Tampa Bay

Formerly known as Channelside Bay Plaza, this new park in east Downtown Tampa features a biergarten, eateries and an events lawn. If you want to make a day of this area, the Florida Aquarium, the American Victory Museum, and the Spiltsville bowling alley are close by. Cargo and cruise ship watching at the Tampa Port Authority can be a great pastime too.

Founded in the 1880s by cigar manufacturers and immigrants from Spain, Cuba and Italy, Ybor City is a historic neighborhood known originally for producing cigars. Today, Ybor is an infamous nightclub and entertainment district, attracting nearby college students, visitors and Tampa locals alike. Expect the unexpected in Ybor. The main street, 7th Avenue, houses all the bars and restaurants.

Originally known as the Ford Amphitheatre, the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre is the first outdoor concert facility and the largest concert-only venue in the Tampa Bay Area accommodating around 20,000 people. Very popular groups have played here, including the Dave Matthews Band, Rush and Gwen Stefani.

The Straz Center for the Performing Arts opened its doors more than 30 years ago and it is the most distinguished performing arts center south of the Kennedy Center. It hosts the nation’s leading Broadway series and it is known for producing operas along with concerts, performances and events.

Voted by Parents Magazine as the best zoo in the nation for families, the Lowry Park Zoo is home to over a thousand animals that live in lush natural habitats. There are eight habitat areas and plenty of interactive experiences for the little ones.

The largest theme park in the area, Busch Gardens’ hallmarks are its roller coasters and nearly 3,000 live animals, incorporated into various exhibits and shows. SheiKra will give you all the thrills you can handle with a 200-foot drop, 90 degrees straight down, or for the traditionalists there is Gwazi, a wooden roller coaster with speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour. Jungala is an attraction where guests can get face-to-face with orangutans or play tug-of-war with tigers.

Adventure Island is a water park that borders Busch Gardens in Tampa. With over 30 acres of water-related activities including water slides, corkscrew slides, a rambling river, and a giant wave pool, Adventure Island has something for everyone, including cabanas to just lounge around in the sun.

Known best for its live greyhound racing, Derby Lane has expanded its repertoire to include simulcasts of other races as well as poker in recent years. Live matinee racing takes place on Monday and Wednesday thru Saturday at 12h30, while evening races occur on Wed, Fri, and Sat at 19h30. There are no live races on Sundays or Tuesdays. Derby Lane also has a full restaurant on the premises, where reservations are recommended.

The Florida Aquarium is a large scale 250,000 square-foot facility. Visitors not only get to see the many varieties of fish, but for certified Scuba divers, there is also the opportunity to swim with sharks and other animals. The Florida Aquarium has many unique touches, such as the “Penguin Promenade,” where penguins meet and greet all guests daily.

More than 200,000 visitors from all over the world frequent the Dali Museum each year. The collection of one of the world’s most eccentric and unique artists opened in Cleveland in 1942, 40 years later it was moved to St. Petersburg. Dali’s career spans several themes, from the Impressionist and Cubist styles of his early years to his transition to Surrealism, and it is represented here not only by almost 100 oil paintings, but photographs, sculptures, and watercolors as well.

The Museum of Fine Arts, located in St. Petersburg, has the only comprehensive art collection on the west coast of Florida. The museum has both an extensive permanent collection, as well as exhibitions from notables such as Dale Chihuly and Andy Warhol. After taking in a collection, browse the shops of Beach Drive or enjoy the waterfront at the nearby Straub Park.