rizzo0904

I will (hopefully) be in Tampa in early December with my cheerleading squad. I am looking for recommendations of where to take them. I don't want anything too strenuous since they have to compete and I don't want the exhausted for the big day. Also, any hotel and restaurant recommendations would be great!!

OO

Lots of answers needed first...like how many girls and what ages (early teens or later)? Will you have transportation? Where is the venue? Downtown Tampa such as convention center or St Pete Times forum even (which is downtown Tampa too). Some of these cheerleader events are humongous citywides, and can use space like that. Or is it in one of the St Pete venues? Price range and how many days? Event location and the number of kids you have to transport is probably the biggest issue. Tampa and the fun things to do are spread from one end of the area to the other, with very little, except for the big convention facilities and hotels that service them, being right downtown.

rizzo0904

I have 14 girls ranging in age from 10-12..so I guess they are really pre-teens. We have minivans for transportation. We are competing at the SunDome and will be staying nearby..don't know where yet. We arrive on a Thursday, compete Saturday, and leave Sunday.

I was thinking about Grand Prix Tampa..is it fun?

Wayne

First, about safety: the area around the SunDome isn't the safest in the evening, so keep close tabs on those kids.

Second, there are a zillion things in and around Tamps and St Pete for kids. I'd suggest something educational, which is also not so stressful, such as MOSI (Museum of Science & Industry) which sounds like something dull, but is really oriented toward kids.

Call up Tampa and St Petersburg on this forum and you'll see many ideas for other entertainment and places to eat.

joan

I agree, go to MOSI - it is across the street from the Sun Dome.
And since they're girls, shopping at International Plaza, near the Tampa Airport. Lots of fun stores both high-end and regular, and dining at all price ranges.
I agree with Wayne about crime in the USF area, my daughter went to college at USF and I constantly worried. Avoid University Square Mall, right near the Sun Dome. Lots of crime there.

rizzo0904

There is a Wingate Inn in the area. How is it?

When I get the list of approved hotels, I post it to get some input.

OO

Hi Joan. Another vote for MOSI! Can't help with Grand Prix...most of my friends had older kids so I have no idea what it's like. Busch Gardens is up there too, but $$$$ and I can't imagine having to keep track of 14 pre-teens. Yikes. The aquarium downtown is excellent...I was really surprised at the quality. There is a dolphin eco-tour that leaves from the aquarium area that would be a lot of fun for your age group, providing you aren't from an area of FL where dolphin sightings are already commonplace.

Good luck. Can't help with restaurants or hotels in that area of Tampa. It was a long haul from where we lived...I had an orthopedist up there and felt like I needed to pack a suitcase anytime I had to make the trip!

sylvia3

Busch Gardens TAmpa is very nice, animals, great rides, etc.

rizzo0904

We would love to do Busch Gardens but our schedule doesn't allow it since they close so early.

We arrive on Thursday, around 3pm. I'm thinking of taking them for dinner and then to Tampa Grand Prix.

On Friday we have a meeting at 9 and then practice from 10-12. I think I'll swing by the beach after lunch for about 2 hours. Any beach recommendations??? And then have a pizza party followed by early to bed.

On Saturday we compete ALL day. I thought we could do Pier 60 in the evening.

We leave early on Sunday.

How does that all sound??

OO

I just clicked on your name and now realize you aren't from the area which explains a lot of your post. You don't realize how spread out the Tampa Bay area is. If you are staying out by USF, waaaay north in an already spread out town, there is no way on earth you'd want to go to Pier 60 in the evening. It's not close at all...will take you about 60 minutes and it's a hard drive with tons of stop lights for the entire stretch across Clearwater Beach and Clearwater. Even if you are staying by the airport, which is as close to that beach as you can get and still be in Tampa, it's a 40 minute hard drive. Hit the beach the one day you plan and plan something else for the other night. Be aware if they have a cold snap as they are currently, it will not be beach weather unless the kids wear their sweats, and maybe not even then. The high today in Tampa will be a nippy (for them) 59!!

Do you know yet where you are staying? My DH occasionally got cheer groups in the past...Grand Hyatt, on the water near the airport, but quite a drive from USF. Best you choose a hotel, then we can help with ideas of things to do the remaining night.

rizzo0904

thanks for the help. I won't know where we are staying until Monday. So I will post it here to get your help. There are only a handful of hotels that are approved for us to use.