9 hours layover in Tampa
 

What's to do in Tampa in December? I have always heard about Ybor City. Is there a shopping mall near by? Is there a tour of the city I can take? Is there transportation at the Air Port to take me to some attraction or do I need to rent a car?<BR>What would you do if you were in my situation? Thanks.

9 hours is a long time, and there are a few attractions in Tampa that aren't too far from the airport. One is the Florida Aquarium in downtown Tampa, which you could take a cab to. Channelside shopping and restaurants are right next to it. Since the cruise terminal is there, it would be easy to get a cab back to the airport. Also, very close to the airport is the International Plaza Mall, very new and very nice. It has an outdoor courtyard with restaurants, cafes, and shops. Inside is a typical mall, but with lots of unique shops. Again, I would just take a cab and maybe arrange to have the driver pick you up at a certain time. Have fun!

George,<BR><BR>Definitely take in the acquarium in Tampa. Very nice and a relaxing way to spend some time between flights. <BR><BR>Maureen<BR><BR>

It'd take you 10 minutes, if you got stuck in traffic, to get from the airport to the International Plaza. 5 minutes otherwise. Excellent shopping, the best there is in Tampa, with Neimans, Nordstrom, Lord and Taylor, Gucci, St. John, Mont Blanc and on and on. CA Pizza is there, a Pacific rim restaurant (more formal), and for just plain bar fun, the Blue Martini is very popular. All that at International Plaza. They were going to run transportation from the airport, but I don't know if that was ever implemented. The mall had it's grand opening 9-14 or 15, when not only was everyone reeling from 9-11, but a tropical storm hit the same day!<BR><BR>The aquarium is nice, and an easy cab ride. If it were me, and I was going to be here in the daytime, I'd head out to Clearwater Beach...one of the prettiest you'll find, but it's an hour from the airport and short of renting a car for a few hours, I'm not sure how you'd get there. It's a straight shot from the airport though, Hwy 60 all the way til you run into the water--not that far distance-wise, but a ton of redlights t'ween here and there.<BR><BR>It's probably just me and my age, but I could care less about ever going to Ybor City. We've lived here 6 years and I think I've been 3 or 4 times...and then only under duress every time after the first. Not my scene, but if you are 20's and 30's it might be for you.<BR><BR>That is one heck of a layover! Do you have an overseas flight from here?<BR><BR>

Mons Venus is about 7 minutes from the airport. That would relax ya for about 9 hours but bring cash.

Lots of cash. Plan on a great time...but no drinx are offered. BTW, they have special rooms for vdoing special things...and it's real close to Tampa Airport if you need a fast getaway.

If the weather is nice (should be in December)take a taxi and head to Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach, grab a grouper sandwich, relax or walk the beach, then call a taxi to take you back to the airport: http://www.frenchysonline.com/rockaway.html<BR>If the weather is not that good, head to International Plaza and buy your Christmas gifts.<BR>I was disappointed in the Florida Aquarium. As a native Floridian, I really thought we would have a cool aquarium. The ones in Baltimore and Chatanooga are better.

I think Ybor is cool...you`d probably enjoy a walk around it...or try Bahama Breeze (restaurant on Rocky Point) no far away from the airport...allow 2 hours for your ck back through security and travel time back to the airport...