Tampa
From Imakoopedia
The city of Tampa in Hillsborough county is the largest city in the Tampa Bay region of Florida.
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Get in
By plane
The primary airport serving the region is Tampa International Airport (TPA), located near the waters of Tampa Bay along I-275. St. Petersburg Airport (PIE) is an alternative only fifteen miles away, generally serving smaller routes and discount airlines. A bit further away is Sarasota International, offering proximity to beautiful Gulf beaches to the south of Tampa.
By car
Tampa is easily accessible via the major interstate highways, I-75 from north and south, and I-4 from the east. From either highway, exit onto I-275 to reach Tampa.
See
- University of Tampa. Formerly the Tampa Bay Hotel built at the turn of the 20th century by railroad magnate H.B.Plant, the beautiful old building is now used as the administration building and classrooms for the University of Tampa. It has been lovingly restored to most of its prior glory; the ballroom is a showpiece with its domed ceiling under brilliant silver minarets. There is a small, but very interesting museum in the building that recreates a large portion of Tampa's early history, as well as giving visitors a peek into how the hotel appeared when it first opened.
- Florida Aquarium. Channelside district, just east of downtown. Fabulous aquarium following a drop of rain from a swamp through Florida's aquifer, to its rivers and out into the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean. Restaurant, gift shop, children's play area, touch tank, interactive dive experiences, and eco-tours of Tampa Bay.
- Lowry Park Zoo. One of the top-rated zoos in the country, featuring children's areas, restaurants, a manatee hospital, and first-rate encounters with animals from around the world. Make sure to tour the aviary and feed the lorikeets.
- Busch Gardens. More than just an amusement park -- also a top-notch zoo. Expensive, but a very enjoyable day -- rides, shows, and the Anheuser-Busch Clydesdales!
- Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). Hands-on children's science museum, including an IMAX dome and stellar revolving exhibits. Great way to spend a day with the family.
- University of South Florida. Main campus for this university.
Do
Read the Tampa Tribune -- Tampa has some sort of event going on nearly every weekend, especially in the spring and early summer. Art festivals, a terrific Renaissance festival, street festivals -- take advantage of the great weather and enjoy our city.
- Gasparilla Festival of the Arts. http://www.gasparilla-arts.com
Drink
Ybor City is a historic area of Tampa which now hosts the region's best known bar and nightclub district. In the 1980's it was reborn as an arts/bar district, but increased demand for rental space eventually crowded out the artists and independent small-scale bars. Now chains and drunken hooligans predominate in the late hours.
Although not spectacular, Ybor City now boasts a very respectable list of very dependable upscale restaurants. Make sure you find time, however, to have at least one meal at The Columbia, a beautiful Spanish restaurant in continuous operation since 1905. Excellent food and attentive service for a very affordable price -- make sure you stay for the Latin dance show staged twice each evening (nominal fee).
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