Neat Things To Do In Tampa?
Aug 15th, 2005 | 07:01 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,439
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Neat Things To Do In Tampa?
Good morning!
My husband and I (twenties) are visiting my mom and dad (fifties) who just moved to the Tampa area. Tomorrow my sister and brother-in-law (thirties) and their kids (both five) will arrive. While Im totally enjoying lazy days at the pool Im wondering if Im missing out on what the Tampa area has to offer. General internet and Fodors research has revealed the following things to do in the Tampa area:
Ybor
Channelside
International Plaza (just a mall?)
Zoo
Aquarium
Riverwalk
Baywalk
Seminole Hard Rock (going there tonight)
And of course the beach
Can anyone provide any feedback for these locations? Also, please feel free to mention any other "must do" activities or restaurants (casual).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and have a pleasant day!! Carrie
My husband and I (twenties) are visiting my mom and dad (fifties) who just moved to the Tampa area. Tomorrow my sister and brother-in-law (thirties) and their kids (both five) will arrive. While Im totally enjoying lazy days at the pool Im wondering if Im missing out on what the Tampa area has to offer. General internet and Fodors research has revealed the following things to do in the Tampa area:
Ybor
Channelside
International Plaza (just a mall?)
Zoo
Aquarium
Riverwalk
Baywalk
Seminole Hard Rock (going there tonight)
And of course the beach
Can anyone provide any feedback for these locations? Also, please feel free to mention any other "must do" activities or restaurants (casual).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions and have a pleasant day!! Carrie
Aug 15th, 2005 | 07:40 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,124
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Addressing your question about restaurants: Just head for Howard Avenue and pick from some 30 or more restaurants along this street that has become known as Tampa's "restaurant row." There are also several good restaurants in Ybor City. Plus, there are other nice restaurants all over town.
If you're into just driving around a bit for the sights, take a drive along Bayshore Drive and then turn into the Hyde Park area, where it's fun to look around at all the old restored homes. To answer your question about the International mall, yes, it's just a shopping mall, but the nicest in Tampa. And it has some nice restaurants in an area on the second floor (not the food court).
If you're into just driving around a bit for the sights, take a drive along Bayshore Drive and then turn into the Hyde Park area, where it's fun to look around at all the old restored homes. To answer your question about the International mall, yes, it's just a shopping mall, but the nicest in Tampa. And it has some nice restaurants in an area on the second floor (not the food court).
Aug 16th, 2005 | 02:20 PM
#4
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2005
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Hello-Thanks very much for the feedback! Just to help others in the future Im going to post an opinion about the Seminole Hard Rock I went to last night. More thorough research on my end beforehand probably would have revealed the following facts and saved me from a bit of disappointment.
FOOD: there is no "hard rock cafe" at the hard rock seminole-there is a small food court with three or four types of food to choose from and a nicer restaurant called Floyds which seemed a bit fancier. Theres also a sports bar called (I think) Big Joes and a cafeteria called Greens.
CASINO: although there are nickel, dime, and quarter slots throughout the casino, you are always required to bet more than your one nickel, dime, or quarter. For example, each quarter slot required at least seventy-five cents per spin.
The type of slots and the lack of a true hard rock cafe didnt completely ruin my evening or anything but it was sort of disappointing-hopefully this post will help others in the future just so they know what to expect
FOOD: there is no "hard rock cafe" at the hard rock seminole-there is a small food court with three or four types of food to choose from and a nicer restaurant called Floyds which seemed a bit fancier. Theres also a sports bar called (I think) Big Joes and a cafeteria called Greens.
CASINO: although there are nickel, dime, and quarter slots throughout the casino, you are always required to bet more than your one nickel, dime, or quarter. For example, each quarter slot required at least seventy-five cents per spin.
The type of slots and the lack of a true hard rock cafe didnt completely ruin my evening or anything but it was sort of disappointing-hopefully this post will help others in the future just so they know what to expect
Aug 16th, 2005 | 04:51 PM
#5
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,336
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Most of these "native american" Hard Rock Cafe casinos are the same -- pathetic. Sorry you wasted your time. I don't think I've seen any posts on fodors so we will use yours as a guide.
You missed the Monday night blues jam at the Westshore location of the Green Iguana. You might check out the lineup at Skipper's Smokehouse for outdoor nighttime entertainment with great food (www.skipperssmokehouse.com).
I'd say the number one spot on my must-do list for you would be the water park Adventure Island, especially if you are enjoying lazing around the pool. Their lazy river is the best, good way to keep cool. Go early, stay late. Call them or go online to see what sort of rate cuts they are running now. Usually you can get $5-10 off admission by bringing in soda cans, coupon from taco place, that sort of cross-promotion.
I'd suggest Lowry Park Zoo for you and your sister and the kids, and the Florida Aquarium. And the Museum of Science and Industry. For a close-in beach, the kids would probably be happy with Picnic Island at the south end of Westshore in Port Tampa.
Baywalk is in St. Pete but well worth a trip. Friday nights in St. Pete are WONDERFUL now so that's when you should go. They've been bringing in some good music and beer stands -- leave the kids at home -- it is MUCH better than Ybor, IMO. Only Friday nights.
International Mall is "just a mall" but very upscale. Kind of fun to stop in at Neiman's and see the $500 sandals. Sometimes there are jazz bands at Nordstroms. The outdoor food spot is a big draw with the 20-something crowd.
Don't know what else to suggest -- I've not been 20 for 30 years now
You missed the Monday night blues jam at the Westshore location of the Green Iguana. You might check out the lineup at Skipper's Smokehouse for outdoor nighttime entertainment with great food (www.skipperssmokehouse.com).
I'd say the number one spot on my must-do list for you would be the water park Adventure Island, especially if you are enjoying lazing around the pool. Their lazy river is the best, good way to keep cool. Go early, stay late. Call them or go online to see what sort of rate cuts they are running now. Usually you can get $5-10 off admission by bringing in soda cans, coupon from taco place, that sort of cross-promotion.
I'd suggest Lowry Park Zoo for you and your sister and the kids, and the Florida Aquarium. And the Museum of Science and Industry. For a close-in beach, the kids would probably be happy with Picnic Island at the south end of Westshore in Port Tampa.
Baywalk is in St. Pete but well worth a trip. Friday nights in St. Pete are WONDERFUL now so that's when you should go. They've been bringing in some good music and beer stands -- leave the kids at home -- it is MUCH better than Ybor, IMO. Only Friday nights.
International Mall is "just a mall" but very upscale. Kind of fun to stop in at Neiman's and see the $500 sandals. Sometimes there are jazz bands at Nordstroms. The outdoor food spot is a big draw with the 20-something crowd.
Don't know what else to suggest -- I've not been 20 for 30 years now
