[CaribBeachNut]

We wish to spend a day in Tampa during our next WDW trip, but I don't know what sites to visit. Any ideas?
We saw the Buccaneers last year at WWoS and my son ended up in an argument with Warren Sapp, so the Buc's are definitely out. My son won't allow it. I hear that the Museum of Science is nice. Any ideas on what sites to see in Tampa? How's the fishing? How is the swimming in the Gulf of Mexico?

[wdwspider]

Busch Gardens: the Dark Continent is a great Roller Coaster/ Zoo park down in Tampa.

[goofygal1975]

Busch Gardens is a great place to go. We have AP's to there also. It's only a 30 min drive there for us. We like MOSI (Museum Of Sciene and Industry)too, but really only plan to spend a couple hrs there max. Too bad about the Bucs....We Love them!! (I've got season tics!!!) There is the Florida Acquarium. (I've never been, but my son has been a few times and really likes it) There is the Dog Tracks there in the evenings. Also Ybor city in the day time could be a nice place to visit for a few hrs..(then head to the aquarium). You do NOT want to be there in the evening, unless you are a teenager ready to hit all the clubs there!

Another place, in St pete, only 30 minutes south of Tampa, is Fort DeSota!! I love this place! It's really a long stretch of a beach that you can visit. A fort to explore. There's also a campground that we have stayed at before. NOt really sure this would fit into your plans, but a day at the beach is always fun!

[David]

Busch Gardens is great.

If your going to be there on the 4th of July the fireworks on the bay are excellent.

[Cinderellafifi]

I was just in Tampa at the end of February, but for business. It was a very nice city and I would like to return. I vote for Busch Gardens, too. They also have a water park now.

There is also Ybor City close by which apparently has a lot of culture and good food. :) Tampa also now has electric trolleys which probably could give a good site-seeing tour of the city.

Have fun!:)

[goofygal1975]

Originally posted by Cinderellafifi
I I vote for Busch Gardens, too. They also have a water park now.

Oh, yeah, I forgot about this! IT's called Adventure Island. I haven't been there in over 10 years.... So I can't tell you much about it. But that is another idea. It's right next to Busch Gardens!

[DisneyAnne]

For eats, you MUST eat in Ybor City (pronounced Ee-bore) at a landmark called Columbia Restaurant. The past two years, the Outback Bowl has held the wives luncheon there and it is WONDERFUL! It has authentic cuban food with beautiful theming (hate to put it that way, but I am at a loss for words). There is a beautiful indoor courtyard-type dining area with a fountain and flamenco dancers at dinner. If you don't get to it, you have missed out on a cultural landmark for the area. Enjoy!

[Willbegone]

Originally posted by DisneyAnne
The past two years, the Outback Bowl has held the wives luncheon there and it is WONDERFUL!

Hey are you a coach's wife?? I was a Carolina Classic when I was at USC of course I was there from 1994-1998 so no one is still there but I was just curious.

[Tna]

I love my city and most natives welcome you with open arms! Busch Gardens is great.They have awesome coasters there.Adventure Island is a lot of fun too.You can bring your own coolers and spend the whole day.I agree ybor is to be seen but unless your a party person avoid at night.I work at the local dog track so yes we have dog racing horse racing an indian casino and across the bay boats to gamble that go out each night.There is also a must see here in Tampa.The Henry B plant museum at the University of Tampa.There is an adjoining park there to feed the squirrels they are very tame.Lil ones can even enjoy that.Across the river is the TB performing arts center always has a good play.There is also a Museum of Modern Art.Bayshore Blvd has the longest sidewalk in the world.Hillsborough River State Park rents canoes and has nature trails.I also agree about Fort Desoto.Its very nice there my favorite bay area thing to do is out of Dunedin.Take the ferry from Honeymoon Island to Caladisi Island and spend the day.The ride over is short costs around 7 dollars for adults and you can find what the natives have kept secret.Baby powder sand beaches and the serenity of an almost private beach on a weekday.Its a must to hit Caladisi if you are in Tampa Bay for more than a day.Busch Gardens isnt Disney but August Busch had a vision too.His animals are well kept and this isnt just an amusment park.The "zoo" there also houses Jack Hanna's weekly animal show.There is so much to do...we have spring traing baseball,hockey,tons of golf courses,and a new international mall for shopping near our airport.Lowry Park is the city run zoo.It was Tampa's first amuesment park and zoo.The Manatee exibit there is worth the trip.If you are here in the winter hit Big Bend.its a power plant that has constructed a viewing area for seeing manatees they come up near the plant when the water is below 65 degrees.Its free too! WHATEVER YOU DO, DONT MISS A REAL CUBAN SANDWICH.NOT WHAT GLORIA ESTAFAN TRIES TO PASS OFF AS ONE AT BONGOS!also..stuffed potatos and deviled crabs are a cuban specialty.If you go to Columbia Resturant do order the PAELLA! ITS THE BEST YOU'LL EVER GET!We love our city and hope you enjoy your stay here.

[SillyMe]

Ditto on Busch Gardens and Ybor City. As a South Florida Cuban-American, its funny to hear my fellow Tampa Cuban-Americans speak with southern accents! Eat at Columbias too. We had a great time in Tampa. We took a drive along the water, If I remember correctly the road was Bayshore Boulevard. There are beautiful homes along that road to look at. We stayed at a Hampton Inn on Hidden River Parkway. Very clean and about 5 miles from Busch Gardens. Have a great trip!