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Busch Gardens You might expect that a park called Busch Gardens would be sedate with picnicking as the days action highlight. Nothing could be further from the truth. Busch Gardens, about 5 miles from Tampa, is actually a huge 335 acres fun park comprising animal attractions and world class rides. The park has adopted an African theme and features animals from hippos to elephants in natural settings (The animals roam in over 80 acres of land). It is possible to view animals up close but many opt (for an additional charge) to take organized tours through the park out on to the "Serengeti' to view grazing animals (zebras, giraffes, camels etc.) and predators (such as lions) up close up. You may also expect to see gorillas and chimps. Various tours have different prices and are usually accompanied by a zoologist. The rides themselves range from the tame to the oh-my-god scary. The Montu for example, is a roller coaster that rises over 31 metes into the air, while the Kumba coaster has enough loops and twists to liven up the most jaded of visitors. Some rides may be closed during rain and visitors should expect that they might be splashed during some for the rides. If this is a problem, bring a poncho or buy one in the park. Adventure Island If the Busch Gardens fun park is not enough, then the visitor can always pop into the nearby Adventure Island complex. This is 36 acres in size water themed fun park that is aimed at the entire family. It is easily possible to spend the whole day in the park and not participate in all the activities (well unless you sprint). This is a popular tourist destination (both with foreigners and U.S. citizens) for those attracted to the cooling effects of water activities (Tampa can be quite hot and humid during the summer). The park features rides and pools for all the family. There are sedate rides for younger children while other more exhilarating rides, with names such as The Key West Rapids, the Gulf Scream and the Tampa Typhoon are geared at the older kid in all of us. You can expect to be twist and lurch through various slides before plunging in splash pools. Bathing costumes should therefore be robust in natures otherwise you may end up in a splash pool without everything you started with. In addition apart from the arcades and the volleyball courts, there are the usual picnic grounds, fast food joints and ice cream sellers you can expect in such fun park. Ybor City This is the home of Tampa's Latin quarter, has a thriving arts and cultural scene and is one of only three National Historic Landmark Districts in Florida. This 'old' (dating back just over 100 years) part of town contains attractive cobblestone streets and many defunct and oddly pretty cigar-making factories (Tampa was the so-called cigar capital of the world in 1900) that were all closed by the 1950's. These buildings have been revamped and now serve as homes for other activities; for example, The Ybor Brewing Company is a microbrewery (take the tour) that is located in one such defunct cigar factory. Those with a thirst for knowledge should pop into the Ybor City State Museum that is located in a former bakery. It recounts the history of Ybor through various photographic exhibits There are also some reconstructed worker's homes on the site. Those with a thirst for something else should meander down to Ybor Square, an area teaming with bars and clubs. The square contains pubs and clubs popular with the lesbian and gay community. You can also expect, that there will be ample opportunities for buying and testing cigars. Fiesta Day, held in February, is a fun filled annual event intended to honor the many immigrants who settled in Ybor. Spectator Sports Sports enthusiasts are not short of activities to watch in the Tampa area. Not only are there many sports events from American Football to baseball but also Tampa is the home away from home for many teams between sports seasons. The New York Yankees baseball team for example, spends spring training in a scaled down Yankee Stadium (with a 10,000-seat capacity it's not exactly small). It is possible to watch some training sessions for teams decamping from the snow clad northern states but an admission fee is normally payable. Events staged during the various sports seasons are well attended and represent a day out for all the family. Stadia are family-friendly all seater affairs and sports events are not known for rampant hooliganism. You can expect ample parking, toilet and eating facilities in purpose built facilities. Even if you normally dislike sports, you can expect to warm to the atmosphere created by warm beer, hotdogs and dancing cheerleaders. During the football season, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers American Football team may be seen at the 66,000-seat Raymond James Stadium. The games are so popular that tickets should be obtained well in advance. The stadium contains several massive 'BucVision' screens that are a 100 feet long that display the action from different angles. Fans of fast team sports can check out the The Tampa Bay Lightning National Hockey team that can be tracked down to the St. Pete Times Forum. Horse racing is a popular spectator sport in Florida. Race meets such as the The Tampa Bay Derby is a highlight of the sporting calendar. Racing takes place on the only thoroughbred racecourse on Florida's west coast. Race meets are held primarily from December to May. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays is one of Major League baseballs newest teams. They may be seen in the 45 000 -seat Tropicana Field - an enclosed air-conditioned stadium. |