Tampa
 

Hi. What is the name of the area that is in the heart of it all? Any suggestions on where to stay? $150.00 max

How old are you and what do you consider "the heart of it all"?

Young professionals flock to South Tampa .. and Channelside. The younger crowd to Ybor ...

My husband and I want to be near the beach, resturants, shopping,(botiques not a mall) major attractions, musuems, etc.

We are in our 40's

The beach is 30 minutes east of Tampa, across the bay.

The standard is the Don:

http://www.doncesar.com/

In downtown St Pete, not too far from the beach, is the Vinoy.

http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/TPASR

Both are beyond $150, but you can search for properties nearby.

You might want to look at a map to understand the geography. Tampa .. St. Pete ... the beach ... three very different locations.

Tampa "proper" is not all that exciting. I'd definitely head for he beaches if I were visiting. Downtown St. Petersburg is very nice, too...lots of trendy restaurants, shops, and wine bars in a beautiful pedestrian-friendly waterfront setting. Most of the down-town Tampa area rolls up the sidewalks at 6:00 PM on weeknights and is dead on weekends (south Tampa and Ybor are better (as Gekko posted)...but the beach is haul from anywhere in town.

gluvscats...do you need to be in Tampa for some reason? It sounds like you guys might like Sarasota better. More specifically, Lido Key and St. Armand's Circle (lots of cool boutiques, galleries, and restaurants, just steps from the beach.

Age is a state of mind....and just to prove it, stroll into any of the SOuth Beach clubs, or area....the range is from 21 - 65+

Yup. Sarasota sounds like a better fit. You'll have to up your max though, especially if going in season.