hours on the island. No pets are allowed on the ferry.

If you're looking to get away from the standard vacation spots of Florida, be sure to check out Canoe Escape. Once there you can experience an exciting outdoor adventure or explore the quiet scenery of the Hillsborough River, all from the safety of your kayak or canoe. As you drift downstream you might glimpse a wandering deer, a wild hog, or even a sunbathing aligator. Leisurely independent tours can be booked, as well as guided tours, where an experienced staff member will show you the ins and outs of the swamp reserve. So whether you're going it alone or having a family outing you'll be sure to have an experience you'll never forget. Various trips are offered so check out the website for details.

Owner David Laxer carries on the tradition of excellence begun by his father Bern, more than 40 years ago. Beef connoisseurs should make this restaurant first on their list of culinary stops. Known for its large selection of melt-in-your mouth aged beef, it is easy to see why it has won a wall full of awards. The "putting on the ritz" crowd have some 25 types of caviar to ponder and a wine cellar that pushed one half million bottles.

The Florida Aquarium gives visitors an all-access pass to the mysteries of the deep. Observe seahorses, lobsters, colorful fish, moray eels, gators, river otters, Australian sea dragons and many more. If you're feeling truly adventurous, take advantage of the "Swim with the Fishes" or "Dive with the Sharks" programs (advance reservations required). Kids will love the wide range of colorful and fun-filled interactive displays. The aquarium also sponsors ecotours aboard a 64-foot catamaran, affording patrons an opportunity to get even more up-close-and-personal with the sea. See website for complete list of attractions, calendar of events and more.

Visit Tampa’s Latin quarter for a taste of Cuban cuisine, entertainment and history.

Tampa's Ybor City, began its intriguing history when cigar makers settled here after a disastrous fire that drove the industry north from Key West. Today it is a National Historic Landmark District lined with old buildings and historic sites. Today's Ybor is a lively and popular shopping, dining and entertainment district featuring everything from museums to flamenco dancing and of course, plenty of cigars. The area really comes alive when the sun sets with a bevy of nightlife options. Do not miss the annual Halloween Parade, known as the Mama Guava Stumble or Guava-ween!

A century ago, here in the Latin Quarter of Tampa, cigarmaker Vincente Martinez Ybor began an industry that brought this city worldwide renown—those famed Tampa cigars. Here, too, poet and patriot Jose Marti, the hero of Cuban liberation, plotted and pleaded for his cause. History surrounds you in Ybor City where one thing seems hardly to have changed at all in a century—a strong sense of pride in community and culture. You can learn more about all that in this museum where the past is chronicled in yellowing pages, spidery script and cigar bands. It's poignant, stirring and just a little sad. Ybor City's far from sad these days, however. It's in the midst of a renaissance, the likes of which it hasn't seen for many years. Now the streets rock on weekends, and the fiesta goes on and on and on, well into the wee hours.

This restaurant is owned and operated by the same Tampa family that founded it two generations ago. Beautifully hand-painted tiles and intricate fretwork decorate the exterior of the restaurant, while the interior boasts a two-story atrium. Warm lighting and a sense of history combine to create an elegant and relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy authentic Spanish cuisine, such as paella, black beans and rice or traditional Spanish yellow rice and chicken. Share a pitcher of sangria while flamenco dancers provide entertainment. Call ahead to verify nights and times for the show.

Tampa's first zoo can trace its history back to the 1930s. In 1957, this collection of animals and birds was moved to its current location. Recognized as the "Number One Family-Friendly Zoo in the U.S." by Child magazine, Lowry Park Zoo features 2,000 animals on 56 acres of lush, natural habitats comprising seven main exhibit areas: Asian Gardens, Primate World, Free-Flight Aviaries, Florida Boardwalk, Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center, Wallaroo Station children's zoo, and Safari Africa. Gift shops, refreshment stands and cafes are located throughout the park. Admission: Adults $18.95, Seniors (50+) $17.95, Children (3-11) $14.50.

Tucked away in South Tampa, Bella's sports attractive paintings on tiles, and the ambience is snug and cozily romantic. Candles glitter, but there's no formality at this spot that turns out such temptations as Pollo Milano, Confetti Spaghetti and Bella Luna—half. Paninis and sandwiches are equally tempting! And finish this wholesome delicious meal with their lip-smacking desserts like the Tiramisu and Chocolate Toffee Tort!

Go on a Serengeti Safari and play tiger tug-of-war at Busch Gardens and Jungala.

At Busch Gardens, animals roam free and you are the outsider. You can see the park by monorail, cable car or train. Roller coasters, wild animals, entertaining shows, rides, food, shopping, sightseeing, bird shows, exotic flowers, train rides, Serengeti adventures, river rapids...the list goes merrily on. Wear comfy walking shoes and spend the day at this 300-acre park. You can even taste the Anheuser Busch brew that started it all. Busch Gardens is open year-round with varying schedules. Call or see Web site for details.

St. Petersburg, commonly referred to as St. Pete's, is a top Florida beach location. It is located on a peninsula on the Gulf of Mexico side of Florida and is connected to Tampa to the east via causeways and bridges.

Home to more than a dozen white-sand beaches, many of which are considered the best in the United States, St. Petersburg is an ideal family vacation destination. The most popular of these Florida beaches include Caladesi Beach on Caladesi Island State Park, Clearwater Beach and Fort De Soto Park, which has seven miles of beaches.

St. Petersburg also has a vibrant arts scene, with numerous galleries and museums, such as the Museum of Fine Arts, the Salvador Dalí Museum, the Florida International Museum and the Holocaust Museum.  Families won't want to miss Great Explorations! Children's Museum.

Housing the largest collection of Salvador Dali works in the world, the museum offers a regularly changing exhibit of the legendary surrealist artist's melting-watch canvases and a wide variety of his sculpture and fiber objects that are, at the very least, intriguing. One memorable creation toasts the cocktail party; it is a vest covered with full glasses of creme de menthe. Daily tours seek to explain this complex man and his equally complex art. In the museum store you can select a memento of your surreal experience. Do check the website or call for timings.

Extending a mile out into the silvery waters of Tampa Bay, this five-story upside-down pyramid at the end of the city's famed Pier shimmers in the sun. Here, you will find a variety of stores, restaurants, evening entertainment spots and the city's aquarium plus a hands-on museum. You can sail off on a sightseeing cruise or a pirate adventure. On the ground floor is a replica of the HMS Bounty with galleries and boutiques. Top floors have an aquarium, Hands-On exhibits from the Great Explorations Children's Museum, and an observation area.

More than 450 activities await you at this non-profit facility dedicated to promoting a better understanding of science and technology. The Saunders Planetarium shows you the stars. Step inside the Gulf Coast Hurricane exhibit for a blast of tropical nightmare. At the IMAX Dome Theatre, the world is bigger than life, filled with odd sights and sounds on a huge screen. Souvenirs ranging from totes and T-shirts to puzzles and posters are available at the Science Store. For refreshment, the MOSI Café offers pizzas, salads and sandwiches. In late February, the BARF (Bay Area Renaissance Festival) takes place here.