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Disembarking from a plane at the international airport, you will hear visitors remark "Wow! It's hot here." A few minutes later those same people will no doubt be oohing and aahing about the giant palm trees through the windows of the monorail. An insider's guide to Tampa
By Janine Dorsey/Tampa Bay Online
Traveling west on I-4, traffic will speed up and you'll spot a giant arrow "shot" through the water tower advertising the Seminole Indian reservation bingo hall.
Taking I-75 south to the Bay area? Your hint will be actual signs of civilization after great expanses of sub-tropical wilderness.
Welcome to Tampa, you have arrived in one of Florida's more eclectic cities.
There's a lot of interesting and entertaining stuff to do in this city that boasts all the best things that Florida has to offer.
We have some mildly populated sandy bay beaches, historical landmarks, great shorts weather and the prerequisite tourist attractions. You know, we're a little bit country and we're a little bit rock n' roll. Sometimes, though, it takes an insider to direct a visitor to the best spots.
Before I moved here six years ago from the east coast of Florida, I took a couple of trips to Tampa to sample some "big city living." What I found was a laidback large "town."
I was impressed then and am still impressed today with Tampa's zoo, one of the greatest I have ever visited. Lowry Park Zoo, in the northen part of the city, is a must-see. It's not a particularly large zoo, compared to Miami's MetroZoo, but its lovely surrounding grounds and attractive exhibits make for an all-around pleasant trip. I especially enjoy the central manatee sculpture-adorned fountain that calls to toddlers like the "sirens" manatees are reputed to be. Children of all ages love to frolic in the spray, and an adult or two has been seen with shoes off enjoying the water therapy.
The petting zoo at Lowry is another favorite. The animals are not exotic, but you get a hands-on experience that makes for a well-rounded zoo trip.
In addition, a trip to the zoo is a bargain. Adults pay only $6.50; seniors 50 and older, $5.50; children under 12, $4.50; and age 2 and younger are admitted free. Outside the zoo proper is the Fun Forest where admission is free, and rides for small children are a minimal cost. Safety Village is nearby as well and offers children a chance to see Tampa at eye level. Admission to Safety Village is free.
You should reserve an entire day for a jaunt to Busch Gardens. Run like mad from roller coaster to roller coaster in the morning when you arrive and reserve the sweltering Florida afternoon for the ice-skating show and water rides. Park attendants let you re-enter for free, so brave the traffic of Busch Boulevard and dash across the street for a cheaper-than-theme-park-fare fast food lunch.
Some people skip the roller coasters entirely and head straight for Adventure Island water theme park next door to Busch Gardens. If you do decide to go that route, make sure you wear a bathing suit that will stay in place even after a mach-4 trip down a water slide. It will save you a lot of embarrassment in the pool at the bottom!
Whichever you choose, don't forget the sunblock. A sunburn during the day can make exploring Tampa's nightlife uncomfortable.
Eateries in Florida are ultra-casual, so leave your ties and pantyhose at home. Restaurants tend to cluster in Tampa. Dale Mabry Highway, Fowler Avenue, Seventh Avenue, Kennedy Boulevard and Howard Avenue are the main drags for dining. Local specialties you should try are black beans and rice, paella, Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs and seafood, of course. The area also has a substantial Thai and Italian representation.
Nightlife in Tampa is concentrated in the newly revitalized Ybor City historic district. Just about every happening bar in town has pulled up stakes and moved to Ybor, or opened an outlet there. Seventh Avenue hosts a great variety of live music and ethnic food, all within walking distance. Some favorites include Club Irie, Blues Ship Cafe (extra-large dance floor, live music), Carmine's, and The Castle (off Seventh but still nearby).
There's lots to do in Ybor besides drink. Art galleries and vintage clothing stores have set up shop there, too. Day-time tours of historic sites are available. And if you're a people-watcher, you won't be disapointed with the selection.
Just about everything in Ybor has a funky, artsy, ethnic feel to it. Dress in black; you'll fit in.
If you still have some time here after you've blown all your vacation dough on the tourist traps, check out The Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI). The museum is relatively inexpensive and can absorb a whole day. Plus you'll get an education on a wide assortment of topics including recycling, anatomy, weather and space.
For nature lovers, the Hillsborough River Canoe trail is a treat. Canoes can be rented cheaply, or just enjoy the beauty from the shore in one of our local parks.
Which ever sites you choose to visit, the first thing you should do is buy a city map. Tampa is easy to get around (with the exception of downtown's one-way streets) as long as you remember that Interstate-275 is the main artery. I-275 is also your link to a sidetrip to St. Petersburg or Clearwater Beach.