Tampa FL football
 

going to the game, staying at the Grand Hyatt. How should we get to the game cab, bus, drive? Where should we eat first?

Cab might be best way to get there but I don't know about getting back to the hotel. So best idea is to drive. There is plenty of parking east of the stadium at people's homes for $5-10 fee. If you are coming from Grand Hyatt then you will go down BoyScout/Columbus from the hotel, don't turn on DAle Mabry but rather go all the way to Himes then turn left toward the stadium, then take a right turn at Tampa Bay Blvd. and then left a couple of blocks down and look for the signs. It is a short walk. And when you leave, head east on Columbus or MLK and then south to the interstate at Howard Ave. That way you won't get into all the traffic when you leave.

Where to eat first? Hmmmm. I don't know. We usuallly tail-gate with fried chicken or cuban sandwiches. What do you like?

Right around the corner from the stadium and across from Int'l Mall are several restaurants. My fave is Leroy Selmons. Good barbeque and neat photo's of Leroy during his college and pro playing days.

If you have a car, by all means drive! The route is direct but it's veeery slow going, even if you leave well before game time, and getting out I don't know how you'd get a cab. You will be at a standstill for much of the time getting there and getting out is worse. It's a madhouse. Have a map from the concierge, as you can't return to the Hyatt the way you came out. Leaving the game, you pretty much have to go with the flow and the police directing you will not let you return via Boy Scout.

TG has some good directions, if your lanes of traffic happen to hit those points! What a zoo. There were times where, because of our parking pass, we had to get back home by going north on Dale Mabry to Hillsborough, west on Hillsborough to the Veterans, then south and take the Clearwater exit which dumps you on Courtney Campbell. Stay on the <i>service road</i> to the first light where you can cross Courtney Campbell and drive straight into the hotel driveway.

If I were you I'd eat at Oystercatchers before hand. (Freestanding restaurant at the hotel.) The food is outstanding, and you can eat in the bar or on the patio just outside it, overlooking the water, having only heavy appetizers if you wish. You simply don't want to be driving around the stadium pre-game!

Disclaimer: :D My husband was GM of that hotel, and we lived in it until this March...thus the very first hand knowledge of game-time traffic. Needless to say, I stand to gain nothing by recommending Oystercathcers, but it really is a terrific restaurant.

Hopefully the Bucs can get it together this year, as it doesn't appear as if the Cowboys will be capable!!

samshack...I've met him...what an incredible &quot;Gentleman&quot;, in virtually every sense of the word!! He's the absolute antithesis of many of today's players!

Thank you all, what great information. We like to hear that Oystercathers is so good! Really wanted to go there, but didn't know if we had time. We will make time. Is breakfast at the hotel good too? Thanks for the directions too!! We don't like sitting in traffic much, so these will be so helpful. Thanks a million!!!!!!! :)

Oystercatchers is great at sunset. So is Armani's. One of the prime sunsets in Tampa.

OO, lol, what about Habana Cafe? Ciao, Leone

My husband said he has been to Leroy Selmons and it was great. Leroy was there the day he went, many years ago. Love Cuban food too, so many choices. Wish we could see sunset from the hotel, but the game is at 7:30. Thanks, going today for preseason, so hard to get tickets for regular games. It will be fun anyway. Thanks to you all.

Had a great time, directions were great, hit no traffic although a pre-season game was a lot less popular. Ate at Oyster Catchers, great. Also had wings at the Lobby Bar after the game. They were the best wings!!. What a great hotel and location. Only wish we had more time to spend. The stadium is just wonderful and worth the trip.

Clay, I'm sure the chamber of C. is one big smile right now -- lots happier with you than with our bucs!