Hot Weekend in Tampa
 

Hi, I'm planning a vacation to Tampa, Florida in September. I'm flying by myself and looking to "do the town" that weekend. I need help in selecting the hot nightclubs to visit, best beachs in the area, best shopping areas, and hangouts spots to meet people. I'm 29 and looking for a hip crowd. Any Tampa resisdents out there that can help me? THANKS

Check out The Hyde Park Cafe:

www.thehydeparkcafe.com

It's in a great area with a lot of nightlife.

Ybor City has numerous options -- try Citysearch for the latest info.

Also, on St. Pete Beach, don't miss Undertow.

How could I forget to mention the biggest singles scene in Tampa? The Whiskey Park on S. Howard, near the Hyde Park Cafe.

Clearwater Beach is a blast anytime, beautiful and fun.

What about Ybor City?

If you go to Ybor City, please be careful, not really a safe place at night if you are a female alone.

First, I gotta tell you that Tampa isn't real hip. It's not Miami but it is definitely a party town.

detroitcity, I think it's laughable that I'm going to suggest this to you but one of the hottest spots for your age group on weekends is the International Plaza food court. IP is an upscale mall (and so you would love to shop there too) and it's food court is actually an outdoor village, tropical themed, with quite a few restaurants. I'm at least 20 yrs. older than you and one weekend when I saw the mall's enormous parking lot was full and yet no one was in the shops I discovered that the food court was where everyone was. My son is 16 and when I suggested he go there for fun he said (dripping with sarcasm at mom's stupidity) they were a bunch of 20 and 30 y.o., not his teen crowd, so that's YOU!

The hot spots for clubs and hanging out are Ybor City and Channelside in downtown Tampa area. There is a trolley that connects the two so you should probably start with dinner or drinks at one of the many Channelside restaurants (maybe Splittsville?) and then head to Ybor at 10P when things start happening at this late-night scene. There is one long street in Ybor, 7th Avenue, where all the bars and restaurants are and you can walk down one side then the other back in 30 minutes. Ybor was rather sleazy awhile back but I was there this past weekend and it appears to be cleaning up if only a bit. But be careful, as others say, it can be dicey late at night.

The other spot with lots of restaurants and bars is Hyde Park. And although I like the Hyde Park Cafe (very cool) it seems the crowds are at MacDintons on Howard Avenue. Huge crowds. Sangrias is a popular restaurant with the younger set as well (tapas). These places are within walking distance of each other in Hyde Park's SoHo (S. Howard Avenue) area.

Your age group hangs out on Clearwater Beach. There is a long pier that has some activities at sunset. Go to Clearwater Beach then head south and follow the crowds.

For more shopping, check out Westshore mall and Olde Hyde Park.

And be sure to check the Weekly Planet online or free in stores for events. Have fun!

Thanks for all the helpful replies...especially from Tandoori girl :)