Tampa - things to do, places to visit
 

We're planning a last-minute trip to visit Tampa for the first time. Any suggestions for dining, b&b's, flea markets, night life, etc.? =)

Ybor City is the party area of Tampa, with plenty of restaurants as well.

Must stay in Clearwater Beach. We stayed at the Adam's Mark Resort. First class all the way. Good Tiki Bar. Good live music outdoors everday. Good Beach. Check out the Florida Aquarium (sharks). Check out Busch Gardens. Check out a cigar bar in Ybor City (pronounced EEEEbor). Ybor must do at night, blues bands. Big Ben for breakfast in Clearwater Beach. Don't eat at Landry's (horrible and expensive)

Go to Tampa Bay Online for lots of info: <BR>http://www.TBO.com/

there are a ton of great new restaurants in Tampa's Westshore/Airport area: The Palm and Maggiano's in Westshore Plaza (mall). 10 restaurants in International Plaza, a brand new upscale mall. 3 Outback spin-offs across the street from I.P. (Fleming's, Roy's and Selmons). <BR>Best flea-markets are the Big Top @ I-75 and Fowler (n.e. Tampa) and one on Racetrack Rd. in Oldsmar (n.w. Tampa). <BR>Enjoy! <BR>

if you have kids or like this sort of the stuff the aquarium is pretty good. Like most cities there are nice and not so nice areas. Where are you staying? Will you have a car? Ybor is the new nightlife. There are the usual malls and chain restaurants all over. Tampa's an average city with suburbs, businesses, fairly close to beaches, Disney, etc...it has a lot of history and you would appreciate the city a lot more if you read about it before going. I'm sure there is info on Tampa on-line. <BR> <BR>They also have sports teams and nice new arenas, stadiums and rinks...

Ybor City -- Colombia Restaurant for dinner!

All good suggestions (except Clearwater Beach, try Pass-A-Grille)but keep in mind that this is not Disney. It's best to experience these slowly, take the time to understand what they are about and why (Ybor and the aquarium are to good examples that are not "in your face" with the obvious, but underneath are really interesting). For something really different, rent a kayak at Caone Escape on the Hillsborough River and take a self-guided 3-hour tour of real Florida: birds, gators, tropical vegetation.