St Petersburg
A picturesque peninsula located on
Florida's west coast, bordered by the Gulf of Mexico to the west,
St Petersburg is the fourth largest city in the state of Florida
and is commonly referred to as 'St Pete' by locals. It offers up 35
miles (56km) of beaches on eight major barrier islands and is home
to some of America's award winning beaches, such as Caladesi
Beach.
With an average of 360 days of sunshine
each year, it has earned the nickname 'The Sunshine City' and is a
popular tourist and retirement destination. This area is diverse
and comprises 26 communities, ranging from the Greek influence in
Tarpon Springs to the Scottish heritage of Dunedin. St Petersburg's
unique melting pot culture has resulted in some eclectic eateries,
museums, galleries, and boutiques, all with their own unique
charm.
Some of the many attractions in St
Petersburg include the Salvador Dali Museum and the mazes of the
Sunken Gardens. The Pier offers a concentration of shops,
boutiques, restaurants and bars, a large food court, aquarium, and
bayside observation deck.
Ybor City
Ybor City in central Tampa, is a National Historic Landmark
District that beckons visitors back to an era when this Latin
Quarter was the cigar capital of the world. The historic enclave,
founded in 1886, has been fully restored. The old cigar factories
now house shops, restaurants, clubs, and art galleries drawing
large numbers of visitors. It is still possible to watch locals
demonstrate the ancient art of premium hand-rolled cigar making, or
spend a wild night applauding Spanish Flamenco dancers.
Ybor City
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Busch Gardens
Busch Gardens is an extraordinary adventure park: a
combination between massive zoo and theme park. It predates
Florida's more famous Walt Disney World and offers an equally
exciting and entertaining experience for visitors. The park is
based on an overall African theme, divided into numerous different
areas with thousands of animals living in naturalistic
environments. At Busch Gardens it is possible to come face-to-face
with some of the world's most endangered animals, including Bengal
tigers and orangutans. The site also contains thrill rides, live
entertainment venues, shops, and restaurants, all overseen from the
Skyride cable car that crosses high above the park. In one day it
is possible to visit Tutankhamen's Tomb in Egypt, cross the plains
of the Serengeti, and watch snake charmers in a Moroccan sultan's
tent. Popular rides include the Cheetah Hunt rollercoaster, that
travels up to 60miles per hour (96 km per hour), and the Falcon's
Fury drop tower. Opening times vary according to season so be sure
to check the official website when planning your trip. If you plan
to visit any other theme parks in the region it is well worth
investigating the combination tickets on offer for deals.
Address:
10165 N McKinley Drive
Opening time:
Monday to Friday 10am-6pm; Saturday 10am-8pm; Sunday
10am-7pm.
Cobras Curse at Busch Gardens Tampa
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Busch Gardens
Museum of Science and Industry
The hands-on Tampa Museum of Science and Industry,
affectionately known as MOSI, is designed to educate, amaze, and
amuse both young and old with more than 450 interactive exhibits.
Visitors can experience what it is like to be in a Gulf Hurricane
with winds of up to 74 miles per hour (200km/h), or defy the laws
of gravity in space. The biology section features a unique way to
explore the human body, and visitors of all ages will enjoy
strolling through the butterfly garden. Also at the museum is
Florida's first IMAX dome theatre, and the museum building is set
in a 47-acre nature reserve which features walking trails. The
museum can easily occupy the whole family for at least half a
day.
Address:
4801 E Fowler Avenue.
Opening time:
Open daily 10am-5pm
Wind generator
Tampa MOSI
Tampa Museum of Art
The Tampa Museum of Art's stunning facilities is located along
Gasparilla Plaza. The 66,000-square-foot building houses a
collection of 20th-century and contemporary art, as well as a
renowned collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. There is also a
changing special exhibitions programme. From the innovative
translucent ceilings to walls covered with LED lighting, the seven
interior galleries and one exterior sculpture gallery offers
visitors a world-class experience. Visitors will appreciate the
museum's setting and should take the opportunity to stroll along
Hillsborough River while in the area.
Address:
20 W Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa
Opening time:
Monday to Thursday 11am-7pm; Friday 11am-10pm;
Saturday to Sunday 11am-5pm.
Tampa Museum of Art
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Henry B. Plant Museum
The Henry B. Plant Museum, in the heart of downtown Tampa, is
designed to transport visitors back to the turn of the century. The
ornate building is Moorish in design, featuring 13 silver minarets
which is said to be a copy of the famed Alhambra Palace in Spain.
Railroad tycoon Henry Plant built the edifice in 1891 as the
511-roomed Tampa Bay Hotel. Today it houses period art and
furnishings from Europe and the Orient, and details via exhibits
the history of the resort and the early days of the tourist
industry.
Address:
401 W Kennedy Boulevard.
Opening time:
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm, Closed
Monday.
Henry B. Plant Museum
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Florida Aquarium
More than 5,000 aquatic creatures live at the three-storey
Florida Aquarium, where it is possible to explore the underwater
world in air-conditioned comfort. The Florida Aquarium is home to
an impressive array of the animals found in the famous waterways of
the state, including crocodiles and moray eels, as well as many of
the favourites found in aquariums the world over. The aquarium
offers behind-the-scenes tours, dive shows, audio tours, close-up
animal encounters, and touch-tanks for an immersive the experience.
There is a little waterpark and play area for young children
needing some extra entertainment.
Address:
701 Channelside Drive.
Opening time:
Open Daily 9.30am-5pm
Florida Aquarium
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Clearwater Beach
Known for the breath-taking sunsets over the Gulf of Mexico and
warm tropical breezes, Clearwater Beach is consistently voted one
of the top 10 beaches in the United States. Perfect for family
vactions, Clearwater is generally known as a safer, quieter, and
more affordable option than other more prominent destinations in
Florida. With over two and a half miles (4km) of beautiful tropical
beaches, Clearwater Beach has some of the best water activities in
Tampa Bay, including jetskis and parasailing, boat tours, diving,
fishing, and sailing charters. Pirate ship cruises aboard the
70-foot (21m) three-tiered Pirate's Ransom are a must for anyone up
for a little swashbuckling. The Jolley Trolley is a great way to
visit some of the surrounding attractions, such as Sand Key and the
Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Holiday makers can enjoy a shopping
spree at Pier 60, sample the famous Stone Crabs at Frenchy's
restaurant, or visit one of the fifty golf courses around the
area.
Sunset on Clearwater Beach
Waters2100
Tampa Bay experiences a subtropical to tropical climate with
hot, wet weather during the summer months and cooler, dry
conditions during winter. In summer, between May and September,
temperatures average between 69°F (21°C) and 90°F (32°C), although
it can get substantially hotter. Temperatures remain pleasant
during the winter months, between November and February, with
average temperatures between 51°F (11°C) and 76°F (25°C). The
shoulder seasons are short and mild. In summer, frequent afternoon
thunderstorms and cool evening breezes interrupt the heat. Spring
and winter are the most popular times to visit Tampa, when it is
pleasantly warm, dry and sunny.
Tampa International Airport
Location: The airport is located nine miles (14km) west of downtown
Tampa.
Time: GMT -5 (GMT -4 from mid-March to the first Sunday
in November).
Getting to the city:
Shared passenger van services as well as several city buses
travel to Tampa and other destinations. The local HART bus stop is
located at the Rental Car Center. Taxi services are available
outside the Baggage Claim Level.
Car Rental:
Car hire companies represented at the airport include Avis,
Budget, Dollar, Enterprise, Hertz, National, Alamo and Thrifty.
Airport Taxis:
Taxis from Yellow Cab and United Cab are available curbside
outside all the baggage claim areas. The minimum airport fee is $19
and the flat rate fee to downtown Tampa and the cruise terminal is
$29.
Facilities:
The airport has a bank, ATMs, currency exchange facilities, a
shopping mall, and several restaurants, bars, and cafes. The
Airport Marriott (located in the terminal) has its own business
centre and conference rooms. Disabled facilities are good; those
with special needs should advise their airline in advance.
Parking
Short-term parking at Tampa International is located above the
terminal. The first 60 minutes is free. Then it costs $4 for up to
80 minutes and $2 per 20 minutes thereafter, with a daily maximum
of $22. In the long-term lot the daily maximum is $18, and in the
economy lot the daily maximum is $10. Walkways, a monorail, or free
shuttles connect the parking lots to the terminal, depending on
distance.
As with most US cities, a rental car is the easiest way to get
around Tampa for travellers due to limited public transport and the
fact that many visitors choose to stay just outside the city in one
of the neighbouring resorts. However, HART provides local and
express bus services for the Tampa area, serving all the major
malls and attractions and connecting to nearby beaches.
Particularly useful for tourists is the TECO Line streetcar system,
which operates in Tampa's historic district, connecting the
downtown area, Channelside, and Ybor City. Taxis are available, but
often need to be ordered in advance.
The city of Tampa is one of the top spots in Florida. As a
holiday destination, its main draws are the fantastic Busch Gardens
amusement park and Ybor City, the historic downtown Spanish
district, with its nightclubs, bars and shops, converted from Cuban
cigar factories. The Henry B. Plant Museum offers visitors exotic
exhibitions and architecture and tropical gardens to explore. The
Tampa Museum of Art lures tourists with both ancient and
contemporary treasures. The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI)
will delight and educate young and old. The Tampa Bay History
Center walks visitors through 12,000 years of the region's
history.
Holidays in Tampa are designed for families with children. Apart
from the impressive Busch Gardens, families will enjoy the enormous
Florida Aquarium and the Big Cat Rescue, the largest accredited big
cat rescue facility in the country.