Downtown Tampa has a little for everyone and is an important attraction, being the central business district of Tampa, Florida and the chief financial district of the Tampa Bay Area. Being an area rich in the cultural arts with places like the Tampa Theater, Tampa Museum of Art, Jobsite Theater and the Henry B. Plant Museum. There are also restaurants, bars and clubs aplenty to satisfy your food, drink and dance cravings. For those of you who are shopaholics, step inside Channelside and get your fix.
Contact Information: North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602, United States +1 813 274 8511
Picture yourself sailing the waters of Tampa Bay, starlight above, sea below and a good dinner on the table in front of you. Then call Starlite Cruises, voted "Best Dinner Cruise" by readers of Tampa Bay Magazine. The cruises offer full service dining and live entertainment. Enjoy Dixieland Jazz or dance to intimate oldies during a luncheon or dinner-dance cruise. Starlite can arrange special attention for you to celebrate a personal occasion or arrange a company charter. Rates vary depending on date, time and dinner choice, see the web site for information.
Contact Information: 25 Causeway Boulevard, (Clearwater Beach Marina), Clearwater Beach, FL 33770, United States +1 727 462 2628 / +1 800 444 4814
Jump! That is it in a nutshell. You go up in a plane, jump out with a certified instructor and free fall for what is likely to seem a very long time before you pull the cord and open that parachute. Folks have been skydiving out here in the Zephyrhills area since the 1960s, and Skydive has been leaping into the air since 1989. After a short instructional course, you dive in tandem with an instructor, free falling for 60 seconds as you drop at 120mph from 13,500 feet. Charge for the dive plus pictures and a video is USD280. Check the website for details.
Contact Information: 4241 Skydive Lane, Zephyrhills, FL 33540, United States +1 813 783 9399
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.
Contact Information: 3000 East Busch Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33612, United States +1 813 987 5000
The beautiful Tampa Theatre's Mediterranean-style interior is reminiscent of a grand courtyard filled with antiques, statues and marble tiles. Roman and Greek mythological figures stand guard in the alcoves, and more than a dozen sculptured birds oversee the auditorium. As you sit in the cool darkness, a romantic atmosphere prevails. Clouds drift slowly across a ceiling filled with illuminated stars. A Tampa City landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the theater is open year-round and features quality films, live concerts and special events.
Contact Information: 711 North Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602, United States +1 813 274 8286 / +1 813 274 8982
Aboard the Pirates' Ransom—a seven-year-old reproduction pirate ship fully fitted with life-saving equipment and a professional sound system—you sail on two-hour cruises with costumed swashbucklers to within cannon range of Captain Memo's deserted island in Florida's Intercoastal Waterway along Clearwater Beach. While aboard and listening to pirate tales of yesteryear, you enjoy the crew's camaraderie and complimentary lemonade, soft drinks, beer and wine. So sail away with the Captain to treasure a unique experience!
Contact Information: 25 Causeway Boulevard, Clearwater, FL 33767, United States +1 727 446 2587
Located right across the street from Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, Adventure Island’s 30 acres of water-drenched fun in the sun features the ultimate combination of high-speed thrills and tropical, tranquil surroundings for guests of all ages. Within a soothing Key West atmosphere await slides, corkscrews, water falls, a wave pool, children’s water playground and other family attractions.
Contact Information: 1001 Malcolm McKinley Drive, Tampa, FL 33612, United States +1 888 800 5447
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.
The Cheesecake Factory is surely the place to go, when craving a rich and delectable slice of the mouth-watering dessert, but this restaurant offers much more. Serving appetizers, lunch, dinner, late night dining, Sunday Brunch and a full bar, the Factory is a great choice for a casual dining experience. Everyone will find something to their liking with over 200 menu selections of pizza, pasta, seafood, steaks, salads, sandwiches, burgers and more. Be sure to save room for one of the 50 delicious cheesecakes and desserts.
Contact Information: 2223 North West Shore Boulevard, Suite B201, Tampa, FL 33607, United States +1 813 353 4200
If you are fond of Fondue, then this is the place to visit. The Melting Pot is Florida's most illustrious fondue restaurant that features several varieties of Fondue in its menu list. The slow flames rightly warming the cheese mixture from beneath makes your dips simply outstanding. The varieties available here make the experience even more enjoyable, and palatable. There's Swiss Cheese Fondue, Beef Fondue, Chocolate Fondue Dessert, Fondue Fusion and much more to savor along with those sultry wines to pamper you to core.
Contact Information: 13164 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614, United States +1 813 962 6936
At the Capital Grille, be prepared for an exceptional dining experience. Perfectly dry aged steaks that are flavorful, juicy and cooked to perfection are served by professional staff that understands what fine dining is all about. Their menu offers a variety of choices from tender fillets and 24-ounce Porterhouse steaks to succulent chops and fresh seafood along with an impressive wine list of over 400 selections to choose from to compliment your meal. The lounge is open through the week from 11:30a to close and on the weekend from 4:30p to close. So come to have a great time!
Contact Information: 2223 North West Shore Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33607, United States +1 813 830 9433
Serving the Tampa area for nearly twenty years, Matoi Sushi has a superior reputation of serving delicious Korean, Japanese and American dishes along with offering delectable creations from their extensive Sushi menu. From traditional favorites such as Teriyaki Salmon, Shrimp Tempura, Chicken Katsu, grilled dishes such as Gal Bi and Bul Go Ki and Filet Mignon to extraordinary Sashimi, Chirashi and Nigiri dishes, you're sure to find something to your liking. Great atmosphere, friendly service, reasonable prices, fresh fish and a variety of creative dishes make Matoi's a perfect choice for lunch or dinner.
Contact Information: 602 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33609, United States +1 813 871 3233
This restaurant offers a beautiful view of the Mandalay Bay area. Tables are laid out in the open-air section that overlook the scenic bay. Island Way Grill has two bars, one for sushi and another with an impressive list of wines. Guests can enjoy the sunset while sipping away at the bars. The cuisine is Pacific Rim and Continental and the Blue Crab encrusted with macadamia nuts is the house specialty. The prices are high, but it's good-value-for-money.
Contact Information: 20 Island Way, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, United States +1 727 461 6617
For a taste of the Islands most flavorful cuisine, try Bahama Breeze. One of the nation's leading Caribbean-inspired restaurants, Bahama Breeze has tropical atmosphere, high ceilings, rich woods and palm tree decor. Its relaxing Island getaway with innovative foods and exotic drinks freshly confected and made to order. You can expect bold and spicy flavors with each meal presented in a way that is as eye-catching as it is appetizing. Whether it's oak-grilled sirloin palomilla or the chicken santiago or any one of countless other entrees and desserts, you will always be satisfied at Bahama Breeze. With more than 50 brands of beer by the bottle, island-style drinks with plenty of fresh squeezed juice, you will be sure to slake your thirst. The Bahamarita, Bahama's signature frozen margarita, is a must. Whenever you are in the mood for good food that is reasonably priced with quality service, Bahama Breeze is just the ticket for singles, couples, families or even a business lunch.
Contact Information: 3045 North Rocky Point Drive East, Tampa, FL 33607, United States +1 813 289 7922
Macy's is a lovely family friendly department store at the University Mall. Find the best in apparel, jewelry, cosmetics and home furnishings in the vast merchandise. Find some great brands, deals and discounts here. Just a stone's throw from Busch Gardens,this is a good place to go for that therapeutic window shopping and while you are at it, you can grab a bite from the food court.
Contact Information: 2201 University Mall, University Mall, Tampa, FL 33612, United States +1 813 977 7525
Brandon is a hot bed of shopping opportunities, and this spot is one of them with the added attraction of a 20-screen AMC Theater. Anchors here include discount shops Marshall's and TJ Maxx, with support from Staples, Michael's Crafts, S & K Menswear and Shoe Carnival. Five restaurants stave off starvation, and 30 other stores provide a bevy of temptations for all ages and tastes.
Contact Information: 2488 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511, United States +1 813 653 3747
