Baseball weekend in Tampa Bay
Jan 26th, 2006, 09:09 AM
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Baseball weekend in Tampa Bay
4 adults are heading to Tampa Bay in April to see the Red Sox. Looking for good recommendations for places to stay, restaurants and other activities that might be interesting while we are there (4 day weekend). Thanks!
Jan 26th, 2006, 10:46 AM
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The Red Sox? Don't they play in Clearwater? If so then you should stay in Clearwater. And I have no recs for hotels in Clearwater because they've all been trashed by spring-breakers. New hotels are in the works, thankthelord. You might check out the Sheraton Sand Key just across the bridge from Clearwater -- and see if there is back access to the stadium from there because you don't want to be getting into Clearwater bridge traffic from the island into downtown. Ask the concierge, I don't have any idea where the stadium is.
The Island Way Grill is a really terrific restaurant in Clearwater with a turn off (on Island Way) just before you hit the beaches. Really one of the best restaurants in the bay area.
The Island Way Grill is a really terrific restaurant in Clearwater with a turn off (on Island Way) just before you hit the beaches. Really one of the best restaurants in the bay area.
Jan 26th, 2006, 10:55 AM
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Seems to me that the Sox probably have a regular season series with the Devil Rays, not a Spring Training trip.
You could, however, stay in Clearwater or a number of other smaller communities that are on the other side of the bridge.
Tampa is just so big now, you really have your choice of hotels. There's a nice Ritz Carlton down in Sarasota, which is an hour south, but that does put you next to Siesta key and the others, some of the best beaches around.
You could, however, stay in Clearwater or a number of other smaller communities that are on the other side of the bridge.
Tampa is just so big now, you really have your choice of hotels. There's a nice Ritz Carlton down in Sarasota, which is an hour south, but that does put you next to Siesta key and the others, some of the best beaches around.
Jan 26th, 2006, 11:20 AM
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I believe the series you are coming down here for is the last weekend in April at the "Trop". Good time to come as the high season is just ending by then so rates and availability isn't such a problem as a month or so earlier.
The Devil Rays play at Tropicana Field which is very easy to get to, being right off of the Interstate (275) which makes staying anyplace in either Tampa or St. Pete reasonable.
If you want to be on the beach, go to St. Pete Beach for beachfront accomodations (Don Cesar if you don't mind paying $$$). You're also within a 20-30 min. drive from Tampa. There is a Wyndham within a couple miles of the Tampa side of Howard Frankland Bridge which has a Shula's Steakhouse and puts you within a few minutes of many other very good restaurants. Don't miss Berns Steakhouse on Howard
Avenue if you've never been there.
Also not far off of the bridge in Tampa is a fairly new hotel at the International Plaza (a Renaissance, I believe) which has a number of good restaurants nearby and puts you right next door to Tampa airport (assume you are flying in).
If you wish to stay down here in Sarasota there are a few good hotels on the beach in addition to the Ritz (near downtown) but you will be looking at an hour + drive to the games each day.
April is a good time to visit and the "Trop" is enclosed and air conditioned so hot weather and rain aren't a problem. Enjoy your time here.
The Devil Rays play at Tropicana Field which is very easy to get to, being right off of the Interstate (275) which makes staying anyplace in either Tampa or St. Pete reasonable.
If you want to be on the beach, go to St. Pete Beach for beachfront accomodations (Don Cesar if you don't mind paying $$$). You're also within a 20-30 min. drive from Tampa. There is a Wyndham within a couple miles of the Tampa side of Howard Frankland Bridge which has a Shula's Steakhouse and puts you within a few minutes of many other very good restaurants. Don't miss Berns Steakhouse on Howard
Avenue if you've never been there.
Also not far off of the bridge in Tampa is a fairly new hotel at the International Plaza (a Renaissance, I believe) which has a number of good restaurants nearby and puts you right next door to Tampa airport (assume you are flying in).
If you wish to stay down here in Sarasota there are a few good hotels on the beach in addition to the Ritz (near downtown) but you will be looking at an hour + drive to the games each day.
April is a good time to visit and the "Trop" is enclosed and air conditioned so hot weather and rain aren't a problem. Enjoy your time here.
Jan 26th, 2006, 11:55 AM
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We did that last year and were looking into this year but decided to go somewhere else instead.
We stayed in St. Pete Beach. We were on a budget, so we stayed at the Best Western Beach Front and would have no qualms staying there again. We had a large room w/fridge and was clean. It's on the beach and they have a nice beach bar, and a couple nice pools. The whole place was teeming with Sox fans.
My uncle and aunt stay at the Holiday Inn on St. Pete Beach frequently and are always pleased.
As for restaurants, we liked Levrocks, Sea Critters Cafe, and a japanese restaurant in the Dolphin plaza (can't remember it's name).
As an FYI...yes it's regular season. the Sox play @ Tampa Bay (stadium is in St. Petersburg) the end of April.
Have a great trip!
We stayed in St. Pete Beach. We were on a budget, so we stayed at the Best Western Beach Front and would have no qualms staying there again. We had a large room w/fridge and was clean. It's on the beach and they have a nice beach bar, and a couple nice pools. The whole place was teeming with Sox fans.
My uncle and aunt stay at the Holiday Inn on St. Pete Beach frequently and are always pleased.
As for restaurants, we liked Levrocks, Sea Critters Cafe, and a japanese restaurant in the Dolphin plaza (can't remember it's name).
As an FYI...yes it's regular season. the Sox play @ Tampa Bay (stadium is in St. Petersburg) the end of April.
Have a great trip!
Jan 26th, 2006, 12:09 PM
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Ohhhh. Now I understand. I highly recommend that you stay in downtown St. Petersburg or at the beaches in either St. Pete Beach, Passe-A-Grille, or Treasure Island. Downtown SP is now very lively with art galleries and restaurants. But there aren't any hotels within walking distance to "the Trop". Your best bet if you could afford it would be the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel. There are countless many B&Bs, if that's your style. If you'd rather be at the beach then I'd go for the Don CeSar in SPB -- too pricey? Then try the Tradewinds, the Bonaire, or the Island Inn or Best Western Sea Castle Suites in TI. There are some cottages on Passe-a-grille called Lands End that are supposed to be nice. Downtown St. Pete has the Pier, the Salvador Dali Museum, the Fine Arts Museum, Sunken Gardens. Tampa has the Tampa Aquarium, Busch Gardens, Lowry Park Zoo. At the beaches, you can rent jet skis, take sunset boat cruises, gambling boats to nowhere, deep-sea fishing.
Personally, my all-time favorite is sitting on a lounge chair and sipping some beverages of choice!
And others have given you some excellent recommendations as well.
Personally, my all-time favorite is sitting on a lounge chair and sipping some beverages of choice!
And others have given you some excellent recommendations as well.
