Visiting Tampa for the first time.

[dannieboiz]

I'll be in Tampa, from Nov. 3rd to Nov. 7th for business/pleasure

From Friday to Sunday I will use that time to go around for pleasure then monday I will have to work until Tues. evening b4 I fly out to Atlanta until Weds. evening then head home.


My gf is coming with me and flying home alone on Monday morning when I start to work.

Where are some nice places for us to visit in Tampa? Is Orlando worth the 1.5 hour drive? It's our first time there and haven't gotten a clue what to do.

 

[boydx6]

Tampa

Tampa

You might want to visit Busch Gardens!

 

[BankerJohn]

visit Fish and Other Icthy Stuff while in town

http://www.ichthythings.com/

 

[Don Lino]

depends on what u like, if you like rollercoasters and wanna have fun, I agree Bush Gardens. Orlando would be worth the trip, u can visit Pleasure Island and tons of action parks there. Have fun...

 

[dannieboiz]

Cool, looks like Bush Gardens will be on the list.... what are the night life there like? Nothing too crazy but something nice and mellow for a late 20's couple. A nice chill out spot by the water late @ night or the like would be sweet

 

[Don Lino]

St. Pete Piers I heard are nice...stay away from YBor city, check out Channelside, and Orlando--Pleasure Island is a nice chill spot..

 

[JeRmZ]

I agree with Channelside. There is a very cool Piano Bar called Howl at the moon right on the bay and get's a nice crowd going on the weekend.

Orlando is worth the drive but you'd probably have to stay the night if you plan on going to Pleasure Island or City Walk ... lot's of bars and clubs to get your drink on!

If you stay in Tampa you could also do the Florida Aquarium which is right down by Channel Side, so you could almost make it a whole day down there. Aquarium during the day, Dinner and a Movie and then some late night dancing/drinking at the clubs.

Enjoy your stay!

 

[dannieboiz]

I went through yahoo travel to search for things to do but nothing seems interesting, I knew you guys on RC would have something creative.

I changed my plan a little bit for this trip.... since there's a time difference when I arrive and basically all of Friday is wasted. My schedule are as follow for FL.

It's a 9 hour flight from San Jose, CA to Orlando, (yes I'm flying into orlando now) I arrive to Orlando @ 11:45pm

Check in my hotel , then hang out for the night (remember it's only about 9pm for us PST)

Early AM on Sat. the 4th, we'll go do some of the things you guys suggested through the day and night, then drive my 90 odd miles from Orlando to Tampa, (I really should be in Largo) since Monday morning my job is in Largo. (It's boardering city to Tampa right?)

on Sunday the 5th, we'll visit the aquarium and figure out something to do.

The problem is Monday night I'll be by myself.... so it'll be like single again. LOL what can a single guy do by himself in the evening in Florida?

I'll be off to Atlanta, flying out from Tampa Tuesday morning, I'll let the guys in in Georgia show me around. So far thanks for all the excelent advise.

By doing this it cost me more for the airline ticket, but then I would have one less trip to drive.

 

[Sailor_jon]

Well if your in the Orlando proper area, theres the Church Street Station - plenty of stuff to do ther and get into trouble. ;-) Or if you want to get Disneyfied - you can go to Downtown Disney and Pleasure Island, check out the clubs and and stores. Id reccomend Celebration too..great day spot to see.

 

[dmbedard]

Ybor is great during the day. Enjoy a cafe con leche and see someone roll a cigar by hand. Check out the flamenco show at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor if you will be in town. Tarpon Springs is fun also, with sponge docks, sponge boats and lots of greek pastries. The Florida Aquarium is AWESOME... don't miss it and Channelside is right next door with lots to do. Largo is not too exciting, but if you are there the first weekend of the month, at the Largo Central Park they have scale trains running through the park that you can ride on for free or a donation. It is really cool, I think. St. Pete Pier is good and their little aquarium is nice. St. Pete art museum is good. Not great because of its small size, but it has some real nice pieces. If you want to drive to Sarasota, I suggest the Ringling Museum and the Ca de Zan.

Monday night in Largo, I would trek up to Clearwater Beach and watch the sunset.

 

[Don Lino]

u can always check out the Hard Rock casino, its OK. Just dont go looking for a Las Vegas style Casino, its nowhere near that. But its right off of I4 coming from Orland to Tampa. Saturday night is hot for single guys..not too much Monday.

 

[dannieboiz]

Casino, perfect. Are there much casino in the area? I think Monday night would be good since it's the first night I'll be there alone. Some Pai Gow and a few rounds of black jacks should kill plenty of time.

 

[gatorolsen]

another vote for FL aquarium also visit channelside Imax (walking distance from aquarium) they have an INCREDIBLE 3-d film on ocean - wish I could remember the name but wonderful footage!

Gatorolsen

 

[Don Lino]

sorry dannie, no Pai Gow or Black Jack, just slots and poker...

 

[dannieboiz]

You gotta be kidding, that isn't a casino then.

 

[Don Lino]

nah, its a class two Casino, not a class 3 which is Vegas style...But it's a nice chill enviornment...

 

[cwegescheide]

I live right by Channelside and there's a lot of stuff to do and EAT over there. Hmm Tina Tapa's (spanish food), Thai food, a cool bowling alley, Howl at the moon, Hooters (the food *and of course the other kind*) IMAX etc etc.. Then of course your not too far away from Bayshore drive which has about a 4 mile long walking/biking path all the way around the bay lined by houses so you can see how the other half lives Its nice and romantic I think in the evening. One of my personal favorite places to go is a restraunt called BT's Its on Rome st. right off of Bayshore drive. There's lots of quaint shops around that area to do window shopping. French Vietnamese. VERY NICE PLACE (can you tell I like it?) . You can go casual of course. I rarely am out of my shorts/t-shirt/sandals and no problem. If you like Sushi check out Soho Sushi on Howard. The best sushi I've ever had. Cool place too. There's a lot of cool places on Howard. I met a guy that owns St. Barts a restaruant/bar that is redoing his place and putting in a 15,000 gallon shark tank!! Also going to have some jellyfish tanks too!! Sounded incredible. This place is on Howard as well. Steakhouse? Go to Berns. Not casual place though.

Enjoy! I love south tampa. Very nice