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City of Tampa: Florida Aquarium, Romantic St. Petersburg, Busch Gardens, Clearwater Beach, in Home Pics...

Updated on May 2, 2011

Things to do in the City of Tampa...

Florida is one of those states that almost everyone has planned a vacation to or is planning one… There are many fantastic places to go in the state, and the City of Tampa is no exception! Tampa is not as heavily touristy as Orlando or Miami South Beach FL are, but there are many hidden gems there… Since the city is so close to the Gulf of Mexico coastline, and right on Tampa Bay, there are plenty of beach and water sports options available One of the most amazing thing about being on the Gulf coast looking westward is the wonderful sunsets each and every day ends with… You may even get a glimpse of that elusive “green glint” just before the sun disappears below the horizon!

Florida is known as the Sunshine State for a reason, and even though it does storm frequently in the summertime due to the rising heat creating rain clouds, they do not usually last long. The sun will come out and dry everything out before long, and you can continue what you were doing having fun in the sun! Within a short drive are the famous Clearwater Beach, and also the St. Petersburg FL Beach. Clearwater is one of my all time favorite beaches and it is quite popular throughout the year, and especially during college spring break season. There are heaps of white sand and turquoise waters, with many of the fun beach attractions expected in a big resort area. Just across the road is a huge marina, where you can charter a fishing boat or purchase a ticket on a dinner cruise or speedboat. Clearwater Beach is also the home of Hulk Hogan, and stars such as Tom Cruise and John Travolta have also owned homes on Clearwater Bay at one time or other.

Ybor City and the Yacht Starship Dinner Cruise...

One of the historic areas of Tampa is Ybor City, which is an old cigar making district that has now been turned into a very popular tourist area with many great shops and restaurants. Tampa is home to a large population of Cuban Americans, who were the original cigar factory workers from years ago. Another recently upgraded part of the city of Tampa is the Channelside area, which is located on the waterfront near the Florida Aquarium and other popular tourist attractions.

If you are looking for an incredible dinner cruise, probably the best one in the state of Florida is available at Channelside on the Yacht Starship. This fantastic ship runs daily, with multiple cruise times and options, including a quick lunch tour, a romantic Tampa Bay dinner cruise surrounded by the lights of the city of Tampa, and many special holiday event cruises. I’ve taken many trips of this kind around the country, but by far the best one I’ve been on is this dinner cruise on the Starship Yacht.

St. Petersburg and Busch Gardens Near the City of Tampa...

The city of St. Petersburg is located just across Tampa Bay on the peninsula, and is a very fascinating and interesting city as well. St. Petersburg FL is famous as a place where retirees from around the country come to live out their days in a relative paradise. Beautiful beaches, great tourist attractions, and incredible boating opportunities are readily available there for your sightseeing pleasure.

Another famous and must see attraction in the city of Tampa is Busch Gardens, one of the best theme parks in the state! It is comparable to Walt Disney World in Orlando, and also Sea World and Universal Studios. The City of Orlando is only about 1 ½ hours from Tampa, so a short drive will get you to those other tourist attractions. Busch Gardens is an incredible park based on shows, rides, and animals, with an African theme. The original name was “Busch Gardens, the Dark Continent”… But I guess because of politically correct nonsense they decided to change the name to appease certain groups of people… The park is one of my favorite places, and I always tried to get an annual pass when I lived in the City of Tampa so that I could attend whenever I wanted. If you are looking for roller coasters, this park has some of the best in Florida!

There is plenty to do and see while in the City of Tampa and the surrounding area, and you should start planning your next vacation or trip to this great place! Book a hotel overlooking Tampa Bay or even the Gulf of Mexico, and enjoy all the area has to see. Don’t miss some of the fantastic museums downtown or nearby, as they are also incredible!

Interested in More Great Travel Destination Ideas?

  • Key West Florida - Key West is the best tropical and exotic destination that you can get to from the mainland U.S. Read about all the many attractions and fun things available for you to do once you arrive…
  • Jamaica - Jamaica is a beautiful island with warm, inviting breezes and incredible turquoise colored water, and it’s one of the top vacation destinations in the Caribbean...
  • Atlantis Resort, the Bahamas - Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas is an incredible place that everyone should be able to experience at least once in their life, and there are many fun activities and programs available for the whole family. ..
  • Orlando FL - Orlando FL is a great city with many fun and exciting activities and theme parks available for the visitor. Among them are Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Sea World… Plan your trip, and then work your plan…
  • Ginnie Springs FL Cave Diving - Ginnie Springs FL is a fantastic place to come experience the great outdoors of the Florida wilderness, and also cool off on those hot summer days… There is also great scuba diving and cave diving here, so if you are certified or would like to learn…
  • Cancun Mexico - Cancun is a very popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, especially for North Americans. Be sure to really plan your trip well, because there is plenty to see in this great Mexican resort town…

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