Tampa

[WarEagle1982 449]

We will be heading down to Tampa for the bowl. We have never been to Tampa before. We are planning on being there on the 31st.

1. What types of things are there to do with our kids (ages 5 and 3)?

2. What will be the best part of Tampa to look for a hotel in?

3. What areas do we need to stay away from.

[McLoofus 35,182]

I don't know Tampa, but the beaches in Sarasota are incredible. You can pull right up to them and park for free, too.

I'd recommend Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, but that doesn't sound like the game you're hunting.

[AUinNashTN 0]

This might be helpful.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB4QFjAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FTampaBayAuburnClub&ei=RVeQVM3qOoiUNtDPgpgE&usg=AFQjCNFQiC0a2SutTBJg91bFmE7NDxjvWw&bvm=bv.81828268,d.eXY

[AU-Jess 0]

We will be heading down to Tampa for the bowl. We have never been to Tampa before. We are planning on being there on the 31st.

1. What types of things are there to do with our kids (ages 5 and 3)?

2. What will be the best part of Tampa to look for a hotel in?

3. What areas do we need to stay away from.

Never have actually stayed in a resort in Tampa, but I have visited once when a family member was working near the area.

We went to Busch Gardens one day, a sister park of Sea World, and we really, really enjoyed it. It'll take a day to do everything though.

We stayed in St. Petersburg, and it's a nice half hour drive across Old Tampa Bay. If you have a chance to visit, try to find a restaurant called The Chattaway. The best lobster chowder I've ever had. I think about that chowder daily. There's also a nice boardwalk full of shopping places.

Anyway, enjoy your stay, and pull our guys through!

[augolf1716 21,101]

Forget Tampa just stay In Orlando only an hour away and you got Micky's World, Sea World and Universal aka Harry Potter World. And more hotel rooms then even Vegas...almost

if you must stay in Tampa there's Brush Garden for the kids lot of rides

[AUwent 3,747]

Busch Gardens has some incredible coasters. Not sure if kids would enjoy that, but if they like that kind of thing, then you're all set.

[AU-Jess 0]

Forget Tampa just stay In Orlando only an hour away and you got Micky's World, Sea World and Universal aka Harry Potter World. And more hotel rooms then even Vegas...almost

if you must stay in Tampa there's Brush Garden for the kids lot of rides

^ Pretty much nailed it.

Get your credit cards ready! Haha

[h0other 0]

Hello --

I've never posted on here but have been reading for years. I live in Tampa, so figured I'd try to help with this for people coming down for the game.

Tampa is a pretty safe area. Anywhere you get a hotel at should be fine. I'd recommend Clearwater Beach to a family coming down if you have the means. It's a beautiful area that is very child friendly and the beaches are nice.

Regarding things to do --

Tampa Bay Lightning game

Beaches

Zoo

Busch Gardens

Orlando is an hour and a half away for all the theme parks

You can rent boats fairly cheap in the area and go out on the Bay

There is something called "Big Cat Rescue" which is pretty neat

The OutBack Bowl is also putting on a lot of events related to the game. Some at the beach, lightning game, Splitsville event and so on.

HUGE Casino - Hard Rock Casino is one of the largest in the world and is about 20 minutes from the stadium

The weather should be between 70-80 during the day but down to 50-60 at night.

If you guys have any additional questions, feel free to ask

Thanks

[grandpajay 121]

Have not been to Tampa since 1997, but they had a real nice aquarium down town....

[eibua12 81]

If you can I would breeze by CMA Clearwater Marine Aquarium (Dolphin Tale) should be something the kids would be into and you can hit the beach as well.

http://www.seewinter.com/

[Chadwick 0]

+1 on Clearwater. Great beaches and plenty of restaurants. Check out Frenchy's or Crabby Bill's if you decide to go. It's hard to beat a nice sunset on the gulf coast.

http://www.crabbybills.com/Clrwtr.html

http://frenchysonline.com/locations/frenchys-rockaway/

[Dville Tiger 0]

Kids this young they would love http://www.mosi.org/

[BornAU76 397]

Ybor City is always fun...

[AUsince72 11,084]

I don't know Tampa, but the beaches in Sarasota are incredible. You can pull right up to them and park for free, too.

I'd recommend Cigar City Brewing in Tampa, but that doesn't sound like the game you're hunting.

I actually live in the Sarasota area and HIGHLY recommend you listen to McLoofus here.... Look up places to stay on Siesta Key or Longboat Key and you will have the BEST beaches in the world to stay on....especially Siesta Key Beach - the sand is LITERALLY like baby-powder. It's incredible. Plus you're less than 1 hour from Ray Jay Stadium. Otherwise, go to Clearwater or Indian Rocks Beach. GREAT areas....

Also, make sure you go to Tarpon Springs. The Greek Community there is SO much fun!! Depending on how long you stay, Golf is right...you're only 1 hour away from The House of Mouse! SO MUCH FUN!!!

[aucanucktiger 1,791]

Ybor City is an area surrounding the Columbia Restaurant. Order the paieia (best sangria anywhere too). Then go for a stroll around Ybor City. Somebody here recommended Orlando which is quite a drive away time wise. nice if you're not planning on driving. Worst traffic in the US, 24/7/365.

[AU_Tiger_88 417]

I would agree with Mosi for the young ones especially that age...Big Cat Rescue is a good thing for kids that age. But if you want to relax then enjoy the beaches...Clear Water, Anna Maria Island and Sarasota all have very family friendly beaches. Busch Gardens is fun but depending on if your kids like rides or not ...your call...there isn't much else for them there... There are plenty of other things to do in the area...if you post some things your family likes to do we could be more specific...enjoying the sunsets on the beach are pretty nice and many restaurants are located on the beaches in these areas...

[hutchids 227]

Ybor City is an area surrounding the Columbia Restaurant. Order the paieia (best sangria anywhere too). Then go for a stroll around Ybor City. Somebody here recommended Orlando which is quite a drive away time wise. nice if you're not planning on driving. Worst traffic in the US, 24/7/365.

Tampa area traffic isnt much better, but still stay in city. I-4 is a pain. I'd recommend the sarasota beaches, busch gardens, and the big cat like others said. Ybor is for you and your wife, but I think the arcade type restaurant (I'm blanking on the name) is still there for the kids.

Edit: Gametime is the restaurant name, thanks google.

[AUUSN 823]

I posted this in another thread but viewing the Manatees at the Big Ben power plant is pretty cool. My kids loved it. They congregate around the warm water discharge coming from the power plant.

http://www.tampaelectric.com/company/mvc/

[mrdude 3]

Ybor City is an area surrounding the Columbia Restaurant. Order the paieia (best sangria anywhere too). Then go for a stroll around Ybor City. Somebody here recommended Orlando which is quite a drive away time wise. nice if you're not planning on driving. Worst traffic in the US, 24/7/365.

Tampa area traffic isnt much better, but still stay in city. I-4 is a pain. I'd recommend the sarasota beaches, busch gardens, and the big cat like others said. Ybor is for you and your wife, but I think the arcade type restaurant (I'm blanking on the name) is still there for the kids.

Edit: Gametime is the restaurant name, thanks google.

Tampa traffic is brutal, particularly 275. I live in Orlando and will be driving to Tampa the morning before the game, but I'll give myself plenty of extra time because 275 can be very slow; there have been times where it took me 55 minutes to go three miles across town.

Ybor has some great restaurants, bars, and cigar shops, but isn't really a family-centered area. Clearwater & St. Pete beaches are a 30 minute drive from the stadium, plus Busch Gardens and an aquarium are nearby.

Regarding hotels, there are quite a few hotels just south of the airport near kennedy blvd. There are two malls in the area with plenty of dining, easy access to 275, and just a few miles from the stadium.

[Tiger 8,818]

Anybody know which hotel the team is staying at?/is it close to the stadium?

[GreenEyedGirl 6]

The BEACH......Love Clearwater Beach! Water may be cool but I bet the sand and sun are warm. When we head further south to see family I always make the husband take me over the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. I love it. There's a rest area in each direction and you can pull over and get great views of the bay and the bridge. We've never actually stayed in Tampa. Flew in and out a few times and I think the traffic stinks!

[all4AU 379]

Anybody know which hotel the team is staying at?/is it close to the stadium?

According to the Outback Bowl website, the SEC team headquarters is at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

grandtampabay.hyatt.com

[Tiger 8,818]

Anybody know which hotel the team is staying at?/is it close to the stadium?

According to the Outback Bowl website, the SEC team headquarters is at the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.

grandtampabay.hyatt.com

Thanks!!

[tattydaddy 0]

Anyone know where and what time Tiger Walk will be?