What to do in Tampa?

[trixietx]

We have cruised several times out of Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Cape Canaveral, but this is our first cruise out of Tampa. We are going a few days early. What are the not to miss sights or places to be sure and eat at?

[Capt_BJ]

Berns - arguably best steaks in US, possibly largest rest' wine cellar in the world

Columbia - a landmark in Ybor City section of Tampa - Spanish food

John's Pass Village - little shopping village on the Gulf - about an hour drive

 

Google/Yahoo/Bing 'em

[Orlando Vic]

The Florida Aquarium is quite good. http://www.flaquarium.org/

 

"...places to be sure and eat at?"

Bern's Steakhouse

http://www.bernssteakhouse.com/

 

Ha! Just saw the above post. Obviously Bern's is the first restaurant that comes to people's minds. A true bucket list experience.

[Capt_BJ]

realized that OP is from Texas and is probably chuckling at our recommendations for a steak in Florida.

 

If you ignore any comments about quality of the meat (which truly is special) the 'dining experience' is one to savor. Read the menu - they do things special here. Ask to visit the kitchen and the wine cellar - no problem (last time I was there this was still done anyway). And be sure to make reservations for the dessert room after dinner - absolutely not to be missed. Some come just for dessert - which is served in its own dining room. Check out the selection of after dinner drinks . . .

[SeaPA1]

There's a new company in the downtown area that rents electric boats; I think pricing is by the hour or block of hours. They're set up at the docks by the Convention Center. Gives a nice opportunity to get a view of the town from on the water, it's quite pretty.

 

Their website, including contact info, is www.eboatstampa.com.

[trixietx]

Thank you for your quick replies. I had already checked out the Aquarium, Berns and Columbia, due to Trip Advisor recommendations. I will check out the boats, sounds like fun.

Another question,, we are thinking of staying at the Embassy Suites or Marriott, downtown. Are there better places to stay? I know the trolley runs there, or so I read.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

The Marriott and Embassy Suites Downtown are both very nice hotels in the downtown area. You can't go wrong with either choice.

 

Will you have a rental car ? The Marriott Waterside has a car rental onsite. It is Hertz.

 

If so, take a drive over to St. Pete. Just get on I-275 and head south over the Howard Franklin Bridge into St Pete. Once there, you could visit Ft. Desoto Beach.... $5 per car. Lots to do and a beautiful beach.http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

On the way out, there is a nice little restaurant on the water. Billy's Stone Crab. Good food and a nice Fla atmosphere. http://www.billysstonecrab.com/index.html

 

 

 

Also, downtown St.Pete has a lot to offer as well. The Pier, is a St Pete Icon. Around this area are many museums incl the Dali and Dale Chilhully.

The Pier has a restaurant on the very top with great views of the water. There are also many shops and an aquarium. http://www.stpetepier.com/dining.asp

 

 

If you want to stay a day or two on the beach, try The Alden All Suites hotel. We have stayed there many times. The rates are very, very good and the Mgt is top notch. www.aldenbeachresort.com

 

 

Have a great time.

 

:)

 

 

 

 

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[redxpanda]

We did a weekend in Tampa recently.

 

We enjoyed the Dali Museum (st pete), Cigar City Brewing (sign up for a tour!), and Ybor City.

 

On iTunes there is a 'ghosts of Ybor' tour for $9.99. It is a walking tour that takes you around Ybor at your own pace and teaches you a little of the history. We used my iPhone and set of earphones that we could share. An audio splitter and 2 sets of earphones would have been easier! They have actual tours that people give, but they were pricey and/or weren't running the days we were in town.

 

We also did the American Victory ship tour. It is located next to the port and aquarium. It was cheap, somewhat interesting, and something to do before lunch one of the days. It is not however, a must see attraction!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[cusecruise]

If you have a car, head to the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach - it is located along the canal next to the TECO power plant. If it's chilly, you'll see a ton of manatee who come into the canal as the water there is warm. The Tampa Zoo is also a fun visit as is Busch Gardens.

 

Columbia, already mentioned is one of my favorites. For something different in Ybor, visit La Creperia for a treat. They have both savory and sweet crepes - we visited for breakfast before boarding the ship and it was awesome (and I am not a fan of crepes so that says alot!).

[put me on a ship]

CDB pizza! Best pizza ever! Busch Gardens is one of my favorite theme parks, Lowry Zoo is okay, Dali Museum is cool.

[Tropical Traveler]

The Marriott and Embassy Suites Downtown are both very nice hotels in the downtown area. You can't go wrong with either choice.

 

Will you have a rental car ? The Marriott Waterside has a car rental onsite. It is Hertz.

 

If so, take a drive over to St. Pete. Just get on I-275 and head south over the Howard Franklin Bridge into St Pete. Once there, you could visit Ft. Desoto Beach.... $5 per car. Lots to do and a beautiful beach.http://www.pinellascounty.org/park/05_ft_desoto.htm

On the way out, there is a nice little restaurant on the water. Billy's Stone Crab. Good food and a nice Fla atmosphere. http://www.billysstonecrab.com/index.html ......

 

 

About how many miles is it from the Marriott Waterside to Billy's Stone Crab? Would be interested in trying it for dinner when we're there in May.

 

Thanks in advance. :)

[FlaGrl4Evr]

About how many miles is it from the Marriott Waterside to Billy's Stone Crab? Would be interested in trying it for dinner when we're there in May.

 

Thanks in advance. :)

 

 

I'm making a guess here on the exact milage, but perhaps close to 30. It's about 15 min from your hotel to the Howard Franklin Bridge that connects Tampa to St. Pete, then about another 25 min to the Pinellas Bayway exit. Billy's is about another mile on the right, just over the bridge to Terre Verde. You will see the signs.

 

If you plan to spend some time touring Ft Desoto before hand, it would be worth the drive. My only suggestion would be to leave your hotel before rush hour traffic and then return back to Tampa after rush hour traffic.

 

 

Another restaurant of interest would be the Hurricane on Pass-a-Grille Beach. Not too far from Billys. You would just go straight ahead after the toll booth on the Pinellas Bayway, and take the bridge over to St. Pete Beach. At the traffic light at the Don Caesar Hotel, (you can't miss it -- Huge pink Icon hotel) turn left and follow the signs to the public parking for Pass-a-Grille Beach. The Hurricane is about 3/4 of the way down. You can catch some really good sunsets from here. BTW: This is kind of a locals beach, I love this area. http://www.thehurricane.com/

 

 

good luck and have fun.

 

:)

 

 

 

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[JaniceB]

I second Pass-A-Grille and Hurricanes, we haven't been for a few years but there was a little restaurant on the beach in front of Hurricanes where we got breakfast on the beach and I mean on the beach with picnic tables. I hope it is still there.

 

Also a beach bar/restaurant Jimmy B's if you like music and dancing with a veiw of the gulf is a short way north in St. Pete Beach. It is right next to Tradewinds.

[FlaGrl4Evr]

I second Pass-A-Grille and Hurricanes, we haven't been for a few years but there was a little restaurant on the beach in front of Hurricanes where we got breakfast on the beach and I mean on the beach with picnic tables. I hope it is still there.

 

Also a beach bar/restaurant Jimmy B's if you like music and dancing with a veiw of the gulf is a short way north in St. Pete Beach. It is right next to Tradewinds.

 

The little breakfast place on the beach is still there. We have always just called it, " The beach Snack-Bar" although I'm sure it has a name. It's been there for years and is about as close as you can get to the beach for breakfast or lunch.

 

Jimmy B's is there as well as Buddy's, at the hotel next door. We stay at the Alden, which is a few hotels down, and then beach-bar-hop at night.

Both of those beach bars are hoppin on Fri and Sat eve plus Sat and Sun afternoons. In season, I believe they play during the week as well.

 

:)

 

 

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[Capt_BJ]

first visited Hurricane when it was a little concrete place with the best grouper sandwiches on what was known as the local g*a*y beach (you go other THERE? for a good sandwich - you betcha) - 1978

 

The world famous original GROUPER sandwich

Since 1977

this is the one you have heard about around the World

Fresh Gulf Grouper cut daily, hand breaded to order in the Hurricane original breading, lightly fried in rice bran oil served on a corn dusted Kaiser bun with dukes specially made tartar sauce and a fresh lemon wedge House recommends Fried, Broiled or Blackened

 

 

Place is LARGE now but in the same location and while the sandwich has changed (size AND price) it is still very good. If heading that far south it is worth a stop

 

http://www.thehurricane.com/history.php

 

excellent beach by the way

[SeaPA1]

The little breakfast place on the beach is still there. We have always just called it, " The beach Snack-Bar" although I'm sure it has a name. It's been there for years and is about as close as you can get to the beach for breakfast or lunch.

 

Jimmy B's is there as well as Buddy's, at the hotel next door. We stay at the Alden, which is a few hotels down, and then beach-bar-hop at night.

Both of those beach bars are hoppin on Fri and Sat eve plus Sat and Sun afternoons. In season, I believe they play during the week as well.

 

:)

 

 

.

 

I think you must be referring to the Paradise Grille. It's a great little place. http://www.theparadisegrille.com/

[FlaGrl4Evr]

I think you must be referring to the Paradise Grille. It's a great little place. http://www.theparadisegrille.com/

 

 

 

That would be it. :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[JaniceB]

SeaPA1 - thanks for refreshing my memory with the name of the restaurant.

[bailey57]

don't know when you're sailing, but if you want to see the st pete pier - an iconic landmark - it is being torn down in a few months (late may, i think). downtown st pete is a favorite of mine - beautiful setting, very walkable, great museums (fine arts, dali and others, the chihuly is interesting, but small and pricey, so if you've seen his stuff before, pass on this one), smaller local galleries & shops and there are lots of restaurants along beach drive - sit outside and watch the passing parade and the harbor. walk through the vinoy resort nearby - it has a great history. just north of downtown st pete around at about 20th ave (? better look it up) & 4th street north (tip: in st pete, streets run n/s, avenues run e/w), is a hidden gem of a place called sunken gardens. $7 or $8 to get in, a lovely garden good for an hour of meandering - it's a very calm and quiet place.

 

in tampa, i'd second busch gardens and the zoo. then again, you could always stay at the beach, and do nothing at all. always a good option. :) enjoy your stay here!

[CruiserJul]

Great thread! This is giving me lots of ideas of what to do after our cruise on the Paradise in March. We have been to the aquarium - which is very nice and has penguins! Also, we have been to the casino. But not for long...lol before it took all of our money :eek:.

 

DH would like to go to Ft. DeSoto and that Paradise Grill sounds great!

[budzij123]

I would recommend the Marriott Waterside - they have a Starbucks on site and their casual restaurant Cafe' Waterside has the best chicken pot pie! You can catch trolley to channelside and eat at Thai Thani (upstairs).They have best thai food in area.

[trixietx]

Thank you all for your replies! We will be in Tampa next week and can hardly wait! :)

[suezyq50]

We did the Electric Glide Tour, http://electricglidetours.com/

in Ybor City and loved it. Great instuctors.