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- Channelside. Entertainment complex in the revitalized Channelside district near the Port of Tampa. Numerous upscale restaurants, several mid-range chain restaurants and bars, an IMAX movie theater and a trendy (if you can believe it) bowling alley. Make sure to call ahead at the bowling alley, however. On a Friday or Saturday night, the wait for a lane can easily extend upwards of 3 hours.
- Florida Aquarium, 701 Channelside Drive, Phone: (813) 273-4000. Daily 9:30AM-5PM. 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.
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Tampa Museum of Art
. The new Tampa Museum of Art is located in downtown Tampa on the Hillsborough river at 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza. -
Tampa Theatre
, 711 Franklin Street, Phone: (813) 274-8982. Opened in 1926 and located right downtown, the Tampa Theatre is a historic movie palace featuring a wide range of independent, foreign, and documentary films on a daily basis. Architecturally stunning both inside and out, it is no wonder that the Tampa Theatre has become both a city and national landmark being listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1978. It is Tampa's only non-profit theatre and operating costs are largely covered by its membership program, various corporate sponsors as well as ticket sales. - 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.
- Davis Islands and Harbour Island are adjacent to downtown and both worth exploring for their beautiful waterfront areas, historic and upscale housing stock, and dining/nightlife in their main streets.
- Busch Gardens, McKinley Drive, Toll Free: 1-888-800-5447. More than just an amusement park - also a top-notch zoo. Expensive, but a very enjoyable day - rides, shows. This is a fun place for all ages, kids, teens, and even adults. It has a family friendly atmosphere with lots of things to do and see. The scenery is amazing; it has a feel of different places as you travel throughout the park. Rides vary from a huge merry go round to the famous rollercoaster, Montu. There are many different types of rides to choose from and also many roller coasters to choose from as well. Not a ride fan? You can check out the many shows they perform daily. Ice skating, singing, magic, birds, dolphins and other performances can be found all around the corners of Busch Gardens. Not a show fan either? Then check out the many food establishments spread out through the park. They offer fast food like popcorn and fries to a nice sit down meal. Also check Busch Gardens out during different holidays. They always have special events and offers. For instance, for Halloween they have Howl-O-Scream when the park is open all night long. They also have special events for over night stays, New Years, and special ticket sales for Florida residents. Always watch out for these special events because they happen all the time.
- Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 West Sligh Avenue, Phone: (813) 935-8552. Daily 9:30AM-5PM. 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. Popular section of the zoo include the Florida Wildlife Center with alligators, bears and Manatees; the Asian Gardens with Komodo Dragons, Rhinoceros, and leopards; and the new Safari Africa with meercats, elephants, and a wide variety of African animals.
- Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI), 4801 E Fowler Av., Phone: (813) 987-6100. Daily 9AM-6PM. 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. The main campus for this university. Blossoming from five buildings in its opening (1960) to 164 buildings on the Tampa campus alone, this beautiful college is now educating more than 29,000 students. With beautiful greenery, fountains, and named the “top architecture school in Florida” by the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design in 2002. A sports fan? The University of South Florida has you covered here as well! Home to the Division-1 football (at Raymond James Stadium) and basketball (at the on-campus SunDome) among others.
- Ybor City State Museum (1818 9th Avenue) on 9th Avenue between 18th & 19th Streets, should be the first stop for any new visitor to the area. This small, but intriguing museum highlights the colorful history of this city-turned-Tampa-suburb and has a gift shop filled with small trinkets. The museum offers walking tours (see "Do" section, below). Open daily 9AM-5PM, except major holidays. Visitors must park at metered spots on 9th/nearby streets.
- Ybor City Cigar Museum — 1600 8th Ave. Presents the history of cigar making in Ybor City. Nice gift shop. Open Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Sun Noon-6PM.
- Centro Ybor — Centered by a 20-screen mega-cinema, plenty of shopping, bars, and nightclubs, this large entertainment complex/plaza at the heart of Ybor City, it is the mecca of Tampa's young-adult nightlife.
- Saturday Market — Every Saturday from 9AM-3PM in Centennial Park, the market features local-grown produce, arts, crafts, and local food.
- Ybor City ArtWalk — The first Saturday of every month, this event brings out the best area arts and crafts, from business owners to professionals to studio-dwelling amateurs showing off their goods.
- Walking tour of Ybor City — Every Saturday at 10:30AM, the Ybor City State Museum offers a 60 minute walking tour of Ybor City highlighting the cigar industry's impact on the area, historic cottages/businesses, and tours of the YC State Museum & YC Cigar Museum. If possible, stop by the 100-year-old Columbia Restaurant at the end of the tour for a tasty Cuban lunch.
- Cruise ships, Port of Tampa.
- Gasparilla Pirate Festival, is an annual event consisting of several parades, live entertainment, and fireworks. The event is also known as the Mardi Gras of Tampa, and normally takes place on the last two Saturdays in January.
- Guavaween offers daytime events and nighttime parade on the last Saturday in October in Ybor City.
- Sant'Yago Knight Parade is an illuminated nighttime parade that takes place one Saturday in February in Ybor City.
- Several film festivals take place at the Tampa Theatre several times a year.
- 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.
- Surprisingly, ice skating is a popular activity in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay Skating Academy in nearby Oldsmar has two NHL-sized ice surfaces. Other well-known rinks include Sunblades Center and the rink in Westfield Countryside Mall, both in Clearwater.
- Lettuce Lake Park between I-75 and the University of South Florida has boardwalks that go through a nearly pristine area with 700 year old cypress trees, alligators, egrets and herons. One end of the boardwalk overlooks the Hillsborough River in its original state, a far cry from what it looks like in the downtown area.
- L-39 Albatross jet fighter flight from St. Petersburg-Clearwater International.
- Dade City's Wild Things, 37245 Meridia nave, 352-567-9453. Tue - Sa 9:00 - 5:00. A zoo with over 190 animals and private guides who facilitate animal encounters.
- Chasing Tails Charters, 5108 gandy blvd. Tampa, Fl, 8139565357. Book your Tampa fishing Charter with Capt. Jason Dozier of Chasing Tails Charters. Jason has extensive knowledge of Tampa Bay and will show you an amazing fishing experience. For more information please visit his webpage at www.fishnfl.com* Chasing Tails Charters, ☎ (813) 956-5357. The Capt. provides everything needed for a enjoyable day of fishing. All you need to bring is what you plan on eating and drinking for the day, sunscreen and a great attitude! The Capt utilizes a 2010 22' bay boat to keep clients comfortable while in the water.
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers playing at Raymond James Stadium off Dale Mabry Highway.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an American football team whose home field is Raymond James Stadium (off Dale Mabry a couple of miles north of I-275). Routinely near the top of the NFC South, they are the 2002 Super Bowl champions and the team which receives the most support in the Tampa Bay region (although the recent performance of the Rays has gotten much more support and attention). The season lasts from August(preseason)-January(postseason, if they qualify).
- Tampa Bay Lightning are an NHL(ice hockey) team who won the Stanley Cup in the 2003-2004 season. Their home is in the Tampa Bay Times Forum. Season includes 41 home games and lasts October-June.
- Tampa Bay Rays are an Major League Baseball team in the American League East, formed in 1995. They play in Tropicana Field in Saint Petersburg, FL. and were the American League Champions in 2008.
- Tampa Bay Storm an Arena Football League team playing in the Tampa Bay Times Forum. They have won more Arena Bowl titles than any other team in the AFL. Season lasts March-June.
- Spring Training Baseball The New York Yankees train at George M. Steinbrenner Field during the month of March. However, tickets are usually sold out several weeks before a game.
- Tampa Yankees a minor league baseball team which plays its games at George M. Steinbrenner Field from April-September.
- Skatepark of Tampa a world-famous skateboarding institution. Famously host to the annual "Tampa AM" and "Tampa Pro" contests, which draw professional skateboarders from around the world. Home to an impressive street course and full size competition vert ramp. Full shop with all your skate, clothing and footwear needs. Open M-Th 12-9, Friday 12-11, Saturday 10-11, Sunday 10-10. 4215 E Columbus Drive.
- Ace Golf/Pebble Creek Golf Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive, Phone: 813-973-3870.
- Babe Zaharias Golf Course, 11412 Forest Hills Drive, Phone: 813-631-4374.
- Boat Charters. Find a fishing charter, sunset cruise or yacht charter to see Florida froma different point of view.
- Bloomingdale Golfers Club, 4113 Great Golfers Place, Phone: 813-685-4105 (Fax: 813-654-1227).
- The Claw at USF, 13801 N 46th Street, Phone: 813-632-6893, Fax: 813-975-6695.
- Emerald Greens Golf Resort and Country Club, 13941 Clubhouse Drive, Toll-Free: (866) 974-7336, Phone: (813) 961-9400, Fax: (813) 961-9424.
- TPC Tampa Bay, 5300 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Phone: 813-949-0090.
- Picnic Island State Park, 7404 Picnic Island Boulevard, Phone (813) 832-1222. Located in South Tampa past Port Tampa City. Dog beach, playground, and nice beaches. No charge to enter and free parking. Excellent views of the bay, St. Pete, and the Sunshine Skyway (in the distance).
- Carmine's Restaurant, 1802 E 7th Ave, Ybor City neighborhood. Cuban, Spanish, and Italian.
- Hugo's Spanish Restaurant, 931 S Howard Ave., (813) 251-2842. Slightly more expensive than La Teresita, but still a bargain in the pricey SoHo neighborhood.
- The Jerk Hut, 207 E Twiggs St., (813) 223-4473. and 1406 E Fowler Ave (813) 632-9551 Don't be put off by the name - "jerk" is a Jamaican term for slow-roasting meats. The Jerk Hut serves theirs with an addictive sweet red sauce. Also, curries and oxtail stew.
- Mel's Hot Dogs, 4136 E Busch Blvd., (813) 985-8000. A tacky little restaurant near Busch Gardens. Good hot dogs and bizarre hot dog related memorabilia.
- New Soul Sandwich Shop, 518 N Willow Ave., (813) 251-3720. Definitely "off the beaten path." Great soul food in industrial neighborhood, just off Kennedy. Don't mind the ramshackle surroundings, as the proprietors and the regulars are quite friendly.
- El Taconazo, 913 E Hillsborough Ave., (813) 232-5889. Known locally as the "Taco Bus." Simple and delicious Mexican food for very little money. The ceviche is a steal at only $5, but be forewarned: there's no air conditioning.
- La Teresita, 3246 W Columbus Dr., (813) 879-4909. Inexpensive Cuban diner with good food and interesting characters. A true Tampa institution.
- Westshore Pizza, 927 S Howard Ave., (813) 251-2020. Numerous other locations throughout Tampa Bay. A local chain with good, cheap eats including pizza and cheesesteaks.
- Xtreme Juice Smoothies, 619 S. Dale Mabry Hwy.., (813) 879-6033. South Tampa's best smoothies. A local smoothie shop that offers Buy One Get One Free on Sundays.
- Saigon Deli, 3858 W Waters Ave., (813) 932-0300. Tampa has quite a few Vietnamese places, but Saigon Deli has gained the most attention. Try the Bahn Mi.
- Vallarta's Mexican, 9212 Anderson Rd, (813) 901-8027. Fast and inexpensive Mexican food. Good menu and at night local happy hour hangout.
- Mr. Dunderbak's,14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd., (813) 977-4104. Great German food, also one of the most quintessential Tampa local hangouts. Mr. Dunderbak's has been open and a staple since 1974, and has been one of the largest influences to the local craft beer scene as a result. With over 50 taps offering a huge selection of Belgian, import, and local craft brews, Mr. Dunderbak's caters to the interested beer drinker.
- Bahama Breeze, 3045 N. Rocky Point Drive E., Phone: (813) 289-7922.
- CDB Southside, 3671 S Westshore Blvd Tampa, FL 33629, Phone: (813) 805-2327. Near the original Westshore Pizza. Large upstairs area, back room, and bar. Great place for casual Italian food.
- Fuego, 1721 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon (Just outside the Tampa city limits; Highway 60/Adamo Blvd becomes Brandon Blvd. at the line) Tel. (813) 413-8382. Brazilian. If you're a meat eater and looking for something a bit different, this is a treat. Waiters bring a wide variety of chicken, beef, pork, and sausages fresh cooked in various ways to your table to sample as much as you wish of.
- T. C. Choy's Asian Bistro, 301 S Howard Ave., (813) 251-1191. Sushi and dim sum, along with other traditional Chinese fare.
- Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Avenue, Ybor City section of Tampa. Tel. 247-1422. Brew pub with a good food menu including shepard's pie and huge calzones in addition to more standard fare.
- The NoHo Bistro 1714 N Armenia Avenue, Tampa 33607, Tel. 813-514-0691. Local independent bistro located in the historic West Tampa district. Lunch and dinner service available. Menus change seasonally and weekly in the case of dinner. Classic European-style bistro fare with an eclectic American flare. Catering and private dining also available.
- Matoi Sushi 602 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa 33609, Tel. 813-871-3233. Quality, fresh sushi with Japanese and Korean entrees. Whether you`re craving Korean or Japanese comfort food or freshly-made, unique sushi rolls, this is the place to be.
- Bern's Steak House, 1208 S Howard Av. +1 813-251-2421. Considered to be one of the best steakhouses in Florida: it claims to have the largest privately owned wine lists in the world, with over 7000 labels and a million bottles. It is commonplace to have a tour of the kitchen and wine cellar after dinner, but expect to spend at least a few hours. Their menu is host to some cuts not often found in American steakhouses.
- Cafe Don Jose, N. 56th St. A bit cheaper than the Columbia Restaurant, yet the quality seems to be much better.
- The Columbia Restaurant, 2117 East 7th Avenue, Phone: (813) 248-4961. Spanish, a landmark in the Ybor City neighborhood since 1905. One of the few places in the country and the only restaurant in the area that serves the originally cut Delmonico steaks.
- Mise en Place, 442 W Kennedy Blvd., (813) 254-5373.
- The Palm, 205 Westshore Plaza Dr. +1 813-849-7256.
- Ybor City is a historic area of Tampa which now hosts the region's best known bar and nightclub district. It is a nationally known arts/bar/dining district and one could take several days visiting all of the bars and places to eat here. You can find any type of bar, from punk rock/metal, hip-hop, house, blues, indie, country, or dive. Strong LGBT scene, especially in the western quarter of the district, which has been designated as GaYbor.
- Tampa Bay Brewing Company, 1600 E. 8th Avenue, Ybor City section of Tampa. Tel. (813) 247-1422. Good variety of well made beers.
- Hyde Park is the epicenter for upscale and trendy nightlife in the bay area. Myriad upmarket bars are accounted for, fancy restaurants that feature a bar scene after dark, plus almost as many dance clubs as Ybor City. The crowd in these clubs is a bit older and swankier than Ybor.
- Ciro's Speakeasy, 2109 Bayshore Blvd. Tampa, a few blocks south of most SoHo action but worth it. Tel. 813.251.0022. Upscale but mellow haven for high-end mixology.
- Channelside also has plenty of nightlife. For the cooler local joints, stay away from the Bay Plaza and explore the alleyways between all the condo towers, especially 12th Street. Downtown also has a burgeoning bar scene and is easily accessible by streetcar or simply walking west on Kennedy or Twiggs.
- Seminole Hard Rock Casino is an upscale 24-hour venue featuring loads of bars, a Hard Rock cafe, and of course games.
- International Plaza, that upscale mall mentioned above, has a solid nightlife scene in the outdoor Bay Street alley.
- Seminole Heights is about two miles north of downtown, a beautiful historic neighborhood with a more bohemian scene. It is unfortunately not dense for barhopping, but there's still a good range of bars here with a "hipster" vibe well worth checking out.
- Independent Bar, 5016 N Florida Ave, Tampa. Tel. (813) 341-4883. Hipster microbrew gastropub hangout.
- USF is a huge college about 12 miles north of downtown. Within a two mile radius of campus there are quite a few bars and a couple clubs, mainly catering to the student set and alumni. Unfortunately no critical mass for barhopping.
- Cigar City Brewing, 3924 West Spruce Street, West Tampa section of Tampa close to Dale Mabry and International Plaza. Tel. (813) 348-6363. Very popular craft brewery with a tasting room.
- International Plaza Mall Located near the airport, would be worthwhile if one is trying to spend a few hours. The usual stores are present, plus a collection of boutique shops in the outdoor area. Lots of food and drink options as well.
- SoHo District Just southwest of downtown, this area is the upscale shopping, dining, and nightlife center of Tampa. A load of boutiques are on Howard Avenue itself, with the main shopping area called Hyde Park Village a bit east on Swann Ave.
- Palma Ceia South of Hyde Park is Palma Ceia, its more relaxed sister. This area is centered around the Macdill Ave./Bay to Bay Ave. intersection and has scores of trendy boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. Look for the sculpture right at the intersection.
- Westshore Plaza Mall Also near the airport, has a movie theater and shops including Saks Fifth Avenue.
- Channelside Beside the cruise terminals in downtown, this shopping complex has a theater (including Imax screens) shops, food, and drinking places. Take the streetcar into Ybor City for more shopping and restaurants, the ride takes about 10 to 15 minutes.
- University Mall Located near University of South Florida, has a movie theater, shops and food. Take the Hartline buses.
- Citrus Park Town Center. In the Northwest part of the county. Another Westfield Shopping Town.
- Big Top Flea Market, Fowler ave. (Past I-75 on the left). Sa Su.
- Couture Designer Resale Boutique (Couture Designer Resale Boutique), 10117 Montague St, (813)926-9889. 10am-6pm, Mon-Sat. Founded in 2003, Couture Boutique is one of the leading providers of authentic used luxury goods in the United States. Couture offers a wide selection of designer handbags, jewelry, clothing, and accessories and features top-name designers that include Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Gucci, and David Yurman. With their ever-changing inventory and friendly staff, Couture Boutique has become a popular shopping destination for Tampa Bay area residents and travelers alike.
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Tampa, Florida, USA
The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city in West Central Florida.
Tampa, Florida, USA
Weather
Tampa has a humid subtropical climate. Its situation on the Gulf of Mexico allows the warm Gulf Stream to create mild winter weather. However, cold snaps do occur in winter in Tampa occasionally, bringing temperatures at night around freezing. Temperatures in the teens, and snow, have been recorded. However, this is very rare. From spring through fall, weather is very warm and humid, sometimes making the weather unpleasant for outdoor activities.Understand
Tampa is situated on the north shore of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida. Saint Petersburg lies west of the bay, while Bradenton is on the southern shore. The downtown business center of the city is on the north shore of Hillsborough Bay (a small bay within Tampa Bay which is bordered by the eastern... Read moreTampa, Florida, USA
Destination:
Tampa, Florida, USA
The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city in West Central Florida.
Weather
Tampa has a humid subtropical climate. Its situation on the Gulf of Mexico allows the warm Gulf Stream to create mild winter weather. However, cold snaps do occur in winter in Tampa occasionally, bringing temperatures at night around freezing. Temperatures in the teens, and snow, have been recorded. However, this is very rare. From spring through fall, weather is very warm and humid, sometimes making the weather unpleasant for outdoor activities.Understand
Tampa is situated on the north shore of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida. Saint Petersburg lies west of the bay, while Bradenton is on the southern shore. The downtown business center of the city is on the north shore of Hillsborough Bay (a small bay within Tampa Bay which is bordered by the eastern shore of Tampa Bay and the small peninsula of South Tampa) and Ybor City lies just to the east. MacDill Air Force Base is on the southern tip of South Tampa, while the city also extends to the north all the way to the newly incorporated area of New Tampa.People
Tampa is a very diverse city. The first residents were the members of the Seminole Indian tribe that was relocated there from northern Florida and the soldiers stationed at Fort Brook to control the reservation. The town remained a mostly military town until the 1880s when Tampa saw its first major waves of immigration from Cuba, Spain and Sicily. The major growth of the area did not occur until air conditioning became common in the years after World War II, but the region has been growing steadily since then. Tampa is now home to many native Floridians, including Seminoles, Cubans, Spaniards and Italians, as well the residence of many 'transplants' from the Midwest and other areas of the states and new immigrants from the Caribbean and central America. Tampa's population swells during the winter months with the arrival of the 'snowbirds,' retired persons from the northern U.S. and Canada who come down for a few months to enjoy the relative warmth.Economy
Tampa has a growing economy and serves as a major port. Among others, Raymond James, Home Shopping Network, Outback Steakhouse, and a major portion of Citigroup are all headquartered in Tampa. Tampa's major industries today are phosphate mining, shipping, citrus processing, shrimping, and tourism.Source:
http://wikitravel.org/en/
Tampa
Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0
Tampa, Florida, USA: Port Information
Cruise ships dock at the port which is located close to Ybor City.
Tampa International Airport is 5 miles away. Shuttles, taxis, rental cars are available.
There are a lot of attractions around the port area.
Cruise ships from five cruise lines operate from Tampa, mostly to Caribbean islands and Mexico. The Tampa cruise terminal is on the Ybor channel downtown.
Tampa International Airport is 5 miles away. Shuttles, taxis, rental cars are available.
There are a lot of attractions around the port area.
Cruise ships from five cruise lines operate from Tampa, mostly to Caribbean islands and Mexico. The Tampa cruise terminal is on the Ybor channel downtown.
Get around Tampa, Florida, USA
By car
Car rentals are the most convenient for of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.
The main freeways in Tampa are Interstate 275, Interstate 4, the Veterans Expressway (toll FL 589), and the Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway (toll FL 618). Some of the main east-west roads through town are Kennedy Boulevard (SR 60), Gandy Boulevard (SR 694), Hillsborough Avenue (US 92) and Fowler Avenue (SR 582), while some of the north-south roads are Dale Mabry Highway (US 92) and Florida/Nebraska Avenue (US 41). Traffic is especially bad during the rush hours: from about 7:30 to 9:30 AM and 3:30PM to 7:30PM. During these times, try especially to avoid I-275, especially between I-4 and SR 60 (by the airport) as this section runs by downtown and is currently being rebuilt.
Luxury limousines, sedans, and party buses are available for rent with Tampa Limousine VIP.
By bus
HART, provides extensive bus service throughout Hillsborough County. There are three types of routes offered: "local", "Commuter Express", and Trollies (see below). Local routes are ones which have many stops in a small region. Commuter Express lines are long-distance lines namely providing service from suburbs into Tampa. Only local to local & commuter express to local transfers are allowed.
PSTA, offers service in Pinellas County (the county west of Tampa Bay, home to Clearwater and St. Petersburg) similar to what HART offers in Hillsborough.
By Streetcar
Tampa also has the TECO Line Streetcar that runs from Whiting and Franklin Streets downtown to Centennial Park in Ybor City with 9 stops along the way (11 total stops). The line is useful for tourists and convention goers. The line runs by many local shops, restaurants, and attractions including the convention center/ Embassy Suites, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Channelside, the
By Trolley
Tampa also has a rubber-wheel trolley system serving the Central Business District. Unlike the streetcars, which are electric and run on a fixed track, the trollies are simply small, diesel buses styled to look like a streetcar. The In-Town Trolley runs north-south from I-275, through downtown to the northern end of Harbor Island. It has service every 10 minutes at 17 stops, Monday through Friday from 6-9AM and 3-6PM.
Car rentals are the most convenient for of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.
The main freeways in Tampa are Interstate 275, Interstate 4, the Veterans Expressway (toll FL 589), and the Leroy Selmon Crosstown Expressway (toll FL 618). Some of the main east-west roads through town are Kennedy Boulevard (SR 60), Gandy Boulevard (SR 694), Hillsborough Avenue (US 92) and Fowler Avenue (SR 582), while some of the north-south roads are Dale Mabry Highway (US 92) and Florida/Nebraska Avenue (US 41). Traffic is especially bad during the rush hours: from about 7:30 to 9:30 AM and 3:30PM to 7:30PM. During these times, try especially to avoid I-275, especially between I-4 and SR 60 (by the airport) as this section runs by downtown and is currently being rebuilt.
Luxury limousines, sedans, and party buses are available for rent with Tampa Limousine VIP.
By bus
HART, provides extensive bus service throughout Hillsborough County. There are three types of routes offered: "local", "Commuter Express", and Trollies (see below). Local routes are ones which have many stops in a small region. Commuter Express lines are long-distance lines namely providing service from suburbs into Tampa. Only local to local & commuter express to local transfers are allowed.
PSTA, offers service in Pinellas County (the county west of Tampa Bay, home to Clearwater and St. Petersburg) similar to what HART offers in Hillsborough.
By Streetcar
Tampa also has the TECO Line Streetcar that runs from Whiting and Franklin Streets downtown to Centennial Park in Ybor City with 9 stops along the way (11 total stops). The line is useful for tourists and convention goers. The line runs by many local shops, restaurants, and attractions including the convention center/ Embassy Suites, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Channelside, the
Florida Aquarium
, and through Ybor City. There are 3 types of streetcars in operation: 9 "Birney Safety" replicas (picture, right), one "Breezer" open-air replica (picture, left), and one original "Birney" car (#163, not pictured) which operated in Tampa from 1923-1946 and went through 10,000 man-hours of restoration. Even if you're not using it for transportation, the streetcars are a fun way to see some of the city's historic and cultural sightsюBy Trolley
Tampa also has a rubber-wheel trolley system serving the Central Business District. Unlike the streetcars, which are electric and run on a fixed track, the trollies are simply small, diesel buses styled to look like a streetcar. The In-Town Trolley runs north-south from I-275, through downtown to the northern end of Harbor Island. It has service every 10 minutes at 17 stops, Monday through Friday from 6-9AM and 3-6PM.
What to see in Tampa, Florida, USA
Downtown Tampa
This historic multi-ethnic district located northeast of downtown & north of the Channelside district is best known to locals for its wide range of nightclubs, bars, and shops making it a popular evening and weekend hotspot. However, this historic district has much to offer the tourist by day. Originally home to thousands of Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants (as well as smaller numbers of Romanian Jews and Germans), this neighborhood was famous for its many cigar factories and is where the Cuban sandwich was first popularized in the United States. Ybor City is one of only two active National Historic Landmark Districts in the state of Florida and can be easily visited by catching one of its famous streetcars that connects downtown Tampa to Ybor City (see "Get around" section).
This historic multi-ethnic district located northeast of downtown & north of the Channelside district is best known to locals for its wide range of nightclubs, bars, and shops making it a popular evening and weekend hotspot. However, this historic district has much to offer the tourist by day. Originally home to thousands of Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants (as well as smaller numbers of Romanian Jews and Germans), this neighborhood was famous for its many cigar factories and is where the Cuban sandwich was first popularized in the United States. Ybor City is one of only two active National Historic Landmark Districts in the state of Florida and can be easily visited by catching one of its famous streetcars that connects downtown Tampa to Ybor City (see "Get around" section).
What to do in Tampa, Florida, USA
What to eat and drink in Tampa, Florida, USA
Eat
BudgetDrink
Shopping in Tampa, Florida, USA
Safety in Tampa, Florida, USA
Be aware while in Suitcase City, the part of town surrounding Busch Gardens, USF and University Square Mall. Hitchhiking is also prevalent in this area, but do not stop! East Tampa also has some rough areas, but overall not much to worry about. Sulphur Springs north of Seminole Heights, and Old West Tampa west of Downtown across the river are also a bit shady but it's kept to a dull roar all over the city mostly.
Language spoken in Tampa, Florida, USA
English is the official language of the state. However, Spanish is the native language of approximately 20% of Florida residents, and the further south you go, the more Spanish speakers there will be. In some parts of South Florida, Spanish is the preferred language in everyday activities. Miami is most notable, where nearly 80% of residents do not speak English as a native language and 30% do not speak any English. Tampa also has a sizable Spanish-speaking population, and areas where it is almost exclusively spoken. As anywhere where there is a large presence of another language (in this case Spanish), expect Spanish words or expressions used or calqued into everyday English.
Native-born non-Hispanic Floridians will usually speak in a Southern accent. However, after the migration of millions of Americans from other states to Florida, the Southern dialect is becoming diluted with other accents.
Native-born non-Hispanic Floridians will usually speak in a Southern accent. However, after the migration of millions of Americans from other states to Florida, the Southern dialect is becoming diluted with other accents.
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LOCAL TIME
10:29 am
April 22, 2019
America/New_York
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LOCAL CURRENCY
USD
 1 EUR = 1.13
USD
 1 GBP = 1.3
USD
 1 AUD = 0.71
USD
 1 CAD = 0.75
USD
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Travelers recommend visiting the following places of interests
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Latest travel blogs about Tampa, Florida, USA
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